Riko Sakurauchi

Spoiler Alert! This article contains details about plotlines described in the anime. Do not proceed unless you want to be spoiled.

Sunshine!!

Yohane the Parhelion

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Riko Sakurauchi
Kanji	桜内梨子
Romaji	Sakurauchi Riko
Statistics
Year	Third Year (Movie) Second Year (Season 1-Movie) First Year (Pre-transfer)
Birthday	September 19 (Virgo)
Gender	Female
Blood Type	A
Height	160 cm
Three Sizes	B 80, W 58, H 82
Favorite Food	Hard-boiled Eggs Sandwiches
Disliked Food	Green Pepper
First Appearance
Debut	Season 1 Episode 1
Japanese Voice Actress/Actor
Kanji	逢田梨香子
Romaji	Aida Rikako
English Voice Actress/Actor
Name	Jeannie Tirado
Icon and Signature
Icon
Signature

Riko Sakurauchi is a main character of Love Live! Sunshine!!. Initially a first year at Otonokizaka High School, she was a second year student at Uranohoshi Girls' High School prior to its closure and is currently a third year student at Numazu High School, being temporarily integrated at Seishin High School before the former's opening. She is a member of Guilty Kiss, a sub-unit under Aqours. Her image color is cherry pink.

Background

Riko is a second year transfer student from Otonokizaka High School, who joined Uranohoshi after moving from Akihabara, Tokyo. She is in Chika Takami's class and is also neighbors with her.

When Riko lived in Tokyo, she used to play the piano, practicing in the same room as former student and μ's member Maki Nishikino did at Otonokizaka. However, an incident happened at a live play on which she was unable to play the piano due to scenic panic, and since then she wasn't able to improve on her play. After moving to Uchiura, Chika learns of this in Season 1 Episode 2, and suggests that Riko should become a school idol with her and You Watanabe, in hopes it would inspire Riko.

Personality

Riko is a reserved, kind, polite and modest girl who likes indoor activities, acting as a foil to her friends, the more energetic Chika and You. She is rather shy, but is nevertheless affable and friendly. However, while she is generally quite levelheaded, calm and mature, she often flies into a panic when under pressure, jumping to conclusions and making mistakes. Because of this, and a previous incident on which she failed to play the piano in front of a live audience, she doesn't think she's special, and doesn't want to become a school idol. However, her friend Chika drags her into it, in the hopes this would inspire her to keep playing the piano.

In spite of her quiet and reserved personality, Riko has cynophobia: she loses her calm when she sees a dog (or anything she deems similar to one), to the point of moving recklessly when faced with one directly. This is commonly seen throughout most of Season 1 (starting with Episode 2) and is finally expanded upon in Season 2 Episode 5. After she and Yoshiko Tsushima temporarily take care of a dog in the same episode, her fear of dogs is revoked and she eventually understands she likes them, getting her own in Season 2 Episode 13.

Riko can also be quite playful and dorky, this is especially seen with Chika, an example being when she copies Chika's "normal monster" act to help Chika combat her hopelessness in Season 2 Episode 1. Additionally, after the events of Season 2 Episode 5, her interactions with Yoshiko causes Riko to start acting like her at times and be called "Lili" (Riri) by her, which annoys Riko. (This name is derived from Lilith, a demon in Jewish mythology, and is also the double pronunciation of the first syllable of her name.)

Riko is also a fan of certain types of girls' love doujinshi, and is very timid about this. As seen in Season 1 Episodes 7 and 12, when her friends see her with said doujinshi, she panics and acts defensively by hiding them, saying they were only gifts.

Clubs and Hobbies

Her talents are playing the piano and viola, she is also the composer for Aqours. Her hobbies are painting, handicraft, and cooking. She is also a fan of doujinshi manga belonging to two niche sub-genres of kabedon and agokui, under the girls' love (ガールズラブ gāruzu rabu) or yuri (百合, yuri) genre.

Appearance

Riko has a slim figure. She has burgundy hair that she ties into a half ponytail, wears two hairclips in her hair and has gold-colored eyes.

Other Data

Note: Dengeki G's Magazine is a monthly magazine that is part of the Love Live! and Love Live! Sunshine!! multimedia projects. As it is usually the first source of news for all major projects under these titles, its monthly sections will detail how the project has progressed over time. The issues are usually published a month ahead of time. For example, the July 2010 issue would've been released on 30th May 2010.

2015

Official Introduction from Website I'm Sakurauchi Riko, a second year high-schooler at Uranohoshi Girls' High School. I'm just a normal transfer student from the city- Really just a plain and normal high school girl. Even though I've said that dozens of times--- that pushy Chika-chan just won't believe me and kept forcing me, and I somehow became a school idol before I realized it. That's why I totally have no confidence in being an idol but--- for the sake of everyone who resorted to relying on someone like me, it'll be great if I can lend whatever power I have. When I first came to this school in the middle of these mountains filled with oranges, there was nothing but surprise after surprise waiting for me, but now, this has become a place which I love so much. That I actually received such a special place--- My own dream is to have everyone's dreams come true. For the first time in my life, I felt like I realized that there was such a way of doing things--- Official Translation Character Introduction (July 2015) Character Introduction Because of my father's work circumstances, I ended up moving here. From Tokyo's Akihabara to this seaside village in Shizuoka, Uchiura... At the beginning, I was a little depressed. After all, it's not that I hadn't had any experience of moving before, but it was my first time leaving Tokyo--- Changing schools after becoming a second year high-school student made me feel--- incredibly uneasy. When it was decided that I would change schools, everyone around me was full of encouragement--- "Izu City has great weather and onsen, delicious food, lots of greenery, it's a really good place". Hearing that, I, too, thought "That's right, Izu is a famous tourist location, the nearby Numazu city's guidebook also showed it as a really busy port-town, it's not that different from Tokyo, I'll be able to return once I advance to university---" Thinking that made my mood change. And then I arrived in this village. At first--- I was terribly surprised. After all--- as I expected, it was totally different from anywhere I had lived until now. There aren't a lot of people, nor that many shops either--- During night-time it turns into total darkness, and I can hear the distant sound of waves even from inside the house--- The school was on top of Mt. Mikan, at the tip of a cape. Climbing that long, long hill to reach the school was something similar to the schools I've attended up until now. But, even with the declining birth rates resulting in fewer students in schools in the city centers, Uranohoshi Girls' High School had even lesser students than that. And so, everyone had their childhood friends whom they grew up with, it was almost like the atmosphere of a family. That's why I, entering into such a situation, was really uneasy enough to have my heart pounding but--- At that moment. "Uwaah~!!! Awesome, Riko-chan, you're actually from THAT Akihabara!? Seriously!?!?! That's awesome, awesome beyond words~!!! As expected, you're super cute~!!! Yes, as I thought, this has to be fate!! Hey, hey hey hey, become a school idol with me♡" An energetic voice rained down upon me on the top of my head. "Sch-school idol!? It's impossible for someone like me!! I'm just someone who lived in Akihabara but I have no connection to anything so gorgeous, I'm just an Art Club member---" Even though I hurriedly replied, it seemed like my words went totally unheard by the other person who simply smiled brilliantly. That was my first encounter with Chika-chan. And that's where it all began--- Typical off-day schedule Time Activity 7:00am: Wake up 7:30am: Breakfast 9:00am: Head to Numazu City to purchase art materials 12:00pm: Have lunch in front of the station. Meet Yocchan. 2:00pm: Get dragged on an idol study-trip in front of the station. And then karaoke. Even though I'm bad at singing... 6:00pm: Go home 7:00pm: Dinner 8:00pm: Painting (Continuing from last) 10:30pm: Bath 11:30pm: Go to bed Aqours After School Talk - Riko Caption: Such a short skirt is embarrassing but--- just between you and me, it feels just a little bit pleasant♡ Uwa~ Somehow, this school idol costume is so fluttery and fluffy--- Aah, for some reason, I'm just extremely restless and can't seem to calm down~! But at the same time--- my heart is also pounding slightly. No, if I were to speak the truth, it's pounding really fast--- It's just a little bit, but I'm feeling joyful♡ It's surprising even to me, this feeling--- Fufu♪ To think that there would be a day when I would wear such a costume. Thanks to the positive Chika-chan, even someone as plain as me could become an idol like this♡ Now that it has come to this, I will have to push myself to my limits too, practice lots and dance as cutely as I can! Somehow--- Uwah~, saying it out loud makes me really embarrassed!! What should I do♡ Aqours's Gallery (November 2015) Caption: Being at Chika-chan's hot springs after practice is relaxing---♡ Uwaa~ this is the best! It feels great--- Just as expected. Hot springs in Autumn♡ The idea that I would be able to have a hot spring in my own house--- Such a thought had never crossed my mind while I was living in Tokyo. My house in Akihabara was an apartment house, so my apartment-sized bath was as large as required but--- Just comparing that to this---♡ It's definitely the hot spring's victory~♪ Ufufu, this isn't good, somehow the hot spring just feels too good--- It seems like I'm more gleeful than usual. Somehow, it's a bit embarrassing. It's now the second semester and the cool autumn winds have begun blowing, so lately after practice, us members of Aqours have been coming over to Chika-chan's house's hot springs like this. Why don't you--- come join us too? Aqours DIARY: Everyone's Diary (December 2015) When I lived in Akihabara in Tokyo--- I wasn’t familiar with the ocean, apart from how it is in the summer. The scorching sun and the shining, glittering ocean. Pontoon bridges and beach balls. Snow cones among joyful voices. The ocean that existed only to visit on warm, sunny days. But since I came to the seaside and started living here, there’s always a vivid sea right next to me--- spring, summer, and autumn. It’s a feeling I’m not used to. The ocean showed me a different face than I’d ever seen before, that it isn’t just there for the resorts. I come often to watch the ocean scenery. There are times too when I bring my sketchbook, but I also feel very calm just strolling along the seaside like this. I’ve come to like the sea a lot since I moved here. Not just the sea itself--- I also love the members of the group formed by this sea♡ Aqours 1st Center Election Appealing For Votes Caption: Unexpectedly finding dancing to be fun while trying it out--- I found myself smiling naturally♡ "Someone as plain as me becoming an idol is definitely impossible---" Even though that was something I had thought. When I tried dancing along with everyone, it was somehow extremely fun. It's mysterious, this feeling welling up in the center of my chest--- It's the first time I've felt this way in my whole life♪ Could this be the power of school idols? I feel like I can understand why Chika-chan was infatuated with them now. Though we're still inexperienced, we're prepared, knowing that we can no longer turn back after this. We'll do our best from here onwards, so everyone, please support us! Ah, it's perfectly fine no matter which position I end up on the rankings of course♡ Results Comments: 3rd Place Caption: I want to treasure the things that I can do for Aqours--- Being a transfer student who was forcibly invited to join Aqours--- to think that there were so many people supporting me, I'm really happy!! Thank you so much♡ What I can do isn't much, just that I always put in my utmost effort on each and every thing I can. I think it would be great if the feelings I put into those could reach everyone. BACK STAGE PIN UP: School Idol's Offstage♡ (January 2016) No, sorry! I'm really sorry!! Like I said, as expected--- This is impossible for me, something like this! Hee--- What should I do, as expected this is hopeless, the very idea of me dressing up as a Gothic devil girl~!! No, impossible, absolutely!! Even if you say it's for unit activities, if it's the lines that Yocchan went through the trouble to think up, I definitely can't say them... Because, something as embarrassing as this is definitely impossible. "With my lily kiss, I'll turn you into my servant for all eternity---" I mean, uwaaaaaah---!! Aah, my face feels like it's burning... In the first place, I'm clumsy, awkward, and can't even wink properly, so I think the path of seduction is definitely hopeless... So I'm really sorry Yocchan, but I think we should go with something more normal--- okay? I know! What do you think about a cute image, something like the fairies of the flower garden? Aah, don't boo at me like that, you two---

2016

Koi ni Naritai AQUARIUM Costume Reveal Caption: Even though I'm embarrassed--- In the end, I still want you to look at me♡ This costume is so revealing around the navel that when I first saw it, just looking at it made my face turn bright red, and I was so troubled I didn't know what to do, this was definitely impossible for me--- it made me freeze up for a while. But then--- Chika-chan told me something. "If you think of it as a swimsuit, there are actually a whole lot more places it covers, right?" Ufufu♡ Once I thought about that, I realized she was right--- I did my best to try it on. Though, I'm still a bit embarrassed--- What do you think? It's really a wonderful costume, so if it suits me--- I would be happy♪ Purchase Bonus Art Caption: It's the season of blooming spring flowers! I want to enjoy the scent of spring together♪ Spring is here, and all sorts of flowers are starting to bloom in town--- It's an extremely exhilarating period, isn't it! This year's spring is warm, and Uchiura's cherry blossoms are blooming in an extremely beautiful way. I don't know anything about love, and of course, I've always been so embarrassed that I never experienced it but--- A season as bright as this, makes me yearn for it just a little bit--- Even if it's just within this song, please try meeting this Riko who's in love♡ Aqours Big Reveal: Member Introductions (Q&A) (June 2016) Caption: Even someone as plain as me--- Is it really okay for me to become an idol? What is the charm of being a school idol? At first, I really thought it was absolutely impossible for me--- Even though I'm a school idol, I'm only somehow doing my best because of all the other members' kind support♡ That's why, that friendship and--- making even someone as plain as me gain the courage to step out in front of others, perhaps those are the charms of being a school idol. I'll do my best to become more positive from here onwards too! What are the good points about Uranohoshi Girls' High School? More than anything else, I think Ura Girls' charm point has to be the gentle atmosphere that makes you feel at home! Though its population is low, everyone smiles so kindly that it's surprising to me--- Though I was worried about whether I could make friends as a transfer student, Chika-chan and everyone else pulled me in so fast that I didn't have the time to worry about things. They're my precious treasures♡ OUR PRIVATE LIFE: We'll Tell You About Our Secrets♡ (June 2016) Sakurauchi Riko Caption: Come, open wide♪ Chika-chan's smile that looks like she's enjoying the food is wonderful♡ "Come, open wide♪" --- Even though I half meant that as a joke. The smiling Chika-chan just went "Yay, aaah!!" and held her mouth wide open---. When I saw that face, it somehow made me happy, and I unconsciously became serious--- It was almost like feeding a small child, placing a tomato into Chika-chan's mouth. The cherry tomato that was in her lunch box. Though small, the round tomato was placed in as it was, so no matter how many times Chika-chan tried, it kept rolling about in the lunch box making noises--- Since it seemed like she couldn't stop it, I reached out to help her---. Hehe---♡ Really, sometimes Chika-chan just seems as cute as a child--- So docile and honest. All the things I could never do, yet Chika-chan simply confronts them head-on, maybe her secret is this honest nature of hers. Becoming friends with such a Chika-chan, I'm really glad for that♡ Aqours's Gallery (September 2016) MESSAGE FROM RIKO Caption: It's finally summer's debut, Aqours's season is here at last! Uwaah~, what an amazing decision! A new song and a new choreography--- How did everyone find it? And with that, we've successfully started our promotional activities too, so it's really like---. It's really sunk in that we've become school idols now♡ Though everyone often says that Uchiura is a countryside town without anything--- But as someone who came from Tokyo, this is what I think. Inside Uchiura--- Though it may be true that it doesn't have bustling shopping districts or malls, nor cafes and famous spots worthy of being featured on television, but--- there's the beautiful sea and greenery. With the wide and high blue skies with nothing to block its view---. Everyone is here. Everyone in Aqours skipping and frolicking in the surf, it's a scene that absolutely suits the scenery in Uchiura--- I think it's absolutely lovely. That's why I love everyone---. The Otonokizaka High School where I used to attend was in the middle of the Akihabara district with lots of buildings. The μ's that was born there, according to what Chika-chan said, they really sparkled and glittered within the center of such a city. But as for Aqours---. With Aqours singing in such an idyllic seaside town filled with greenery, I think we'll definitely shine in a different way from μ's. It might be a light that's far, far weaker and duller than μ's. But you see, it's just like how a transparent glass prism splits light into seven different colors. Even if we're less noticeable, I think it would be fine so long as we shine with a different color---. That's why, everyone is working hard with all they have for Aqours's activities this summer. I think it would be great if lots of people got to know about us, even if it's just one more person♡ From now on, I too will work hard to be of help to everyone else. With all I have--- I'll put up with my embarrassment, and work hard with all my might. Aqours's Gallery (December 2016) MESSAGE FROM RIKO Caption: Along with the wind blowing across the seas, let my heart reach everyone too--- The breeze blowing across the sea--- the fact that it felt this good, was something I only learned after coming to this town. Coming to play at the sea every once in a while may be fun, but if you see it every day you would get bored--- but actually that's not really the case for everyone here in Uchiura, I think. After all, the sea we see everyday--- at a glance, it may look the same as it is every day, but still, it's not the same at all. While looking at it all the time---. I feel almost like I'm drawn in by the deep color, and every day a different--- nice breeze blows across the ocean. And that's when I was startled. Though it seems like it's the same wind blowing every day--- But as I thought--- it's a different wind blowing against me every day. And that--- somehow feels like it resembles my life right now. Something that is always expected to be there naturally, and always able to be seen. But you see--- if you look closely, the truth is that every day I get to see different expressions, and through that my heart gets to experience lots of new joys---. That is, the people I've met after coming to Uchiura here--- The smiles of everyone in Aqours♡ Just being with them alone brings a smile to my face--- and makes me happy. Just as it's always been, every day I am shown different sparkling smiles. If that's the power of school idols which Chika-chan talked about, then surely the one receiving the most of this power would be me, Riko♡ That's why, even while waiting for everyone else like this. Just like this too, I find myself smiling---. And that's why this person that I am--- I'll let this breeze that blows across the ocean carry me along. It would be great if I could become an idol whose smiles could reach everyone. OUR PRIVATE LIFE: We'll Tell You About Our Secrets♡ (February 2017) Sakurauchi Riko Caption: Wawawawa--- You-chan?! You made me jump a bit there---♡ I've noticed something lately. And that is, You-chan--- seems surprisingly weak to the cold. Hehehe--- It's somehow kind of strange. I mean--- As a talented athlete famous for her high-diving in her hometown, I have a strong image of her always being in her swimsuit--- So I always assumed that she would be good with the cold. And yet, seeing her like this--- When I see her overcome by a sudden wave of cold, it's somehow so unexpected it's surprising--- and enough to make me think "How cute♡". Ah-- but, that's not right! You-chan is the energetic type who has it together far far more than a slow-witted artsy person like me; for me to say something like that about her---. It's my first winter after coming to Uchiura. What I've learned is--- The Izu peninsula's winters are surprisingly warm. With terrain fitting of a peninsula, it's a place filled with scenic nature spots such as mountains and the sea--- So I somehow had the image of its winters being much colder than Tokyo's, but---. Whenever I looked at the sea from the coastal highway during the winter holidays, the sea was always sparkling. Sparkling with the light of the sun---. The sea breeze was gentle, too. In the midst of such a climate, this morning's weather forecast predicted slightly rougher weather today. According to You-chan--- It seems that because this place is close to the sea, once the winds pick up it gets cold quickly---. But even on such a cold day. If you huddle together with your friends like this--- even the cold goes away♡ Aah, it would be great if Chika-chan makes it here soon---.

2017

HAPPY PARTY TRAIN Travel Comments I’ve always lived in Tokyo and when I moved to Uchiura, I lived a life full of beaches and mountains for the first time. I’ve completely fallen in love with nature♡ I think there’s still a lot of wonderful places in Japan to visit, so I’d be happy to tour all over Japan♪ Places I would like to travel to: Kumamoto, Fukuoka and Tohoku Aqours's Gallery (May 2017) Caption: May a smile make your heart full of goodness. Cherry blossoms. They mean a graduation with departure and beginning - Either way, I'm always in the spirit for flowers, among the positive assets of a radiant incense, to me of a character with a descendent and retractable personality. Aqours DIARY: Everyone's Diary (July 2017) OUR PRIVATE LIFE: We'll Tell You About Our Secrets♡ (October 2017) Sakurauchi Riko Caption: Aqours DIARY: Everyone's Diary (December 2017) Caption: OUR PRIVATE LIFE: We'll Tell You About Our Secrets♡ (January 2018) Sakurauchi Riko Caption:

Aqours's Gallery (April 2018)
Caption:

Question & Answer Corner

Your favorite words are? "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; What is essential is invisible to the eye"--- These are words from The Little Prince written by Antoine de Saint Exupéry. Even though I like art and music--- When I came to this town, I looked up to a totally different night sky from what I would see in Tokyo, and remembered these words. Something that felt cute to you recently? Uranohoshi Girls' High School is like a mission school, it's full of paintings, figures and decorations of angels everywhere. The entrance hall facing the courtyard has a small mural with a cute angel--- I greet it every morning. Saying "Good morning" to it makes me feel like I can work hard and face today with a smile. If you were to try helping out at one of the members' family businesses, what would you like to try doing? Asked by ハマチャさん @Twitter Everyone is always helping out with their own family businesses, they're such great girls--- As for me, I really don't do anything--- It makes me embarrassed! But, even for such a person like me, if I could help out with something---. That's right, as I thought, I would want to try working at Chika-chan's family inn♪ Though it would be impossible for me to work with the guests, I might be able to do the subordinate work, and it seems fun to wear those traditional Japanese uniforms♡ I would have to learn lots of things from Chika-chan♪ Do you do household chores like cooking and laundry in your own home? Asked by ポイントBさん @Twitter I don't hate housework, so I do them quite often--- I think? When I lived in Tokyo, there wasn't anything else much to do at home---. Now, Aqours has made me busy, though I don't have that much time, I clean the house every day, and do the laundry and cooking occasionally♡ Though I'm not at the level where I can become a good bride--- Ehehehe♪ When you moved to Uchiura, was there anything that troubled or puzzled you? Asked by いけいけさん The school is on the peak of the hill, and there aren't many shops within walking distance--- To be honest I was shocked, but at the same time I was really surprised at how beautiful the scenery was♡ Also just being a transfer student made me a bit of a mini-celebrity so that was troubling... Do you have any preferences on how you eat boiled eggs? Asked by 鈴生昂さん I liked my eggs half-boiled and with salt♡ Putting the eggs in boiling water for exactly 8 minutes is the rule of the Sakurauchi household. When they're meant to be placed into lunch-boxes, we boil them until cracks form in the shell and soak them overnight in salt-water, which adds flavor to the egg♪ Are you still in contact with your friends from Otonokizaka through emails or phone? Asked by 彩狐さん We still keep in touch♡ But, even though I told them about a ton of things that happened here--- They don't really believe me. Like I would swim in the sea on the way home from school--- Fufu♡ Especially the fact that I became a school idol, it seems no one takes me seriously even up until now. What do you do with the things you made with your handicraft hobby? Asked by どらさん They're not anything fancy, and I think it would trouble people if I gave these to them so--- I mostly give them to my family. But even they are starting to be overloaded with things so--- I wonder if there is anyone out there who would receive them for me... How do you mostly spend your free days? Asked by りんくさん Though it's embarrassing, I'm the indoor-type, so I mostly spend my free days at home drawing, or making handicrafts--- But after I came to Uchiura, everyone's been inviting me out so I've become quite active. We all went to karaoke just recently too♡ If you were to go for a picnic in Uchiura with your beloved sandwiches, where would you want to go? Asked by アオめがねさん Though the sceneries at Uchiura's beaches and the school's mikan mountain are both wonderful, if it's a picnic, I would recommend the mountains♡ Though it's a bit distant from Uchiura, Panorama Park, which is accessible by the ropeway, has an amazing Sky Garden where you can see a boundless sky different from what you always see, it's bound to move you! When you paint, what sort of things do you mostly paint? Asked by ともちさん From the start--- What I painted was mostly sceneries, and occasionally images of still life--- But after coming to Uchiura, I've started painting portraits a bit. Compared to Tokyo where I've lived all my life, Uchiura is filled with overwhelmingly beautiful sceneries such as the sea, mountains, forests and Mt. Fuji--- So even I find it strange that I've switched to painting portraits instead♡ Now--- I want to paint everyone's smiles.

Video

• Character Introduction
• 2017 New Year's Message
• 2017 Aqours Special Reading Video

LL!SS!! Aqours Special Monologue Show 【Part 2 Sakurauchi Riko】

ENG SUB Love Live! Sunshine!! New Years Greeting - Riko Sakurauchi

ENG SUB Love Live! Sunshine!! Aqours Special Reading Video - Sakurauchi Riko

Audio

Does not work on iPad, or any medium that does not support the .ogg audio format.

No.	Songs	Duration	Audio
01	Greetings from Sakurauchi Riko	2:24

Songs

The songs featuring Riko are:

• Solo
• Aqours
• Guilty Kiss
• Duo & Trio
• Collaboration

Pianoforte Monologue
PURE PHRASE
Love Spiral Tower
Minamo ni Piano

Kimi no Kokoro wa Kagayaiteru kai?
Step! ZERO to ONE
Aqours☆HEROES
Koi ni Naritai AQUARIUM
Mattete Ai no Uta
Todokanai Hoshi da to Shitemo
Aozora Jumping Heart
Humming Friend
Yume Kataru yori Yume Utaou
Sunshine Pikkapika Ondo
Yume de Yozora o Terashitai
Mijuku DREAMER
Omoi yo Hitotsu ni Nare (9 Members Ver.)
MIRAI TICKET
Pops heart de Odorun damon!
Daydream Warrior
Thrilling・One Way
Taiyou o Oikakero!
Jingle Bells ga Tomaranai
Seinaru Hi no Inori
HAPPY PARTY TRAIN
SKY JOURNEY
Shoujo Ijou no Koi ga Shitai
Landing action Yeah!!
Mirai no Bokura wa Shitteru yo
Kimi no Hitomi o Meguru Bouken
Yuuki wa doko ni? Kimi no Mune ni!
"MY LIST" to you!
MY Mai☆TONIGHT
MIRACLE WAVE
Awaken the power (Featuring Saint Snow)
WATER BLUE NEW WORLD
WONDERFUL STORIES
Kiseki Hikaru
Hop Step Waai!
Thank you, FRIENDS!!
No.10
Bokura no Hashittekita Michi wa…
Next SPARKLING!!
Hop? Stop? Nonstop!
Brightest Melody
Over The Next Rainbow (Featuring Saint Snow)
Jump up HIGH!!
I-n-g, I TRY!!
Bouken Type A, B, C‼
Mitaiken HORIZON
Deep Resonance
Dance with Minotaurus
KOKORO Magic "A to Z"
Wake up, Challenger!!
CYaZALEA☆Kiss☆DADANDAAAN
Fantastic Departure!
Aqours Pirates Desire
JIMO-AI Dash!
Sora mo Kokoro mo Hareru kara (9 Members Ver)
Future flight
Smile smile ship Start!
Kokoro no Hane yo Kimi e Tondeke!
DREAMY COLOR
KU-RU-KU-RU Cruller!
SUKI for you, DREAM for you!
Namida×
Not ALONE not HITORI
GEMSTONE "DE‐A‐I"
Nando Datte Yakusoku!
Yume + Mirai = Mugendai
BANZAI! digital trippers
KA-GA-YA-KI-RA-RI-RA
SORA, FUJI, SUNSHINE!
Genjitsu Mysterium
GAME ON!
Kimi no Tame Boku no Tame
SILENT PAIN
Wonder sea breeze
La la Yuuki no Uta
Numazu Yassa Yoisa Uta
BLOOM OF COLORS
Deep Blue
SAKURA-saku KOKORO-saku
Bokura no Umi de Mata Aou
Eikyuu hours

Strawberry Trapper
Guilty Night, Guilty Kiss!
Guilty Eyes Fever
Kowareyasuki
Shadow gate to love
Guilty!? Farewell party
New Romantic Sailors
Love Pulsar
Phantom Rocket Adventure
Shooting Star Warrior
Deep Sea Cocoon
Nameless Love Song

Kimeta yo Hand in Hand
Daisuki dattara Daijoubu!
Sora mo Kokoro mo Hareru kara
Natsu e no Tobira Never end ver.
Marine Border Parasol
Misty Frosty Love
Hey, dear my friends
Koukishin Journey

LIVE with a smile! (Featuring Nijigasaki High School Idol Club and Liella!)

Chronology

• Season I
• Season II

Ep.	Title
01	"I Want to Shine!!" (輝きたい!!, "Kagayakitai!!")
In Episode 1, Uranohoshi Girls’ High School student Chika Takami discovered the school idol group μ's while trying to catch a runaway flyer. Having had looked for something to devote her all to for a long time, she was inspired and decided to form her own school idol group. On her way home from Awashima island, Chika met Riko Sakurauchi, a student from Otonokizaka High School in Tokyo, and introduced her to school idols. Riko said they looked normal, and Chika explained that the way normal people can become so radiant as school idols was why she was intrigued by them to the point of wanting to become one herself. When Riko unexpectedly showed up as a transfer student in Chika and You’s class, Chika recognized her and asked her to join the school idol club. "Kimeta yo Hand in Hand" was performed by Chika, You, and Riko as an insert song, and the episode ended with Riko declining Chika's request.
02	"Catch the Transfer Student!" (転校生をつかまえろ!, "Tenkousei o Tsukamaero!")
In Episode 2, one of Riko’s piano performances was shown through a flashback. Present day Riko hesitated playing the piano, thinking back to her fingers trembling as they hovered over the piano keys, the filled auditorium growing impatient. Not letting herself be stopped by the initial rejection, Chika persisted in trying to persuade Riko into becoming a school idol and composing songs for their group. However, Riko continued to politely decline the proposal. Meeting each other on the beach, Riko told Chika she had not been able to improve her piano playing recently, and had hopes a change of scenery and hearing the sound of the ocean could change that. In an attempt to help her out of her slump Chika invited Riko to come hear the sound of the ocean with her. As Kanan Matsuura, You, Chika and Riko were out diving, Riko at first had troubles using her imagination to hear the sound of the ocean as per Kanan's advice. Diving down again, Chika and You pointed to a spot where the sunlight hit the water, and the three of them managed to experience the sound of the ocean. At school Riko told Chika and You she would compose for the school idol group, but not become a school idol herself. They realized they did not have any lyrics written, and together the three of them tried writing lyrics at the Takami family’s ryokan. Inspired by Chika’s love for μ's, Riko listened to "Yume no Tobira" and even tried singing it, accompanying herself on the piano. Chika interrupted and Riko revealed her feelings of nothing feeling fun and everything feeling static and unchanging to her. In response, Chika again suggested trying out being a school idol, and Riko accepted.
03	"First Step" (ファーストステップ, "Faasuto Suteppu")
In Episode 3, Chika, You, and Riko were training on the beach when they saw the Ohara family's helicopter flying by, which eventually landed near them. With Mari Ohara's arrival to the school, she introduced herself as the new chairwoman of Uranohoshi Girls' High School. Dia Kurosawa, who knew Mari back from their first year in Uranohoshi, pointed out how unbelievable it was for a third year to be the new chairwoman. Mari showed her proof and stated that she came to support Chika, You, and Riko. She then challenged them to fill the gym with audience in order to get her approval for their School Idol Club. The three second year students realized that there weren't enough students in their school to fill the gym, which caused them to advertise their concert in other places as well. They started handing out flyers in front of Numazu Station, where Riko unknowingly met a disguised Yoshiko while advertising their concert. While training, Chika, You, and Riko thought up of possible names for their currently nameless school idol group. They soon stumbled upon the name "Aqours", which was written on the beach, and decided to use it as their school idol group's name. The newly-named school idol group Aqours continued to advertise their upcoming concert. In Chika's house, Aqours continued to work on their dance steps until Riko and You noticed that Chika fell asleep, and decided to call it a day. Shima, Chika's elder sister, drove You home as no buses ran when it is late at night. Before their concert, Aqours worried about people not attending due to the rain. They laughed it off and stood behind the stage's curtain, hand in hand. However, when the curtains raised, they only had a small group of audience. Included in the audience were Mari, Ruby Kurosawa, Hanamaru Kunikida, and a disguised Yoshiko. Despite this, they continued their concert and performed "Daisuki dattara Daijoubu!" while Kanan and Dia listened from outside the gym. A power outage occurred halfway through the song, halting their performance. Chika continued to sing, followed by You and Riko, until she started to cry. Right before they lost hope, Chika's sister Mito arrived and said that Chika told her the wrong start time. Meanwhile, Dia secretly hooked up a backup generator and the power returned, which illuminated the gym that was filled with audience. Aqours then resumed their performance. After Aqours's concert, Dia went in front of them then said that their success was only due to the efforts of previous school idols and the town's good will. Chika answered she knew it but that it was their only chance to shine.
04	"Two Girls' Feelings" (ふたりのキモチ, "Futari no Kimochi")
In episode 4, the school idol club was finally approved by Mari, much to the second years' delight. Although, they questioned why she was so keen on helping them. Entering their new club room for the first time, they realised it would need intensive cleaning up before they would be able to use it. Chika, Riko and You entered the library to return books they had found while cleaning up, just as Ruby was excitedly telling Hanamaru the news of the school idol club officially being formed. Once again, Chika tried recruiting the duo as school idols. Kanan impressed the second years with her stamina, running past them as they were trying to raise their own stamina by running up stairs like μ's. Met by a very excited Chika, Ruby and Hanamaru started a trial period as members of the school idol club, saying they would join if they liked it. Short of a place to practice, the school idol club ended up taking their dance practice to the rooftop, inspired by μ's. After Ruby officially joined the school idol club, she confronted Hanamaru at the library. Ruby explained how she suspected that Hanamaru went along just because she thought being a school idol was something Ruby wanted to do, but that she also thought maybe Hanamaru was interested herself, too. Ruby drew a parallel to Rin Hoshizora also thinking she was not fit to be a school idol, and admitted she had always wanted to become a school idol with Hanamaru. Hanamaru finally agreed to become a school idol after Riko, You and Chika entered the library, Chika saying what matters is the will to do it, rather than your skills.
05	"Yohane Descends" (ヨハネ堕天, "Yohane Daten")
In episode 5, The school idol club, now with five members, were looking at their ranking and comments online. Hanamaru was revealed to never have seen a computer before, due to living in a temple without many electronics. The members of Aqours wondered how they could stand out more in order to raise their popularity. Whimpering in the school idol clubroom, Yoshiko explained she knew she was not a fallen angel and wanted to be a normal high school student. Chika, on the other hand, got the idea of fallen angel idols as a way to make them stand out more. Therefore, she asked Yoshiko if she wanted to become a school idol, addressing her as “Fallen Angel Yohane-chan”. Aqours visited Chika’s house to try their new fallen angel themed costumes on, and Riko ended up being chased by Chika’s dog Shiitake. Later, Chika giggled when Riko said she was still hurt from the encounter, which caused Riko to question if she found Riko’s distress amusing. Chika denied this, saying she had simply realised the Aqours members were not at all plain like she initially thought. Much to Dia’s dismay, the school idol club uploaded a fallen angel themed video online using their new costumes. Dia showed the Aqours members that the initial boost in rankings the video had gotten them was already declining and their rank was dropping. This broke the spirits of the school idols, causing Chika to second guess their trying to be like μ's and Yoshiko to once again say she wanted to be a normal high schooler and quit the school idol club. The day after Hanamaru made the other Aqours members understand why Yoshiko had wanted to be a fallen angel in the first place, they confronted Yoshiko wearing their new costumes and asked if she wanted to join Aqours as the fallen angel Yohane. Chika yelled to the fleeing Yoshiko that she was fine the way she was and that μ's got so popular due to their being themselves and not caring about what others thought. After being assured all the members of the school idol club were okay with her antics, Yoshiko accepted their offer and joined.
06	"Let's Make a PV" (PVを作ろう, "PV o Tsukurou")
In episode 6, news of the school possibly being closed and merged with a school in Numazu reached Chika, and she was overjoyed to be put in a similar situation to the one μ's faced, becoming motivated to do more school idol activities in order to save the school. After some careful thinking, Aqours decided to create a promotional video, with the purpose of showing people what made their small town Uchiura a great place. They all went out to film, but most of the things the group could come up with seemed quite unimpressive after reconsideration. The group gathered at a café to think things through, and Chika realized that what they had at their current school was something special she did not want to lose. Showing the chairwoman their promotional video, Mari told Chika and the rest of Aqours that they did not know what it was that made their town and their school great. After Mari proclaimed she knew better herself, Chika decided not to ask about it, considering it something they had to figure out for themselves for it to be worth something. On her way to the clubroom Chika spotted Dia on stage in the empty auditorium. While she did decline Chika’s offer of joining the school idol club, Dia stated she was happy that they wanted to save the school. As Dia was leaving the room, Ruby stopped Chika from calling out to her, and a flashback showed the third years seemingly right before a school idol performance. Mari showed up and told Dia you can’t run away, only move forward, but Dia denied she had been trying to run away. In accordance with Uchiura tradition, all the town members gathered early in the morning of the first day of beach season to make and release floating lanterns. Riko, for whom it was the first time experiencing the tradition, talked about how she did not realize there were so many people living in the town and suggested that maybe that was the special thing about Uchiura and Uranohoshi Girls’ High School. Hearing this, Chika gathered everyone’s attention and introduced Aqours, saying they needed the help of everyone in town to save their school. "Yume de Yozora o Terashitai" was performed as an insert song by the currently six Aqours members, thus concluding the episode.
07	"TOKYO" (TOKYO, "TOKYO" )
In episode 7, the members of Aqours realized that their PV had boosted their popularity enough to push them into the top one hundred school idol groups. Because of this, they were invited to perform at an event in Tokyo. Getting to Tokyo, the school idol club (sans transfer student Riko) tried not to let on that they were from the country side, without much success. After getting temporarily separated, Aqours paid a visit to Kanda Shrine, and got excited about running up the same stairs that μ's once used for stamina practice. Once they reached the top of the stairs, Chika heard Sarah Kazuno and Leah Kazuno singing “SELF CONTROL!!”. Although the two girls were strangers to Chika and the rest of Aqours, Sarah recognized them from their PV and asked if they were in Tokyo for the upcoming event. The Saint Snow members then left, leaving Aqours impressed with their acrobatics and singing skills. Riko declined Chika’s suggestion to pay Otonokizaka High School a visit, and after the rest of Aqours had gone to sleep she explained to Chika she felt pressured to perform well and live up to expectations at her old school. In response, Chika talked about how she felt like she had to live up to the expectations of the Uranohoshi Girls’ High School students who came to see them off in Numazu. The next day, Chika went out for a run and visited the place where she first found out about school idols, UTX High School. There, the rest of Aqours caught up with her and the six of them saw the next Love Live! competition being announced on the screen of the UTX building. Aqours decided they wanted to enter the competition. At the event location, the Aqours members were surprised to find out the girls they had met at Kanda Shrine were school idols, too. Sarah introduced herself, and the episode ended just as Saint Snow were to take the stage.
08	"Isn't it Frustrating?" (くやしくないの?, "Kuyashikunai no?")
In episode 8, Saint Snow performed “SELF CONTROL!!” on stage at a school idol event in Tokyo. After all the school idol groups invited had performed, neither Aqours nor Saint Snow were announced as one of the winners. In spite of their loss, Chika talked about how it was Aqours's best performance yet. The other members, on the other hand, worried about how far from being top idols they were. Having been given the results of the audience poll used to rank the groups at the event, Aqours learned that they not only placed last, but also got zero votes. Approached by Saint Snow, Aqours was complimented on their performance but told they might be better off giving up competing in Love Live! by Sarah, and warned not to take Love Live! lightly by a crying Leah. On the train ride back to Numazu, five quite depressed Aqours members and one seemingly less depressed Chika discussed Saint Snow’s statements. Once they arrived they were greeted by Uranohoshi Girls’ High School students, relieved and happy to hear it was the group’s best performance so far. When Dia arrived at the scene, Ruby ran into her arms, crying. Dia talked to Aqours about their placing last, saying she was afraid it would happen, considering how tough the school idol scene had gotten. She explained how she, Mari and Kanan formed a school idol group two years back, but were unable to sing at the very same event, overwhelmed by the other groups’ performances and the atmosphere. Riko followed Chika to the beach, who, after holding all of her feelings in for a long time, finally allowed herself to cry and let out her frustration about all of their hard work not bearing fruit. When Chika said she thought it would make the other members sad if she allowed herself to be sad, Riko pointed to the rest of Aqours and said that no one joined for Chika’s sake, it was a decision they all made on their own. The sun’s rays hit the six girls standing in the water as they decided to try to turn their zero into a one.
09	"Young DREAMER" (未熟DREAMER, "Mijuku DREAMER")
In episode 9, the six members of Aqours tried to figure out what to do for the upcoming summer festival. Chika wondered what made Kanan (who had been evasive when Chika asked her about it) quit being a school idol since she did not think it was like Kanan to quit just because of one failure. Ruby revealed she had heard Dia speaking to Mari back then, saying neither Dia nor Kanan were running away. On one of her early morning walks Kanan was followed by the school idol club, who overheard Kanan and Mari talking about Kanan’s returning to school. However, Kanan said she was not going to become a school idol again and that she did not want to talk to Mari any more. At school, Kanan and Mari got into a heated argument, which made Chika burst into the room and yell at them to break it up, and to come to the club room of the school idol club after school. There, Kanan continued to claim that the fact she could not sing in Tokyo was the reason she had quit being a school idol. Once she had left the room, the other girls pushed Dia into revealing that Kanan did not sing at the event to prevent Mari from performing with an injury, and that she quit being a school idol because she did not want Mari turning down other opportunities. Aqours convinced Dia to join them, Chika saying they’d all help out if juggling school idol duties and student council president duties got too much, and Ruby handing her a stage costume. All nine girls performed “Mijuku DREAMER” as an insert song, and Dia turned out to be the one who wrote “Aqours” in the sand, it being the same name the third years’ previous idol group had.
10	"We've Got Stewshine" (シャイ煮はじめました, "Shai-ni Hajimemashita")
In episode 10, summer vacation began for the now nine members of Aqours. Summer is the season of the Love Live! competition, and Dia had somehow managed to get her hands on the training schedule μ's used when they were active. Since Kanan and Chika had been asked to help run a snack bar on the beach, the members decided to camp at the Takami family inn in order to make time for practice. Initially intimidated by a competing snack bar on the beach, Dia quickly took charge and assigned tasks once she received encouragement from Mari. Riko, Chika and Kanan begun advertising in order to draw in customers, seemingly somewhat unwillingly. Meanwhile, You, Yoshiko and Mari started cooking the food. With everyone exhausted after attempting to train the way μ's did, they all sat down to eat Mari’s Stewshine and Yoshiko’s Tears of a Fallen Angel takoyaki that had not sold during the day. Going back to the inn to get more sauce, Chika overheard a conversation between her sister Shima and Riko’s mother, and found out there was a piano competition Riko was invited to partake in. The piano competition being on the same day as the Love Live! preliminaries, Chika woke Riko up to ask her about it. Riko said she wavered at first, but that their camp made her realize that Aqours was more important to her. Aqours's second day of managing the snack bar wasn’t all too successful either, but everyone enjoyed the curry You made using both Mari’s and Yoshiko’s culinary creations. Dia tried to hold a lesson on Love Live! history, but it was cut short due to Chika’s sister Mito thinking they were being too loud. Once again, Chika woke Riko up, this time asking her to play the song she had composed. Afterwards, Chika told Riko she wanted her to enter the piano competition. Chika explained she had hoped being a school idol could make Riko feel good about playing the piano again, and said Riko needed to figure out if playing the piano wasn’t just as important to her as the town, and the school, and their friends.
11	"Aye-aye, My Friend" (友情ヨーソロー, "Yuujou Yousoro")
In episode 11, all the members of Aqours saw Riko off as she left for Tokyo to compete in a piano competition that would take place the same day as the regional Love Live! qualifiers. They made the promise to sing together on the same stage next time. When it was decided You would fill Riko's place in the dance formation, Chika and You struggled to find harmony in their dance since Chika was accustomed to the way Riko performed the dance moves. They had just made it through the part they had problems with because of You’s mimicking Riko’s movements, when Riko called from Tokyo. After Ruby, Hanamaru and Yoshiko greeted her, the call was cut short due to Chika’s battery running low just as You was about to say something to Riko. Being totally honest proved to be a difficult task for You even after she had gotten advice from Mari, and she did not know how to express her feelings to Chika. After You was encouraged through a call from Riko to not just adjust to what Riko and Chika did before and find their own dynamic in the dance instead, Chika showed up at You’s house. Chika suggested they start over and relearn the dance together, and a crying You ended up embracing Chika. The night of the Love Live! qualifiers and Riko’s piano competition, everyone wore the matching scrunchies Riko had sent as bracelets. Riko played her piece at the competition, and the remaining eight Aqours members performed “Omoi yo Hitotsu ni Nare” on stage.
12	"It's Time to Fly" (はばたきのとき, "Habataki no Toki")
In episode 12, the members of Aqours were happy and relieved to find out they made it through the regional qualifiers of the Love Live! after a nervous wait. While the video of their performance had gotten a lot of views and comments, the number of applicants for the school’s open house was still zero. Chika couldn’t help but compare Aqours to μ's, and wondered if the school idols she looked up to weren’t regular people after all. Calling the other Aqours members, she suggested they’d all go to Tokyo before Riko went back home, and try to figure out what made μ's great. In Tokyo, Chika had arranged for Aqours to meet up with Saint Snow, who told Chika and the others they did not know what made μ's and A-RISE different. To them, what mattered was winning and following in the footsteps of their predecessors. Together, both groups watched the announcement of the Love Live! finals being held at the Akiba Dome on the screen outside the UTX High School building. At Riko’s suggestion, Aqours visited Otonokizaka High School. They learned that μ's had not left anything from their school idol days at Otonokizaka, saying their hearts would be connected even without those things. Chika and Riko said the visit had brought them closer to the answer of their question. On the train back to Numazu, the nine of them took a stop to look at the sea. Chika said that they couldn’t compare themselves to μ's, and all of the members started realizing that they had to run freely, stand on their own feet and not chase after someone else in order to become great. They decided that what they were running towards was turning the zero into a one.
13	"Sunshine!!" (サンシャイン!!, "Sanshain!!")
In episode 13, Aqours were practicing for the Love Live! regionals during the hot days of summer vacation. Meanwhile, the number of applicants for Uranohoshi Girls’ High School was still zero. At the end of the day, Mutsu, Itsuki and Yoshimi showed up to tell Chika that they, along with other people in the school, were also interested in saving the school and had thought about becoming school idols. Chika invited them to sing with Aqours at the Love Live!. Standing on their respective balconies, Chika and Riko talked about the increase in members on stage. Chika said that although it would be impossible for everyone to dance, they could all sing the song together, and it might make more people realize the greatness of their town and school. Chika’s mother surprised both Riko and Chika by showing up, making for a short intermission in their conversation. The nine members of Aqours met up with Mutsu, Itsuki and Yoshimi, who brought with them an abundance of other Uranohoshi Girls’ High School students. However, everyone’s excitement was restrained when Riko announced that the rules said only the people who had applied initially would be allowed on stage. In the end, although only Aqours would be on stage, all the other girls decided to cheer them on from the audience. Before their performance, the school idol club members reflected on their time together. Ruby and Hanamaru were embraced by Yoshiko, while Mari, Kanan and Dia thanked each other for getting this far, and Chika told You and Riko she wanted to enjoy everything the future had in store together. Proclaiming there weren’t just nine of them, Chika opened the door to the stage. Prior to performing their song, Aqours introduced themselves by telling the audience their story and their goal. When they counted to nine, part of the audience yelled “ten”, pronouncing their being the tenth member of the group. Halfway through the performance of “MIRAI TICKET”, Chika called out for everyone to shine together with them. The Aqours supporters of the audience ran down to stand next to the stage, creating a circle of blue light sticks around it. Meanwhile, the number of applicants for the school flipped from zero to one.

Ep.	Title
01	"Next Step" (ネクストステップ, "Nekusuto Suteppu")
In episode 1, Mari and Dia were motivating the student body, including the rest of Aqours, to work hard at attracting students to the school this term, too. Chika showed up just when the upcoming Love Live! was mentioned, and they all decided Aqours was going to participate. During their regular afternoon practice session on the roof, the girls started discussing holding a concert at the open house. Mari noticed someone calling her phone, but did not pick up. Realizing they would not be able to stay as long at school with the buses’ fall timetable, they set out to find a place to practice in Numazu. After they had said goodbye to the others, Chika and Riko talked about their hopefulness in everything going well, despite obstacles to come. The next day at school, Aqours revisited the issue of a new practice space. Without anyone noticing the third years suddenly disappeared. In a locale made available to the group thanks to You’s father, the third years revealed that the open house had been cancelled, and the decision about the school merger made final. Chika reacted strongly, saying she would personally seek Mari’s father out and convince him to change his mind, but let it go when the others explained to her how there was nothing to be done. Disheartened, the girls went home. Chika and Riko had a heart-to-heart on the beach, this time sharing feelings of hopelessness. When Chika showed up at school early the next morning to tell the universe she was not going to give up yet, she was surprised to find the rest of Aqours followed a similar impulse and were there, too. Together, they decided to keep working toward their goal no matter how impossible it may seem. They were going to aim for a miracle.
02	"The Sound of Rain" (雨の音, "Ame no Oto")
In episode 2, Aqours got the news that the school would stay open for another year if the number of prospective students was raised to at least one hundred. Although this initially sounded like to much for them to handle, Chika motivated them by saying they should not worry about whether it was possible, but rather simply make it happen. With the Love Live! coming up sooner than expected, the second years found the workload of having to create two songs at once difficult to handle. To make it easier on them, everyone decided to split the workload and had the second years create a song for the open house while the third and first years created one to perform at the Love Live!. Chika, Riko and You headed for Chika’s house to work on their song, without much success. Ruby sent a text to Chika, Riko and, asking them to come at once to help mediate in the argument that had arisen. In order to better work together, the first and third years decided to spend some time together try to get to know each other better. When all nine girls regrouped, celebrating the two completed songs, Mari received a phone call.
03	"Rainbow" (虹, "Niji")
In Episode 3, a new problem arose. The school open house was postponed by a week, putting both the Love Live! qualifiers and the open house on the same Sunday. Aqours tried to find a way to travel between the two venues in time to perform at both events, without luck. With going by boat and by helicopter both out of the question, it seemed the only possible way to make it in time would be to perform as the first group and catch a bus. As the order of the performances would be decided by lottery, the group decided to let Yoshiko do the honors. Much to everyone’s disappointment, they ended up as the 24th group to perform. The group thought the only option left was to choose just one event, but could not decide on one. Later that evening, Riko and Chika discussed the issue. Riko suggested they split the group and perform at both events. Presenting their idea to the rest of the group, they reluctantly agreed. When the second years talked it over later, Chika seemed unreasonably happy that mikan season had begun. When Sunday finally came, Chika, Riko, You, Dia and Ruby were overjoyed to be joined by the other four onstage for the performance of MY Mai☆TONIGHT. Confused when the second years immediately ran off after the song ended, the group found out Chika had arranged for them to use a monorail for mikan transport to travel back to school. With this and help of their school mates, they made it back in time to perform Kimi no Kokoro wa Kagayaiteru kai? at the open house.
04	"Don't Call Me Dia-san" (ダイヤさんと呼ばないで, "Dia-san to Yobanaide")
In episode 4, Chika woke up in an unusually happy mood. In reply to the other girls’ queries about why she was not nervous to see whether or not they had passed the Love Live! qualifiers, she stated she was sure they would pass, something that proved true moments later. Chika’s mood fell with the realization that Aqours was out of funds after the recent performances. They turned both to the gods and Mari’s family in a futile effort to get more money, but had to begin thinking about other options. The next day, Dia tried to discuss the idea of part time jobs with the second years as a means of getting closer to them. Her unusual behaviour weirded out Chika, You, and Riko, and she was set back where she started when she could not help herself from reverting back to her usual harsh words and tone. Forced to come up with an idea to replace the one she shot down, Dia led the group into setting up a stand at a flea market. Her expectations of getting close to the others and being addressed informally fell short as she became upset with the rest of the girls not handling the task in the same way she would. Working together at Izu Mito Sea Paradise, Dia tried her best to make small-talk and play around, becoming increasingly frustrated as the others took this to mean she was angry or upset with something. Finally, Mari and Kanan told the others what was going on, explaining how Dia, despite her cold exterior, gets lonely easily. When a class of kindergartners at the aquarium ran amok, Dia took control of the situation by being authoritative but not as harsh as usual. At the end of the day, Aqours gathered. Chika told Dia that it was best if she acted like herself, and how they all appreciate her for who she is. Dia accepted this, and was delighted to finally be addressed with the preferred honorific.
05	"Taking in A Dog" (犬を拾う。, "Inu o Hirou.")
In episode 5, Aqours had to cut their practice short due to the rain. Yoshiko was offered a ride with the others but said no as she lived nearby. The group gathered at Chika’s house to decide on a theme for their performance in the Love Live! regionals. Despite Chika saying Shiitake definitely had taken a liking to Riko, her attempts to overcome her fear for the dog were without success. While the girls were discussing trying new things for this performance, they noticed Yoshiko had gone home early without warning. When Riko set out on a mission to return Yoshiko’s phone to its rightful owner, she was introduced to the dog Yoshiko had found and decided to take in. As Yoshiko’s living situation does not allow her to have pets at home, Riko hesitantly agreed to bring the dog back to her house. Riko’s fear of dogs initially having held her back, she eventually warmed up to the animal enough to hurry home after practice to be able to spend time with it. This made Yoshiko feel jealous enough to come over to Riko’s house in order to take the dog back. The two started arguing about its name, and were interrupted by Riko’s mother showing them the dog on a missing pet poster. After being forced to return the dog, Riko and Yoshiko’s spirits were crushed. Desperate to find a reason to have it back, Yoshiko suggested that the dog might not have been the missing one after all. Although Riko did not quite believe this, she followed Yoshiko to the owner’s house. Riko almost gave up and went home when her mother texted her asking when she would be coming home, but came back for Yoshiko’s sake to keep her company in waiting for the dog to come out. Yoshiko explained how finding the dog had restored her belief in fate and chance encounters when she was having doubts. When the dog proved to really be the one that was missing Riko tried to cheer her up by saying she believed in destiny, too. On her way home, Riko stopped by Chika’s house, this time having better luck with Shiitake. To a surprised Chika she explained how she did not think anything happens by chance, and how people’s feelings bring them together.
06	"Aqours WAVE" (Aqours WAVE, "Aqours WAVE" )
In episode 6, the venue for the Love Live! regional preliminaries was revealed to be the same as during the last Love Live!. During practice, everyone was happy to discover Aqours on a list of groups most likely to make the national competition. Before they had time to finish celebrating, the less good news that success in the regionals would rely heavily on the number of students in the school hit them. Chika’s brought the question of what made Aqours special up at practice, prompting Mari to introduce a move the third years had failed to pull of when they created Aqours to the rest of the group, much to Kanan’s dismay. Despite Kanan’s warnings that it would be the most difficult for the center, Chika said she would be able to do it. As Chika was struggling to learn the move, everyone became increasingly more worried that she was pushing herself too far. After almost a week of endless trying and failing, she agreed to Kanan’s demand that she give up if she could not do it come next morning. Determined to make it work, Chika spent the night on the beach practicing. Despite Riko, You and the first years coming to cheer her on, she failed and felt that she had not accomplished anything. Riko and You reminded her that she had forgotten to thank herself for how far they had come already. As Chika was getting ready to try the move one last time the third years showed up, and the episode concluded with Chika perfectly landing the move during the performance of MIRACLE WAVE at the Love Live! regional preliminaries.
07	"The Time Left" (残された時間, "Nokosareta Jikan")
In episode 7, Aqours was announced to be one of the groups in the Love Live! finals. The video of their performance had been doing well, the only problem was that the number of applicants for the school was not rising as hoped. Calling in another favor from Mari’s father, the girls managed to get an extension until 5 AM the next morning. Chika initially was eager to do anything she could to help make the number rise, but was talked out of it by the rest of the girls. By 1 AM, there still were only 87 applications. Becoming more and more desperate and restless, they sent out the first years to buy something to eat. They were still six applicants short by the final hour, and Riko, Chika, You and Kanan screamed out their frustration outside. Everyone was on edge waiting for the last two applications to drop in during the last minute. Finally, the application page shut down. The next day, Mari announced the news to the rest of the school. Aqours initially tried to ignore what had happened and commence practice as usual, but stopped when Chika started crying. They decided to call it a day and take some time to think about whether they still wanted to partake in the Love Live!. Sora mo Kokoro mo Hareru kara was performed as an insert song while everyone took to their respective houses to consider what to do next. Meeting up the next morning, the nine girls agreed that they would never manage to shine as school idols when they had not succeeded in saving their school. At this moment, the rest of the student body showed up saying that they would like for their school to be remembered through Aqours, and convinced the girls not to end their journey yet.
08	"HAKODATE" (HAKODATE, "HAKODATE" )
In episode 8, Aqours were invited to Hakodate to attend the Hokkaido Love Live! preliminaries as guests. Before the competition, they visited Saint Snow in their dressing room. Chika accepted Sarah’s challenge to bring their best to the Love Live! finals, but Ruby noticed that something seemed to be the matter with Leah. During Saint Snow’s performance, they made a mistake in the choreography and fell on stage, which ended up costing them their spot in the finals. When Aqours went back to their dressing room, they had already left. The Uchiura girls went sightseeing in Hakodate, and ended up at the restaurant where Sarah and Leah worked. At dinner the sisters’ fight about Leah wanting to disband Saint Snow resurfaced. In contrast to the other Aqours members, Ruby seemed to understand Leah’s feelings, saying she probably was afraid being a school idol would not be worth it without her sister.
09	"Awaken the power" (Awaken the power, "Awaken the power" )
In episode 9, the first years told the rest of Aqours they would be staying behind for a while, neglecting to mention the actual reason they were doing so. On the plane ride home, Dia was having trouble making her peace with the idea of not having Ruby with her. Back in Uchiura, Chika told the others how she suspected the first years might be working on something of their own. The next day, Mari recieved an email from Ruby. Ruby and Leah finally revealed their secret to their sisters, and the rest of Aqours were acting mysteriously about also showing up in Hakodate. At the event, Saint Aqours Snow performed Awaken the power.
10	"Finding a Way to Shine" (シャイニーを探して, "Shainii o Sagashite")
In episode 10, Aqours got a visit from Saint Snow to help them practice. After Aqours switched their kimono for more appropriate practice wear, they were pushed hard by Sarah and Leah. The guests were surprised to find out the students of Uranohoshi had failed to save their school from the merger, but were quick to show their support. Mari recieved a phone call from her parents offering her the position as director at the new school. Due to already having plans for next year she turned the offer down, making everyone aware of their limited time left together. The second years reflected on their future at a new school without the third years after seeing Sarah and Leah off. The third years gathered the rest of Aqours for a late night drive to find shooting stars. Arriving at a plateau, the rain still had not stopped. Just as the girls wished to be together forever in spite of this, promising to work on making the sky visible, the episode concluded with the clouds clearing up to reveal a night sky full of shooting stars.
11	"Uranohoshi Girls' High School" (浦の星女学院, "Uranohoshi Jogakuin")
In episode 11, Aqours and the rest of the students of Uranohoshi Girls’ High School were preparing for the School Closing Festival set for the next day. Chika, You and Riko set up an arch at the entrance, Mari set up a stand to serve an improved version of her Stewshine dish, and it turned out Yoshimi, Itsuki and Mutsu were the ones to suggest holding the festival. Preparations continued, with Hanamaru and Yoshiko working together, Ruby making costumes and Dia putting aside her student council duties to focus on the event. Everything was going smoothly until Shiitake turned up at school, setting everyone back by destroying some of the decorations. To give students more time to finish preparations, Mari arranged for transport home with the help of her family. The next day at the festival, everyone’s hard work paid off. Chika walked around school seeing Kanan and You’s underwater showcase, Ruby and Dia’s Love Live! Quiz, Yoshiko, Hanamaru and Riko’s fortune telling stand, as well as her older sisters’ serving grilled mikan. At the end of the day, Yoshimi, Itsuki and Mutsu showed an impressive balloon display. After the festival, the students all gathered around a bonfire. Mari spoke about how much the school had meant to her, and ended up voicing her regret about not being able to save it through tears. The student body cheered her up by showing their support for Aqours through a chant, and finally they all sang together.
12	"Sea of Light" (光の海, "Hikari no Umi")
In episode 12, the members of Aqours met up at school, and set off toward the Love Live! Final in Tokyo. Arriving in Tokyo, the girls headed to Kanda Shrine, where they prayed for good fortune in the competition and realized many other school idols had done the same. Before leaving, they met Saint Snow, and Sarah asked Chika if they wanted to win the Love Live!. Back at the inn, they started a pillow fight to take their thoughts off of the upcoming performance. Chika, You and Riko decided that come tomorrow they would all go their separate ways before meeting up at the venue. In the morning, Chika asked the other members of Aqours if they wanted to win the Love Live!. After going on their respective excursions, the second years ended up where it all started: in front of UTX High School. Finally, all nine girls ran toward the concert as a group, and did one final Aqours chant together before performing WATER BLUE NEW WORLD at the Love Live!.
13	"Our Own Radiance" (私たちの輝き, "Watashitachi no Kagayaki")
In episode 13, the day had finally come for the combined graduation and school closing ceremony. Before heading to school, Riko introduced her new dog, Prelude, to Chika, who in turn showed Shiitake’s new puppies. Dia was surprised to find out Mari had arranged for the students to paint farewell messages on the school walls, and the student body arrived at the ceremony splattered with paint. Mari handed out diplomas to the graduating students, and Dia held a speech as student council president. To conclude the ceremony, Aqours announced their Love Live! victory, and Aozora Jumping Heart was used as an insert song. Afterwards, Aqours and the other students went around the school to close doors and finish saying their goodbyes, to each other and to the school. You and Riko were in the music room, Yoshiko, Hanamaru and Ruby in their classroom, Kanan and Dia in Mari’s office giving her her diploma, and Chika closed the door to the club room. Finally, Chika was about to break down in tears as she was closing the school gates, but received help from her friends. Some time later, Chika went to the school auditorium and found Aqours, including the third years who had come back to sing together one last time. For their last performance, Aqours sang WONDERFUL STORIES.

Etymology

• The name Riko means "pear" (梨) (ri) and "child" (子) (ko).
• Riko's surname Sakurauchi means "cherry blossom" (桜) (sakura) and "inside, within" (内) (uchi).

Trivia

General

• Riko fulfills the cool attribute of the Aqours second years.
• Riko wore pigtails as a child, as seen in Season 1 Episode 2, the HAPPY PARTY TRAIN PV and the beginning of Love Live! Sunshine!! The School Idol Movie Over The Rainbow, during the flashback scene.
• In real life, Riko's home is based on an apartment next to Yasudaya Ryokan. There is actually a road between the two buildings which had their distance shortened in the anime.
• Unlike the other members of Aqours, Riko wears a slightly longer skirt in her school uniform.
• Riko's favourite phrase is "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly: what is essential is invisible to the eye." It is a sentence from The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery.

Media-specific (Anime, Manga, Novels)

• In Season 2 Episode 5, Yoshiko calls her Lili/Lily/Riri as mentioned in the Dengeki G's November 2016 prose story. Her little demon name Lili/Lily (or Riri due to phonetic change) is named after "Lilith", a character in Jewish mythology and is often envisioned as a dangerous demon of the night. Riri is also the double pronunciation of the first syllable of her first name.

Gallery

Please refer to this character's Image Gallery.