Review of Mermaid Melody: Pichi Pichi Pitch

WARNING: This review may contain spoilers If I watched this when I was a kid, I definitely would've loved it. Rainbow mermaids are right up my alley. But even though I watched it as a teenager, and then rewatched it as an adult, I do think there's some enjoyment to be had in this anime despite how much of a mess it can be. Story - Six years ago, Lucia Nanami, the mermaid princess of the North Pacific Ocean, met a boy named Kaito Domoto. She saved him after a tsunami struck the ship he was on and gave him her pearl. Now six years later, Luciagoes to the human world to retrieve her pearl. There she gets reunited with Kaito and also meets two other mermaid princesses - Hanon Hosho, the mermaid princess of the South Atlantic Ocean, and Rina Toin, the mermaid princess of the North Atlantic Ocean. Meanwhile the main villain of this show, Gaito, wants to capture the mermaid princesses and use their pearls to call Aqua Regina, the sea Goddess, and use her power to control the oceans. He's already captured two princesses, Noel and Coco. His minions, the Dark Lovers, would do anything to get him what he wants. Lucia, Hanon, and Rina can use their pearls to transform into idols and defeat the villains with their songs.
Also we have the romance between Lucia and Kaito. Lucia isn't allowed to tell Kaito she's a mermaid because if a mermaid confesses to a human, they turn into bubbles. But if the human realizes it on their own, then its okay. I know, pretty confusing.
The story is okay. The idea of mermaid princesses who defeat the villains with their songs was interesting. And later, we have the Black Beauty Sisters who have songs of their own that can hurt the mermaids. Though the whole thing about how "if mermaid touch water in their human forms they'll turn back into a mermaid" was inconsistent because we've seen the girls in rain multiple times and nothing happens to them. But in one episode Lucia is scared to go in the rain because she may turn into a mermaid?
Also the whole thing about Kaito having to realize Lucia is a mermaid was so dragged out. He realized it in episode 13, then forgot because he lost his memory due to losing his power.
But otherwise the story is decent. It gets a 7/10

Art - The art is pretty good. I love the backgrounds of the North Pacific Ocean kingdom. Though I wish we had seen the other kingdoms as well. 7/19

Sound - Since this show is all about singing mermaids, the sound should be good. All the songs were amazing. The only thing that prevents me from giving it a 10 is Karen's voice. I know its cliche to complain about her voice but it could get so.... high pitched when she's singing. 9/10

Character - Lucia was a decent protagonist. She's fun, energetic, cheerful, pretty standard magical girl protagonist stuff. Though her jealousy over Kaito did annoy me a bit, but thankfully that was called out in one episode and its not a problem in the second season.
Hanon was pretty fun and I've gotta say, I'm so glad with how they handled her crush on Tarou. Hanon has a one sided crush on him and while Tarou does care for her, he doesn't reciprocate her feelings (which he shouldn't because he's her TEACHER). And her crush did make her annoying at times but otherwise I liked her.
Rina is probably my facourite of the trio. The way she started off as an aloof girl but slowly developed and got out of her shell was lovely. Her obsession over plasma TVs was also funny.
Hippo was a standard magical girl mascot. He was funny at times. What really made me like him was his tragic romance with Yuuri. THEY DESERVED BETTER DAMMIT.
Nikora and Taki were also fun to watch.
Kaito was an okay love interest. As I mentioned before, I didn't like how long it took for him to figure out Lucia's identity. He literally realized it in episode 13, then forgot because he used his powers. And then remains oblivious for the rest of the anime. Even his SIX YEAR OLD COUSIN figured it out faster than he did. But when its done well, his relationship with Lucia is beautiful.
Now for the villains. I adored the Dark Lovers. They could be hilarious and the way they bicker a lot but ultimately care about each other as a family was wonderful. I really missed their presence in the second season.
The Black Beauty Sisters were a delight to watch and their songs were top tier. My only complaint is the weird incest thing going on between them.
Sara was great too. It was cool to see a mermaid princess who turned to the dark side. Her song is the best one of the first season.
Gaito was.... okay. He didn't do much in the season and relied on his minions and his tragic backstory was only revealed in the last episode.
Overall the characters were enjoyable. 7/19

Enjoyment - Aside from Kaito taking the entire show to figure out Lucia's identity, this show is pretty enjoyable. It could be a mess at times but the characters could be such a delight to watch. 7/10

Overall - This was my second magical girl anime after Sailor Moon, so it does hold a special place in my heart. Rewatching it as an adult, I can see a lot of flaws. But its still enjoyable enough to be one of my favourites. 7/10