A mysterious monster controlled by the Disdark organization, Zetsuborg is the main antagonist creature of Go! Princess Pretty Cure, born from turning human dreams into despair.
Zetsuborg takes on unique forms inspired by the dreams or strong wishes of its victims.
The base body resembles a palm-sized mechanical being, mainly purple, with red glowing eyes set within a keyhole motif.
Its head and upper body look like a padlock, while the red glowing monoyellow stands out as a striking feature.
With each type of power-up, Zetsuborg's color and characteristics may change: crimson or even red versions appear, sometimes with horns or wings, other times gaining two eyes.
The creature is always inhuman, expressionless, and has a disturbingly inorganic look.
Zetsuborg has no known personality.
Unknown cannot speak human language and only utters "Zetsuborg!" as a cry.
Zetsuborg appears emotionless and implacable, simply carrying out Unknown's orders from Disdark's officers without will or hesitation.
Zetsuborg are monsters created and summoned by the main Disdark officers, including Close, Shut, Rock, Twilight, Stop, and Freeze.
Their creation requires capturing a subject—usually a person—with a strong dream or aspiration, and sealing them within a "Cage of Despair."
Once the subject's dream is locked away, their hope turns to despair, fueling the birth of a Zetsuborg.
Sometimes, creatures or even non-living items with strong symbolic "dreams" can be used as the core for Zetsuborg.
The more powerful the dreams, the stronger the resulting Zetsuborg.
Zetsuborg inherit abilities themed after their source dream or object, which can include athletic, artistic, or more abstract powers.
All Zetsuborg can only be purified by signature attacks of the Pretty Cures; as the series continues, purification becomes more challenging requiring upgraded combination or individual attacks.
Strengthened types exist, such as the crimson Zetsuborg powered by Twilight's Black Key, and horned types empowered by Rock, greatly enhancing combat ability.
Mega-Zetsuborgs and Metuborgs are even more formidable, often requiring the Pretty Cures’ strongest techniques for defeat.
The name Zetsuborg is likely a blend of "Despair" and "Cyborg," reflecting both Unknown's origins and robotic design.
Zetsuborg's role directly mirrors the negative monster-of-the-week format from previous Pretty Cure series, but with a unique twist: Unknown embodies stolen dreams as a physical threat, not just negative emotions.
Zetsuborg’s monolithic, faceless appearance makes them some of the most unsettling monsters in the franchise.
When purified, most Zetsuborg will utter "Dreaming..." and disappear; only those defeated by Cure Scarlet (Akagi Towa) say "Burning!" and vanish in flames.
Voice for Zetsuborg is provided by Takayuki Nakata.
"Zetsuborg!"
"Dreaming..." (upon purification, except by Cure Scarlet)
"Burning!!" (when purified by Cure Scarlet)
Summoning Process
Disdark officers scan for humans or animals who possess strong hopes or ambitions.
Upon recognition, they release their padlock-shaped artifact, intoning "[Officer Name] - Your Dream!"
The artifact then attaches to the target, who is instantly caged in a birdcage-like "Cage of Despair" and falls into a deep, trancelike sleep as their hope is sealed.
Zetsuborg then emerges, formed with the dream’s motif and powers.
Transformation Variants
There are multiple evolution and strengthening mechanisms for Zetsuborg:
Crimson Type: Upgraded via Twilight's Black Key, becoming red-bodied and even harder to purify, only vulnerable to the Pretty Cures’ combined attacks.
Horned and Winged Type: Empowered by Rock’s thorned locks, developing horns, wings, and changing eye color.
Twin-Eyed Type: Created when Stop and Freeze use two padlocks together, resulting in a Zetsuborg with dual eyes and boosted power.
Notable Battles
Zetsuborg appear in almost every episode of Go! Princess Pretty Cure.
Multiple characters—including Nanase Yui, Aihara Yuuki, Ichijo Ranko, and many more—have had their hopes stolen and turned into motifs for Zetsuborg.
Special non-human Zetsuborgs have been created from dreams residing in objects such as watermills, dress-up keys, and even animals like cicadas and cats.
On rare occasions, resistance is shown: Nanase Yui notably fights against being caged, displaying extraordinary willpower unknown to others.
Higher Forms
Mega-Zetsuborg and Metuborg:
Mega-Zetsuborg, an immense form, appears only in the Nintendo 3DS game, created by the boss Spice.
Metuborg, a higher variant, is directly spawned by Dyspear’s lock, without even requiring a victim’s dream.
The Cycle of Despair
Whenever a Zetsuborg runs wild, a corresponding "Seed of Despair" is sown in the human world, growing each time Zetsuborg rampages.
Even if the monster is purified, this seed may continue to propagate despair unless defeated through hope and unity.
Only with the Cures’ final victory are the seeds and Cages of Despair extinguished.
Zetsuborg set itself apart by representing an individual's very hope—turning their best aspirations into weapons against them.
Only the intervention and purification by the Pretty Cure can rescue the victim and destroy Zetsuborg for good.
They serve as an ongoing threat throughout the entirety of Go! Princess Pretty Cure, both in the human realm and the Hope Kingdom.
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