Board Thread:Fun and Games/@comment-24187738-20180225155956/@comment-27815728-20180227045024

When I watch an anime, usually what sticks with me is a particular character be it my best girl or one with the coolest profile; but there was something special about LLSS that changed me or rather transformed me. Of course, I will always love my best girls and what every little thing they do but for me, LLSS was a special journey that taught us many things and changed many others. I’m sure many can relate to this but when Muse ended, it was probably one of the most emotionally devastating times for me. When LLSS was announced, I was, like some others, sceptical and perhaps angry. Was it an attempt by them to simply create another franchise? I wouldn’t know. I doubted if they could ever replace Muse, I doubted if they would ever be as special. What more could LLSS offer was what I asked myself. However, after giving LLSS a try, I realized: I was mistaken, I wanted Muse to stay and with that not grow, not mature and not become the people they were meant to be. LLSS helped me see that. They are different people; a different group and they were never going to replace Muse. However, LLSS helped us see in ourselves the mistake that we will all make or have made at some point. We wanted to be our idols, we wanted to live their lives and walk their path and not that it was wrong to do so but rather, we would lose our own radiance if we did. Aqours made that same mistake, and through the journey we started with them, they showed us that although we should never try to be another person, chasing after that same radiance can never be wrong, it can’t be a mistake. In that, I saw a beauty. A beauty that helped me get over losing Muse and a beauty that deepened my love for Aqours.

Their songs were always connected. Not that in that sense but that it connected the characters with one another and that it connected the characters with the audience. Every lyric of their songs tells a story, be it how they feel about each other, what they feel about the fans and what they think of themselves. These stories reflect our own and, in many ways, caused us to be even closer. With LLSS. I’ve made many new friends that I treasure. We connected because of Aqours and it’s a gift I’ll always hold dear in my heart. It could be anything really, whether we’re arguing about whether it’s Yoshiko or Yohane or if Kanan could ever not wink in a SIF card or simply the good old fashioned “How was the Episode” discussion. And of course, all those times where we save up Loveca and get only a couple of SRs or never getting anything other than Rs from a green ticket (just me maybe;_; ). We would also watch the streams and talk about them afterwards. It filled my every week with laughter as we would always find a frame where the Seiyuus make funny faces and screenshot them. We would also go absolutely nuts over their interactions because they’re incredibly adorable or because they did something that’s simply hilarious and clumsy! Similarly, we would spend hours talking about the art from the Dengeki, promotional items or how we want the new jumbo Nesos. Meeting these people made life a little bit more colourful, made everyday a little more fun and made me, a happier person. LLSS changed me because it allowed me to find others like me and for myself to be found by others who care just as much and are just as passionate about the series as myself. It made me a part of something bigger than any one fan and the unity which I experienced being a part of the LLSS fandom is wonderful. Although my involvement was regretfully minimal or non-existent, when I see a fan-organized event or effort, it warms my heart; it fills me with pride that I’m a LLSS fan This happened with overseas fans creating costumes, making banners, spending months and months planning for an event. It’s amazing to watch really. My favourite has to be Yousoroad from Seoul. I was in awe thinking: “Wow. They actually did it.” Not that I ever doubted they could do it, but it was a grand reminder that if we put our heart to something with the ones we care about, we can really achieve wonders. When I watch a LV or watch footage of a concert, the KBs mean so much more than simply light sticks. They represent the glimmers of hope, the feelings of joy, excitement and passion that the fans have found. And with that, they proudly cheer and proudly sing while holding onto those very feelings. We too thought: “We want to shine too!” and in that moment, I’m sure we did. That, in my opinion, is another precious thing that LLSS has given me and all the fans.

LLSS isn’t just an anime, it isn’t just a franchise, it isn’t just about music and it isn’t just about success, it’s much, much more than that; it’s about reaching out with both hands and with the purest, most passionate feelings, grasp what you love. In the past three years, while reaching out and embracing my love for LLSS, it seems I’ve finally be able to laugh a little, cry a little, all with a myriad of emotions. Perhaps living a little more to the fullest was something that LLSS made possible for all of us. This is my story. One that made me a character in the best story I know.

Twitter: @Brian_Yousoro

Discord: BBL10#1071

Best girl: Watanabe You