I hadn’t actually thought of the first years being unable to keep up thing being a possibly good idea beyond the first three episodes but you do make a good point about the Hokkaido episode. What bugs me about the Kanon Natsumi recruitment is that if Kinako had recruited her, thematically it could’ve been really awesome. Even in the event of Kanon being the recruiter, if they’d stuck to her and not insinuated that Kinako would be the one to do it, it might have also worked just not as well. The fact Kinako was insinuated but Kanon was the recruiter shot both potential options in the foot. Given how thematically relevant and realistic Kinako’s episode 1-3 situation was, I’d argue she’s had some of the highest levels of potential in the entire series. The execution was simply a disaster, and it’s a shame really. I may honestly reference or even link this video in my own video about Kinako whenever I do that sometime in the future!
The skill gap plot was a pretty interesting concept at first because it's both realistic and hasn't really been done before since previous groups knew each other for a similar amount of time, and if it stopped at Episode 6 and it was developed better it would have been nice to seem them overcome that challenge. Continuing to point out how the first years don't measure up after that, especially right after passing a qualifier round when any group worth their salt would have long resolved that issue, not only makes Liella's victories feel cheap, especially juxtaposed with Sunshine's theme of one's best not always being good enough, but also feels mean and cliquey. The first-years never felt properly integrated into the OG 5's overall friend group, and I felt bad for them because the audience was already pre-conditioned to see them as second-tier characters and the narrative itself only reinforced that.
when u suggested kanon actually leaving and setting up kinako to replace her i audibly GASPED it made so much sense!! her learning to take over the reigns, acting as a bridge for both 1st and 2nd gen, being kanon's ren's AND chiisato's successor at the same time.... big brains....
Why do all my fav girls fall into the background 1. Shizuku (although the first movie implies she’s gonna play a major role, THANK GOD) 2. Hanamaru 3. Kinako
Note Shizuku was basically forgotten in season 1. She did get some more relevance in season 2, but even then she was more or less a background character with just some more relevance I still won’t get over the gay furry fanfic she wrote though
After the airing of season 2, Kinako was probably my least favorite out of the new characters, possibly because of the issues you mentioned, which is a shame. Now they have grown to become one of my favorites on that group, Kinako is just very charming, relatable and also interesting to me, so I really hope some more can be done with her next season.
I hadn’t actually thought of the first years being unable to keep up thing being a possibly good idea beyond the first three episodes but you do make a good point about the Hokkaido episode. What bugs me about the Kanon Natsumi recruitment is that if Kinako had recruited her, thematically it could’ve been really awesome. Even in the event of Kanon being the recruiter, if they’d stuck to her and not insinuated that Kinako would be the one to do it, it might have also worked just not as well. The fact Kinako was insinuated but Kanon was the recruiter shot both potential options in the foot. Given how thematically relevant and realistic Kinako’s episode 1-3 situation was, I’d argue she’s had some of the highest levels of potential in the entire series. The execution was simply a disaster, and it’s a shame really. I may honestly reference or even link this video in my own video about Kinako whenever I do that sometime in the future!
The skill gap plot was a pretty interesting concept at first because it's both realistic and hasn't really been done before since previous groups knew each other for a similar amount of time, and if it stopped at Episode 6 and it was developed better it would have been nice to seem them overcome that challenge. Continuing to point out how the first years don't measure up after that, especially right after passing a qualifier round when any group worth their salt would have long resolved that issue, not only makes Liella's victories feel cheap, especially juxtaposed with Sunshine's theme of one's best not always being good enough, but also feels mean and cliquey. The first-years never felt properly integrated into the OG 5's overall friend group, and I felt bad for them because the audience was already pre-conditioned to see them as second-tier characters and the narrative itself only reinforced that.
Yeah, that would have made a really fun episode/arc!
Let's hope she gets more of the limelight so she doesn't get forgotten so easily
when u suggested kanon actually leaving and setting up kinako to replace her i audibly GASPED it made so much sense!! her learning to take over the reigns, acting as a bridge for both 1st and 2nd gen, being kanon's ren's AND chiisato's successor at the same time.... big brains....
I seem to have a thing for wasted characters in Superstar cause my top 2 are Ren and Kinako. I'm praying they'll become more relevent in season 3...
Why do all my fav girls fall into the background
1. Shizuku (although the first movie implies she’s gonna play a major role, THANK GOD)
2. Hanamaru
3. Kinako
Note
Shizuku was basically forgotten in season 1. She did get some more relevance in season 2, but even then she was more or less a background character with just some more relevance
I still won’t get over the gay furry fanfic she wrote though
Nah, her potential was realized in my playthrough of Love Live Season 2. Should have raised your social stats more in the early game.
1:16 I... don’t know what was going through her mind at the time.
Yeah pretty much
After the airing of season 2, Kinako was probably my least favorite out of the new characters, possibly because of the issues you mentioned, which is a shame. Now they have grown to become one of my favorites on that group, Kinako is just very charming, relatable and also interesting to me, so I really hope some more can be done with her next season.