click me, I lead to a song cover!

you know, there's favourite characters and then there's characters that are a part of your heart and who you are. characters that just resonate with you in a special way other than just "I like this character". characters that actively inspire you to do your best and become the greatest you can be, no matter what your insecurities are. Hanamaru is such a character for me.

honestly, trying to put in words how much she means to me seems impossible. how do you describe something like this? it's so personal.

I guess I could start with how much she reminds me of myself. we're both introverts who care for our friends a lot but are also fine just being alone in the world of stories, we're mom friends, reading enthusiasts, and feel like we're not suited to do something we want to do. unlike me, though, Maru has managed to step past that and rise to new heights - something I still need to learn, but knowing that this girl I identify with so much (I'd say she's the character in fiction I identify with the most out of every one I know) could do it is genuinely inspiring and motivating. it's not do it for Maru, it's do it because Maru could do it too.

of course, though, that's not the only reason! I just like her as a character as well. she's super cute, her cluelessness and MIRAI ZURA are entertaining and adorable, and she's a wonderful friend to everyone in Aqours (though especially Ruby and Yohane). I love her big stomach and how she can jump from being kind and caring to friendly teasing, and how she really came into her own after finding out about Rin. I'm usually drawn to the nice, pure characters, and Maru is definitely that, but also so much more - mature, absurd, somewhat sassy depending on who she's talking to, selfless, a bit of a clutz, maybe even a bit selfish sometimes just like we all are, though always with everyone's best interests at heart.

and you can't talk about Hanamaru without talking about King! she's definitely my favourite seiyuu. she's so quirky and adorable and you can really tell how much she loves the character she plays. I'm especially drawn to her because she has a background as an utaite, and as a fellow cover artist who'd love to be an idol someday, that really resonates with me, haha. most of all, though, the voice she provides Hanamaru with is the best it could ever be - her singing voice is drop-dead gorgous and her speaking voice is so expressive and can be everything from overly cute to serious at times without ever sounding wrong. I'm always happy hearing her speak on my homescreen!

I'm so glad I got into Love Live! when I did and got to know her. I'm so glad she keeps inspiring me to do my best even when it seems like I can't. I'm so, so, so incredibly glad Maru is part of my life. she's such an angel to me in so many ways, and I'll always be rooting for her and King. there's not much more I can say that would do her justice, so I'll simply end it with this: thank you. ♥

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