On July 4th a select group of press outlets were allowed to spend a bit of time with three of Aqours' members. One member from the first, second, and third years was present at the press conference. Representing each respective year was Kanako Takatsuki, voice of Hanamaru Kunikida, Anju Inami, voice of Chika Takami, and Aina Suzuki, voice of Mari Ohara. Read on to see some of their thoughts about Los Angeles, Anime Expo, and more!

Questions were effectively limited to one per outlet and screened ahead of time. Photo by Roger Lee.

Q: How do you keep your smiles so bright all the time?

Inami: I think the secret is to have fun when we're performing and acting. When I'm having fun I'm confident that it'll spread to all of you as well!

Q: Love Live! Sunshine!! may have ended but Aqours is still going strong. How do you feel you've evolved as both performers and people since the conclusion of the series?

Takatsuki: Our characters have always led us as a group. I hope from now on we (as the people behind the voice) will be the ones taking the lead in going overseas and performing all over Japan. We'd love to go to other countries as well!

Q: Do you have a favorite memory from working on the movie (Love Live! Sunshine!! The School Idol Movie: Over the Rainbow) or something that made you smile during the work on the movie?

Suzuki: Recording took place over a total of three days. The first day was for the first and second years and the third years joined in on day two. The first and second years had already created a fun atmosphere and when the story gets to Italy, thanks to the fun atmosphere already in place, the third years drag the others around to make things even crazier and more fun. We had lots of fun.

(In the movie the third years go missing while on a trip and the first and second years go to find them)

Q: As Aqours' leader you have a unique viewpoint from the other members. What would you say has been your greatest challenge and how have you overcome it?

Inami: Aqours biggest challenge has always been finding our own original path. It was hard and challenging to find our own "shine." Eventually, Aqours was able to hold each others' hands and "jump over the rainbow" towards a brighter future.

Q: The fans are excited to see you perform at Anime Expo again. Do you have a memorable experience from any of the previous visits to Los Angeles?

Takatsuki: The first time I came to LA was when we premiered the first episode of the first season of the anime. That was actually the first time any of us had seen the entire episode. That was really fun to watch and see everyone's reactions in-person.

Q: What part of your characters inspires you the most?

Suzuki: I play Mari and she's very bright, cheerful, energetic, and most importantly super shiny. She always gives me power and energy whenever I play her. She also taught me how to be kinder and nicer to others.

Inami: I play Chika and she's very honest and curious about everything. She knows exactly what she wants and is very determined. I was inspired by her character and I can even see the world through her eyes and her facial expressions have taught me so many important things. I'm always inspired by her.

Takatsuki: As for Hanamaru, people started telling me that Hanamaru and I resemble each other. We have a lot of things in common but I think people say we're alike because both of us are one step behind everyone observing and watching the others.

Q: This will be the third year in a row performing at Anime Expo. As regular visitors to Los Angeles what is your favorite thing about coming to Los Angeles and Anime Expo in general?

Suzuki: Coming to Anime Expo was the first time I had ever traveled to Los Angeles. We were even luckier to have a solo concert last year. My impression of people in Los Angeles is that everyone is nice, warm, and welcoming. During last year's concert when we performed "Yuuki wa doko ni? Kimi no Mune ni!" we were surprised when everyone gave us a nine-color rainbow as a gift. It was completely unexpected and we were deeply touched. We were excited to come back to Los Angeles so we could see everyone once more.

Q: What is your favorite song to perform and why?

Inami: Overall I love all the songs. This might not be the best time of year to perform it but my favorite is "Jingle Bells ga Tomaranai." It's always fun to sing and perform this song.

Takatsuki: I think mine is "Aozora Jumping Heart." It's such an energetic song and we can really hype up the crowd. The first years have a part where we go "HUU" and the audience also goes "HUU." It's really fun to do the cheer with everyone.

Suzuki: Mine is "Thrilling One-way." It's such an energetic song and we can hype up the crowd together. It's really exciting from beginning to end.

Q: In your own words could each of you tell me the most endearing quality of the year your character is in?

Suzuki: I'm Mari, a third-year. We're the seniors at the school. We're in the position of watching over all the other students.

Inami: Chika is a second year and the second years are the ones who started Aqours. In episode 3 there's a part where we hold each others' hands and I feel that the second years have always shown the warmth and feelings towards Aqours the most. One of the best things the second years have is trust and teamwork.

Takatsuki: For the first years we're overall the most energetic, like little kids, but that doesn't mean we can't read the atmosphere. Even if a scene is serious we help break the ice. That's what we do best.

Q: Recently the Love Live! series celebrated its ninth anniversary which is a milestone for both the franchise and fans around the world. What is your opinion on the future and legacy of the Love Live! series?

Inami: The Love Live! series is a story achieved by everyone working together. That's the theme of the whole series. With the power of u's and everyone, including the fans, I feel like we succeeded in creating and cherishing this series. I'd like to keep that tradition alive and continue delivering that message (of working together).

Q: You've performed both in Japan and overseas. Is there a different impression you get from fans in Japan and abroad?

Takatsuki: The reaction is definitely bigger overseas. I think Japanese people are shy in general so they build up the hype gradually towards the end. When we perform here everyone is at 100% from the beginning. I would like to see even more different reactions so hopefully we can visit other countries and perform there too.

And that was the end of the questions. It's surprising how fast a half-hour can fly by when you're in the presence of greatness. It's sad we didn't have more time but even the few minutes we did have was a great opportunity to learn a little more about Aqours. One thing I did note is that the girls love it when people use Japanese and had big reactions to even simple words like "hajimemashite" (good to meet you) and "kawaii" (cute). So, if you ever get the chance to meet them in person, say a few words even if that's all you know. You'll be sure to put a smile on their faces.

Looking for more Love Live at Anime Expo coverage? Click here for our coverage from the two-day Aqours concert series!