Tokyo Mew Mew

Tokyo Mew Mew
File:MewMews.jpg The Mew Mew crew
Genre	Magical girl, Romance, Comedy
Manga
Tokyo Mew Mew
Written by	Mia Ikumi and Reiko Yoshida
Published by	Kodansha Forlaget Carlsen Sangatsu Manga Pika Édition Carlsen Comics Japonica Polonia Fantastica Chuang Yi (English) Bonnier Carlsen Bongkuoh Tokyopop
Anime
Directed by	Noriyuki Abe
Studio	Studio Pierrot

Tokyo Mew Mew (東京ミュウミュウ, Tōkyō Myū Myū), also known as Mew Mew Power, is a shōjo manga and anime series, created by illustrator Mia Ikumi and writer Reiko Yoshida.

The manga series began publication in the Nakayoshi shōjo monthly manga magazine in 2001, and has also been collected in tankōbon (graphic novel) form, published by Kodansha. The anime, created by Studio Pierrot, aired on TV Aichi in Japan. An English translation of the manga has been published in North America by TOKYOPOP; it was published in English in Singapore by Chuang Yi. There is also a sequel series entitled Tokyo Mew Mew à la Mode, spanning two volumes. The anime was licensed in North America by 4Kids Entertainment as Mew Mew Power.

Like many of 4Kids' properties, Tokyo Mew Mew features prominently in the debate over fansubs.

Story

Ichigo, on the cover of Tokyo Mew Mew volume 1.

A girl named Ichigo Momomiya and four other girls (Mint Aizawa, Lettuce Midorikawa, Pudding Fong and Zakuro Fujiwara) have their DNA mysteriously combined with the DNA of endangered animals. Gaining special abilities and a different appearance, they later find out that they have been chosen to protect Earth from a group of aliens who wish to 'reclaim it': Kish, Tart, Pie, and the mysterious Deep Blue, who have the power to control aliens which infect animals (infusors/Parapara), turning their hosts into monsters called Chimera Animal.

At the same time, these five girls must also work at the Café Mew Mew as waitresses. To make things more difficult for Ichigo, she must also deal with finding out whether her crush, and later in the manga/anime boyfriend, Masaya Aoyama, likes her or knows that she is a Mew Mew. She is also pursued by two other boys, Ryou Shirogane and the alien Kish. Ichigo is only troubled for a part of the series however, for she finds out that Masaya does indeed have feelings for her and they become inseparable by series end.

Non-Japanese versions

USA English anime: Mew Mew Power

The North American version of the anime features several serious changes made to it, including the renaming of the characters, a different opening sequence and theme song, shortening of transformation sequences, and whole sequence cuts and rearrangements. The changes also includes Ichigo saying "Mew mew style, mew mew grace! Mew mew power in your face!" at the end of almost every transformation sequence. There was also editing of content and dialogue changes in consideration of parents of American children; examples include adding puns to the script using the word "mew" and a lot of cat-oriented jokes; this upset many fans of the original show.

A girl named Zoey Hanson and four other girls (Corina Bucksworth, Bridget Verdant, Kikki Benjamin and Renée Roberts) have their DNA "infused" with the DNA of endangered animals or Red Data animals. Gaining super powers and new forms, they find out that they have been chosen to protect Earth from the Cyniclons, who are aliens from another planet.

At the same time, these five girls must also work at the Café Mew Mew as waitresses. To make things more difficult for Zoey, she's trying to win the heart of her beloved Mark, the most popular boy in school.

The enemy Cyniclons' names are Dren, Tarb and Sardon. (The former two's names spelled backward read 'nerd' and 'brat'.) Their leader is the mysterious Deep Blue. Dren, Tarb and Sardon have the power to create monsters called Predasites by infusing animal and plants with creatures called "infusors," which make the animals more powerful and under the evil influence of the aliens, later using the spirits of ordinary and talented humans and combining them with animals. The girls' job is to defeat these Predasites and save the world from the Cyniclons.

Another notable difference is episode 11 was dropped from the series in order to make it the "first" episode, and the series was edited so it seemingly never happened. This "first episode" was originally intended to be a sneak peek as back in the summer of 2004, when 4Kids TV was still the Fox Box, they ran a poll for the new fall shows–Mew Mew Power, One Piece, and F-Zero GP Legend–and viewers could visit their website to vote for which of them they wanted to air first. Mew Mew Power and One Piece were neck and neck throughout the poll, with F-Zero in last place. Just when it seemed Mew Mew Power was going to win, 4Kids apparently rigged the poll and made F-Zero win instead. The sneak peek episode would premiere in February 2005, in the slot being held by The Cramp Twins, but it would only be a sneak peek as it was announced that the series would air in the fall of 2005. However, 4Kids cancelled The Cramp Twins and decided to continue airing Mew Mew Power in its slot. It is also rumored that 4Kids wanted to save Mew Mew Power, which was winning the poll, for February sweeps.

Some people believe that this show will not make it to the last episode in the United States due to the graphic content of the final two episodes. Because of this, many fear that the remaining episodes of Tokyo Mew Mew will get a treatment simalar to DIC Entertainment's dubbed version of Sailor Moon. This means that 4kids might have to end up cutting some of the intense later episodes and merge them as 1 episode, similar to how Dic handled the final 2 episodes of the Dark kingdom arc in Sailor Moon.

Early on, Tokyo Mew Mew is more light-hearted in tone than Sailor Moon; during later episodes, the show ends up taking a darker approach (for example, in some episodes, Kisshu sustains near fatal injuries, and there are certain violent scenes where Kisshu shows a darker, crueler side.) Many Tokyo Mew Mew fans feel that it would be difficult for 4Kids to tone down these aspects of the show.

This show has been seemingly cancelled at least two times. 4Kids does not have the rights to the second half of the series and can only show up to episode 26, which they have not done. Reportedly, 4Kids is trying to obtain a license for the second half as they don't want Mew Mew Power to be cancelled and at episode 26 the story will still be left hanging.

Characters

The names here are the Japanese names and the names used in the English editions of the manga. In both the original Japanese version and the English manga, each of the heroines is named after a food. The Mew Mew Power names are mentioned at the end.

File:TMM Group.JPG

From left to right: Zakuro (Renée Roberts), Mint (Corina Bucksworth), Ichigo (Zoey Hanson), Pudding (Kikki Benjamin), and Lettuce (Bridget Verdant)

Protagonists

• Ichigo Momomiya (桃宮いちご Momomiya Ichigo) - The first member of the "Mew Project" and the main character of the series, Ichigo is a 13-year-old girl who becomes infused with the DNA of an Iriomote Wildcat. Ichigo, a bit of a ditz, originally wants nothing to do with the "Mew Project," instead wishing to simply spend time with her crush, Masaya. Later, however, she accepts her fate, realizing the importance of the task assigned to her. Her name is the Japanese word for strawberry. She is about 4 ft 9 in. or 144.8 cm. Ichigo is known as Zoey Hanson in Mew Mew Power.

• Mint Aizawa (藍沢みん Aizawa Minto) - The second member of the Mews, Mint is infused with the DNA of an Ultramarine Lorikeet. A snobbish girl from a wealthy family, Mint is at first not very enthusiastic about taking on her responsibilities as a Mew. However, as the series progresses, she proves to be a good friend and a valuable team member. She admires Zakuro very much, almost to the point of being obsessive. She is 4 ft 7 in. or 139.7 cm. Mint is known as Corina Bucksworth in Mew Mew Power.

• Lettuce Midorikawa (碧川れたす Midorikawa Retasu) - Lettuce is infused with the DNA of a Finless Porpoise. Though she comes from a supportive family, Lettuce is very timid and shy. Only after she joins the Mews does she gain the confidence she initially lacks. One of the taller members of the group, Retasu stands at 5 ft 2 in. or 157.5 cm. She is known as Bridget Verdant in Mew Mew Power.

• Pudding Fong (黄歩鈴, Japanese: Fon Purin, Chinese Pinyin: Huáng Bùlíng) - Pudding, the youngest of the Mews, is infused with the DNA of a Golden Lion Tamarin. Pudding has a very unusual family life: in her parents' absence, she must care for her many brothers and sisters. In spite of the stress brought on by this staggering responsibility, Pudding remains sweet and retains her childish nature. She is more or less friends with Taruto (Tart), one of the aliens, and develops a slight crush on him. Purin is about 4 ft 5 in. or 134.6 cm. She is known as Kikki Benjamin in Mew Mew Power.

• Zakuro Fujiwara (藤原ざくろ Fujiwara Zakuro) - Zakuro, a mysterious, beautiful model/actress, is the last Mew to be found, and is infused with the DNA of a Gray Wolf. At first, Zakuro is wary of groups, but she later decides to make an exception for the Mews. She does not talk much and has an attitude when provoked. Zakuro takes her name from the Japanese word for "Pomegranate". She is 5 ft 6 in. or 167.6 cm tall. Zakuro is known as Renée Roberts in Mew Mew Power.

• Masaya Aoyama (青山雅也 Aoyama Masaya) - Aoyama is a popular 7th grade boy who is concerned about the Earth's environment. He acts in a generous and goody-goody manner to make it through in life and to hide the fact that he is cynical toward most humans. He is Ichigo's boyfriend and crush, and unknowingly her protector, the Blue Knight. He is known as Mark in Mew Mew Power.

• Ryou Shirogane (白金稜 Shirogane Ryō) (His name is spelled "Ryo Shirogane" in the Singaporean manga) - The super-rich owner of Café Mew Mew, Ryou is a genius and was the first person to be injected with animal DNA. He has a pet robot, originally called R2000, which Ichigo later names Masha. He seems to harbor hidden feelings for Ichigo. He is known as Elliot Grant in Mew Mew Power.

• Keiichiro Akasaka (赤坂圭一郎 Akasaka Kei'ichirō) - The gentleman of the males in this manga, he is known to be feminine and kind. It is mentioned in the anime that he has an ex-girlfriend; their relationship ended due to drama over his history. An old friend of Ryou's late parents, Keiichiro assumed the role of the wealthy young man's guardian after the couple's deaths. He also helps to manage Cafe Mew Mew, and is Ryou's partner. In Mew Mew Power he is known as Wesley J. Coolridge III.

• Masha (R2000) - A pet robot made by Ryou to detect Chimera Animas and evil aliens. Ichigo changes the robot's original name, R2000, to Masha, a name similar to "Masaya." He is known as Mini-Mew in Mew Mew Power.

• Ucha (R2003) - Ucha is Berry Shirayuki's robot. It is similar to Masha in capabilities; however, it can speak complete sentences, has a bit of attitude, and the appearance is different (a strawberry with bunny ears).

• Berry Shirayuki (白雪ベリ Shirayuki Berii) - A Mew Mew who appears only in Tokyo Mew Mew a la Mode and the last page of the 7th volume of Tokyo Mew Mew, taking over leadership for Ichigo when Ichigo goes to England with Aoyama. Berry is the only member of the team who was infused with the DNA of two animals: An Andean Mountain Cat and the Amami Rabbit. Berii is 12 years old and lives just outside Tokyo. At the beginning of the manga, it seems like she has a schoolgirl-crush on Ryou. She later becomes fond of Tasuku.

• Tasuku Meguro (目黒侑 Meguro Tasuku) - Berry's best friend who later becomes her crush then soon after boyfriend. He finds out Berry is a Mew Mew, and accepts it quickly. He is deceived by the Crusaders, giving off the impression that he hates Berry. Berry pulls him out of the darkness, and they announce their feelings for each other. He and Berry help Cafe Mew Mew, by delivering deserts and such.

• Ringo Akai (赤井りんご Akai Ringo) - A Mew Mew who appears only in the Playstation game, the comic that comes with it and Petit Mew Mew in Vol. 2 of Tokyo Mew Mew a la Mode. Ringo does not have infused DNA like the other Mew Mews; she wears a necklace containing Mew Aqua that allows her to transform into Mew Ringo. The animal she represents is the Humboldt Penguin. She is 10 years old and 4 ft 3 in. Despite the similarities and rumours, Ringo is not related to Ichigo.

• Miwa Honjo and Moe Yanagida - Miwa and Moe appear in both the manga and the anime, though they show up more in the anime. They are loyal and good friends to Ichigo and they give her advice on relationships and on Masaya. Both of them have major crushes on Ryou and Keiichiro. They are known as Megan and Mimi in the English and Italian dubs, and are somewhat mean girls in Mew Mew Power.

Antagonists

• Quiche (キッシュ Kisshu) (Romanized as "Kish" in Tokyopop's English manga.) - One of the aliens attempting to reclaim the earth, Quiche controls the alien parasites that turn their hosts into Chimera Anima. Initially, his sole intent is to save his dying race. Later, however, he loses focus of this goal as he develops feelings for Ichigo. He is known as Dren (nerd backwards) in Mew Mew Power.

• Pie (パイ Pai) - Probably the most competent of Deep Blue's underlings, Pai is serious, analytical, and very dedicated in his pursuit of the Mews. He controls germs and has a fan that allows him to use wind and thunder attacks. He is known as Sardon (a pun on the word 'sardonic') in Mew Mew Power.

• Tart (タルト Taruto) - A younger, hyper alien who likes to have "fun" with the Mews. He is the only alien of the three who can control plant Anima, and is more or less friends with Pudding. He is known as Tarb (brat backwards) in Mew Mew Power.

• Gateau du Rowa (Means "cake" in French) - An alien that appears only in the Playstation game, and the main villain of that game. He is described as being aristocratic and intelligent. He is almost exactly as loyal to Deep Blue as Pie, and is the most sophisticated of any of the aliens, always trying to tell Kish to be more "elegant", though he pretty much lets him do whatever he wants despite the fact that he's supposed to be serving Gateau himself. He has an awesome evil laugh in the game. He tries to turn all the Red Data animals on the nature preserve island into Chimera Anima while Kish kidnaps Ringo to distract the other Mew Mews from Gateau's real plan, but in the end, Gateau is touched by the girls' belief in each other when Ichigo reaches out to him, and when he decides that he doesn't want to be evil anymore, he dies with his last Chimera Anima.

• Deep Blue - The leader of the aliens and the evil alter-ego of Masaya. At the end of the seven-part series, he is killed by Masaya in order to save Tokyo.

• Saint Rose Crusaders - The villains of Tokyo Mew Mew a la Mode, they are a group of humans who take control of the remaining Chimera Anima and intend to use them for world domination. The members of the group are Royal Highness/Aizuki Yuuzen, Happy Child/Utamaro, Blue Bayou, Sweet Juliet and the leader, Duke. Aizuki poses as a teacher at Berry's school.

• Chimera Animal (translated as Kirema Anima in the first part of the American manga, and then into Chimera Anima during A la Mode, all which are Japanese pronouncations of chimera animal) - Chimera Anima are monsters created when small blobby jellyfish-like things merge with an animal, a plant, a human spirit (stolen from people by the aliens), and even a Mew Aqua sample to make them monstrous and under the control of whoever creates them. When they are defeated by Ichigo and her group, their host reverts back to normal and Masha eats the jellyfish thing. They are known as Predacytes in Mew Mew Power, and the jellyfish things are known as Predacyte Infusors.

Trivia

• 4Kids originally intended to change the anime's title to "Hollywood Mew Mew." Later, perhaps due to negative response from fans, the company tentatively changed the program's title back to "Tokyo Mew Mew," even listing it as such on their website. The more palatable title "Mew Mew Power" was chosen shortly before the show began airing on North American television.
• Australia, South America, Brazil, Canada and South Africa are the only countries to air the full run of the dubbed Mew Mew Power. 4Kids has yet to air the last three episodes of Season One.
• All the main characters in Tokyo Mew Mew are named after foods (Ichigo=Strawberry, Minto=Mint, Retasu=Lettuce, Purin=Pudding, Zakuro=Pomegranate).
• The animation/artwork underwent several changes around the later episodes of season 2 (mainly around episodes 40-52); the characters start to look more detailed and more bishōjo/bishōnen. For example, the style for Kisshu and Zakuro Fujiwara drastically changed in the later episodes.

Broadcasters

• In Japan on TV Aichi and TV Tokyo.
• In Canada on YTV.
• In Hong Kong on Asia Television and Cable TV Hong Kong.
• In Hungary on A+. (as Mew Mew Power)
• In Indonesia on SCTV (Indonesia).
• In Italy on Italia 1. (as Mew Mew: Amiche Vincenti)
• In Korea on SBS (Korea). (hangul:베리베리 뮤우뮤우, Berry Berry Mew Mew[1])
• In South Africa K-World, DStv (Previously also on on M-Net).
• In Australia on Nickelodeon and Network Ten.
• In the United States on 4Kids TV (FOX) (as Mew Mew Power)
• In Brazil on Cartoon Network.
• In South America start recently in Cartoon Network.
• In Israel in Children's Channel. (as Tokyo Mew Mew; Hebrew dub based on 4Kids' but keeping the Japanese names for the characters)
• In the United Kingdom on Toonami. (Coming soon)

Australia's Magna Pacific will be releasing the first 10 dubbed (4Kids) episodes of Mew Mew Power on DVD in two volumes on July 5, 2006. Volume one will contain 6 episodes, while volume two will contain 4 episodes.

External links

Japanese

• Ikumimi's Room (Mia Ikumi's website)
• Tokyo Mew Mew at Studio Pierrot
• TV Aichi Mew Mew website
• @fun Stage Tokyo Mew Mew

English

• 4Kids site
• Mew Mew Power on YTV
• Mew Mew Power Uncensored (Site discussing differences between 4Kids' Mew Mew Power and the original Japanese Tokyo Mew Mew.)
• Mew Mew Alliance (Campaign site for uncut Tokyo Mew Mew)