About “Love Live!” in a few words:

Love Live! is a Japanese multimedia project that started with a rhythm game for mobile devices in 2013. The project also includes an anime series, music CDs, and live concerts. The anime follows high school girls who form an idol group called μ’s (pronounced “muse”) or Aqours, to save their school from being shut down. They face challenges such as rival groups, personal issues, and stage fright while pursuing their dream of becoming top idols.

Meet the characters from Love Live!

Honoka Kousaka

Oh man, Honoka is pure, bubbling chaos in the best way — like a human confetti cannon. She’s cheerful, impossibly optimistic, and somehow drags everyone into her plans whether they want to be dragged or not (they usually do). Leader energy but also the kind of person who will forget where she put her homework and then invent a whole new plan to find it, involving snacks and a flash mob. She’s stubbornly devoted to her friends and to the idea of idols, and yes she definitely has a weird sock collection (no one asked but it’s there).

Umi Sonoda

Umi is the low-key core of self-discipline, kind of like if a zen master took voice lessons and started handing out rulebooks. She’s shy and serious but not boring — intense, thoughtful, and secretly dramatic about poetry and lyrics (she writes a lot, like, all the time). She’ll lecture you on proper warm-ups and also stare into the distance like she’s about to recite an epic, which is adorable and slightly intimidating. Oh and she claims to hate spicy food but will somehow eat a whole curry at midnight if the mood hits.

Kotori Minami

Kotori is soft-spoken chaos wrapped in chiffon and cute accessories; fashion genius, behind-the-scenes miracle worker, and also terrifyingly good with a sewing machine. She’s the warm, calming planner who will solve your costume crisis with scissors in one hand and a cupcake in the other (she definitely carries safety pins like a tiny hero). Very gentle but sometimes indecisive — like she’ll spend an hour choosing a ribbon and then make everyone cry with how perfect it turned out. Also suspiciously fond of wearing bird motifs when she means to be subtle.

Maki Nishikino

Maki is the classic tsundere pianist with a thunderbolt of talent and a face that says “I’ll sulk until you compliment my composition.” She’s brilliant and prickly — cold on the outside, soft on the inside, and will judge your taste in music with a raised eyebrow and a hidden smile. Loves classical vibes but will secretly binge pop songs while eating sweets (she says she doesn’t, but the crumbs betray her). Also the “I don’t care” energy that 100% cares, like a cat who insists it’s fine but sits on your sheet music.

Rin Hoshizora

Rin is a sparkplug with short hair and endless energy; picture a very enthusiastic cat-human who will sprint to your house for karaoke at 2 a.m. She’s sporty, impulsive, and adorable in a way that makes you forgive her for stealing your hoodie and then bringing you pudding as an apology. Sometimes she’s weirdly profound (or at least tries to be), and sometimes she’s just yelling about snacks — both on brand. Also has a habit of doing cartwheels for no reason, which is simultaneously impressive and mildly terrifying.

Hanayo Koizumi

Hanayo is the shy, cinnamon-roll idol-obsessed nerd who loves idols so much she might actually become one through sheer willpower and rice. She’s gentle, kind, and melts into a puddle of happiness when things go right (or when someone mentions rice — yes, rice). Surprisingly stubborn about practicing and learning, like a quiet force of nature who will silently outwork you and then apologize for it. She claims she’s not very good with crowds but will fangirl so hard you’re like, “Who even is this tiny powerhouse?”

Nico Yazawa

Nico is delightfully extra and dramatic — she will announce “Nico Nico Nii” into the void and expect it to echo back in applause. She’s a whole persona: theatrical, confident, and painfully proud (sometimes suspiciously so), but also has secret soft spots that she fiercely protects. She says she’s the center, the perfect idol, and will probably write mission statements about how perfect she is — but beware, she’s also capable of real teamwork and actually cares a lot. Occasionally forgets lines for dramatic effect? Maybe. Definitely owns at least three stage outfits with sequins.

Chika Takami

Chika is sunshine in human form — bigger, louder, and with more glitter than a craft store at closing time. She’s relentlessly optimistic, forever scheming to gather people into a group hug or a new idol project, and very bad at subtlety (which is comedic gold). She’s inspiring in the “drag-you-into-hope” way and also inexplicably obsessed with learning dance moves from YouTube at 3 a.m. Honest admission: she probably has a diary filled with lists titled “Things I’ll definitely do tomorrow” and half of them are stickers.

Riko Sakurauchi

Riko has the calm, sophisticated vibe of someone who drinks tea and writes perfectly neat sheet music at midnight, but she’s also secretly an angsty rom-com protagonist sometimes. She’s thoughtful, musical, and a little reserved, the kind of person who notices small details and then writes a song about them (and it will be beautiful and slightly embarrassing). Has an adorable tendency to get flustered over compliments and to cook something that ends up slightly burnt but still heartfelt. Also claims she doesn’t like scary movies but once screamed louder than anyone — very human.

You Watanabe

You is energetic and reliable in this “I will catch you if you fall” way, like the sporty best friend who also moonlights as a motivational speaker. She’s athletic, loves the sea (sailor motifs, yes), and somehow manages to be both a little reckless and perfectly dependable at the same time. She gives pep talks mid-rehearsal and will suggest improvisational drills that somehow work, and she has this habit of falling asleep anywhere (except when she needs to be awake). Also, she probably owns at least one baseball cap that she wears dramatically.

Dia Kurosawa

Dia is the regal, no-nonsense queen of standards who will critique your posture and your choice of snack with equal authority. She’s disciplined, proud of tradition, and very protective of her group, but secretly has a soft, ridiculous love for cheesy musicals that she denies to everyone (especially herself). She can be blunt and serious and also the kind of person who cries during rehearsals for reasons she won’t explain — she’ll just fix her hair and continue. Occasionally fangirls over something tiny (like matching stationery) and then acts like she meant to all along.