Prétear
Encyclopedia
, also called Prétear - The New Legend of Snow White, is a manga
series written by Junichi Sato
and illustrated by Kaori Naruse. Spanning four volumes, the manga series was originally published in Japan by Kadokawa Shoten
from May 2000 through July 2001. It was published in English in North America by ADV Manga.
The series was adapted into a thirteen episode anime
series by Hal Film Maker
, Kadokawa Shoten
, and Rondo Robe. It aired in Japan on WOWOW
from April 4, 2001 until June 27, 2001. Geneon released the series episodes across four volumes in Japan in both VHS
video and DVD
forms. ADV Films licensed and released the anime series, with English subtitle and audio dub track
, Region 1 DVD in North America and Region 2 DVD in Europe.
As the series progresses, Himeno finds herself slowly falling in love with Hayate, who is initially cold and refuses to acknowledge her as the Prétear. Eventually she learns the Princess of Disaster was once a girl named Takako, who was the last Prétear. She had not enjoyed fighting, but did it anyway, also falling in love with Hayate. When he could not return her feelings, her anguish caused her powers to turn to evil, changing her into the Princess of Disaster.
Mawata, one of Himeno's stepsisters, has been overwhelmed with grief since the death of her father and holds herself distant from her family. She and Himeno temporarily connect over their shared feelings, but Mawata is hurt when she sees Himeno with Hayate. Mawata is in love with Sasame, but it is revealed that he was in love with Takako. He throws away his status as a Leafe Knight and joins Takako to become her Knight of Darkness. Takako uses Mawata's love for Sasame to hurt her even more, enabling Takako to use her to fuel the Great Tree of Fenrir.
The town is overrun by the Great Tree. To protect the rest of her family, Himeno reveals her Prétear powers to them, then begs them to escape while she rescues Mawata. Instead, the family refuses to leave Mawata behind and put themselves in great physical danger to rescue her. Hayate and Sasame engage in a battle to the death, and Himeno climbs the Great Tree of Fenrir. Himeno's family starts attacking the bubble holding Mawata, calling to her desperately. Himeno continues up the tree to confront the Princess of Disaster. Mawata is freed and safe in the arms of her family. Takako doesn't want her to go and becomes desperate calling out for Sasame who appears after beating Hayate in battle. Fenrir asks Sasame to kill both Hayate and Himeno,but he is convinced by Himeno not to. Believing that not even Sasame loves her,Takako tries to kill herself, but Sasame shields her and dies. Takako comes back to her true self realizing that she loved Sasame too. Out of control, the tree captures Takako. Himeno tries to save her and she's attacked by the tree. Hayate shields her and then he dies in her arms.
To stop the tree, Himeno by herself becomes the legendary White Prétear and pours out a massive amount of Leafe. The town is restored, the Leafe Knights healed, and Sasame and Hayate are brought back to life. Hayate awakens to find the others crying over Himeno's lifeless body, lying in the grass as if she were sleeping. In agony, he holds her, then kisses her, which restores her life and enables her to awaken. At the end of the series, Himeno and Hayate are a couple, Himeno and her family are closer, Mawata is happier, and Takako is seen quietly sitting with Sasame.
, he asked himself what Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
would be like if the dwarfs were replaced with cute boys. As the story took shape, Leafe became the symbol of the apple in the story. It can pass on its life force to others, like a regular apple when eaten, or take away life as the poison apple did in the original story. Feeling that the concept of a woman being rescued by "Prince Charming
" was old-fashioned and not fitting with modern girls, he decided to make Prétears "Snow White", Himeno, a more assertive woman.
Though an anime director himself, Satou did not the direct the anime adaptation of Prétear. Kiyoko Sayama directed the series, while Satou provided consultation and checked the scripts and storyboards before they were animated. The anime characters were designed by Akemi Kobayashi, who made various changes to the characters for the new story. For example, Hayate's anime version has longer hair tied in a ponytail, while in the manga story, Hayate had cut off his longer hair before the start of the story. The design of Kei is the most drastically changed in the adaptation, with the anime version bearing little resemblance to his manga original.
. The first volume was released on June 1, 2000, and the final was released on July 21, 2001. All four volumes have been published in English in North America by ADV Manga.
, Kadokawa Shoten
, and Rondo Robe collaborated to adapt the manga chapters into an anime
series that premiered in Japan on WOWOW
on April 4, 2001. It ran for 13 episodes until its conclusion on June 27, 2001. Geneon released the series episodes across four volumes in Japan in both VHS
video and DVD
forms. ADV Films licensed and released the anime series, with English subtitle and audio dub track
, Region 1 DVD.
The series uses two pieces of theme music. The song "White Destiny", performed by Yoko Ishida
, is used for the series opening theme. "Lucky Star", sung by Sayuri Yoshida
, is used for its ending theme.
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
series written by Junichi Sato
Junichi Sato
is an anime director.-TV anime:*Queen Millennia *Patalliro! *Bemubemu Hunter Kotengu Tenmaru...
and illustrated by Kaori Naruse. Spanning four volumes, the manga series was originally published in Japan by Kadokawa Shoten
Kadokawa Shoten
is a well-known Japanese publishing company based in Tokyo, Japan. Kadokawa has published both manga novels and magazines, such as Newtype magazine...
from May 2000 through July 2001. It was published in English in North America by ADV Manga.
The series was adapted into a thirteen episode anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series by Hal Film Maker
Hal Film Maker
is a Japanese animation studio founded in August 1993.-Anime produced: is a Japanese animation studio founded in August 1993.-Anime produced: is a Japanese animation studio founded in August 1993.-Anime produced:(Please note that this list only includes original productions or co-productions...
, Kadokawa Shoten
Kadokawa Shoten
is a well-known Japanese publishing company based in Tokyo, Japan. Kadokawa has published both manga novels and magazines, such as Newtype magazine...
, and Rondo Robe. It aired in Japan on WOWOW
WOWOW
WOWOW was the first private satellite broadcasting and pay TV station in Japan. It has its headquarters on the 21st floor of the Akasaka Park Building in Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo...
from April 4, 2001 until June 27, 2001. Geneon released the series episodes across four volumes in Japan in both VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
video and DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
forms. ADV Films licensed and released the anime series, with English subtitle and audio dub track
Dubbing (filmmaking)
Dubbing is the post-production process of recording and replacing voices on a motion picture or television soundtrack subsequent to the original shooting. The term most commonly refers to the substitution of the voices of the actors shown on the screen by those of different performers, who may be...
, Region 1 DVD in North America and Region 2 DVD in Europe.
Plot
A high school girl named Himeno Awayuki is attempting to adjust to her new life after her widowed father remarries wealthy widow Natsue. While taking a short cut to school, Himeno jumps out of a bush and lands on Hayate, the Knight of Wind. After some arguing Himeno wants to punch Hayate, but he blocks her hand causing a powerful light. Later she meets the other Leafe Knights who tell her that the red snow that has been falling on the town recently is being caused by the Princess of Disaster who is awakening, and that she is using demon larva to absorb Leafe, the essence of all life. They ask Himeno to become the Prétear and help them protect the world. Himeno is initially reluctant, believing they are trying to play a trick on her. When a larva attacks them and begins stealing leafe,Himeno agrees to help. Hayate tells her to take his hand and she merges with him to become the Wind Prétear. After adjusting to her new powers, Himeno is able to defeat the larva.As the series progresses, Himeno finds herself slowly falling in love with Hayate, who is initially cold and refuses to acknowledge her as the Prétear. Eventually she learns the Princess of Disaster was once a girl named Takako, who was the last Prétear. She had not enjoyed fighting, but did it anyway, also falling in love with Hayate. When he could not return her feelings, her anguish caused her powers to turn to evil, changing her into the Princess of Disaster.
Mawata, one of Himeno's stepsisters, has been overwhelmed with grief since the death of her father and holds herself distant from her family. She and Himeno temporarily connect over their shared feelings, but Mawata is hurt when she sees Himeno with Hayate. Mawata is in love with Sasame, but it is revealed that he was in love with Takako. He throws away his status as a Leafe Knight and joins Takako to become her Knight of Darkness. Takako uses Mawata's love for Sasame to hurt her even more, enabling Takako to use her to fuel the Great Tree of Fenrir.
The town is overrun by the Great Tree. To protect the rest of her family, Himeno reveals her Prétear powers to them, then begs them to escape while she rescues Mawata. Instead, the family refuses to leave Mawata behind and put themselves in great physical danger to rescue her. Hayate and Sasame engage in a battle to the death, and Himeno climbs the Great Tree of Fenrir. Himeno's family starts attacking the bubble holding Mawata, calling to her desperately. Himeno continues up the tree to confront the Princess of Disaster. Mawata is freed and safe in the arms of her family. Takako doesn't want her to go and becomes desperate calling out for Sasame who appears after beating Hayate in battle. Fenrir asks Sasame to kill both Hayate and Himeno,but he is convinced by Himeno not to. Believing that not even Sasame loves her,Takako tries to kill herself, but Sasame shields her and dies. Takako comes back to her true self realizing that she loved Sasame too. Out of control, the tree captures Takako. Himeno tries to save her and she's attacked by the tree. Hayate shields her and then he dies in her arms.
To stop the tree, Himeno by herself becomes the legendary White Prétear and pours out a massive amount of Leafe. The town is restored, the Leafe Knights healed, and Sasame and Hayate are brought back to life. Hayate awakens to find the others crying over Himeno's lifeless body, lying in the grass as if she were sleeping. In agony, he holds her, then kisses her, which restores her life and enables her to awaken. At the end of the series, Himeno and Hayate are a couple, Himeno and her family are closer, Mawata is happier, and Takako is seen quietly sitting with Sasame.
Differences in the anime adaptation
The anime adaptation retains the overall story of the series, but changes many of the details. The beginning of the story and how Himeno meets the Leafe Knights is changed to have Himeno jump from a bush and land on Hayate. The personalities and appearances of the Leafe Knights are changed, with the older knights given more mature appearances. Sasame is changed from a joyful flirt to a quieter more serious man. He also becomes a knight of darkness in the anime, whereas in the manga he remains a knight of leafe. Some of the circumstances in the Awayuki household are also changed. In the anime, Natsue's husband died rather than their being divorced. The servants of the house are kind to Himeno instead of picking on her. Mawata is less interactive with her family, while Mayune only plays pranks on Himeno, rather than attempting to ostracize her at school or cause trouble with Natsue. Natsue is also changed to be distant, but relatively friendly to Himeno, with her jealousy of the girl removed completely. The anime also has the family unaware of Himeno's association with the Leafe Knights until near the end of the series.Himeno Awayuki
- is the sixteen year old heroine of Prétear After her mother's death and her father's remarriage, Himeno is thrust into a high-class society life where she has trouble adjusting as she is picked on both by her new family and her peers at school. As Himeno's alienation grows, she meets Hayate and the other Leafe Knights, who tell her that she's the Prétear who is needed to save the world. She develops feelings for Hayate through the course of the series. She is voiced by Sayuri YoshidaSayuri Yoshida, born , is a female Japanese voice actress who is currently best known for voicing Himeno Awayuki in Prétear and Inaba Mizuki in Full Metal Panic!...
in the original Japanese anime adaptation, and by Luci ChristianLuci ChristianLouisa Michelle Christian is an American voice actress and ADR Script Writer who is affiliated with Funimation Entertainment, ADV Films, Seraphim Digital, and OkraTron 5000...
in the English dub.
Mayune Awayuki
- , who is the same age as Himeno, is the eldest daughter of Natsue and holds a pretentious attitude toward Himeno for coming from an impoverished family. Mayune often plays practical jokes to demean Himeno and tattles on her to her mother. Mayune and Himeno reconcile after Himeno saves Mawata from the Great Tree of Fenrir. Mayune's voice in the anime adaptation is provided by Satsuki YukinoSatsuki YukinoSatsuki Yukino , real name Yuki Inoue , is a popular Japanese voice actress from Ōtsu, Shiga. Yukino is also a singer as part of the Hinata Girls...
in the Japanese dub and by Shelley Calene-BlackShelley Calene-BlackShelley Calene-Black is an American actress and voice actress who has worked for Funimation Entertainment, ADV Films, Seraphim Digital, and OkraTron 5000...
in the English dub.
Mawata Awayuki
- is 14 years old. Intelligent and composed, Mawata is the seemingly perfect child of the family. However, her outwardly calm demeanor is used as a facade to hide her loneliness and mask her own sense of loss after her parents divorce. Ultimately, Mawata's grief is used by Fenrir to fuel the Great Tree of Fenrir. She is voiced by Akemi KandaAkemi Kandais a Japanese voice actress who is affiliated with Aoni Production. She was formerly a member of the voice actor unit DROPS, which included fellow voice actors Ai Nonaka, Tomoko Kaneda, Mariko Kōda, and Ryōko Shiraishi, and of the voice actor unit Aice5 along with Yui Horie, Chiaki Takahashi,...
in the original Japanese anime adaptation, and by Mandy ClarkMandy ClarkMandy Clark is an American voice actress, primarily noted for her role as Tomo Takino in the English-language dub of Azumanga Daioh. She auditioned for ADV Films in the year 2000 without prior drama training, and landed her first episode role in Excel Saga. She went on hiatus from voice acting...
in the English dub.
Kaoru Awayuki
- is a former author of romance novelRomance novelThe romance novel is a literary genre developed in Western culture, mainly in English-speaking countries. Novels in this genre place their primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending." Through the late...
s and Himeno's father. Before marrying Natsue, Kaoru spent much of his time drinking sake while Himeno balanced the budgetBudgetA budget is a financial plan and a list of all planned expenses and revenues. It is a plan for saving, borrowing and spending. A budget is an important concept in microeconomics, which uses a budget line to illustrate the trade-offs between two or more goods...
and cooked their meals. He stopped writing due to Himeno's mother's death. In the anime adaptation, he is shown turning to sculpture after his marriage to Natsue. He is voiced by Yuji UedaYuji Uedais a popular Japanese seiyū.He is most known for the roles of Sagara Sanosuke , Akito Tenkawa , Takeshi , Horohoro , Johannes Krauser II and Keitaro Urashima ....
in the original Japanese dub, and by Jason DouglasJason DouglasJason Douglas is an American stage and film actor who is gaining increasing visibility of late by breaking into mainstream film and television work. He is also a known anime voice actor who works for Funimation Entertainment, ADV Films, Seraphim Digital, and OkraTron 5000.-Anime Voices:* A.D...
in the English dub.
Natsue Awayuki
- is a wealthy and powerful executive who married her teenage crush Kaoru Awayuki after her divorce. She only exposes her soft-side to Kaoru while dealing with everyone else with a strict decorum. Her daughters are named after characters in her favorite book by Kaoru, Twin Princesses. Natsue is consumed by jealousy of her husband's ex wife and of Himeno, treating the girl more harshly than her own daughters. Her hatred results in her being possessed by the Princess of Disaster. In the anime, Natsue is never possessed by the Princess of disaster, never shows any jealousy about Kaoru's late wife, and while strict with Himeno, also cares about her wellbeing. She is voiced by Kikuko InoueKikuko Inoueis a popular Japanese voice actress and singer. She has been part of the singing groups DoCo and Goddess Family Club, among others, and is the manager of her voice-acting company, Office Anemone. Inoue tends to play the "perfect girlfriend" or "motherly" role in many series, but she has also played...
in the Japanese dub track, and by Lauren GoodnightLauren GoodnightLauren Goodnight is an anime voice actress for ADV Films, as well as a webcomic artist, currently based out of South Carolina. In addition to performing various roles in popular anime series, most notably as Natsue Awayuki in Pretear, she has worked on the webcomic FaerieTale, and she is active...
in the English dub.
Hayate
- is the Knight of Wind. Hayate is initially hostile towards Himeno, refusing to acknowledge her as the new Prétear due to a past experience. Hayate gradually begins to accept her as the Prétear, eventually finding himself falling in love with her. In the anime adaptation, he is voiced by Kousuke Toriumi in the original Japanese dub, and by Illich GuardiolaIllich GuardiolaIllich Auyapah Guardiola is an American actor and voice actor for ADV Films, Funimation Entertainment, and Seraphim Digital.-Anime roles:* A.D. Police - Paul Sanders* Air Gear – Kaito Wanijima...
in the English one.
Sasame
- is the Knight of Sound and has a job as a radio personality, addressing people's problems on the air. He is a reported flirt, with the other knights referring to him as a playboy, but he also is a good listener and offers himself as a sounding board to Himeno. In the manga, he remains a knight of leafe and appears to fall for Himeno. In the anime, he later becomes Fenrir's Knight of Darkness after confessing that he was in love with Takako 16 years ago, pitting him against the Leafe Knights and the Prétear. In the anime adaptation, his personality is changed to a quieter, more serious nature, and he is given an older appearance. He is voiced by Takahiro SakuraiTakahiro Sakuraiis a voice actor who was born in Aichi. He is a member of 81 Produce; his height is .Many of his roles are handsome men. However, he has also voiced reluctant heroes as well as the occasional villain...
in the original Japanese dub, and by Chris PattonChris PattonChristopher David Patton is an American voice actor who works on anime for Funimation Entertainment, ADV Films, Seraphim Digital, and OkraTron 5000...
in the English dub.
Kei
- is the Knight of Light and works at an Internet company. Kei is the most practical and direct of the Knights, which sometimes leads to confrontation. In the anime, Kei is changed to be a narcissist, as illustrated by the numerous self-depicting toys and pictures in his work. In the Japanese dub, he is voiced by Makoto NaruseMakoto NaruseMakoto Naruse is a Japanese seiyū. His birthname was . He belongs to Production Baobab.-Profile:*Hobbies: Playing guitar, playing soccer, swimming, watching movies*Skills & Abilities: Backward somersault, basic abacus calculation,...
and by Victor Carsrud in the English dub.
Go
- is the Knight of Fire and works as a waiter in his part time job. In the anime adaptation, he is voiced by Shotaro Morikubo in the Japanese dub, and by Spike SpencerSpike SpencerCharles Forrest "Spike" Spencer is an American actor best known for dubbing Japanese anime films. He is best known for roles in ADV Films dubs of Neon Genesis Evangelion , Martian Successor Nadesico , and Excel Saga . He has also performed voice acting for radio, especially commercials...
in the English dub.
Mannen
- is the Knight of Ice and is the unstated leader of the younger members of the Leafe Knights. With his two followers, Hajime and Shin, the last Mannen died while fighting the Princess of Disaster sixteen years ago and was reborn as a child. Akiko YajimaAkiko Yajima, born May 4, 1967, is a Japanese voice actress from Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture.-Anime:*Battle Athletes Victory *Berserk *The Big O *Blood+...
voices Mannen in the Japanese dub track of the anime adaptation, and by Greg AyresGreg AyresGregory Scott Ayres is an American voice actor who works for anime series at Funimation Entertainment, ADV Films, Seraphim Digital, and OkraTron 5000. He has provided voices for a number of English language versions of Japanese anime films...
in the English dub.
Hajime
- is the Knight of Water and is the second youngest member of the Leafe Knights. In the Japanese dub of the anime adaptation, he is voiced by Misato FukuenMisato Fukuenis a voice actress born on January 10, 1982. She is affiliated with Sigma Seven.-Outline, career, and person:* Formed a vocal group called TAMAGO in 2004 with fellow seiyū Mai Kadowaki....
and Hilary HaagHilary HaagHilary Haag Scarborough is an American voice actress who worked for ADV Films and Seraphim Digital and currently lives in Houston, Texas. Attended Lamar Consolidated High School and went on to study English Rhetoric at Texas A&M University...
provides his voice in the English dub.
Shin
- is the youngest member of the Leafe Knights and the Knight of Plants. He can use his abilities to heal plants, and is very sensitive to anyone hurting them, crying when the knights discuss killing a tree that has been infected by a demon larva. Like the other two younger Knights, Shin died sixteen years ago while fighting the Princess of Disaster and was reborn. In the manga, when he prete's with Himeno he dies as the Pretear must draw energy from the knight to fight, but is revived. In the anime, the use of a knight's leafe is removed, and Shin is the only knight never shown preting with her. He is also given the additional abilities to seal demon larvae and to create a barrier around a battle to keep the environment from being harmed by battles with the larvae. In the anime adaptation, Tamaki NakanishiTamaki Nakanishiis a Japanese voice actor affiliated with 81 Produce.-Anime and game voice roles:*.hack//Legend Of The Twilight *Fafner *Gad Guard *Glass Mask...
voices Shin in the Japanese dub, and Sasha PaysingerSasha PaysingerSasha Paysinger is a voice actress for ADV Films for English-dubbed anime titles. When away from voice acting, she also works as a flight attendant.-Voice roles:*Angelic Layer - Hatoko Kobayashi*Aquarian Age: Sign for Evolution - Rumiko Sakamoto...
provides his voice in the English dub.
Mr. Tanaka
- is the Awayuki's butlerButlerA butler is a domestic worker in a large household. In great houses, the household is sometimes divided into departments with the butler in charge of the dining room, wine cellar, and pantry. Some also have charge of the entire parlour floor, and housekeepers caring for the entire house and its...
/chauffeurChauffeurA chauffeur is a person employed to drive a passenger motor vehicle, especially a luxury vehicle such as a large sedan or limousine.Originally such drivers were always personal servants of the vehicle owner, but now in many cases specialist chauffeur service companies, or individual drivers provide...
. He and Natsue used to go to school together, with Mr. Tanaka harboring a crush on Natsue while she pursued other interests. He once offered Natsue a ride, which lead to his employment as the Awayuki's chauffeur. In the anime adaptation, he is voiced by Takehito KoyasuTakehito Koyasuis a Japanese voice actor.-Career:Koyasu is part of the voice actor quartet Weiß consisting of Weiß Kreuz voice castmates Shinichiro Miki, Tomokazu Seki, and Yuuki Hiro...
and in the English dub, he is voiced by Paul Sidello.
Yayoi Takato
- is Himeno's friend from middle school and her schoolmate, having transferred to Himeno's school with her. In the anime adaptation, their earlier friendship is never mentioned, and its implied they became friends at school after Yayoi ignores bullies telling her to stay away from Himeno. Her personality is also changed into that of a hopeless romantic who spins outrageous scenarios about the pursuit of love. In the original Japanese audio track, she is voiced by Yukari TamuraYukari Tamura, is a popular Japanese singer-songwriter and voice actress, affiliated with the talent agency I'm Enterprise. Affectionately called Yukarin by her fans, she is also known for her high-pitched voice and interest in Lolita fashion...
. In the English dub, she is voiced by Monica RialMonica RialMonica Jean Rial is an American voice actress, ADR Director, and Script Writer who works for Funimation Entertainment, ADV Films, Seraphim Digital, and OkraTron 5000...
.
Fenrir, Princess of Disaster
- , whose real name is , was the last Prétear before Himeno. She fell in love with Hayate, but he was unable to reciprocate her feelings, causing her to turn her powers towards evil. As Fenrir, Takako's ultimate goal is to destroy the world by taking away the Leafe that preserves all life. In the anime adaptation, Sasame confesses that he had loved her all along. She doesn't return his feelings but has him become her Knight of Darkness and orders him to kill Hayate and attack the other Leafe Knights. At the end of the series, Himeno's kindness and Sasame's death out of love for her enables her to regain her humanity and return to normal. She is last seen with the revived Sasame. Takako assumes the form of a maid at the Awayuki estate named Mikage who is friendly with Himeno and regularly provides her with advice. In the anime adaptation, Yui HorieYui Horieis a popular Japanese singer and voice actress. She is sometimes affectionately nicknamed by her Japanese fans.She hosts a radio show called and is the founding member of the singing group, Aice5. She is also a member of the band Kurobara Hozonkai, with the name YUIEL...
provides her voice in the Japanese dub and Kaytha CokerKaytha CokerKaytha Coker is an American voice actress. She is known for dub voice work for ADV Films and Seraphim Digital.-Notable voice roles:*A.D. Police - Nancy Wilson*All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku - Arisa...
voices her in the English dub.
Production
Anime director Junichi Satou created Prétear out of his desire to work on a series for women that featured good-looking young boys. Wanting to base the story on a fairy taleFairy tale
A fairy tale is a type of short story that typically features such folkloric characters, such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, dwarves, giants or gnomes, and usually magic or enchantments. However, only a small number of the stories refer to fairies...
, he asked himself what Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Snow White
"Snow White" is a fairy tale known from many countries in Europe, the best known version being the German one collected by the Brothers Grimm...
would be like if the dwarfs were replaced with cute boys. As the story took shape, Leafe became the symbol of the apple in the story. It can pass on its life force to others, like a regular apple when eaten, or take away life as the poison apple did in the original story. Feeling that the concept of a woman being rescued by "Prince Charming
Prince Charming
Prince Charming is a stock character who appears in a number of fairy tales. He is the prince who comes to rescue of the damsel in distress, and stereotypically, must engage in a quest to liberate her from an evil spell...
" was old-fashioned and not fitting with modern girls, he decided to make Prétears "Snow White", Himeno, a more assertive woman.
Though an anime director himself, Satou did not the direct the anime adaptation of Prétear. Kiyoko Sayama directed the series, while Satou provided consultation and checked the scripts and storyboards before they were animated. The anime characters were designed by Akemi Kobayashi, who made various changes to the characters for the new story. For example, Hayate's anime version has longer hair tied in a ponytail, while in the manga story, Hayate had cut off his longer hair before the start of the story. The design of Kei is the most drastically changed in the adaptation, with the anime version bearing little resemblance to his manga original.
Manga
Written by Junichi Satou and illustrated by Kaori Naruse, the four volume Prétear manga series was published in Japan by Kadokawa ShotenKadokawa Shoten
is a well-known Japanese publishing company based in Tokyo, Japan. Kadokawa has published both manga novels and magazines, such as Newtype magazine...
. The first volume was released on June 1, 2000, and the final was released on July 21, 2001. All four volumes have been published in English in North America by ADV Manga.
Volume list
Anime
Hal Film MakerHal Film Maker
is a Japanese animation studio founded in August 1993.-Anime produced: is a Japanese animation studio founded in August 1993.-Anime produced: is a Japanese animation studio founded in August 1993.-Anime produced:(Please note that this list only includes original productions or co-productions...
, Kadokawa Shoten
Kadokawa Shoten
is a well-known Japanese publishing company based in Tokyo, Japan. Kadokawa has published both manga novels and magazines, such as Newtype magazine...
, and Rondo Robe collaborated to adapt the manga chapters into an anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series that premiered in Japan on WOWOW
WOWOW
WOWOW was the first private satellite broadcasting and pay TV station in Japan. It has its headquarters on the 21st floor of the Akasaka Park Building in Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo...
on April 4, 2001. It ran for 13 episodes until its conclusion on June 27, 2001. Geneon released the series episodes across four volumes in Japan in both VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
video and DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
forms. ADV Films licensed and released the anime series, with English subtitle and audio dub track
Dubbing (filmmaking)
Dubbing is the post-production process of recording and replacing voices on a motion picture or television soundtrack subsequent to the original shooting. The term most commonly refers to the substitution of the voices of the actors shown on the screen by those of different performers, who may be...
, Region 1 DVD.
The series uses two pieces of theme music. The song "White Destiny", performed by Yoko Ishida
Yoko Ishida
is a Japanese singer, employed by Hyper Voice. She is known for having performed theme songs for anime shows such as Prétear, Ai Yori Aoshi and the Ah! My Goddess TV series, as well as for having sung for the Para Para Max CD series....
, is used for the series opening theme. "Lucky Star", sung by Sayuri Yoshida
Sayuri Yoshida
, born , is a female Japanese voice actress who is currently best known for voicing Himeno Awayuki in Prétear and Inaba Mizuki in Full Metal Panic!...
, is used for its ending theme.