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Cutie Honey

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is a widely known anime and manga series created by Go Nagai in 1973. Although an android, the main character Honey is considered a prototype for the transforming magical girl character, with a few key differences.

History

1973 edition vol 41 Shonen Champion
1973 edition vol 41 Shonen Champion

Cutie Honey first appeared to the public on volume 41 of the 1973 edition of the manga "Shonen Champion". Volume 41 was the October edition of the manga and thus it was released 13 days prior to the start of the TV series.

The Cutie Honey TV series began on the 13th October 1973 and ran until 30th March 1974. The series was aired in France in the late 1980s under the title Cherry Miel.

Plot details

Honey is an android girl created by an elderly scientist to be his "daughter". She had no idea she was an artificial being, and she also attended a Catholic school. She found the truth about herself on the day her "father" was killed by members of a villanous organization called the "Panther Claw". She discovered that by saying "Honey Flash!" she could transform into a red-haired female superhero, with great strength and agility, as well as a sword. In fact, she had several other forms, all beautiful women with different abilities. (Her "real" form has long blonde hair.) She was able to transform with the device in her body, Fixed System of Air Elements. Honey continued to get revenge against the Panther Claw (and its woman-android agents) while attending school, until defeating them. Aiding Honey in her quest for revenge is the Hayami family. Hayami Danbei, his two sons Seiji, Junpei, and later on his nephew Naojiro. The organization "Panther Claw" is ruled by Panther Zora, and her younger sibling Sister Jill. Their main goal is unlimited wealth, and obtaining the Fixed System of Air Elements Device. The original series ending leaves the story open-ended, with Honey defeating Sister Jill and discovering Panther Zora is the true leader of Panther Claw.

The OVA continued the story several years later, with Honey not having aged, but having forgotten her true identity. Once she recovers her memory, she continues to battle evil. In this stage, her shapeshifting powers have increased to the point of being able to imitate any person's form (but not to change gender, curiously, even when mimicking a man). The notion of a shape-shifting android can, of course, be traced back as far as Hirai and Kuwata's science fiction manga series, 8 Man. In some respects, Cutie Honey was an overtly sexualized version of the earlier character; significantly, Honey's deceased father is a dead ringer for 8-Man's creator, Doctor Tani.

The manga contains even more violence, gross out humor, and nudity. In the manga the whole Saint Chapel School was lesbian, including Honey's best friend Aki Natsuko. While the Panther Claw were andriods in the anime (excluding Sister Jill and Panther Zora), they are referred as cyborgs in the manga. Honey does not join Paradise School, nor does Danbei have a nephew Naojiro in the manga. The idea of Paradise School, and the characters Naojiro and Goeman (a teacher at Paradise School) were borrowed from other Go Nagai manga, Abashiri Family. However there is a female character in the manga that looks like Naojiro, named Naoko. She was the "boss" of Saint Chapel, while Naojiro was the "boss" of Paradise School. The manga ends in a similar (although a bit more comecial) way. However, the story completely ended in Cutie Honey 90's.

The Ken Ishikawa manga follows a more episodic formula like the TV series. The art work is quite crude, and inconsistent. Unlike the TV series or original manga, Honey always knew Panther Zora was the leader of Panther Claw. Sister Jill does not even show up until the last chapter of Ishikawa's version. Like the original manga, and TV series the manga ends with Honey defeating Sister Jill, and continuning her battle with Zora.

Also notable is that creator Go Nagai based Cutey Honey off of two classic tokusatsu superhero shows, 7-Color Mask (1959) and Rainbowman (1972), which both featured superheroes with 7 different forms (7-Color Mask had 7 disugises and Rainbowman had 7 different superhero forms). Both shows were created by Yasunori Kawauchi (who also created Japan's first superhero TV show, Moonlight Mask, which Nagai spoofed as Kekko Kamen).

Honey is notable for being mischievous for a Japanese female hero, often teasing her male friends and mocking her enemies in combat.

New Cutey Honey (1994-95)

Many years after the events of the first series, the citizens of Cosplay City are struggling with the criminals attacking it. Into this chaos, a new mayor, Light, has vowed to reign in the criminal element and bring back peace. However, the dark lord Dolmeck, along with his sidekicks Black Maiden (actually Panther Zora) and Peeping Spider seek to derail his efforts. However, when it is learned that his secretary Honey Kisaragi is the legendary Cutey Honey, she resumes her campaign to save the city with the power of love.

After her return, Honey moves into the home of Danbei Hayami, a cyborg guardian and "dirty old man," as well as Danbei's grandson Chokkei, and his parents Daiko and Akakabu.

The series, originally intended to be a 12-part series ended at episode 8. While the first 4 episode which contains a complete story was considered a success, the second set of 4 episodes which sets up for the final 4 episodes failed to generate new interest in 1995. Toei did not fund the production of the last 4 episodes and the series concluded without a true ending. In 2004, when this OAV series was released in DVD in Japan, the scripted but not filmed episode 9, a Christmas story, was turned into a CD drama. The remaining three episodes were never scripted.

The series is full of nods to Go Nagai's other work; many of Danbei's weapons are based on those used by Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger and Grendizer, the scientist who created him is a Dr. Kabuto (cf. the creator of Mazinger Z, and his appearance in Shin Cutey Honey matches how he looks in the Mazinkaiser OAV, and Mazinger Z manga), the villains stand behind a Devilman gargoyle at the end of the first episode, one of the villains' captives in the second episde looks like Sayaka from Mazinger Z, and in a prison episode Honey turns herself into an inmate who looks exactly like Koji Kabuto. She also teams up with Akira from Devilman in the same episode. The designs for Chokkei's parents, Daiko and Akakabu are based off the parents from Go Nagai's Deliquent in Drag. The original series also references quite a few times. In episode 2, a picture of Prof. Kisaragi is seen in Honey's room (as well as a bust of Mazinger Z on her nightstand). During her battle with Dolmeck, Honey flashbacks to various Panther Claw minions, as well as Sister Jill. She also makes reference to her friend, Aki Natsuko from the original series and manga. She was burned to death by Sister Jill. (Dragon Panther in the manga)

Cutey Honey Flash (1997-98)

The title is often shortened to Cutey Honey F.

In this series, considered by some to be more "toned down" and "family-friendly" than the previous versions, Honey can also be anyone she wishes, but prefers 7 forms:

This series introduces Cutey Honey's sister and rival: Misty Honey. Misty Honey, unlike Cutey Honey, cannot turn into anyone she wants; she can only change from Seira to Misty Honey. She has a band around her leg that resembles Honey's choker, but she uses a ring to transform with the words "Honey Crash." She even looks like the reverse version of her sister, since she has long blue hair and a less revealing outfit, while Honey has short pink hair and a more revealing outfit. Misty Honey was stolen by Panther Claw and dubbed "The Warrior of Hate," in contrast with Cutey Honey, "The Warrior of Love." Her alter ego is Seira Hazuki.

There are quite a lot of Go Nagai references in CHF much like Shin Cutey Honey. One of the villains, Freddy Claw is a female mix of Dr. Hell and Count Brocken from Mazinger Z. Another villain, Gorgon Claw is a female version of Duke Gorgon from Mazinger Z, and Great Mazinger. Various villains of the day are inspired from monsters of the original Cutie Honey, and the Devilman series. Two boys from Kisaragi Honey's school are based off pliots from Getter Robo.

Cutey Honey in the 21st century

In 2004, Gainax produced a live-action Cutey Honey film, starring popular Japanese model Eriko Sato as Honey Kisaragi/Cutey Honey. Directed by Hideaki Anno, the film loosely retells the classic story of Cutey Honey's battle to defend humanity and avenge her father against Panther Claw. Due to budget constraints, and a desire to exploit the popularity of Eriko Sato, the film places more emphasis on Honey's many changes of costume, and contains only a few action sequences. Villains Honey faces include Sister Jill, Gold Claw, Cobalt Claw, Scarlet Claw and Black Claw.

Simultaneous to the release of the Cutey Honey live action film, Gainax also produced a new three-part OAV (Original Animated Video) series entitled Re: Cutey Honey. The OAV tells the same story as the film, although with significantly more detail and plot elements added. A radical departure from the style of previous Cutey Honey incarnations, Re: Cutie Honey uses simplistic animation and bold lines that appear to be influenced by graffiti-style art and animation similar to FLCL, another Gainax release, in order to create dynamism and exaggerated movement in action sequences. The simplicity of many of the backgrounds and characters creates a distinct visual style that has its supporters and detractors.

Nudity

Cutey Honey is one of the originators of the fan service trend in anime and manga, a practice by animators that gives the audience brief glimpes of nudity or sexually titillating images without becoming full blown hentai or pornography. In Cutey Honey, fan service exists whenever Honey changes into one of her many forms; she is seen nude briefly while the transformation takes place. The series also contains a number of panty shots when Honey is in her normal human form.

The degree of fan service in the different Cutey Honey series has varied over the years. While the all-ages Cutey Honey Flash featured the least nudity (and what little there was featured no detail), New Cutey Honey contained the most openly graphic sexual content, and was probably the closest to border on hentai of any of the series. Because New Cutey Honey is the only Cutey Honey series to have been released in the United States, Cutey Honey often has an underserved reputation as a hentai title.

Despite the presence of fan service in Cutey Honey, most of the nudity is done in a tongue-in-cheek manner. Honey deals with lecherous old men, hormone-driven teenagers, and even beautiful, lesbian women in a humorous context.

Cutey Honey's forms

Cutey Honey (TV series, 1973-74) Cutie Honey (manga by Go Nagai serialized in Shonen Champion from 1973-74) Cutie Honey (manga by Ken Ishikawa serialized in Bouken Oh from November 1973 - May 1974) Q-tey Honey (manga by Go Nagai serialized in SPA! from July 8, 1992 - April 7, 1993) Shin [New] Cutey Honey (OAV series, 1994-95) Cutey Honey Flash (TV series, 1997-98) Cutey Honey Flash (manga by Yukako Iizuka serialized in Chao in 1997) Cutey Honey & F (manga by Ken Ishikawa and Kazuyuki Sasaki serialized in Koro Koro Comics from April 1997 - February 1998) Cutey Honey: Tennyo Densetsu [also known as Legend of an Angel] (manga by Go Nagai, serialized in Weekly Manga Action) Cutie Honey (Live-Action Movie, 2004) Re: Cutie Honey (OAV, 2004) Cutie Honey aGoGo!

Panther Claw

Bold are main villains.

Cutey Honey (TV series, 1973-74)

Cutie Honey (manga by Go Nagai serialized in Shonen Champion from 1973-74) Cutie Honey (manga by Ken Ishikawa serialized in Bouken Oh from November 1973 - May 1974) Q-tey Honey (manga by Go Nagai serialized in SPA! from July 8, 1992 - April 7, 1993) Shin [New] Cutey Honey (OAV series, 1994-95) New Cutey Honey (CD drama based on unfilmed ninth volume of Shin Cutey Honey, released 2004) Cutey Honey Flash (TV series, 1997-98) Cutey Honey Flash (movie, 1997) Cutey Honey Flash (manga by Yukako Iizuka serialized in Chao in 1997) Cutey Honey & F (manga by Ken Ishikawa and Kazuyuki Sasaki serialized in Koro Koro Comics from April 1997 - February 1998) Cutey Honey: Tennyo Densetsu [also known as Legend of an Angel] (manga by Go Nagai, serialized in Weekly Manga Action) Cutie Honey (live-action movie, 2004) Re: Cutie Honey (OAV, 2004) Re: Cutie Honey: Volume Harmony (CD drama, 2004) Cutie Honey aGoGo!

Episode guide

Cutey Honey (TV series, 1973-74)
  1. The Black Claw Captures the Heart [TV-14]
  2. Fire Peony of the Night, Sword Dance [TV-14]
  3. The Red Axe Lays a Trap [TV-14]
  4. I saw the Devil in the Beautiful Forest [TV-14]
  5. The Crimson Sky, The Devil's Curse [TV-14]
  6. The Black Scissors Cut My Dreams [TV-14]
  7. The Black Panther Sings the Dance of Death [TV-14]
  8. The Devil Calls from the Deep Blue Sea [TV-14]
  9. Silence the Devil's Whistle [TV-14]
  10. The Phantom Castle Choked in Fog [TV-14]
  11. Hands off the Gold [TV-PG]
  12. The Eternal Red Pearl [TV-14]
  13. My Deep Profound Tears [TV-PG]
  14. Oh no! The Campus' Last Day [TV-14 V]
  15. The Tears of Rage Swell Up [TV-14]
  16. From the Casino with Love [TV-14]
  17. The Storm Departs to the North [TV-PG]
  18. My Blood Boils Over [TV-14]
  19. A Flower Blooms in the Distant Wild [TV-PG]
  20. Loss of the Imaginary Town [TV-14]
  21. A Black Shadow Stands in the Green Field [TV-14]
  22. School of My Yearning, Paradise School [TV-PG]
  23. The Mesmerizing Scorpion Woman [TV-14]
  24. Song of the Proud Challenger [TV-14]
  25. A Poison Flower Shatters in Hell [TV-14]
Shin [New] Cutey Honey (OAV series, 1994-95)
  1. An Angel Descends [TV-MA LSV]
  2. The Sweet Trap of the Jewel Princess [TV-MA S]
  3. Singing is the Devil's Temptation [TV-MA]
  4. Death of Honey?! Battle in the Sacred Skyship! [TV-MA]
  5. Challenge! The Fangs of The Evil Sky Monster! [TV-MA]
  6. The Evil of Revenge [TV-MA]
  7. Prison is the Nest of Evil [TV-MA]
  8. Temptation Shines Like Gold [TV-MA]
Cutey Honey Flash (TV series, 1997-98)
  1. In The Name of Love! A Girl Changes [TV-PG]
  2. A Girl's Resolve! Twilight’s Blooming Flower [TV-PG]
  3. A Girl’s Dream! For Whom Is the Bride’s Dress? [TV-PG]
  4. The Tears of the Mermaid! The Bond Between a Father and Daughter [TV-PG]
  5. Destiny Calls! Girl of The Seven-Colored Rainbow [TV-PG]
  6. Can’t Transform! Honey Trapped [TV-PG]
  7. A Sea of Sorrow! Seiji’s Recollection of His Father [TV-PG]
  8. The Sweet Smell of Danger! Protecting a Girl’s Purity [TV-PG]
  9. Prince’s Crisis!? The Coming of a Rival [TV-PG]
  10. Special Attack Repulsed!? Honey’s Battle to the Death [TV-PG]
  11. The Jumping Terror!! Honey Stalked [TV-PG]
  12. Honey’s Desperation. [Sister] Jill’s Electric Fury [TV-PG]
  13. Fight on with Love! The Final Battle with [Sister] Jill [TV-PG]
  14. A Mysterious Warrior Appears!! Overture to a New Fate [TV-PG]
  15. The Bell Is Rung! The Two Honeys’ Big Fight [TV-PG]
  16. Dueling Emotions! The Sisters’ Tennis Confrontation [TV-PG]
  17. Shocking Revelations! Honey’s Father Reveals a Secret [TV-PG]
  18. Burning Flames of Remembrance! Seira's Vow [TV-PG]
  19. Challenge in Swimsuits! The Skeletal Captain of the Ghost Ship [TV-PG]
  20. Panther [Claw's] Seal! The Secret Within Seira [TV-PG]
  21. For Love! The Double Honeys’ Final Battle [TV-PG]
  22. Seira Flaming Death! With a Father’s Love in Her Heart [TV-PG]
  23. Love Finale! The Honeys’ Shining Light Triumphs Over Fate [TV-PG]
  24. Destruction of the Academy!? The New Panther Army’s Menace [TV-PG]
  25. Honey’s Babysitting!? Somebody’s After Baby [TV-PG]
  26. The Panther [Claw] "Idol"? The Passionate Song Battle [TV-PG]
  27. Queen of the [Racing] Circuit! Battle on the Speedway [TV-PG]
  28. The Demon! The Tears of Panther [Claw] [TV-PG]
  29. Adventures on a Deserted Isle! Treasure Hunt Pandemonium [TV-PG]
  30. The Impossible Escape!? Express Line Straight to Hell [TV-PG]
  31. Fading Love and Passion! Father’s Return to Youth [TV-PG]
  32. The Hungry Detective Seiji Hayami! His Absolute Worst Day [TV-PG]
  33. The Cosmic Trap! Honey’s Dire Crisis [TV-PG]
  34. Honey’s Emotional Decision! Seiji vs. Prince [TV-PG]
  35. Trust in Me! The Full Glory of Love [TV-PG]
  36. The Brave Fight! The Lightning Attack Pro-Wrestling Match [TV-PG]
  37. The Final Crusade (Part 1) Fate Tests Love [TV-PG]
  38. The Final Crusade (Part 2) Victory of the Dreamer [TV-PG]
  39. Honey the Bride! The Glory of Love Is Eternal [TV-PG]
Re: Cutie Honey (OAV, 2004)
  1. Volume Heaven [TV-14]
  2. Volume Earth [TV-14]
  3. Volume Human [TV-14]
  4. Volume Harmony (CD Drama)

Manga

  1. Cutey Honey (by Go Nagai, serialized in Shōnen Champion 1973-74; 2 vol.)
  2. Cutey Honey (by Ken Ishikawa, serialized in Bouken Oh 11/73–05/74; 1 vol.)
  3. Q-tey Honey (by Go Nagai, serialized in SPA! 07/08/92–04/07/93; 2 vol. retitled Cutie Honey)
  4. Cutey Honey Flash (by Yukako Iizuka, serialized in Chao 1997; 1 vol.)
  5. Cutey Honey & F (by Ken Ishikawa and Kazuyuki Sasaki, serialized in Koro Koro Comics from 04/97–02/98; 4 vol.)
  6. Cutey Honey: Tennyo Densetsu [also known as Legend of an Angel] (by Go Nagai, serialized in Weekly Manga Action; 9 vol.)
  7. Cutie Honey aGoGo!
  8. Cutie Honey SEED

Anime

  1. Cutey Honey (TV series, 25 episodes, 1973–1974)
  2. Shin Cutey Honey (New Cutey Honey) (OAV, 8 episodes, 1994)
  3. Cutey Honey Flash (TV series, 39 episodes, 1997–1998)
  4. Cutey Honey Flash Movie (1997)
  5. Re: Cutie Honey (OAV, 3 episodes, 2004)

Tokusatsu

  1. Cutie Honey (Movie, 2004, directed by Hideaki Anno)

Parodies

External links

 


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