Shugo Chara!
Shugo Chara! centers on elementary school girl Amu Hinamori, whose popular exterior, referred to as "cool and spicy" by her classmates, contrasts with her introverted personality. When Amu wishes for the courage to be reborn as her would-be self, she is surprised to find three colorful eggs the next morning, which hatch into three Guardian Characters: Ran, Miki, and Su.
Episodes
Amu and her Guardian Characters are on their way to school when they see a girl taking water to a flower. Amu comments on how kind that is. The girl gets flustered, and trips and almost crushes the flower, to be saved by Amu. The two introduce themselves. The girl's name is Rikka and she just transferred to Seiyo. Amu gets surprised when she's able to see Ran, Miki, Su, and Diamond. On the way to school, Amu and co. try to explain everything to Rikka, who lost attention while seeing a butterfly. In the Royal Garden, Amu tells the Guardians about her meeting with Rikka. Then, commotion starts outside and the Guardians check it out. Rikka is trying to save a cat from a tree branch. The branch breaks, and Rikka clutches the cat in fear as she falls.
The anime starts with Rikka, the new transfer student, waking up with dozens of X Eggs trying to wake her. She tries to purify the eggs from remembering Amu doing Open Heart in the previous episode, but failed. When she was walking to school she found yet another X Egg and tries to take care of it. In the Royal Garden, Tsukasa introduces the Guardians a new transfer student in 1st grade, Hikaru. Tsukasa tells the guardians that Hikaru will be a Guardian Apprentice for the time being until the other Guardians graduate. Later, they visit the sports field where Nagihiko tells Hikaru about Basketball. He challenges him to a one-on-one match, full court. Rima states that Hikaru, being a 1st grader, has no chance against Nagihiko, who is a 6th grader.
Amu takes Rikka and Hikaru to an Utau concert and takes them backstage to let them meet her. Rikka becomes embarrassed and tells her when she hears her songs, she feels re-energized. Amu tells Utau that she wishes Ikuto could've come, but Utau tells her that he is traveling the world to find their father. The concert begins, and Rikka discovers one of the X Eggs have followed her. She tells Amu and Hikaru that she forgot something at home and runs off. It turns out that the X Egg loves Utau's songs. Diamond senses an X Egg nearby, and Amu transforms into Amulet Spade. Rikka tries to calm the X Egg down, but Hikaru tells her that she can't help and to just let Amu handle it. Amu uses Prism Music and tells the X Egg to listen to Utau's song. Amu tells the egg that Utau struggled a lot to get where she is now. The X Egg settles and Amu purifies it. They go back to watch the concert, and Utau says that she'll always keep singing no matter what.
Amu and Tadase arrange for Hikaru to take care of a rabbit. When he tries to feed it, he gets bitten and calls Amu a liar because she said it was tame. Ran, Miki, Su, and Diamond explain to Hikaru that the rabbit is timid and that he needs to gain its trust. He takes the rabbit out for a walk later on, but it runs off and into a patch of flowers; Rikka tries to stop it and nearly falls on them, but Hikaru manages to stop her. The two talk and the rabbit had eaten some flowers that make it ill. Amu's guardians characters suggest some ways to cure the illness, but Rikka yells at them for thinking of ways that can't help it. She lies down and strokes its back, and tells the story of if she was sick, her mom would do the same. The four guardian characters feel bad for Hikaru because his parents had died when he was little.
Hikaru and Rikka are helping Yaya take care of the flower beds. Yaya is working hard to take care of the flowers, along with Hikaru and Rikka. Amu and her guardian characters notice and say it's a little out of character for her. Yaya notices them watching and tells them to come help. Later the next day, Rikka is taking care of the flowers by herself, not knowing Yaya had to stay after class. Suddenly, a X Egg emerges from behind some flowers. Rikka wonders where it came from, but then asks if it wanted to help her out since she was getting lonely. Meanwhile, Yaya is hurrying to the flower beds, with Amu following her. When they arrive, the X Egg has made the flowers huge. Amu and Yaya transform into Amulet Clover and Dear Baby. The X Egg begins doing a trick, trying to surprise them.
Rikka gets distracted from working in the Royal Garden, and goes off to get Yaya and Hikaru at the flower beds. Ran, Miki, Su, Diamond, and KusuKusu were asked to go with her so she doesn't get distracted. Along the way, Rikka finds a bird egg which fell from its nest. She tries to climb up the tree, but fails. The guardian characters than bring the egg back into the bird's nest. Rikka then asks the guardian characters what happens when a X Egg is purified but the owner already has a new heart egg. Ran and the others were unable to answer the question, and soon arrived at the sports field. When they reach the sports field, Rikka spots a X Egg and runs after it. The X Egg is very clumsy and bumps into many things while trying to run away. Ran and the others go back to Amu and Rima telling them about the X Egg. Amu gets to the sports field and purifies the X Egg. Amu then scolds Rikka about going after X Eggs by herself, however, Rikka gets distracted and ignores Amu.
Amu and Rima come across a poster, much to Amu's surprise, announcing an upcoming performance by Nadeshiko just as Nagihiko comes along and is dragged into a predicament. Amu pleas to him that she wants to see Nadeshiko. The three of them go to the stage the performance is going to be held and Amu asks to see Nadeshiko. Nagihiko worries and quickly changes into Nadeshiko, surprising both girls. The charas meet again, KusuKusu almost spilling the beans. After many more wardrobe changes, a Character Change, and Rima's teasing, they all take a walk as Nadeshiko explains that she has missed Amu and always thinks of her. To interrupt this "reunion" a soccer ball is taken over by a X Egg and Amu and Nadeshiko transform into Amulet Heart and Yamato Maihime. Nadeshiko performs a new attack "Robe of Feathers: Dance of the Cherry Blossoms" as Amu uses Open Heart.
Amu and Tadase are on their way home when Yoru sends Amu a picture of Ikuto sleeping, and causes her to blush. When Tadase asks Amu to join him to the park, she tries to hide her nervousness. Ran then Character Changes with Amu to help her express her honesty, and inefficiently catches Rikka's attention. Rikka learns about Character Changing and views Amu's different personality changes: Su turns Amu into a girly maiden, Miki turns her into an artist. Then, they ask Diamond to Character Change with Amu, because they had never seen it before. Diamond fulfills their request and Character Changes with Amu, thus turning her into a sparkling person, much to their disappointment. Later, Amu runs to the park to meet Tadase. Tadase expresses his feelings to Amu. Ran then Character Changes with Amu to make her express her feelings just as Rikka arrives to watch the occasion, but Amu accidentally destroys a sand castle that two kids had made.
Rikka drags Amu to the flower beds, showing her the new buds that have grown. Rima follows them and says that they need to thin out the flowers, because the buds can't absorb sunlight properly if they're too close together. Rikka disagrees, saying all buds should have a chance to become flowers. Amu tries to reason with Rikka, but she misunderstands and runs off. Later on, she finds an X Egg. She starts to say that the egg isn't needed. The X Egg quickly retreats, Rikka running after it. Amu and Rima discover the X Egg and transform into Amulet Heart and Clown Drop. Rikka explains to them that the egg wants to be a baseball player, but is no good at catching the ball. Amu tells the egg that it won't happen if it doesn't try. Amu purifies the egg.
Amu, Ran, Miki, Su, and Diamond overhear Tadase talking to Kukai. He says that there is a girl he that is always on his mind and he can't sleep at night when he thinks over her. He also says that she is really cute. Kukai decides to help Tadase with the girl. Amu is shocked and devastated. Her stubborn character comes out again and at the Royale Garden Kukai stops by and meets Rikka and Hikaru. Hikaru addresses him as the former jack who stops by because he has nothing to do. Kukai defends himself by saying that he gives the Guardian's advice and brings up Tadase's "cute little problem". Amu goes home and consoles herself with food. Amu's Shugo Chara go to Tadase's to investigate and see him, Kukai, and a pretty girl conversing. Kiseki sees them and apologizes that he and Tadase already have a guest before he could finish his line Amu's Shugo Chara yell at him angrily then go home.
Hikaru's Grandfather gives him a brand new fountain pen, as a gift for joining Seiyo Elementary School, but he says he doesn't use a fountain pen but keeps it anyway. Rikka loses her special treasure, a necklace that her dad gave her when she entered elementary school, and is desperately retracing her steps in order to find it. Amu and her Guardian Characters all help Rikka out, but Hikaru doesn't understand what all the fuss is about. Hikaru can't comprehend how something as trivial as a gift from someone can be so precious. Amu and her Guardian Characters help Rikka to find it. At the end of the episode Hikaru puts the pen on his pocket, when his grandfather sees it he becomes very happy and Hikaru smiles a little too.
It's finally Sunday, but Amu has a ton of homework to do. However, Amu's mom and dad both have things to do so they leave Amu to tend to Ami, along with household chores. Amu says she has no choice but to do it, and does all the chores. Ami asks Amu to play with her, but Amu says she is busy. Ami goes to Amu's room and starts playing "Cameraman" with Amu's Guardian Characters. Amu tells her to play outside instead and Ami does just that. Ami is at the playground playing with water guns and Amu is watching her. Hikaru finds her and asks what she's doing. Amu tells him and he says he is buying a new eraser. Ami comes over and tells Hikaru to play with her, then shoots some water in his face. Amu apologizes for Ami and they have a water gun war. Finally, when it's over, Hikaru leaves and Amu takes Ami home to feed her. She also gives her a bath. Ami's face gets red from staying in the bath too long, but Amu thinks she is ill.
Amu and the others follow after their Guardian Characters when they sense something strange, and come across a young girl who has lost her heart's egg. The girl is holding a broken stuffed animal in her hand, but they don't know what happened. As they search for the X Egg, Rikka begins to think about who she want to be.
Rikka continues to think about what kind of person she wants to become, but she can't come up with anything. Amu and the gang try to give her suggestions, but she just gets frustrated. Just then, an X Egg appears. As it's the first X Character she's ever seen, Rikka tries to calm it down, but it begins to attacks her. She then runs around saying "Mukatsuku!" (English:How Annoying!) over and over again. Amu tells the X character that it's tough being angry all the time and purifies it. They run to Rikka's aid and she starts to cry, saying that she felt sorry for the X character. Rima wipes up her tears, and says that not all people are strong. Back at home, Rikka says she kind of understands how the X Eggs feel now and playfully try to remove their X's.
Rikka's friend, Kimi tries to read her hand, and asks Hikaru if he want to do it too. But he thinks its unscientific which upsets Kimi. Rikka talks to Hikaru about why did he hurt Kimi, and he asks if Rikka herself understands Kimi's feelings, Rikka gets angry and slaps Hikaru. Amu sees them and try to stop their fighting but Rikka gets mad and thinks that Amu didnt listen to her. Neither of them have many regrets until they are late for the meeting in Royal Garden. Hikaru comes, Tadase and Naighiko try their best to convince Hikaru that he should apologize to Rikka. Rima and Amu went to find Rikka but couldnt fine her their appears an X Egg, who wanted to have friends but Rikka says she's not going to tell Amu that. However Amu herself talks to the X Egg and Rikka listens and understand that she should apologize to Hikaru too and tells Amu why the egg put an X on it. At the end Rikka and Hikaru apologize to each other, shake hands and make up.
Rikka is excited to have her Guardian egg, and she tries to get it to hatch. However, it does not. She goes to school and tells Yaya, Amu and then Nagihiko, which immediately ends when people realize Nagihiko and Amu together. Later, the Hikaru and the girls are picking up trash. Suddenly, two boys start talking about how the Guardians are there only to pick up trash. Rikka gets upset and ask Amu and Yaya what the use of the Guardians was. She doesn't understand and runs off, only to find an X Egg. Amu purifies it with the help of Miki and Dear Baby. The next morning, Amu and Yaya find Rikka picking up more trash. The same two boys are making fun of the Guardians again, and Amu, Yaya, and Rikka defend the group. Rikka gets the wrong impression from the conversation she had with the other girls the day before, and Yaya has a good feeling that Rikka's egg won't hatch any time soon.
As Hikaru is researching the bar, Amu, Nagihiko, and Rikka comes by and helps Hikaru, telling him to just try and that he might have fun. Mainwhile, a X Egg who is from the volleyball team comes by and starts to attack the 4, telling them that it's never able to play in a game since it's not very good. Amu tells it not to give up, but also gave up herself at trying to do a spin on the bar. Amu tries her best to do a spin and succeeded, then purified the X Egg. Hikaru then decides to give spinning on the bar a try. He then realizes it was fun after succeeding.
Amu and Hikaru all head out with Rikka's family together for a picnic, but Hikaru doesn't seem to understand what's so fun about it. But as he spends time with Rikka's mom and dad, Hikaru starts to understand a little about what it's like having a family.
Utau storms out of a recording session for her new song because the director tells her to sing in some other way but she refuses, and goes to eat ramen with Kukai to cool her head. But when even her favorite ramen shop changes their recipe in response to customer feedback, Utau get mad and Kukai tells her at times like this she should go talk to her 'female friend' and that 'female friend is none other than Amu. Amu is shocked when Utau appears at her house, but Amu's family is very happy to see Utau. The two of them go out to talk. Then, an X Egg, which kept saying 'I don't wanna,' appears. Utau get annoyed and says to it "Why dont you try the thing you don't want to; maybe it turn out to be more greater than you ever thought." Amu says that Utau's right. Just then, Utau realizes that her behaviour in the studio was wrong. Amu purifies the X Egg and Utau says 'Thank You' to Amu, though she didn't know what Utau meant.
Rikka worries about her egg because it didn't hatch yet. She becomes depressed and her egg got a X on it. She wants Amu to purify it but, she thinks Amu will hate her because her egg has a X on it. Then, Amu tells her that she once had a X Egg. Rikka becomes happier and her egg hatches.
Rikka rushes to school and informs Amu that her egg has hatched. Hotaru, who is Rikka's guardian character, gets along with everybody. The Guardians tell her that next year she will become a full-fledged Guardian since she now has a Guardian Character.
Amu and Rikka notice that Hikaru never laughs or shows any facial expression, so Amu decides to take Hikaru out to an amusement park to try and make him laugh.
Rikka is getting closer and closer to Hotaru, and starting to ignore the X Eggs. Amu the other Guardians are getting ready for graduation, and Yaya's sad that she won't be the youngest anymore. Hikaru tells her that she can be the leader from behind the scenes, and still have her baby character.
Amu and Tadase separate with the rest of the guardians and make their way to Rikka's room, inside, they find her room all messed up and torn. They notice Rikka hunched over crying as she explains that she was hiding X Eggs in her room. She begins explaining about the X Egg 'bursting' and Tadase explains that under too much stress, the egg will break. Rikka starts crying again as Amu gets angry and yells at Rikka, knocking some senses into her. She transformes with Diamond and heads towards the rest of the guardians. Amu uses Twinkle Hold but it failed. Rikka approaches the X Eggs only to have them back away. One egg is close to cracking but Rikka leaps towards the egg, stopping it from breaking. She promises to the other eggs that she would not make them feel lonely anymore.
Ikuto explains to amu that he is back in town to fill out papers to join an orchestra. Amu's mom comes into Amu's room and Amu finds out that Ikuto was there with her permission. He takes Amu out to the amusement park and they ride on the merry go round. Ikuto says he wants to play the "prince character" and then takes it back saying that it's not his character. Amu falls off the horse and Ikuto catches her. Tadase appears, invited by Ikuto. Ikuto parts from Amu and Tadase again, telling her to grow up already. Tadase kisses Amu on the cheek, saying he will always be there for her, leading to calling him "prince". Rikka is officially declared as the new Queen's chair and everyone discovers that Hikaru's egg has been born. Several days later, pictures are seen that everyone is at the amusement park and Ikuto is playing his violin on the streets. Tsukasa is watching him perform, and Lulu is sipping tea.
