IN WHICH MORE OF KAPPARD'S PAST SURFACES

Star*Twinkle Pretty Cure - Episode 45
My Own Review
IN WHICH MORE OF KAPPARD'S PAST SURFACES

It’s been a bit of a longer wait than usual, but subs for episode 45 of Star ☆ Twinkle have finally emerged.

Seems like there are a couple of scenes in this episode that just linger on Hikaru walking in the rain - PS. Is that me or has Fuwa's unihorn grown a tad?

With the other girls having managed to find their Twinkle Imaginations over the past few episodes, Hikaru is feeling less than stellar about not finding her own. A visit to the observatory and a battle against Kappard soon see things changing for Hikaru, though.

Hikaru visits the observatory - PS. Ryoutaro confirmed NOT to be Santa... still he reminds me of RR Martin or Dumbledore ;) 

This is very much Hikaru’s episode, particularly because she has yet to find her Twinkle Imagination. It is something that she is all too aware of. Lala is far more open with her classmates, and both Elena and Madoka are putting some serious consideration into their futures. Hikaru is still just Hikaru, though. The rare book-smart shoujo protagonist, who seems to have Asperger's as the icing on the cake.

More of Hikaru just walking in the rain - and Fuwa's unihorn

https://prettycure.fandom.com/wiki/STPC45/Image_Gallery

(Insert the hoshino family + ryoutaro flashback from STPC45 image gallery here)

Serving as a villain of the week (and possibly for the last time, as well) is Kappard, who goes after Hikaru alone.

Kappard’s ultimate weapon (or so he claims) - a crescent spade just like the one of Sha Wujing/Sha Gojo, the kappa in Journey to the West!

You know things are serious in a PreCure series when you don’t get the usual music for the transformation scene. That’s exactly what happens with Cure Star vs. Kappard. Cure Star doesn’t exactly have the best showing against her foe; probably not helped by still being unsure of herself.

Cure Star struggles to hold back Kappard’s attack

Of course Cure Star isn’t going to have an easy time against Kappard; she has to overcome some kind of trial before she can achieve what the other members of this season's PreCure ensemble have done.

Cure Milkyway protects Hikaru

As is par for the course for these types of episodes, the rest of the team don’t show up until the very last moment. Doesn’t stop Kappard from giving his “you have such a comfortable life you know nothing of pain” speech, during which some light is shed on what happened to his home planet.

The rain water on Earth reminds Kappard of his home

Kappard's home had the finest resources

 Kappard being reminded of the tragedy

 Kappard believes his species's good intentions led to his planet's downfall

Everything was taken away from Kappard's planet

Of course, Lala’s response to Kappard’s words --that he can befriend earthlings, has he tried that approach before?-- are enough for Hikaru to pick herself up, and we get the normal transformation sequence.

Cure Star is back

So, just like the others, Cure Star’s experience her is just what she needs to go through to find her Twinkle Imagination. Kappard stands no chance against her once she is back in the fray, though all Cure Star wants to do is understand him a little more. Even reaching out post-defeat (defeat means friendship in these anime, after all)

There’s no opportunity for that, as Kappard is forcefully returned to Darknest.

Just like the other Twinkle Imagination episodes before it, this was a good one. All five girls have finally achieved their goals, which must mean we are getting really close to the end.
A great episode for Hikaru.

Next time, darkness descends… the finale begins... and ssssuspicionssss, theoriesssss, are confirmed...

MY OWN HUMBLE OPINION:

You know nothing of Kappard;

all my kin have died of thirst,

only I came through alive...

I know everything of pain...

(Javert filk seemed mandatory, right?)