In the latest Episode 42 of the TV anime You and Idol Precure♪ , aired in Japan on November 30, Kaito Hibiki transformed into a new male Precure, Cure Connect. Daisuke Sakuma, a member of the Japanese male idol group Snow Man, has voiced the 19-year-old "Legendary Idol" who is admired even by Cure Idol. Cure Connect is not the first male Precure to appear in the Precure anime franchise, which has a history spanning over 20 years. The first official male Precure was Cure Infini (CV: Toshiyuki Someya), who appeared in Episode 42 of the 15th installment Hugtto! Precure (2018-2019). And Cure Wing (CV: Ayumu Murase) appeared in the 20th installment Soaring Sky! Precure (2023-2024) as a regular character throughout the series. While performing as a member of one of the most popular boy idol groups in Japan, Sakuma made his voice acting debut in 2020 in the TV anime Black Clover , and has regularly voiced Kaito Hibiki in You and Idol Precure♪ since February 2025. "Learning that Kaito would transform into Cure Connect just before the voice recording session made me so happy I couldn't help but exclaim, 'Oh! Finally!' It also filled me with pride," said Sakuma. "The visual for Cure Connect was slightly more mature than Idol Precure, designed to evoke an aspirational presence—overall, it gave me a really cool impression. This Episode 42 left a strong impression by carefully depicting the friendship between Kazuma (Jogi) and Kaito. It taught me that even if you fall out with a friend, facing each other head-on allows you to understand one another again. I hope you all experience the friendship depicted in Episode 42, and I'd be delighted if the experience you saw in this episode will one day help you in some way." Daisuke Sakuma RELATED: Snow Man Member Daisuke Sakuma Voices Legendary Idol in You and Idol Precure♪ You and Idol Precure♪ , the 22nd instalment of Toei Animation's long-running Precure anime franchise, premiered in Japan on February 2, 2025. Crunchyroll is streaming the latest series for members in North America, Central America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. Crunchyroll describes the series: Middle school student Uta Sakura loves to sing any chance she gets. But music becomes more than a hobby when she meets Purirun, a fairy whose hometown has plunged into darkness. The Chokkiri Gang took over her land and began stealing her people’s sparkle. Determined to help, Uta is transformed into the legendary protector Cure Idol and vows to return their sparkle through song. Source: "You and Idol Precure♪" official website / X (formerly Twitter) , Animate Times
