Favorite Anime Characters

Ami Mizuno/Sailor Mercury
(Sailor Moon)

The very first anime character I identified with as a child was Ami Mizuno (Sailor Mercury) from Sailor Moon. I was always known as the intelligent one in the family, who studied a lot and got good grades. I always struggled with living up to people's ridiculously high expectations of me. Ami showed me that there's more to life than studying, and that your grades don't define who you are as a person. You can be yourself and enjoy other things while still doing your best in school/work.

I've always found Ami to be a very complex character, with much more going on under the surface than the other Sailor Senshi. Still waters that run deep!

Shizuku Tsukishima
(Whisper of the Heart)

I've identified with Shizuku from the moment I watched Whisper of the Heart for the first time. Reading books is a lifelong passion of mine, and I've been writing stories since I was 15. I've also struggled with self-confidence and perfectionism, and have always strived to improve in whatever I do. Perfection is an impossible ideal, but it can be approached and reached out for - the secret is to do your best and be satisfied with that. And there's always an opportunity to improve your craft!

Misa Hayase
(Macross)

Misa is an example of the kind of person I want to be: strong and confident, but at the same time sensitive and compassionate. Someone who can easily balance personal desires and responsibility, and can thrive independently without having to depend on others. The kind of person that improves with love, and lets it enrich their life without letting it be the only thing that defines them.

I'd like to think I've reached a similar point in my life as Misa. I have a career, and can support myself, and spend my time doing things I enjoy. And though I'm not in a relationship (yet!), I feel like whether it does happen or not, I'll be fine emotionally. I think it's important to be your own person, first and foremost, and if a relationship happens, what you bring to it should make it better!