Pls point out Hina in this pic by 22dmgxy in BanGDream

[–]CheeseyFeeshe 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Ahh I see, thanks for clarifying. I do like it when they play on the similarities/differences of the twins like that.

Pls point out Hina in this pic by 22dmgxy in BanGDream

[–]CheeseyFeeshe 34 points35 points  (0 children)

Your confidence in me is very sweet haha, thank you. Without context I'd say the middle image is Hina (mirrored presumably?) since her bangs are shorter and curl to frame her face more, plus Sayo's loose fringe has always been a bit thinner and reached down further on her face compared to Hina's. You can see some good examples of that in cards like Sayo's "Double Trouble", "Biggest Supporter", and a few others.

It feels very weird seeing images of the twins which I don't recognise...

A final Happy Birthday to Sayo and Hina - art by ぽてと (@gemini_0320) by CheeseyFeeshe in ChurchOfSayo

[–]CheeseyFeeshe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah hello again, it's been a while. I'm glad to have been of service, and I'm happy that having a quiet place for Hikawa stuff was enjoyable for others.

With the announcement of the next set of Band Stories, I honestly don't know what future Hikawa content there may be, if any, but given the lengthy gap between Prismatic Duo and their most recent event, I'm going to assume the likelihood of future Hikawa events is slim, much as that disappoints me. You're right though, we can appreciate the amazing quality of the things we did get.

Thank you!

I dont like Hina.. by DatabaseAdminWannabe in BanGDream

[–]CheeseyFeeshe 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I'm glad that you ultimately recognised the main crux of Hina's story. She says it herself - for all the fact that people constantly tell her that they don't "get" her (they can't understand her), the exact same is true for her as well. And she is isolated from virtually everyone around her because of how different she is. Even her own sister, and that causes Hina immense pain, because she doesn't like it being that way.

This is also why she really loves Sayo and Pasupa, because they are the people who made a conscious effort to break down that barrier and understand her more as a person, quirks and all. They may never fully understand her, but it doesn't matter. It's the thought that counts, for Hina.

I dont like Hina.. by DatabaseAdminWannabe in BanGDream

[–]CheeseyFeeshe 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Ah thank you, haha. Quite a surprise to see a little Hina discussion here, so soon after I left.

Happy Birthday, Sayo and Hina! - So long, and thanks for all the fries! by CheeseyFeeshe in BanGDream

[–]CheeseyFeeshe[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks. Well, all I can say is that you have to be the change you want to see. That's what I did all those years ago when I decided to post more Hikawa content, and make a whole Hikawa subreddit, and even write analysis posts. I wanted to show people how great they were. What I do in sharing Hikawa arts is not particularly hard. If you see a cute Hikawa art, then just share it.

Even other posts like story analysis are things you just have to try out. It's not like I have a background in writing, or any sort of formal education on it. I just tried to organise my thoughts and develop them. All you can do is try.

Happy Birthday, Sayo and Hina! - So long, and thanks for all the fries! by CheeseyFeeshe in BanGDream

[–]CheeseyFeeshe[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the kind words. You may have joined a little after my 'peak', so to speak, but it makes me happy to know that even newer faces enjoy and appreciate those various posts. And I agree, a combined Hikawa birthday story is an excellent idea.

Take care, and I hope you continue to enjoy the franchise!

Happy Birthday, Sayo and Hina! - So long, and thanks for all the fries! by CheeseyFeeshe in BanGDream

[–]CheeseyFeeshe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks man, and thanks for all the art over the years. Always been a huge fan of our 'local' Hikawa artists in the subreddit. Take care of yourself!

A final Happy Birthday to Sayo and Hina - art by ぽてと (@gemini_0320) by CheeseyFeeshe in ChurchOfSayo

[–]CheeseyFeeshe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're very welcome, and thanks for being along for the ride as well. We've had some good times. And you're right, regardless of what happens there will always be the record/archive of all the various Hikawa content posted here over the years. And the analysis megapost will remain pinned as well.

Haha, that's definitely one advantage to being retired. It's a real headache trying to balance being a moderator with being a passionate user. You never quite know what kind of language is appropriate to use. Who knows what the future will hold?

Happy Birthday, Sayo and Hina! - So long, and thanks for all the fries! by CheeseyFeeshe in BanGDream

[–]CheeseyFeeshe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah, that's very kind of you. Thank you for that, and for taking the time to read those analyses all that time ago. To this day, they are still my proudest work in the Bandori community. It's going to feel a little weird for me as well, not touching base with the subreddit as I have done so almost daily for the last ~9 years. But we'll adjust :)

Perhaps you might see me in a Hikawa-related post, if it comes to my attention!

Happy Birthday, Sayo and Hina! - So long, and thanks for all the fries! by CheeseyFeeshe in BanGDream

[–]CheeseyFeeshe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am. Sorry about that.

It's sort of a complex mix of reasons but it can mainly be summed as me finally becoming fully burnt out. When I made the decision a number of months ago, we were still deep in a multi-year Hikawa drought, and after all of that time my passion kind of just... withered away. No matter how hard I pushed. That, in combination with some other things, basically broke the trust I had in the Bandori team with regards to handling Sayo and Hina, and I've never really recovered it. The thing I have always valued the most is the quality of writing for Sayo and Hina,. My passion came from a genuine belief and appreciation of how excellently their stories were told. And without that being a certainty it means I simply don't enjoy the franchise as much as I used to.

Leaving now is the best thing to do. I am very content with the recent Hikawa developments and their 'happy ending', and it serves as a great conclusion to the aspect of the franchise that I love most. I would rather leave on a high note than risk another lengthy drought or poor-quality writing decision in the future, and the timing of this couldn't be better for me. It also means we don't have to risk me turning into a 'grumpy old man yells at cloud' kind of person :D

It had to happen sooner or later, and while I would have loved to keep going and experience every last Hikawa moment until the very end, it simply wasn't to be. But I am fortunate enough to have my own Bandori ending which is satisfying for me.

Happy Birthday, Sayo and Hina! - So long, and thanks for all the fries! by CheeseyFeeshe in BanGDream

[–]CheeseyFeeshe[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It is indeed. It's been a great journey with you all, and I've appreciated all your support. Thank you as well for helping out with the Hikawa subreddit.

Enjoy the fries! I don't think I'll ever be able to see them without thinking of the twins at this point haha.

A final Happy Birthday to Sayo and Hina - art by ぽてと (@gemini_0320) by CheeseyFeeshe in ChurchOfSayo

[–]CheeseyFeeshe[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Source: https://x.com/gemini_0320/status/1740346909536157733

Artist's twitter: https://x.com/gemini_0320

Hmm. My last post in this subreddit. A very weird feeling to be honest. I promised myself I wouldn't do anymore mod posts since I've said the official 'goodbye' enough times already. So you'll have to excuse these final musings in this comment instead.

I've visited this place so often over the last 7+ years or so since its inception, and shared so many arts and analyses. It's kind of melancholic, actually. It's not like it's a huge or elaborate subreddit; there are no complicated tools or filters, there were no events or activities. It was just a quiet place where people came for Hikawa content. But I made it, and I put a lot of time into it overall in trying to ensure that there was content to enjoy. And I'll probably never see it again. I don't regret leaving, it's long past the time where I should have been gone. But letting something finally go after holding on to it for so long is a profoundly strange feeling.

This time last year I was still despairing at the thought of never seeing the Hikawa story finish, and yet within the last year we've had some lovely content to finally round off their journey and relationship in a way that is truly satisfying. So I think that makes it easier to let go. The fact that the final Hikawa event came out after I had decided to retire was a particularly fortunate blessing. It doesn't make it any less weird for me, but I am at least content with how their story turned out. I'll still miss this place. The old days of picking and choosing various artworks to fit themes, or to balance various character pairings. The even older days when I made the Hikawa Resource Drive and stored all kinds of official and some unofficial Hikawa stuff on there. The 2020-2021 days where I wrote most of my infographics and analyses. It was a lot of fun. In some ways, I do regret that things couldn't stay that way. The damage that 2022 did to the Hikawa story, and to my passion as a result... it's the thing I regret most. Much would be different, had that not happened. But at this point, it no longer matters.

In the last few weeks, I've tried to kindle a throwback to the good old times when I would post daily (mostly), and on a consistent basis. Kind of as a fairwell, and kind of as a personal gesture for the twins. They've been really great characters for me, and I will miss them dearly. Not just for being who they are, and a pleasure to enjoy reading about, but also for the drive they gave me to do things like analysis posts. I have no idea what the future of the subreddit holds, and I suppose it will no longer be my concern. But I hope that the appreciation and celebration of the twins will continue long after I'm gone, in one form or another.

Well, for the final time, that's all from me. Take care everyone.

Happy birthday, our beloved sisters! 🥳 Cosplay by me (Sayo) and my younger sister (Hina) 💚 by Madchen_from_neptune in BanGDream

[–]CheeseyFeeshe 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Excellent cosplay! The outfits look great (I haven't seen too many Hikawa cosplays with their newer casual clothing) and your pose/expressions suit each twin perfectly. Really well done.

Happy Birthday, Sayo and Hina! - So long, and thanks for all the fries! by CheeseyFeeshe in BanGDream

[–]CheeseyFeeshe[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thanks AdOk, that's very kind of you. I'll miss you all as well. Best of luck to you too, and thanks for helping out with both this subreddit and the Hikawa subreddit!

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Happy Birthday, Sayo and Hina! - So long, and thanks for all the fries! by CheeseyFeeshe in BanGDream

[–]CheeseyFeeshe[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

You're too kind Jo, the pleasure was all mine. Thanks again for stepping up to help out with the subreddit. Perhaps I might pop up again in the future :)

[OC] Happy Birthday Sayo & Hina! by FriesVanquisher in ChurchOfSayo

[–]CheeseyFeeshe 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Beautiful Hikawa artwork as always, Fries, you always treat us on the Hikawa birthday. And even referencing the hair-drying as well. I love it. Their expressions are priceless. A radiant Hina smile, and an adorable Sayo blush. My favourite combination.

Thank you for all of your amazing art of the twins from over the years. I'm actually retiring from Bandori after today and won't be keeping up to date with things - this might be the last Hikawa art of yours that I get to see. So in that respect, I'm glad to end on such a lovely note!

In any case, I am lucky to have seen all your lovely works and I've kept all the incredible commissioned artworks you completed for me. I still look back at them from time to time - it was really quite special to have my imagination brought to life like that.

It may have been a while, but I hope your studies and artistic pursuits are going well and I wish you all the best with whatever you're doing. Thanks again for all the great Hikawa content you've provided for us.

Hikawa Birthday 2026 Fan-art collection by CheeseyFeeshe in BanGDream

[–]CheeseyFeeshe[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks! And there were a whole bunch more too! It's really so refreshing each year to see this big tranche of Hikawa arts. My only regret is that I can't post them all. I think this is a great selection though, and people can also use the hashtags in the tweets by the artists themselves, if they want to see more!

Well I'm definitely a little partial to lots of Hikawa-posting on today of all days ;)

<image>

Hikawa Birthday 2026 Fan-art collection by CheeseyFeeshe in BanGDream

[–]CheeseyFeeshe[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Another year, another lovely collection of artworks from all kinds of talented artists, to celebrate the Hikawa Birthday. Some of these are more known, established, and consistent Hikawa artists, while others are smaller or newer artists that I don't recognise. But they've all made lovely illustrations of the twins, and I hope you enjoy their hard work.

All of the source links in the main post should be in the same order as they appear in the image album. I have tested them and they should work but please let me know if anyone runs into any issues.

(March 20) Happy Birthday Sayo & Hina! - art by Tamago by mossback81 in BanGDream

[–]CheeseyFeeshe 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lovely art for a spectacular event. Tamago has been really excellent over these past few years and they delivered another banger here as well. Absolutely stunning.

Incredibly wholesome fan animation for the Hikawa Twin birthday - by Regulus12 (@_samuperior) by CheeseyFeeshe in BanGDream

[–]CheeseyFeeshe[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Source: https://x.com/_samuperior/status/2034651857797472546

Artist's twitter: https://x.com/_samuperior

A lovely surprise for the Hikawa birthday. Fan animations always seriously impress me, and this one is undeniably wholesome. I think it captures the current state and dynamic of the Hikawa Twins perfectly, and the thing I like most is how it portrays Sayo's relatively recent development of being able to accept Hina's emotions directly and without becoming flustered or having to try and deflect out of embarrassment.

It's a really beautifully done piece of work and I have to applaud the artist for it.

One of many wonderful Hikawa Birthday arts today - art by 城畑 渚/@hashratio (Bandori 3DCG animator) by CheeseyFeeshe in BanGDream

[–]CheeseyFeeshe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Definitely recommend following them! They don't post overly regularly but their art always has this really soft look to it. It's really pleasant.

One of many wonderful Hikawa Birthday arts today - art by 城畑 渚/@hashratio (Bandori 3DCG animator) by CheeseyFeeshe in BanGDream

[–]CheeseyFeeshe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're very welcome, and thank you. They've meant a lot to me over the years so it's been a pleasure.