New Cutie Honey
A 1994 OVA sequel set in the near future.
New Cutie Honey (also released as New Super Android Cutey Honey or New Cutey Honey) is a 1994 Japanese OVA in Go Nagai’s Cutie Honey franchise. Toei Video first announced it in October 1993, driven by the ongoing popularity of the 1973 TV series. Unlike that original, this entry was made for home video rather than broadcast. The original 1973 TV series had previously been licensed and released in the U.S. by ADV Films in 2001, and the 1994 OVA itself was also licensed by ADV Films in the early 2000s.
The story takes place in the near future (around the 1990s/2000s), in the fictional Cosplay City. The protagonist, Honey Kisaragi, is a female android who can transform into different personas or summon weapons by yelling “Honey Flash!” She lives with the Hayami family and fights criminals. The first four episodes form a complete arc where Honey battles Dolmeck, a villain feared even by other criminals. Later episodes see her facing enemies empowered by Panther Zora, her returning nemesis from the original series. The staff planned at least twelve episodes, but only eight were made by 1995. A 2004 DVD release included an original side story drama CD, which was not based on an unfilmed episode script.
The OVA features many characters and cameos from Nagai’s earlier works, such as Mazinger Z and Devilman. It also inspired its own merchandise, including scale model kits of Honey. ADV Films handled the English dub, and Nagai personally chose Jessica Calvello for the title role. Critical responses have focused on the production values and voice work, and have examined Honey’s transformations—which often tear off her clothes and show her naked body—in relation to her strong character traits. The series has also been compared and contrasted with other anime based on Nagai’s creations.
Quick Facts
- Ja Romaji
- Shin Kyūtī Hanī
- Genre
- Magical girl
- Creator
- Go Nagai
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
New Cutie Honey is set in the near future (around the 1990s/2000s), in the fictional Cosplay City. It follows protagonist Honey Kisaragi, a female android, along with her friends from the Hayami family, as she fights criminals. Honey has a device within her that allows her to transform into various personas, or summon weapons and other powers, by shouting 'Honey Flash!' The first four episodes contain a complete story in which Honey battles the forces of Dolmeck, a man feared even by other criminals. In later episodes, she defeats other enemies empowered by her returning former nemesis, Panther Zora.
Reader's Guide
New Cutie Honey was the only Cutie Honey anime production licensed for distribution in the United States until 2013, and was released by ADV Films in the US, as well as in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand. The series staff planned to make at least twelve episodes, but it ended with eight in 1995. A 2004 DVD release included a scripted but unfilmed ninth episode—a Christmas story—as a drama CD. The series includes many characters and cameos from or based on prior works by Nagai, such as Mazinger Z and Devilman. Critical responses have focused on its production values and voice work, and have explored Honey's transformations—which often tear off her clothes and show her naked body as they occur—in relation to her strong character traits.
Did You Know?
- The series was announced by Toei Video in October 1993.
- Each episode used ten thousand cels, three times the usual number according to Toei.
- ADV's English dub features Jessica Calvello, whom Go Nagai personally picked for the title role.
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