REVIEW: ‘Tropical-Rouge PreCure,’ Episode 12 – “Confiscated! The Aqua Pot’s Not Allowed?!”

Last time with the legendary Pretty Cure warriors, viewers were treated to a day at the beach! However, this wasn’t a vacation for the Tropical Club! It was a club event based around a sand art contest. However, things aren’t all sunshine and rainbows in this episode. Actually, in Tropical-Rouge PreCure Episode 12, it seems like there’s trouble afoot, just from the title! Episode 12, “Confiscated! The Aqua Pot’s Not Allowed?!” starts off with the girls in the club room after school. After the success of their sand art contest, Manatsu’s eager for a new activity. This time, she’s into skateboarding and is determined to hook the girls as well. All they have to do is wait for Asuka to make it to the clubroom. Then, the door opens.

Only it’s not Asuka. The student that enters is Masami Kakuta, head of the Disciplinary Committee. She’s here not to visit -or even join the club- but to inspect the club room. Why? Well… because of that darn mermaid who caused a frenzy in episode 12! Thankfully, Laura is able to get back into the aqua pot before she’s seen. However, it seems she’s going to need a better hiding place if she’s going to avoid the curious eyes of the Disciplinary Committee!

Post-OP, Asuka arrives at the clubroom, only to find Manatsu, Sango, and Minori in a tizzy over the Disciplinary Committee’s very intrusive search. Thankfully, Masami didn’t find any evidence of real-life mermaids and chalks them up to pranks. Still, she and her committee are dedicated -and determined- to stop the mermaid pranks, and disprove mermaids once and for all. Of course, Laura doesn’t necessarily agree with this, but… well, it’s for the best that she’s not discovered.

Unfortunately for the girls, Masami’s tirade about mermaids isn’t done for the day. In fact, the next morning, she inspects the belongings of the Tropical Club and only the Tropical Club. Asuka gets further enraged, but that’s only natural. I’d be angry too if I got singled out! Still, that’s not enough to make Masami back off. Coupled with the increased rumors of a mermaid on the school campus, it looks like everyone at Aozora Middle has mermaid fever!

Oh, and it doesn’t help that Laura loses her temper and announces that she -and mermaids- indeed do exist… right while Manami’s walking by.

A lot of the tension in Tropical-Rouge PreCure Episode 12 surrounds keeping Laura a secret, though this isn’t the first time that’s happened. However, that gets harder when Masami does what the title says and confiscates the aqua pot. It gets even harder when, very early in Tropical-Rouge PreCure Episode 12, the aqua pot becomes necessary. However, Laura and the legendary Pretty Cure warriors have a bond strong enough to overcome just about anything.

In the end, Tropical-Rouge PreCure Episode 12 has very ordinary stakes, which is part of why this episode works so well. And honestly, ordinary stakes fit a show aimed at a younger audience. That being said, I think it’s refreshing to have the main plot for the episode more focused on the school, versus a new Zenzen Yarane-da. Of course, there’s always a monster of the week: that’s not different in Tropical-Rouge PreCure Episode 12. Still, I found it quite enjoyable to have the girls teaming up as everyday middle schoolers versus the Pretty Cures.

Tropical-Rouge PreCure Episode 12 also stands out because of its back half. With the aqua pot missing in action, the girls have a new challenge, which further mixes up the formula. Of course, things work out in their favor, but it isn’t without a bit of stress on the heroines’ behalf. Ultimately, I’d really love to see more episodes like this. They keep the series fresh without deviating too much from what makes Tropical-Rouge Pretty Cure so enjoyable to watch.

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