Cutie Honey Universe

She's back!

Yes! we're not dead! (yet) and we've been planning this post for quite a while. Today we'll take a look at another Cutie Honey Animé adaptation.

Cutie Honey Universe is the 2018 anime television series directed by Akitoshi Yokoyama at Production Reed. It is the fifth animated project based on Go Nagai's Cutie Honey manga franchise, celebrating the author's 50th anniversary as a manga artist. The series began airing in Japan in April 2018 and is licensed in North America by Sentai Filmworks.

Today's entry marks our latest entry in the Cutie Honey franchise. So fa we've reviewed the original series, the 90's remake, and the 2004 Gainax's OVAs. We may review Cutie Honey Flash in the distant future.

"The forces of evil are on the rise. When the evil mastermind Sister Jill transforms one of her girls into the bestial Breast Claw and sends her minions out on a mission involving the group Panther Claw and a jewelry store heist, Honey Kisaragi departs from her Catholic girls' school to confront the threat as Cutie Honey. But that's exactly what Sister Jill wants, as she desires Honey's Airborne Element Fixing Device, which allows her to transform into Honey's seven different forms. Meanwhile, Sister Jill is also on the scene in disguise as Inspector Genet, trying to worm her way into Honey's confidence from a different angle."

That old fashioned sense of humor is back.

Sexy violence is back too!

2018 marked 50 years of Go Nagai's work as a writer and manga artist, and given the influence of his back catalogue it's not surprising that his most famous works have been undergoing a resurgence lately. The Devilman franchise has reached an all-new audience with mega popular Netflix exclusive Devilman Crybaby, while the original Mazinger Z anime received a proper sequel over 40 years later with the Mazinger Z Infinity movie. So where does this leave Nagai's high-action, lowbrow magical girl series? An influence to the pantheon that followed, Cutie Honey returns for its first animated outing since 2004 with the release of Cutie Honey Universe. Closely patterned in both story and character design after the original manga series, Cutie Honey Universe was animated by studio Production Reed (who until 2007 were Ashi Productions) and ran for a total of 12 episodes.

As the first Cutie Honey anime in nearly 15 years and part of a wider celebration of Go Nagai's works, you might expect Cutie Honey Universe to be a show that's a bit more welcoming to a new audience. And though Universe is a self-contained show that (eventually) tells you enough you need to know about Honey Kisaragi and her fight against Panther Claw, its overall presentation certainly may turn off a lot of newcomers. In my humble opinion, I'd say this so-called reboot, is in essence, nothing but a humble tribute to Go Nagai's work. Producers didn't have to rediscover fire here. Most of the tropes the original Manga had, are somehow present throughout the 12 episode run of this updated homage.

Shake that booty!

Fight until you're almost naked!

While is obvious to any connoisseur that Cutie Honey comes from a far less complex Manga made in the early 70's. I'm amazed to read all these reviews criticizing the show as lacking both character and plot development.  Misinformation is always a problem when it comes  to reviewing a product based upon  a 47 year old property. There's no way you can measure by today's standards something that was made long ago in a different world.

When you read things like "the poor plotting and characterization is the wildly inconsistent tone of the show" in allegedly well informed Animé sites you realize  deserve to die. Anyone whose got even a glimpse of Go Nagai's works will understand they come from simpler times, and that's the big problem I have with these sites. Their users neither bother to read from start to finish, nor they will watch an entire series with solid background knowledge about the show. They only see the cover and judge.

"The inconsistent tone" reviewers mention, it's because it is supposed to be like that. Cutie Honey has always been an amalgam of comedy, action, sexual innuendo, and plot twists. There are darker characters, comic relief type of characters, and a wide variety of craziness that goes with the territory.

Sister Jill is one mean bitch.

And so are these fangirls.

One thing I agree with the naysayers is that its visuals standout. The adherence to Nagai's original style results in some really great looking character designs, while the bright color palette gives the show a dazzling flair that constantly works in its favor. Praise especially goes to the forces of Panther Claw, which as well as proving to be wild and wonderful also provide some cool body horror moments from time to time. Even though the fight scenes mostly take place against unremarkable blue backdrops, little touches like Honey slicing the entire backdrop and it then staying sliced afterward really add to its "what's old is new again" charm.

Another complaint, and this time I agree with it too, is the fact that the show is missing the iconic Cutie Honey theme song. For legal reasons, the legendary track has been replaced by "You Can't Fight Without Love", which while not a bad song in itself feels completely out of place in a show that's supposed to be celebrating the character's legacy. It's then made worse but the show featuring numerous musical numbers (including one in the final episode) that then repeat this new opening, rather than bring the original back for a different moment of glory. Even as someone unfamiliar with the history of Cutie Honey it strikes of just how out of touch Universe is with the rest of its peers – wanting to seemingly go it alone but also failing to capture the elements that helped make it popular in the first place.

Sexual tension.

Treason.

Up next, the episode guide with a brief plot description:

No.	Title	Original air date
1	"Everything About You Is Perfect" ( あなたの全ては完璧)	April 8, 2018
Honey Kisaragi is called in to help out at a hostage situation at a jewellery store involving the evil organisation Panther Claw, where she meets an inspector from France named Genet. Heading inside, Honey comes up against three of Panther Claw's emmissaries, who are after the Airborn Element Fixing Device she possesses. Transforming into the soldier of love, Cutie Honey, Honey fights against Panther Claw, defeating one of its members before pursuing the other two as they escape towards a scrapyard, where Genet manages to kill another one. Honey soon comes up against Panther Claw's leader, Sister Jill, who overpowers her before escaping.
2	"The True Joy of Having Met You" (あなたに出会えた事の心からの喜び)	April 15, 2018
Honey explains to Genet about how her father Dr. Kisaragi gave her a life and a super android body before he was killed while defending her from Panther Claw. Following that incident, Honey teamed up with PCIS investigator Seiji Hayami in order to fight against Panther Claw and get revenge for her father. Meanwhile, Seiji ends up in hospital after his car is rigged to explode, which turns out to be a trap by the latest Panther Claw minion, Fire Claw, to lure out Honey, but she manages to quickly defeat her. Never shy away from a battle. Stage fright?
3	"I Am Made For You" (私はあなたにふさわしい)	April 22, 2018
Honey's best friend, Natsuko Aki, becomes enamoured with Genet, who asks her out on a date and gifts her with a white rose. While Honey deals with another Panther Claw situation, Naoko Sukeban follows Genet and Natsuko to a department store. The store is suddenly attacked by another Panther Claw minion, Badfly Claw, who turns all the other customers into living mannequins. As Naoko and her gang get injured protecting Natsuko, Honey, realising the hostage situation was a decoy, rushes to the scene and defeats Badfly Claw. Following the incident, and with all of the Sukeban girls suddenly receiving white roses from an anonymous source, Natsuko begins to have her suspicions about Genet.
4	"Pure Beauty" (無垢の美しさ)	April 29, 2018
Following a plan devised by Genet, Honey poses as an idol to lure out Panther Claw, only to get captured. However, when they attempt to dissect her body at their hideout, it turns out to be a fake created by the real Honey, who had beaten her captors and disguised herself as a Panther Puppet. Running low on energy, Honey is forced to disguise herself as a statue to evade the Panther minion Scissors Claw, only to find herself in trouble the next morning when Seiji's father and brother, Danbei and Junpei, take an obscene interest in her statue form. After Honey finally shoos them away and reunites with her team, it is revealed that Genet is secretly Jill, who is targeting Honey from within the PCIS team. Heroic transformation. Mean boobs.
5	"Till Death Do Us Part" (死ぬまで気持ちは変わりません)	May 6, 2018
Genet informs Honey and Seiji that their mayor, Noriko Terada, is secretly Panther minion Iron Shadow. Needing evidence to expose her, Honey transforms into a reporter to interview Terada, but doesn't get much useful information out of her. Following Genet's instruction, Honey, along with Seiji's family, follows Terada to an island resort, where she spots her trying to make an arms deal and exposes her. Iron Shadow then attacks with hostages that she had captured and turned into mannequins, preventing Honey from fighting back. However, Danbei manage to use his pervertedness to create a chance to cut off Iron Shadow's whip, severing her control over the hostages and allowing Honey to defeat her. Despite this setback, however, Jill prepares to enact the next stage of her plan to gain Honey for her own.
6	"May Fortune Befall You" (あなたの幸福を祈る)	May 13, 2018
One summer's day, a Panther Claw army led by Dragon Panther and Snake Panther launches a sudden airborne assault against Saint Chapel, as a part of Sister Jill's plan to drive Honey into despair and thus into her hands. With the school destroyed and their schoolmates slaughtered, Honey and Natsuko seek refuge in the woods, with their pursuers hot on their heels. Honey disguises Natsuko as a rock before taking the fight to Sister Jill herself, but ends up severely beaten. Natsuko bursts her camouflage and creates a diversion, allowing Honey to recover, and Naoko ends up blasted while covering Honey and Natsuko's escape from the island. Sister Jill slays Snake Panther for disobeying her orders to capture Honey alive; and for the death of her friends, Honey swears bitter revenge on Panther Claw. Big tits are the main plot trope here. Titty trope troop.
7	"Devotion to You Alone"  (あなただけに尽くします)	May 20, 2018
Following their close escape, Honey and Natsuko (much to Danbei and Junpei's joy) find refuge with the Hayamis. Despite Honey putting up a cheerful air, Natsuko and Seiji are worried about how this terrible loss has really affected her, and wonder how they can help restore her spirits. Natsuko once more confronts Inspector Genet and later tells Honey, who went looking for her, about her suspicions; but as they return home, they find a bunch of Sister Jill's red roses there, which evoke a severe shock reaction from Honey as part of Jill's ploy to break her will. Deciding to fully confide in Natsuko, Honey tells her about her true nature, the Airborne Element Fixing Device, and how this invention has made her Panther Claw's target.
8	"Vows of Love" (愛の誓い)	May 27, 2018
With her new-won knowledge of Honey's true nature, Natsuko is unsure how to cope with her worry about Honey's well-being. Tarantula Panther and her teammate Octopanther are assigned by Jill to kidnap Natsuko. To spring the trap, Tarantula makes contact with Natsuko; but when the latter pours out her heart to her, Tarantula, with her own unrequited feelings for Jill, begins to sympathize with Natsuko and advises her to tell Honey about her true feelings. Natsuko fails her chance at her next date with Honey, and is kidnapped by Jill during the following night. Whilst looking for her, Honey is ambushed by Octopanther, but unexpectedly aided by Tarantula Panther and is left with a new incentive to track down and defeat her nemesis. From sensitive naked statue... ...To naked bombshell.
9	"The Whole World Is Just You and Me" (この世界は二人だけ)	June 3, 2018
Jill sends PCIS a video message, threatening to kill a number of hostages - most of her remaining Panther minions and Natsuko - unless Honey surrenders herself and the Airborn Element Fixing Device. PCIS advises against giving in to Jill's demands and attempts to rescue the hostages themselves, but Jill's deviousness lets her kill off all her Panthers first, saving Natsuko for the end. When Honey arrives, Jill drops Natsuko off the roof of a high building. Tarantula Panther and Honey work together to save her; but Jill corrupts Tarantula, splitting her into a good and evil half. Before Honey can rescue her, Evil Tarantula kills Natsuko with Jill's sword, leaving Honey shattered.
10	"Thank You for Your Compassion and Encouragement" (あなたの思いやり、励ましに感謝します)	June 10, 2018
Honey begins a merciless crusade against all Panther Claw activity across the city. With Natsuko's loss, however, she has begun to lose her former cheerfulness, distancing herself from her few remaining friends, just as Sister Jill (still posing as Genet) has planned. In her deteriorated state, Honey finds herself nearly out of power when she runs into Good Tarantula, who wishes to help her, and Dragon Panther, who aims to protect Tarantula. The battle is halted when Tarantula tells Honey about her awakened sympathy for Natsuko, and that she is therefore no longer Honey's enemy, and after a tense start Honey and the Hayamis take Tarantula Panther and Dragon Panther in. During a subsequent talk, Tarantula breaks down Honey's emotional barriers by turning herself into Natsuko. Deciding to fully go on the offensive, Honey turns to Genet for aid, still unaware that she is giving herself all the more to her nemesis. Japan's obsession with shaved vaginas. ♪♫ No pubes, no pubes ♪♫
11	"You Will Be Mine to the Bitter End" (あなたはあくまで私のもの)	June 17, 2018
Sister Jill keeps taunting Honey at every opportunity, fanning her hatred towards the murderer of all whom she has held dear. Jill challenges Honey to seek her out at her headquarters, Phantom Castle, and Honey decides to engage her nemesis without involving her few remaining friends. Tarantula Panther offers to accompany her, wishing to atone for her part in Natsuko's death, but Dragon Panther knocks her out and takes Honey to the castle herself. There, Genet finally reveals herself as Sister Jill, shattering Honey's resolve to fight until Dragon Panther intervenes on her behalf, and both prepare to charge Jill's monstrous amalgam of her Panther servants, Gill Panther, together. Meanwhile, while looking for Genet, Seiji stumbles into an interdimensional pocket containing frozen figures of Sister Jill's victims, including Natsuko, and thus discovers Jill's secret on his own.
12	"You Will Return with Hope" (あなたは希望を持ち帰る)	June 24, 2018
Jill kills Dragon Panther, and Honey ends up at the verge of defeat as well, when Tarantula, the Hayamis, Naoko and the whole of PCIS - all disguised as Cutie Honey lookalikes - intervene. Upon witnessing her friends' unshaking faith and their willingness to give everything they can for her, Honey recovers her fighting spirit, which the Airborne Element Fixing Device transfers to all her allies, uniting them all into a virtual army of Honeys. As the final fight rages between the Honey army and Panther Claw, Honey faces Sister Jill and, with the hearts of all her friends behind her, finally slays her nemesis. In the aftermath, Honey and Naoko return to their rebuilt school

Overall, Cutie Honey Universe delivers a "to standards"  retelling of a story that doesn't need to be updated. While it may have been produced with new fans in mind, I don't think reboots will help someone get into a classic story. Because, there's no Star Wars remake, and I'm sure there won't be one. Same with Cutie Honey and a long list of Animé from the 70's & 80's.

Now, if you want to update Cutie Honey, push it into ecchi territory. Add full frontal nudity, sex scenes and a slow motion transformation that shows detailed aspects of our favorite super android lady from the 70's. Because, ultimately, that is probably the only thing that hasn't been tried with Honey Kisaragi and her many sequels and remakes.

Relax!

Here's the opening:

Here's the ending:

Cutie Honey's transformation:

Cutie Honey's infamous statue scene:

Bonus Content!

Each episode (Japanese version) ended with a "card" which revealed Cutie Honey and other characters wearing little to no clothes. These cards were later released in the deluxe edition Blu ray box set. Each chard was double sided, featuring both the standard and uncensored versions. The following pictures correspond to the uncensored side:

Yuuki Hagure drew this for Episode 1.

Shimotsuke Eight drew this card for episode 2.

Natsume Eri drew this one for episode 8 (our favorite!)

Artwork by Nilitsu. Episode 4.

By Shinsuke Inue. Episode 7

Episode 9 art by Fly.

Yu Akinashi for Episode 10.

Yoriko Nogushi for episode 6.

Episode 12 by Noizi Itou.

Episode 11 by Shirabi.

Mikoto Akemi for Episode 3.

Kujou Ichiso for episode 5.