Tokyo Mew Mew

English Title: Mew Mew Power
Mangaka: Mia Ikumi & Reiko Yoshida
Pub. Date: 2001
# of Vols.: 7 + 2 a la Mode

TV Series: 2002 (52 Episodes)

Cute series about seventh grader, Ichigo, who winds up getting her DNA merged with that of the Iriomote Cat. It all starts while Ichigo is out on a normal date for the first time with her crush, taking him to see an exhibit on Red Data Animals (endangered species). She doesn't realize her DNA's been examined by two fellows heading Mew Project (a project to use five girls who's DNA synchs well with endangered animal DNA to protect the planet). Hers just happens to go well with the Iriomote Cat, so she's suddenly hit by what she thinks is an unusual bout of sleepiness (three hours worth on a date! to be exact). The next day she finds herself falling asleep in class, easily landing on her feet from heights, and craving fish. Not to mention she's taken up the habit of ending her sentences with "Nya." Something is just not right in her world. Her ponderings on the matter lead her back to the mysterious place it all seemed to begin, and worse she discovers finding her way back there also leads to a battle with a giant monster rat and herself suddenly turning into a superheroine.

The series is colorful and fun, and the environment a central issue. All the heroines have genes of an endangered animal (this is a unique motif of the title and one point I like very much in this series). As Mew Mew, Ichigo and the Tokyo Mew Mew team fight to save the environment of the planet, and against parasite aliens (Chimera) while searching out and protecting the Mew Aqua (these protect life on Earth). When not transformed into their ecological, animal-superheroine counterparts the girls work at a cafe, and Ichigo tries to get closer to the boy she likes, Masaya.

As a note, I have a few additional notes here.

Magical Companion
Masha-little pink robot

Magical Phrase
Mew Ichigo
Mew Mew Strawberry Metamorphosis-to transform
Ribbon Strawberry Check
Ribbon Strawberry Surprise

Mew Mint
Mew Mew Mint Metamorphosis
Ribbon Mint Echo

Mew Lettuce
Mew Mew Lettuce Metamorphosis
Ribbon Lettuce Flash/Rush

Mew Pudding
Mew Mew Pudding Metamorphosis
Pudding Ring Inferno

Mew Zakuro
Mew Mew Zakuro Metamorphosis
Ribbon Zakuro Spear

Magical Items
Ichigo: Pendant/choker & Strawberry Bell/Bell Version Up
Mint: Mint Arrow
Lettuce: Lettuce Castanets
Pudding: Pudding Ring
Zakuro: Whip