Sabre (fencing) and Tokyo Mew Mew: Difference between pages

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Revision as of 20:55, 10 July 2007

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[[Image:Fencing saber valid surfaces.svg|thumb|right|120px|A sabreur. Valid target (everything from the waist up, including the arms and head, but excluding the hands themselves) is in red.]]

{{Infobox animanga/Header|

The '''sabre''' is one of the three weapons of modern sport [[fencing]], and is alternatively spelt '''saber''' in [[American English language|American English]]. The sabre differs from the other modern fencing swords, the [[épée]] and [[Foil (fencing)|foil]], in that it is possible to score with the edge of the blade. For the other two weapons, valid touches are only scored using the point of the blade. Like foil, sabre uses the convention of [[Glossary of fencing terms#General|right-of-way]] to determine priority.

title_name=Tokyo Mew Mew<br>(Mew Mew Power)

|image=MewMews.jpg

|size=250px

|caption=The Mew Mew crew

|ja_name=東京ミュウミュウ

|ja_name_trans=Tōkyō Myū Myū

|genre=[[Magical girl]], [[Romance film|Romance]], [[Comedy]]

}}

{{Infobox animanga/Manga|

title=Tokyo Mew Mew

|creator=[[Mia Ikumi]] and [[Reiko Yoshida]]

|author=[[Mia Ikumi]] and [[Reiko Yoshida]]

|publisher={{flagicon|Japan}} [[Kodansha]]

|publisher_other={{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Forlaget Carlsen]]<br> {{flagicon|Finland}} [[Sangatsu Manga]]<br> {{flagicon|France}} [[Pika Édition]]<br> {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Carlsen Comics]]<br> {{flagicon|Poland}} [[Japonica Polonia Fantastica]]<br> {{flagicon|Singapore}} [[Chuang Yi]] (English)<br> {{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Bonnier Carlsen]]<br> {{flagicon|Thailand}} [[Bongkuoh]]<br> {{flagicon|United States}} {{flagicon|Canada}} [[Tokyopop]]

|serialized={{flagicon|Japan}} ''[[Nakayoshi]]''

|first_run=

|last_run=

|num_volumes= 7 (original) + 2 (A la Mode)}}

{{Infobox animanga/Anime|

title=

|director=[[Noriyuki Abe]]

|studio=[[Studio Pierrot]]

|network={{flagicon|Japan}} [[TV Aichi]], [[TV Tokyo]]

|network_other={{flagicon|Australia}} [[Nickelodeon (TV channel)|Nickelodeon Australia]]<br> {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Cartoon Network|Cartoon Network Brazil]]<br> {{flagicon|Canada}} [[YTV (Canadian television)|YTV]]<br> {{flagicon|Colombia}} [[Cartoon Network|Cartoon Network Latin America]]<br> {{flagicon|Hungary}} [[A+ (TV channel)|A+]]<br> {{flagicon|Israel}} [[Arutz Hayladim]]<br> {{flagicon|Portugal}} [[SIC]]<br> {{flagicon|South Korea}} [[SBS (Korea)]]<br> {{flagicon|United States}} [[4Kids TV]]<br> {{flagicon|Hong Kong}} [[Cable TV Hong Kong]]

|first_aired=[[April 6]] [[2002]]

|last_aired=[[March 29]] [[2003]]

|num_episodes=52

}}

{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}

:''"Mew Mew Power" redirects here. For specific information on the dubbed version, see [[English adaptations of Tokyo Mew Mew]]''

The term ''sabreur'' refers to a [[fencer]] who fences with a sabre. A ''sabreuse'' is the female equivelant of that term.

'''{{nihongo|''Tokyo Mew Mew''|東京ミュウミュウ|Tōkyō Myū Myū}}''', licensed as '''''Mew Mew Power''''' in North America, is a [[magical girl]] [[manga]] and [[anime]] series, created by writer [[Reiko Yoshida]] and illustrator [[Mia Ikumi]]. It aired in [[Japan]] on [[TV Aichi]] and [[TV Tokyo]].<ref name="ANN" />

Sabre was the last weapon in fencing to make the transition over to using electrical equipment. This occurred in [[1988]], 31 years after [[Foil (fencing)|Foil]] and 52 years after [[Épée]].

Originally published as a manga series, ''Tokyo Mew Mew'' was later adapted into a 52-episodes anime with the same title. The manga version also had several side stories, and a sequel titled ''[[Tokyo Mew Mew A la Mode]]''. None of these spin-offs were given an anime counterpart.

The target area originates from dueling sabre training. To attack the opponent's leg would allow him to "slip" that leg back and attack one's exposed arm or head given that the higher line attack will outreach the low line (there is a classic example of the leg slip in Angelo's Hungarian and Highland Broadsword of [[1790]]). The target area is from the waist up excluding the hands. Right-of-way applies, much as it does to foil.

<!--Lead: This should ideally be able to stand on its own as an article, providing a brief summary of the topic and touching on all the main points of the whole article. At the very least, this should describe the anime or manga, its premise and plot, its author or director, and the English language licensers (if any). Avoid needless spoilers and trivia, and keep the recommendations of Wikipedia:Lead section in mind.-->

A common misconception concerning the origin of sabre's target area is that the legs are removed as targets due to sabre's origin as a cavalry weapon. Essentially, this line of reasoning goes, the legs of a horseman were not a valid target in war, since cutting the leg of a man riding a horse would not stop that man from continuing his charge. This myth has largely been refuted and several older texts demonstrate low sabre parries to protect the mount's flanks and the fencer's legs.

==Plot==

<!--Plot: This should comprise a succinct description of the plot and major subplots, but please avoid excessive details of twists and turns in the story. Differences between the original versions and adaptations (whether Japanese or international) often fall within the scope of this section, usually warranting at most a distinct subsection.--><!--archive: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tokyo_Mew_Mew&diff=128427768&oldid=128363531-->

Five girls named Ichigo Momomiya, Mint Aizawa, Lettuce Midorikawa, Pudding Fong, and Zakuro Fujiwara, have their [[DNA]] "infused" with the DNA of Red Data Animals ([[endangered species]]). Gaining special abilities and a [[kemonomimi|different appearance]], they later find out that they have been chosen to protect Earth from a group of aliens who wish to 'reclaim it': Kish, Tart, Pie, and their leader Deep Blue, who have the power to control [[jellyfish]]-like parasites called [[Chimera Anima]] which infect animals, turning their hosts into [[monsters]]. Together, the five superheroes form a team called '''Tokyo Mew Mew'''.<ref>[[Mia Ikumi|Ikumi, Mia]]; [[Reiko Yoshida|Yoshida, Reiko]]. ''Tokyo Mew Mew volume 2'', pages 144-145 (English translation). [[Tokyopop]]. ISBN 1591822378.</ref><ref>Episode 11.</ref>

==The weapon==

The sabre's blade is V-shaped, unlike the quadrangular shape of the [[foil (fencing)|foil]], but not as stiff as the [[epee]]. Blades are standardly 88 cm (35 inches) in length. At the end of the blade, the point is folded over itself to form a "button," although no actual button exists. The bell guard of the sword is curved around the handle, giving the fencer hand protection. On electrical sabres, a socket for the body wire is found underneath the bell guard. A fastener known as a pommel is attached to the end of the sword to keep the bell guard and handle on. The handle of a sabre is standardly a French grip, as most other grips are incompatible with the bell guard. The entire sword is generally 105 cm (41 inches) long, and 500 grams (1.1 lb) in weight. It is shorter than the foil or épée, and lighter than the épée, making it easier to move swiftly and incisively. Many equate the sabre's blade to a matchstick, in that they are easy to snap but relatively cheap to replace.

At the same time, these five girls must also work as waitresses at the Cafe Mew Mew, which is secretly the headquarters of Tokyo Mew Mew, owned by Ryou Shirogane and Keiichiro Akasaka. To make things more difficult for Ichigo, since she is mainly doing all the work at Cafe Mew Mew, she must also deal with finding out whether her crush, and later in the series boyfriend, Masaya Aoyama, likes her or knows that she is a Mew Mew. She is also pursued by two other boys, Ryou Shirogane and the alien Kish. Ichigo is only troubled for a part of the series, however, for she finds out that Masaya does indeed have feelings for her and they become inseparable by series end.

Unlike the other two weapons, there is very little difference between an electric sabre and a steam or dry (non-electric) one. The blade itself is the same in steam and electric sabres, as there is no need for a blade wire or pressure-sensitive tip in an electric sabre. An electric sabre has a socket, which is a [[Foil (fencing)|Foil]] socket with the two contacts shorted together. Early electric sabres were equipped with a capteur socket. The capteur was a device that was intended to detect a parry by use of an accelerometer. If a parry was detected, the electronics were supposed to invalidate any subsequent closing of the scoring circuit due to the flexible blade whipping around the parry. This device never worked as intended and was quickly discarded. The electric sabre also has insulation on the pommel and on the inside of the guard to prevent an electrical connection between the sabre and the [[lamé]]. This is undesirable because it effectively extends the lamé onto the sabre, causing any blade contact to be registered as a valid touch.

<!--At the time Tokyo Mew Mew was published in Japan (2001), there were around 2,580 [[species]] of animals facing [[extinction]]. This number most likely increased by the time it was translated (2003).--><!--I'll do something with this later-->

[[Image:Fencingsabre.jpg|center|thumb|520px|A right-handed electric sabre]]

==Target areaCharacters ==

{{See also|List of minor characters in Tokyo Mew Mew}}

[[Image:Sabrefencing.jpg|thumb|left|150 px|Electric sabre fencing]]

<!--Characters: This describes the characters in modest detail. If the character section grows long, please reconsider the amount of detail. archive: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tokyo_Mew_Mew&diff=128427768&oldid=128363531-->

The target area for sabre consists of the torso above the waist, as well as the arms and head (excluding the hands). When fencing with electric equipment, a [[manchette]], or sabre cuff, is used in conjunction with the [[lamé]] and electrically conductive mask to ensure that the entire target area forms a single [[Electrical network|circuit]].

<big>'''Mew Mews'''</big>

<!--DO NOT CHANGE THE AGES OF THE MEW MEWS. IT WILL BE TREATED AS VANDALISM.-->

[[Image:Mew Ichigo.jpg|left|80px]]

;[[Ichigo Momomiya]]: The first member of the "Mew Project" and the main character of the series, called Zoey Hanson in the [[English]] adaptation. Ichigo is an 12 year-old girl who becomes infused with the DNA of an [[Iriomote Cat|Iriomote Wildcat]], allowing her to transform into Mew Ichigo. Ichigo's personality is much like that of a main character of a shoujo manga series, being enthusiastic, outgoing and sometimes a bit of a ditz. At first, she doesn't want anything to do with the Mew Project. However, she soon realizes the importance of her task and truly accepts her role as Mew Ichigo.

{{anime voices|Saki Nakajima}}

<br clear="left"/>[[Image:Mew Mint.jpg|left|100px]]

;[[Mint Aizawa]]: The second member of the Mews, called Corina Bucksworth in the English adaptation. 12 year-old Mint is infused with the DNA of a [[Blue Lorikeet]] <ref>[[Mia Ikumi|Ikumi, Mia]]; [[Reiko Yoshida|Yoshida, Reiko]]. ''Tokyo Mew Mew volume 1'', page 50. [[Kodansha]]. ISBN 4061789554.</ref><ref name=TMM12>Episode 12</ref><ref name=TMM19>Episode 19</ref><ref name=MMP1>''Mew Mew Power'', Episode 1</ref>. A snobbish girl from a wealthy family, Mint may seem stubborn and mean at first, but she is a good friend and is a valuable Mew. Most of the time Mint may not seem like it, but she is very sensitive and her feelings can be easily hurt. She also admires Zakuro very much, almost to the point of being obsessed.

{{anime voices|Yumi Kakazu}}

<br clear="left"/>[[Image:Mew Lettuce.jpg|left|80px]]

;[[Lettuce Midorikawa]]: The third member of the Mews, called Bridget Verdant in the English adaptation. 13 year-old Lettuce is infused with the DNA of a [[Finless Porpoise]], allowing her to transform into Mew Lettuce, having power over water. Although she comes from a supportive family, Lettuce is very timid and shy. Only after she joins the Mews does she gain a bit more confidence and pride in herself. She is also very clumsy, tending to break many plates while working at Cafe Mew Mew. However, she is very hard-working and always tries to help out her friends whenever possible.

{{anime voices|Kumi Sakuma}}

<br clear="left"/>[[Image:Mew Pudding.jpg|left|80px]]

;[[Pudding Fong]]: The fourth and youngest of the Mews, called Kikki Benjamin in the English adaptation. 11 year-old Pudding is infused with the DNA of a [[Golden Lion Tamarin]], allowing her to transform into Mew Pudding, having power over possibly earth. Pudding has a very unusual family: her mother died when she was young, and her father is on a [[pilgrimage]] to practice [[martial arts]]. Therefore, she must care for her four brothers and one sister, cooking meals and keeping house. Pudding always retains her childish nature, in spite of her huge responsibility. In the manga, she has a pet monkey named An-Nin, who she is often seen playing with.

{{anime voices|Hisayo Mochizuki}}

;[[Zakuro Fujiwara]]: The fifth oldest of the Mews, called Renée Roberts in the English adaptation. 14-year-old Zakuro is a mysterious model. She is infused with the DNA of a [[Gray Wolf]] allowing her to transform into Mew Zakuro. At first, Zakuro refuses to join the Mews, but she later decides to make an exception for them. She doesn't talk much, is serious, and is anti-social to the customers at Cafe Mew Mew, though is kind at sometimes.

{{anime voices|Junko Noda}}

<br>

<br>

<big>'''Friends'''</big>

[[Image:Masaya1.png|left|80px]]

;[[Masaya Aoyama]]: Ichigo's crush who later is her boyfriend, called Mark in the English adaptation. Masaya is popular with the girls, with a crowd of them always coming to the gym to watch him do [[kendo]]. He is also concerned about the Earth's [[Natural environment|environment]]. He acts in a generous manner to make it through in life and to hide the fact that he is [[cynical]] toward most people.

{{anime voices|Megumi Ogata}}

<br clear="left"/>[[Image:Ryou1.png|left|80px]]

;[[Ryou Shirogane]]: The very-rich owner of Café Mew Mew, called Elliot Grant in the English adaptation. Ryou is a genius and is the first person to be injected with animal DNA, as he injected himself to ensure the safety of project mew.

{{anime voices|Kouichi Toochika}}

<br clear="left"/>[[Image:Keiichiro1.png|left|80px]]

;[[Keiichiro Akasaka]]: The gentleman of the males, known to be feminine and kind, called Wesley J. Coolridge III in the English adaptation. An old friend of Ryou's late parents, Keiichiro assumed the role of Ryou's guardian after the couple's deaths. He also helps to manage Café Mew Mew, and is Ryou's partner in the Mew Project.

{{anime voices|Hikaru Midorikawa}}

<br>

<br>

<big>'''Antagonists'''</big>

[[Image:Kish.png|left|80px]]

;[[Kish (Tokyo Mew Mew)|Kish]]: Named after the unfamiliar food item [[Quiche]], called Dren in the English adaptation. He is one of the aliens attempting to reclaim the earth. He seems to harbor strong feelings for Ichigo, as their first encounter was Kish stealing a kiss from her.

{{anime voices|Daisuke Sakaguchi}}

<br clear="left"/>[[Image:Tart1.png|left|80px]]

;[[Tart (Tokyo Mew Mew)|Tart]]: A young, hyper alien who came to help Kish defeat the Mews, and to reclaim Earth,' called Tarb in the English adaptation. He doesn't see the Mew Mews as a challenge, but particularlly doesn't like Ichigo. He is rather rude and acts similar to a toddler.

{{anime voices|Asai Kiyomi}}

;[[Pie (Tokyo Mew Mew)|Pie]]: Serious, analytical, and very dedicated in his pursuit of the Mews, called Sardon in the English adaptation to reclaim his Alien's planet. He controls [[viruses|germ]]-like Chimera Animas, and has a fan that allows him to use wind and thunder attacks.

{{anime voices|Nobutoshi Kanna}}

;[[Chimera Anima]]: Monsters created when small jellyfish-like parasites possess an animal, a plant, or a human spirit stolen from people by the aliens that turns them into monsters, called Predacytes in the English adaptation. They are under the control of whoever creates them.

==Adaptations==

Because touches can be scored using the edge of the blade, there is no need for a pressure sensitive head to be present on the end of the blade (thus having the button). When fencing "electric" (as opposed to "steam") a [[Electrical current|current]] runs through the sabre blade. When the blade comes into contact with the [[lamé]], the electrical mask, or the [[manchette]], the [[Electrical current|current]] flows through the body cord and interacts with the scoring equipment.

===Manga===

{{main|Tokyo Mew Mew (manga)}}

The ''Tokyo Mew Mew'' series began as a [[manga]] written by [[Reiko Yoshida]] and drawn by [[Mia Ikumi]]. The concept was possibly from Ikumi's earlier story, [[Tokyo Black Cat Girl]], expanding it into a team of five girls rather than just one.

==Scoring==

Spanning 29 issues, the manga was serialized in the [[Kodansha]]'s [[shōjo]] magazine ''[[Nakayoshi]]'' from September 2000 to February 2003. It has also been collected in [[tankōbon|tankobon]] (graphic novel) form, which consist of seven volumes. The story was succeeded by ''[[Tokyo Mew Mew à la Mode]]'', a two-volume sequel to ''Tokyo Mew Mew'', originally serialized in ''[[Nakayoshi]]'' from April 2003 to February 2004, spanning ten issues. Reiko did not help create the sequel<ref>On both the English and Japanese manga cover, Reiko is not mentioned</ref>. An English translation of the manga has been published in North America by [[TOKYOPOP]]. It was also published in English in Singapore by Chuang Yi.<ref name="ANN2">[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/manga.php?id=2719 "Tokyo Mew Mew (manga)"], by ''[[Anime News Network]]'', retrieved May 21, 2007</ref>

Like foil, sabre uses all four lights (the two white lights, known as secondary lights, and the red and green lights, known as primary or scoring lights) on the scoring device (generally referred to as the box). A red or green light shows a positive touch, red being a touch from the left fencer and green being a touch from the right fencer. A white light signifies that the fencer is touching his blade to his own equipment, or (depending on the scoring machine) that their body cord has come unplugged from their weapon or broken.

===Anime===

A sabre action has three possible outcomes. Either one of the scoring lights turns on, both turn on, or the referee stops the action before either turns on.

<!--{{For|plot details|List of Tokyo Mew Mew episodes 1-26|List of Tokyo Mew Mew episodes 27-52}}-->

[[Image:TokyoMewMewLogo.png|thumb|right|''Tokyo Mew Mew'' logo]]

The [[anime]] series was produced by [[Studio Pierrot]] with assistance from Ikumi and Yoshida and aired on [[TV Aichi]] in Japan. It started airing one day after the forth volume of the Japanese manga was released. It consists of 52 episodes of approximately half hour each.<ref name="ANN" />

===Lockout===

A lockout is when only one of the scoring lights turns on. This occurs when one fencer gets a valid touch, thus triggering their light, and the other fencer does not make a valid touch within the lockout time. In a lockout situation, the fencer whose light is on scores the point unless the action was made after the "halt."

Later in the series, the animation/artwork changed mainly around episodes 40 to 52 – where most the characters start to look more detailed and more [[bishōjo|bishojo]]/[[bishōnen|bishonen]]. For example, the Mew Mew's eyes changed, and their hair color when in Mew form is more bright. The animation style experienced other minor changes during the series, but this is the most noticeable.

The lockout time for sabre was originally 300 to 350 milliseconds (varying by the reliability of the machine used). In 2005, however, the [[Fédération Internationale d'Escrime|FIE]] voted 51-33 to decrease the lockout time. They then proceeded to vote 50-32 to decrease it to the specified time of approximately 120 milliseconds.

[[Ichigo Momomiya|Ichigo]]: [http://cafemewmew.sukosuko.com/images/screencaps/dvd002/035.png episode 7] and [http://cafemewmew.sukosuko.com/images/screencaps/dvd009/019.png episode 49]

===Right of way===

When both lights turn on, it rests upon the referee to decide which fencer scores the point. The decision is based on the concept of Right of Way (RoW) which gives the point to the fencer who had priority, i.e. the attacking fencer. Priority is gained in many ways:

[[Zakuro Fujiwara|Zakuro]]: [http://cafemewmew.sukosuko.com/images/screencaps/dvd002/171.png episode 10], and [http://cafemewmew.sukosuko.com/images/screencaps/dvd009/064.png episode 51]

*Beginning to extend the arm before the opponent, which signifies an attack

*Causing the opponent to miss, either through a parry or retreating out of distance

*Establishing a point in line

*Beating the opponent's blade

*Deceiving the opponent's search

Music for the series was written and composed by Takayuki Negishi, with the cooperartion of TV Aichi. The music was produced by Shin Yoshimura, NEC Interchannel <ref>http://www.tv-aichi.co.jp/mewmew/index.html</ref>. Two music albums based on the series were released, as well as some 4 CD singles.

If neither fencer has priority in a double touch situation, the action is called simultaneous and no point is awarded.

<!--was it animated traditionally?-->

===Referee===

Tokyo Mew Mew was directed by [[Noriyuki Abe]], and Character design was headed by Mari Kitayama.

The referee may halt the action for reasons such as a safety hazard, fencer injury, or violation of the rules. When the referee says "halt," no further action may score a point. For cases of rules violation, the referee may choose to either warn or card the offender. A warning has no scoring implication. Cards, on the other hand, have further penalties:

*Yellow Card: Offender's touch is annulled

*Red Card: Offender's touch annulled, point awarded to opponent

*Black Card: Offender is removed from the tournament

====Plot Deviations====

==Technique==

The anime’s general plot is basically the same as in the manga; however, certain events occurred differently in the two versions.{{Fact|date=May 2007}}

''Tokyo Mew Mew'' has been translated into English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, and Korean.<ref name="ANN"/> Sometimes various alterations were made.

In the past, the action in sabre had been criticized for being extremely fast and hard to follow, and the cutting motion causes people to think of it as a hack and slash weapon, despite the extreme precision required to wield a sabre properly. Due to new rules and timings sabre technique has been described by foilist's and epeeist's as "Imagine you have two bulls holding swords, they are put into a narrow corridor and they are very angry, they charge at each other. That's sabre".

===Theme Songs===

Recently, the rules for sabre have changed to prohibit the forward cross-over (one foot of the fencer passing in front of the other). It is now impossible to perform a [[Flèche (fencing)|flèche]] attack on one's opponent. Because of this, many sabre fencers have begun to use what is known as a "Flunge" (flying lunge). The attack begins like a flèche, but the fencer pushes off from the ground, and moves forward . In order for the hit not to be invalid and to recieve a yellow card the hit must land before his feet cross over. This technique has afforded only limited success in international competition. Nevertheless, it remains popular, especially among American sabre fencers.

;'''Opening song''': "My Sweet Heart" by [[Rika Komatsu]] <ref name="ANN">[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=829 "Tokyo Mew Mew (TV)"], by ''[[Anime News Network]]'', retrieved May 21, 2007</ref>

;'''Ending song''': "Koi wa [[wikt:À la Mode|À la Mode]]"<ref name="ANN" /> by ''Tokyo Mew Mew:'' [[Saki Nakajima (seiyū)|Saki Nakajima]] (Ichigo), [[Yumi Kakazu]] (Mint), [[Kumi Sakuma]] (Lettuce), [[Hisayo Mochizuki]] (Pudding), and [[Junko Noda]] (Zakuro)

==English adaptations==

Sabre defense is comprised of the three primary parries:

===English anime adaptation: Mew Mew Power===

*Tierce, high outside

{{See also|Editing of anime in American distribution}}

*Quarte, high inside

''Mew Mew Power'', [[4Kids Entertainment|4Kids]]' English adaptation of the anime, features major alterations: The characters are renamed, episodes and clips are moved around, backgrounds are visibly altered, and scenes are cut — ranging from a few seconds to more than a minute each.<ref>[http://mmpu.smuncensored.com/stats.html "Episode Stats"], by Kari, ''Mew Mew Power Uncensored'', retrieved May 12, 2007</ref><ref>[http://mmpu.smuncensored.com/ep23.html "Episode 23 Comparison"], by Kari, ''Mew Mew Power Uncensored'', retrieved May 12, 2007</ref> The 4Kids' English adaptation replaced the original background music and songs with a completely new score — the original Japanese songs and transformation music were replaced by several new English songs.<ref>[http://mmpu.smuncensored.com/inserts.html "Song Lyrics"], by Kari, ''Mew Mew Power Uncensored'', retrieved May 11, 2007</ref>

*Quinte, head

and two secondary parries:

<!--how many episodes did 4kids aquire? censoring?-->

*Prime, generally taken in a sweeping motion to cover the entire inside line

*Seconde, either guarding the low outside line or as a substitute for tierce

====Theme Song====

;'''Opening song''': ''Team Up!'' by [[Bree Sharp]]

===English manga translation===

<!--Yes, in this case the whole Alterations section goes into the Adaptations article.-->

The English version of the ''Tokyo Mew Mew'' manga was released in United States by [[Tokyopop]]. Unlike the anime adaptation, it keeps all of the characters' original names (There are different ways to romanize the characters' names: refer to the characters' articles for more information). There are mistranslations present (in the manga), <ref>[http://mmpu.smuncensored.com/series.html "Series"], by Kari, ''Mew Mew Power Uncensored'', retrieved May 11, 2007</ref><ref>[http://antares7.absoludicrous.net/drr/r-r-tmm.html "Death Reborn Revolution and Death Ribbon Revolution: Rebōn in Tokyo Mew Mew"], by Ian Andreas Miller, ''DIES GAUDII'', retrieved May 11, 2007</ref> but it does not affect the plot of the story. The manga is published in its original right-to-left format.

<!--Reception: This should concisely describe the opinions expressed about the the subject by reviewers, critics, academics, and (if reliable, secondary sources exist) fan communities. Varying opinions, criticism kind and harsh, and controversies should be presented in a neutral tone. Although difficult to acquire, criticism and reactions from non-English sources (especially original Japanese responses!) are strongly desired.-->

==Reception==

Tokyo Mew Mew has been compared to [[Sailor Moon]] many times by reviewers; they both have a female protagonist, five original members who have a signature color and power.

<!--SITES: http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=389 , http://animeworld.com/readerreviews/tokyomewmew.html-->

<!--Media information: This can include lists of episodes, manga volumes, soundtracks, etc., and should be placed towards the end of the article. If these lists take up a large amount of space, consider moving them to a separate page titled List of (series) media.-->

==Publications and other media==

<!--{{main|List of Tokyo Mew Mew media}}-->

Several CDs of Tokyo Mew Mew were released. All of the background music was released in a two-part original soundtrack, released September 25, 2002 and January 22, 2003 respectively. Various other CD albums and singles contain the theme songs, the characters' image songs, transformation music, and two insert songs by [[Rika Komatsu]]<ref>[http://home.comcast.net/~volleyballbaby9008/cdlist "Track Listings"], by Michie, ''Myu Ongaku'', retrieved May 11, 2007 ''(Might have issues opening in some browsers)''</ref> — ''Glider'' and ''My Days (Ano Hi wo Wasurenai)''<ref> Played in episodes 35, 37 and 41</ref>.''Glider'' is used as background music for one of Ichigo's attacks.<ref>Episodes 26 and 43 — The attack is "Reborn Aqua Drops".</ref>" There are also games, one for [[Playstation]] (released [[December 5]], [[2002]]) and one for [[Game Boy Advance]], titled はめパネ 東京ミュウミュウ ''hamepane Tōkyō Myū Myū'' (Setting panels Tokyo Mew Mew) released [[July 11]], [[2002]] ; both of them were released only in Japan.

<!--==Battle costume==

In the commentary at the end of volume two, it is shown on comic book form that the staff of ''Tokyo Mew Mew'' actually created Ichigo's battle outfit for Youki Yoshida to wear, since she played Ichigo at ''Tokyo Mew Mew'' events.<ref>[[Mia Ikumi|Ikumi, Mia]]; [[Reiko Yoshida|Yoshida, Reiko]]. ''Tokyo Mew Mew volume 2'', page 184 (English translation). [[Tokyopop]]. ISBN 1591822378.</ref> --><!--I'm thinkin this will eventually be in the media section (or whatever) in TMM. It deals with promoting TMM.-->

==Characters' names origin==

;The main characters in ''Tokyo Mew Mew'' are named after foods.<ref>[http://animeworld.com/readerreviews/tokyomewmew.html "Tokyo Mew Mew (Mew Mew Power) Reader Review - Notes and Trivia"], by Marc Marshall, ''Akemi's Anime World'', retrieved May 11, 2007</ref><ref name = SAIKOU_NI_HAPPY1>[http://www.geocities.com/ichigo_tokyomewmew/information_otherinfo.html "Other Info"], by Lai Tsua, ''SAIKOU NI HAPPY!'', retrieved May 11, 2007</ref>

The Mew Mews are named after fruits – or other foods – that are similar to their signature colors: Ichigo's pink is similar to the red of a strawberry, Mint's blue is like that used on some mint-flavored candies, Lettuce's green is similar to some types of lettuce, Pudding's yellow is similar to the color of some types of [[flan]] or pudding, Zakuro's color is a red-violet similar to the red of a pomegranate, and Ringo's red is the same as a red apple's color.

====References to foods in characters' names====

<!--The names, except for Gateau, are purposefully given in transcription - spelling variations don't matter, only the meaning.-->

{| class="wikitable"; border="0"; width=80%

|-

|'''Name'''

|'''Meaning'''

|'''Name'''

|'''Meaning'''

|-

|'''Ichigo'''

|[[Strawberry]]

|'''Kisshu'''

|[[Quiche]]

|-

|'''Minto'''

|[[Mint]]

|'''Pai'''

|[[Pie]]

|-

|'''Retasu'''

|[[Lettuce]]

|'''Taruto'''

|[[Tart]]

|-

|'''Purin'''<ref>Pudding's name – '''Pudding Fong''' (黄　歩鈴, ''[[Chinese language|Chinese]] [[Pinyin]]: Huáng Bùlíng or Huang Bu Ling'', Japanese: ''Fon Purin'') – is actually Hwang Bu-ling, relating to her Chinese origin; the pun in her name relates to the fact that "Bu-ling" and "pudding" are written the same in Japanese katakana.</ref>

|[[Pudding]]

|'''Gateau du Rowa'''

|"Gateau du Roi" ("[[King cake]]")

|-

|'''Zakuro'''

|[[Pomegranate]]

|

|

|-

|

|

|-

|

|

|}

;All the main characters in ''Tokyo Mew Mew'' have the kanji for colors in their last names, with the exception of Ichigo and Zakuro.<ref name=engjap>Probably translated using http://www.freedict.com/onldict/jap.html, a Japanese-English translator, and vice versa.</ref>

<!--An online translator is referenced. Please do ***NOT*** put hyphens on that site because they won't work. Besides, putting the English word in won't turn up hyphens in the Japanese words either.-->

Ichigo's {{nihongo|kanji|桃|momo}} means "peach", and Zakuro's {{nihongo|kanji|藤|fuji}}, means "[[wisteria]]". In Japanese, "pink" is called "peach ''color''". {{nihongo|"Peach color"|桃色|momo-iro}} <ref name="colors1">[http://www.learn-japanese.info/colors.html "Colors"], by ''Nihongo o Narau'', retrieved May 22, 2007</ref> does not refer to the color of the peach fruit — a peach's color is called {{nihongo|"skin color"|肌色|hada-iro}}<ref name="colors1"/>. Although "Purple" has {{nihongo|its own kanji|紫|murasaki}},<ref name="colors1"/> "light purple" is written {{nihongo|wisteria ''color''|藤色|fuji-iro}}. The kanji of the other characters' colors are also similar to traits of the characters, such as their signature color (for the Mew Mews), hair color or eye color.

;Mint, Lettuce, Zakuro, Keiichiro, and Masaya also have the kanji of [[geography|geographic]] features in their last names.

Masaya's, Keiichiro's, and Ryou's last names are also the names of districts in Tokyo: [[Aoyama, Tokyo|Aoyama]], [[Akasaka, Tokyo|Akasaka]], and [[Shirokane]] (pronunciation is different).<ref name = SAIKOU_NI_HAPPY1/>

====References to colors and geographical features in characters' names====

{| class="wikitable"; border="0"; width=80%

|-

|'''Name'''

|'''Kanji'''

|'''Color'''

|'''Kanji'''

|'''Geographic feature'''

|-

|'''Ichigo Momomiya'''

|桃 ''momo''

|pink

|-

||'''Mint Aizawa'''

|藍 ''ai''

|indigo

|沢 ''zawa''

|[[swamp]]

|-

|'''Lettuce Midorikawa'''

|碧 ''midori''

|green

|川 ''kawa''

|[[river]]

|-

|'''Zakuro Fujiwara'''

|藤 ''fuji''

|light purple

|原 ''wara''

|[[meadow]], [[field (agriculture)|field]], [[prairie]], [[tundra]]

|-

|'''Pudding Fong'''

|黄 ''huáng''

|yellow

|-

|'''Keiichiro Akasaka'''

|赤 ''aka''

|red

|坂 ''saka''

|[[hill]]

|-

|'''Masaya Aoyama'''

|青 ''ao''

|blue

|山 ''yama''

|[[mountain]]

|-

|'''Ryou Shirogane'''

|白 ''shiro''

|white

|

|

|-

|

|

|}

==References==

{{Reflist|2}}

* {{cite book

| last = Amberger

==External links==

| first = J. Christoph

{{Contains Japanese text}}

| authorlink =

| coauthors =

<!--***NOTE:***

| year = 1998

Please list other language sites on the corresponding language Wiki where they can be easily found by people who can actually read that language; this is an English site for English speaking people so the links should be to sites they can read, i.e. in English, or to official site in the original language of the show, in this case Japanese. **This goes for Korean, French, Dutch and Portuguese.**-->

| title = The Secret History of the Sword: Adventures in Ancient Martial Arts

| publisher = Unique Publications

===Japanese===

| ___location = Burbank, California

* [http://www.ikumimi.com Ikumimi's Room]<br>(Mia Ikumi's website)

| id = ISBN 1-892515-04-0

* [http://pierrot.jp/title/mewmew/index.html Tokyo Mew Mew at Studio Pierrot]

}}

* [http://www.tv-aichi.co.jp/mewmew/index.html TV Aichi Mew Mew website]

* [http://www.interchannel.co.jp/music/anime/tokyomew/tokyomew.html @fun Stage Tokyo Mew Mew]

===English===

{{col-begin}}

{{col-1-of-2}}

'''Tokyo Mew Mew (Anime)'''

* [http://www.absoluteanime.com/tokyo_mew_mew/index.htm Absolute Anime]

* [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=829 Anime News Network]

* [http://www.mewmewalliance.net/ Mew Mew Alliance]<br>(Campaign site for uncut Tokyo Mew Mew)

'''Tokyo Mew Mew (Manga)'''

* [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/manga.php?id=2719 Anime News Network]

* [http://www.chuangyi.com.sg/english/sud_pages/mewmew/mewmew.html ChuangYi]

* [http://www.tokyopop.com/S-1114/ Tokyopop]

{{col-2-of-2}}

'''Mew Mew Power'''

* [http://www.4kids.tv/mewmew/ 4Kids TV]

* [http://www.4kidsentertainment.com/properties/mewmew.html 4Kids Entertainment]

* [http://www.ytv.com/programming/shows/mew_mew_power/ Mew Mew Power on YTV]

* [http://mmpu.smuncensored.com/ Mew Mew Power Uncensored]<br>(Site discussing differences between 4Kids' ''Mew Mew Power'' and the original Japanese ''Tokyo Mew Mew''.)

{{col-end}}

</div>

{{Tokyo Mew Mew}}

==See also==

* [[Fencing]]

* [[Foil (fencing)]]

* [[Épée]]

[[Category:FencingAnime series]]

[[Category:EuropeanAnime swordsof the 2000s]]

[[Category:BladeMagical weaponsgirl anime and manga]]

[[Category:Kemonomimi]]

[[Category:YTV shows]]

[[Category:Tokyo Mew Mew|*]]

[[Category:Superheroes by team]]

[[Category:Fox network shows]]

[[Category:2000s American television series]]

[[Category:Tokyopop]]

[[nlda:SabelTokyo (wapen)Mew Mew]]

[[zhde:佩劍Tokyo Mew Mew]]

[[es:Tokyo Mew Mew]]

[[fr:Tokyo Mew Mew]]

[[ko:베리베리 뮤우뮤우]]

[[id:Tokyo Mew Mew]]

[[it:Tokyo Mew Mew - Amiche vincenti]]

[[he:טוקיו מיו מיו]]

[[hu:Vadmacska kommandó]]

[[ja:東京ミュウミュウ]]

[[pl:Tokyo Mew Mew]]

[[pt:As Super Gatinhas]]

[[fi:Tokyo Mew Mew]]

[[sv:Tokyo Mew Mew]]

[[zh:东京喵喵]]