In Japan, Love Live! is a bit of a thing. The series has captured the hearts and minds of countless adoring fans with its charming characters, well-written plot, and refreshingly addictive musical numbers.
When one of the members of μ’s celebrates a birthday, it’s often treated like a real idol’s special day. Love Live! fans from across the globe give their best efforts, as they put forth fan art, cosplay sets, and even baked goods to ring in the celebration.
Among this outpouring of fandom, it’s not uncommon to see a top-tier artist send a friendly “happy birthday!” to his or her favorite character.
Aoi Nishimata is an illustrator and character designer for visual novel studio Navel. Her resume includes fan-favorite titles, like Shuffle! and We Without Wings.
And, it appears that she’s a fan of Umi Sonoda. Earlier today, Nishimata tweeted an illustration of the azure-haired idol, with a friendly birthday message:
3月15日はラブライブ！の大和撫子『園田 海未ちゃん』のお誕生日♪海未ちゃんおめでとう～☆*ヾ(-∀・*)*+☆ラブアローシュートォォォォ！！(●o'∪`o)ノ―♪`*.+ #園田海未生誕祭2015 #園田海未生誕祭 pic.twitter.com/gLwBF7bo1v
— 西又葵(Aoi Nishimata) (@aoi_nishimata) March 14, 2015
Rough Translation: 3/15 is Love Live! Yamato Nadeshiko Umi Sonoda-chan’s birthday ♪ Umi-chan, Congratulations ~ ☆ *ヾ(-∀ · *) * + ☆ Love Arrow SHOOOOOOOOOT!! (●o’∪`o)ノ―♪`*.+ #Sonoda Umi Birthday 2015 #Sonoda Umi Birthday
