Currently airing PreCure series latest installment Detective PreCure! has fans buzzing with speculation about the identity of Cure Éclair. Today, the official project announced a campaign inviting fans to vote on who among four candidates might be the mysterious Cure. As an avid viewer, this writer also dives into a bold “deduction” to analyze who Cure Éclair could be!
Please note: All content in this article is the writer’s personal speculation and analysis. It may differ from official announcements or future developments. Enjoy as a fan perspective to expand the fun of the work.
Who Is Cure Éclair? Analyzing the Four Candidates
Candidate 1: Kuresu Eliza
Kuresu Eliza (CV: Akechi Riko). A high school student and up-and-coming mystery novelist. First appeared in Episode 2 as a guest character who asked Anna and Mikuru to find her precious glass pen. She reappeared in Episode 16, contributing to solving a case alongside Anna and Mikuru as a “detective.” Episode 21 is set to focus on Kuresu Eliza, raising expectations.
Candidate 2: Ieiri Shiruku
Ieiri Shiruku (CV: Murakami Natsumi). A high school student also active as an actress. First appeared in Episode 9, working with Anna and Mikuru to find costumes for the drama club. At that time, she supported the mystery-solving and helped search for clues, taking on a big-sister-like role. Episode 22 will feature Ieiri Shiruku, drawing attention.
Candidate 3: Hoba Kurea
Hoba Kurea (CV: Hasegawa Ikumi). A 16-year-old high school student working at Pâtisserie Chuchu. First appeared in Episode 2, then again in Episode 10. In Episode 17, she made a birthday cake with Anna. She hasn’t been directly involved in mystery-solving, but she comforts and encourages Anna when she’s down, acting as a caring older sister. Episode 23 will center on Hoba Kurea.
Candidate 4: Kaneda Rei
Kaneda Rei (CV: Lynn). Student council president of Shiromoto Mirai Gakuen private school. First appeared in Episode 5, then more prominently in Episode 14, working alongside Anna, Mikuru, and Pochitan. Though a middle schooler herself, she reads to younger children like a big sister. She was surprised by Pochitan’s movements but accepted the explanation. Episode 24 will focus on Kaneda Rei, with the following week being the Cure Éclair reveal.
Analyzing Who Among the Four Could Be Cure Éclair
So, who is Cure Éclair? Let’s examine clues that suggest “Éclair-like” traits.
First clue: Names. In Detective PreCure!, the transformed PreCure names contain parts of the girls’ real names. For example, Akechi Anna has “an” in Cure Answer, Kobayashi Mikuru has “mi” and “ku” in Cure Mystic, and Mori Aruruka has “aru” in Cure Arcana Shadow. Applying this pattern: Kuresu Eliza has “ku” and “ru”, Ieiri Shiruku has “ru” and “ku”, Hoba Kurea has “kure”, and Kaneda Rei has “re”. All contain sounds that make up “Éclair,” so each could potentially become Cure Éclair.
Second clue: Butterfly and diamond motifs. Cure Éclair’s hat features butterfly-like accessories and diamond shapes. Among the candidates: Kuresu Eliza and Hoba Kurea wear butterfly-like hair ornaments, Ieiri Shiruku has diamond-shaped earrings, and Kaneda Rei sports a diamond-shaped hair accessory with colors similar to Éclair’s motifs. Kaneda Rei, attending the same school as Anna and Mikuru, shares the diamond motif—making her a strong candidate.
Third clue: The “big sister” role. Cure Éclair is shown as a senior-like PreCure who helps Cure Arcana Shadow. All four candidates display a nurturing, older-sister personality: Kuresu Eliza and Ieiri Shiruku assist with mysteries, Hoba Kurea comforts Anna, and Kaneda Rei watches over and supports Anna and Mikuru. This caring attitude matches Cure Éclair’s demeanor.
Fourth clue: Reaction to Pochitan. Cure Éclair has her own fairy partner, Shushutan, so if she meets the talking dog Pochitan, she wouldn’t be surprised. Notably, Hoba Kurea reacted naturally—she didn’t flinch when Pochitan spoke, simply smiling and calling him “very cute.” Other characters showed shock or confusion. Kurea’s calm acceptance hints she may already know about such beings.
The Possibility of Split Memories
Based on the above, this writer proposes another bold theory: the four candidates’ memories might combine to form one person. In the story of Cure Arcana Shadow, it was revealed that the Makoto Jewel was originally one large mass. When threatened by Usonoiru, someone from the Curette Detective Agency shattered it to protect it. If that someone was Cure Éclair herself, she may have exhausted her powers to save the jewel, causing her memories to split into four. This would explain why some personalities know Pochitan and others don’t, and why Cure Arcana Shadow (Mori Aruruka) didn’t recognize Éclair. The four might each possess distinct personalities but originate from a single soul—an exciting possibility!
Thus far, we’ve examined the commonalities and differences among the four candidates. Of course, this is merely a fan’s speculation, but each character shines with a certain “Éclair-ness.”
The true identity will finally be revealed in Episode 25, airing on Sunday, July 19, 2026. The official campaign also offers a voting project where fans can predict the identity. Already, speculation is heating up among fans. Who is Cure Éclair, and what story awaits? We can’t wait for the broadcast!
『名探偵プリキュア！』作品概要
●Cast
Cure Answer / Akechi Anna (CV: Chiga Mitsuri)
Cure Mystic / Kobayashi Mikuru (CV: Hondo Kaede)
Cure Arcana Shadow / Mori Aruruka (CV: Toyama Nao)
and others
●Staff
Series Director: Kawasaki Kouji
Series Composition: Murayama Isao
Character Design: Yano Akane
Art Design: Imai Miki
Chief Art: Hamano Eiji
Color Design: Takezawa Satoshi
Photography Director: Anzai Yoshiyuki
Music: Fukazawa Erika / Mase Misaki
Opening Theme Song: “Heart ni Hint! Meitantei PreCure!”
Performed by Ishii Ami; Lyrics by Kudan Natsumi; Composition by Sugiyama Katsuhiko & Sasaki “Kojirou” Takayuki; Arrangement by Sasaki “Kojirou” Takayuki & K’vin Sakura
Ending Theme Song: “Naze? Nazo?! ANSWER”
Performed by Kumada Akane & Masui Yuuka; Lyrics by Aoki Kumiko; Composition & Arrangement by Hamada Kouki
(C) ABC-A・Toei Animation
《animeanime》
