Soaring Sky! Precure: Season 1, Episode 23 - Broken Dreams and Renewed Strength! (2023)

Sora Harewataru, deeply discouraged after her traumatic failure in the previous episode, runs away from Sorashido City and returns to her family home in Skyland, convinced she no longer has what it takes to be a hero.

Sora arrives at her home in Skyland and is greeted by her parents, who welcome her back warmly.

At dinner time in the Harewataru household, Sora sits with her family, but she remains visibly downcast and nearly throws away her Skymirage scooter, symbolizing her broken resolve to be a hero.

Meanwhile, back in Sorashido City, the other Precures--Mashiro, Tsubasa, and Ageha--notice Sora's absence and debate how to help her, with Tsubasa arguing they should respect her space while others push to repair her shattered dreams caused by failing her duties.

The group splits into efforts to find and support Sora, but Tsubasa's approach leads the B Team to miss her by just a short time as they arrive too late.

In Skyland, Sora goes to a lake near Tarashita City, a place tied to her early hero declarations, where she had once tried to fight and declared her heroic aspirations right after a past challenge.

Sora reflects alone at the lake, her confidence fully eroded, writing a heartfelt letter expressing her doubts and farewell intentions.

Captain Shalala's father, referred to as the good Lord Marx, goes to Skyline and learns of Sora's situation.

Mashiro, determined to reach Sora, decides to go to Skyland herself and writes or delivers a letter to reconnect with her.

The trio--Mashiro, Tsubasa, and Ageha--transform into their Precure forms to head toward Skyland and support Sora.

In Sorashido City, a Ranborg containing Captain Shalala appears, powered by dark energy life support, posing an immediate threat.

The Precures, already mobilized, confront the Ranborg in Sorashido City just as Mashiro delivers the letter to Sora in Skyland.

Sora receives the letter from Mashiro, which surprises her emotionally and brings her to tears, reigniting her feelings through its personal message reinforcing belief in her heroism.

Touched by the letter and Mashiro's effort, Sora decides it is time for her to return and act, regaining her resolve to be a hero.

Sora rushes back just in time, transforming into Cure Sky upon arrival in Sorashido City.

Cure Sky joins the battle against the Ranborg, teaming up with the others to fight step by step: they dodge its attacks, counter with coordinated strikes, and wear it down despite its dark energy enhancements.

The Precures defeat the Ranborg together, with Sora playing a pivotal role in turning the tide.

In the aftermath, they carefully handle Captain Shalala, who was inside the Ranborg on dark energy life support, successfully saving her without worsening her condition.

A surprise moment occurs toward the end, technically not a full goodbye for Captain Shalala as hinted, with Sora fully regaining her confidence and returning to her heroic self.

Sora stands renewed, her broken dreams mended through the support of her friends, family, and her own reflection, ending the episode on her recommitment as a hero.

Sora regains her confidence after Mashiro's unwavering belief in her restores her faith in herself as a hero, leading her to transform and defeat the Ranborg with the other Cures, saving Captain Shalala and returning triumphantly to her friends.

Now, let me take you through the ending of this episode, scene by scene, as the story builds to its emotional peak.

The scene opens at the lake in Skyland where Sora Harewataru sits alone, her face etched with deep doubt and exhaustion after her recent failures as a Precure. She clutches her penlight, staring at the water where she once made her bold hero declarations, her shoulders slumped in defeat. Nearby, a group from Sorashido City--Mashiro Nijigaoka, Tsubasa Yuunagi, Ageha Hijiri, and Ellee--searches desperately for her, having followed leads from her family. They arrive just as a massive Ranborg, powered by Underg Energy and containing the captured Captain Shalala, crashes into the area, its mechanical form towering and destructive, firing blasts that shake the ground.

Mashiro spots Sora first and calls out to her, but Sora remains distant, unwilling to fight. The others transform into Cure Justice, Cure Wing, and Cure Butterfly, engaging the Ranborg in a fierce battle. Cure Justice dives with precise aerial maneuvers, Cure Wing summons wind gusts to deflect attacks, and Cure Butterfly unleashes butterfly-shaped energy blasts, but the Ranborg overpowers them, slamming them into the lakeside rocks. Sora watches from afar, her fists clenched, torn between her broken dreams and the sight of her friends struggling for her sake.

As the Ranborg advances on the fallen Cures, Mashiro, still in her civilian form after being knocked out of transformation, crawls toward Sora. Bloodied and bruised, Mashiro grabs Sora's hand, her eyes filled with fierce determination. She speaks directly to Sora's heart, refusing to give up on the hero she knows Sora to be, even when Sora cannot believe in herself. Mashiro's words pierce through Sora's despair: she declares her absolute belief in the hero girl who taught her what heroism means, handing Sora back her penlight. Tears stream down Sora's face as Mashiro's faith reignites her own; Sora grips the penlight tightly, her expression shifting from anguish to resolve.

Sora stands, shouting her transformation call. Light envelops her as she becomes Cure Sky once more, her blue uniform gleaming under the sky, wings unfurling with renewed power. She charges into the fray, joining the recovering Cures. Together, they coordinate seamlessly: Cure Sky leads with a soaring Sky Punch, shattering the Ranborg's armor; Cure Justice follows with feather-like projectiles; Cure Wing buffers with gales; and Cure Butterfly amplifies with radiant energy. The Ranborg retaliates with energy beams and claw swipes, but the Cures dodge and counter, their teamwork unbreakable.

In the climax, the four Cures channel their combined power into a massive group attack--a brilliant beam of light that pierces the Ranborg's core. The machine explodes in a shower of sparks and dark energy, freeing Captain Shalala, who emerges weakened but alive, her heroic cape tattered. Shalala smiles weakly at Sora, acknowledging her growth.

As the dust settles, Sora kneels beside Mashiro, helping her up. The two share a tearful embrace, Sora whispering thanks for Mashiro's belief that pulled her back from the edge. The group reunites fully, with Tsubasa, Ageha, and Ellee rushing over in relief. Sora declares her renewed commitment to being a hero, her eyes shining with purpose.

Captain Shalala, restored but needing rest, entrusts Ellee's care to the team before departing to recover. Sora bids her family farewell in Skyland, promising to protect everyone, then returns with her friends to Sorashido City.

Here is the fate of each main character at the episode's end: Sora Harewataru (Cure Sky) overcomes her self-doubt, regains her hero's confidence, and rejoins her team stronger than before. Mashiro Nijigaoka solidifies her role as Sora's emotional anchor, physically recovering from injuries but spiritually uplifted. Tsubasa Yuunagi (Cure Wing) and Ageha Hijiri (Cure Butterfly) emerge battle-worn but victorious, their bonds with Sora deepened. Ellee remains safe under their protection. Captain Shalala is rescued and freed, departing to heal while praising Sora's heroism.

Yes, episode 23 of Soaring Sky! Precure season 1, "Broken Dreams and Renewed Strength!", features a post-credits cameo in the end credits sequence.

In this brief visual cameo, Cure Dream--a character from the earlier Yes! Precure 5 series--makes a surprise appearance, depicted in her iconic pink transformation outfit with flowing hair and determined expression, standing heroically against a starry sky backdrop as a nod to Precure franchise continuity; this skips over the expected prior cameo of Cure Peach from Fresh Precure, adding a layer of unexpected fan service amid the episode's themes of renewed heroism.

In episode 23 of Soaring Sky! Precure season 1, 'Broken Dreams and Renewed Strength!', Sora, deeply shaken by her failure to protect Captain Shalala in the previous episode, flees back to her family in Skyland. Overwhelmed by self-doubt, she tearfully confesses to her parents and siblings that she no longer believes she has what it takes to be a hero, her eyes red from crying, shoulders slumped in defeat as she curls up in her childhood room, the vibrant skies of Skyland contrasting her inner turmoil.

While in Skyland, Sora spots the Ranborg terrorizing Sorashido City on a viewscreen, realizing it contains the captured Captain Shalala whose piercing cries echo through the monster's form. Driven by her heroic instincts despite her broken confidence, Sora transforms into Cure Sky and soars back to the city, confronting the massive Ranborg alone in a fierce aerial battle, dodging its crushing blows and dark energy blasts until she breaks through its defenses, freeing Shalala in a burst of radiant light that scatters the shadows.

As Sora battles the Ranborg, Mashiro, watching from the ground with tears streaming down her face, calls out desperately for Sora not to give up, her voice cracking with emotion and unwavering belief in her friend's strength. This heartfelt plea pierces Sora's doubts, reigniting her resolve just as the Ranborg nearly overwhelms her, symbolizing Mashiro's quiet yet profound support as the emotional anchor pulling Sora back from despair.

Captain Shalala is a valiant Sky Land knight and Sora's idolized hero, captured earlier and fused into a Ranborg by the villains, her anguished roars fueling the beast's rampage through Sorashido City. Her rescue marks Sora's pivotal redemption, as saving her mentor reaffirms Sora's heroic path, with Shalala's grateful embrace later conveying pride and forgiveness, mending Sora's fractured spirit.

After defeating the Ranborg and rescuing Captain Shalala, Sora lands triumphantly amidst cheers, her face lighting up with a radiant smile as confidence floods back into her eyes. Reuniting with Mashiro and the others, she declares her renewed commitment to heroism, the group sharing a warm embrace under the sunset sky, symbolizing restored bonds and unbreakable determination.

Yes, Soaring Sky! Precure episode 23 is family friendly overall, as it's a children's magical girl anime with themes of heroism, family support, and personal growth typical of the franchise.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects for children or sensitive viewers include: - Intense emotional scenes of a main character's depression, discouragement, and self-doubt, shared with family members who are shocked and supportive. - Heavy dramatic tension around a hero's struggles, reflection on failures, and feeling like a broken role model. - High-stakes action with a villain depicted as an outright monster, including risky and dramatized confrontations that build to a rushed but merciful resolution. - Standard fantasy violence (e.g., battles and transformations), noted in content advisories but cartoonish and non-graphic.