Board Thread:Fun and Games/@comment-24187738-20170416093415/@comment-31843751-20170426200459

Initially, I was a bit adamant in regards to Aqours. I loved μ 's and Nozomi was a very important character to me. I wasn't sure if I would be able to connect the same way, but after watching the anime, I realized that I felt a deep personal attachment to Kunikida Hanamaru.

I love the way she describes how she gets lost in her own little world when reading books, imagining herself as these fantastic characters. Her mannerisms, as well, especially how excited she gets over little things that usually would seem uninteresting to others (like technology! "Mirai Zura!!")

But most importantly, the reason I like Hanamaru the most is because I can deeply relate to how much she cares for her friends. Specifically how she puts her best friend Ruby's dreams above her own, how she wanted to make sure, above all else, that Ruby was happy and could achieve her dream of becoming a school idol. Even though she didn't have faith in her own abilities, she was always there for Ruby. It really stuck a chord with me. [✰]

So too did the episode where Hanamaru was helping Yohane try to be 'normal' for a day. She saw how exhausted and uncomfortable Yohane was and told her that she doesn't have to be "normal" all the time, and that it's just better to be herself! But the way Hanamaru was always there to help her, to make sure that Yohane could succeed in school without giving up her personality.. [✰]

These remind me of how much I care about my friends, especially my best friend and my girlfriend. I'm always there to support them when they are sad and unwell, even if I can't be there physically since they live across the country, or across the world! My friends mean the world to me, and it's very important to me to see a character that cares so, so much about her friends just like I do. [✰]

Equally important is how much Maru's friends care about her as well. I suffer from anxiety, and sometimes I feel as if I don't matter. I noticed Hanamaru feels similarly, saying that she isn't cute or pretty enough to become a school idol, belittling herself and her abilities. But everyone in Aqours assured her that they do want to spend time with her, they do want her to be a school idol with them, they want her to be her very best! They want to see her do well, just as much as she wants to see them all flourish! [✰]

Kunikida Hanamaru is my "best girl" because she is someone I can deeply relate to. Someone who inspires me to be the very best I can be. No matter what life throws at us, we can get through it with the help of our friends, just like Hanamaru. [✰]

Twitter: @pizzacontigo, @melti_tomaranai