This post is my entry for this week's Ladies of Hive Community Contest . And I'll answer the second question... let's get started!

QUESTION:

2️⃣ The Anime and Manga style of entertainment has become very popular in the western world. What Anime or Manga character(s) do you best identify with, and why?

ANSWER:

Before answering this question, I'd like to say something about myself through a poem which I titled, "The Heart Behind the Scene!".

_{Here's a cute little artwork I made for the poem. :)}

Gazing at the sky, I traced its shape
The reason? I just wanted to escape
As the brush flowed in gentle rhythm
A soft hymn soon became my anthem


Not much of a talker; I prefer to listen
Helping people escape their own dark prison
I don't enjoy basking in fame
I’d rather stay quiet, yet play in the game


Not extraordinary; not the main character
Rather, I'm more of the eccentric challenger
Competitive, but careful with effort
I work smart, though I’ll step past my comfort


I may not be the active one who arrives first
But I’m the one who stays; the one you trust
I'm mostly in the background, listening and observing
I try to support; make your world less unnerving


@tegoshei

Now that you know a little bit about me, let me answer the question!

I love watching sports anime the best, so I chose some characters from a few sports anime that I identify with.

Kenma (Haikyuu!)

Just like Kenma, I'm quite introverted. Well, I can be crazy with friends, but whenever I'm in a group, I'm the person who stays in one corner, just listening and observing.

I don't want to be the center of attention, but I try to think about how I could be of most use in certain situations.

In my friend group, I'm often the one people seek for advice or just when they want someone to listen. I want to support them... and just like Kuro said, "Kenma is the backbone, brain and heart of Nekoma.". And I want to be that person for my friends.

Furuya Satoru (Dia no Ace)

Just like Kenma, Furuya is quiet, but he's stubborn. However, the thing I identify with most is his silent competitiveness.

Despite not wanting to stand out, I can be competitive and passionate about something... though it's not that obvious. I hate losing, but I don't want people to notice me. I just want to excel silently in the things I love to do.

If people give out aura just like Furuya in the anime, my competitiveness would be much more obvious... without words, just plain aura.

Onoda and Maki-chan (YowaPeda)

If there's a character who is a combination of Onoda and Maki-chan of Yowamushi Pedal, that would be me. XD

I resonate with Onoda because we share a similar resilience and optimism. We find joy in experiencing simple things with the people we love. I want to introduce the things I'm passionate about to others, and hope that they enjoy it as much as I do.

He's also an otaku who finds joy in watching anime.

As for Maki-chan, we are both eccentric, rhythmic and emotionally expressive. We don't mind being different from others. We appreciate the comfort of being our true selves, regardless of what others may think.

As for being emotionally expressive, we're both not the verbal type. He communicates by climbing and dancing on his bicycle, while I communicate my feelings through poetry and art.

Akane Kashiwazaki || Prince (Run with the Wind)

I can't just NOT mention Prince from Run with the Wind. He's my spirit animal! hahah

He's awkward and whimsical, but also artistic and determined. I may not feel comfortable doing some things, but when I need to, I'll try to give my best... but still complain about it. hahah

Prince brings both color and chaos to his team, and I believe I'm the same. I'm not in a group to lead or to be the star; I'm just in the background, trying to cheer and connect everyone. I'm not the type who is actively there, but you'd still feel my presence.

And Prince is crazy about manga. Among his quotes from the anime is this: "It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say everything important we've learned about life has come from comics."... and by that quote alone, I strongly relate to him!

From the characters I've mentioned, I've only ever drawn Kenma and Maki-chan several times... but after realizing how I resonate with Furuya, Onoda and Prince, I'd love to draw them someday.

The randomness in me led me to quickly sketch the three of them in the middle of creating this post. I couldn't help it. I'll make proper fan art of them soon!

Anyway, I'll end this post here. I talked too much, and I still have to work. XD Thanks for reading, and see you around!