REVIEW: ‘Tropical-Rouge PreCure,’ Episode 14 – “Leave It To Us! Tropica-shining Preschool Teachers!”

Last time on Tropical-Rouge PreCure, more mermaid antics ensued when the Tropical Club co-hosted the lunchtime radio show. Things went a bit screwy until best mergirl Laura stepped in and saved the day. Now, in Tropical-Rouge PreCure Episode 14, the Tropical Five are back to helping their community. This time, it’s their club teacher, who’s asking them to participate in a preschool teacher experience to see if that’s a potential future job for the girls. Naturally, Manatsu’s wholeheartedly eager, and signs up the entire club!

Episode 14, “Leave It To Us! Tropica-shining Preschool Teachers!”, is, by and large, a fluff episode that’s got lots of heartwarming bits. While not the most exciting, it’s pleasant enough and definitely watchable. A lot of the plot centers around the Tropical Club engaging in some hands-on experience at local Shirakumo Preschool. And y’all, there’s something so delightful about seeing Manatsu, Sango, Minori, and Asuka working at a preschool. Their true personalities really shine through…for better or for worse. Manatsu and Sango seem perfectly suited to working there. On the other hand, the more serious Minori and Asuka…don’t. They might be good teachers one day, but right now, they’re not kid people. 

Even Laura gets in on the fun, teaching some of the girls mermaid manners. How she gets away with it is a mystery. You’d think she’d be a bit more cautious, in the wake of episode 11, episode 12, and last week’s episode. However, she’s steadily becoming more and more present outside of the aqua pot, which actually feels like a really good idea, even with the risk. In fact, her presence in Tropical-Rouge PreCure Episode 14 actually results in some pretty tender scenes, solidly cementing Laura as the show’s actual best character.

So much of Tropical-Rouge PreCure Episode 14 is about having a bit of a break. And it feels well-timed, especially after the girls leveled up and got a brand new, four-part combo attack. While the new Zenzen Yarane-da is still somewhat fresh, I’m glad that we, as viewers, are getting to see the girls as just girls again. These episodes where they’re the Tropical Club versus the legendary Pretty Cure warriors are often nice, transitional episodes. They hint at a really big arc or a dynamic next episode. In this case, I definitely left my watch of Tropical-Rouge PreCure Episode 14 feeling like episode 15 would be a more dynamic episode. Maybe we’ll get some new monsters of the week or a bit more plot from the Grand Ocean.

Ultimately, Tropical-Rouge PreCure Episode 14 was decidedly a lighthearted episode. It’s filled with a very simple plot that breaks up the previous mini-arc in a nice way. While this episode won’t be memorable, and honestly, has a really simplistic “hang out with the preschoolers then fight a Yarane-da” plot, it’s still really fun. That being said, I found myself eager for next week’s episode which will hopefully be a bit less…average.

Still, fourteen episodes in and Tropical-Rouge Pretty Cure remains a really good series with far more highs than lows. Unfortunately, Tropical-Rouge PreCure Episode 14  is one of those lows, in large part because it’s a bit too average. However, I think it’s important to remember that Tropical-Rouge Pretty Cure is ultimately a show aimed at a younger audience. My boredom is just my opinion, and might not represent what the actual viewership feels.

That being said, I highly recommend it as your first PreCure experience, especially if you’ve wanted a legal, supportive way into the franchise in English. Fans who like magical girls will definitely feel at home with this series, especially if you want an optimistic show. The characters are fun, the plot is engaging, and the bright, tropical color palette is eye-catching. Combined with the sound design, totally cosplay-able outfits, and genuinely touching female friendships, Tropical-Rouge PreCure Episode 14, and the other thirteen before it, is definitely worth fitting into your watchlist asap!

Tropical-Rouge! Pretty Cure is now streaming on Crunchyroll.