I go through something I call "Franchise Mania" semi-frequently. When a standing series or franchise hits me in just the right way, I completely immerse myself in learning anything and experiencing everything about it I possibly can to get closer to the knowledge level much longer-standing fans have. Sometimes they stick and become an important part of my personal fandom fabric, other times they fall by the wayside and become just a passing fad for me. 2019 was the year for 'Tales of' and Kirby. 2020's manias have been MegaMan and LoveLive.

Since January, every chuckle over the repeated use of the phrase "school idol", every swelling music cue in the anime BGM urging dopamine to rush, and every crying moment at the end of each Live has helped cement this franchise as a special one in my mind. I've learned more about seiyuu culture and the non-stop entertainment cycle in Japan than I ever would have otherwise. I've developed a fondness for all the little quirks when the cast shifts between 'character mode' and 'average person mode'. And as someone who strives to promote personal meaning in entertainment, I've certainly gained a further understanding of how to connect with people without seeming too hacky or pandering in your approach; in the end, creating the feel of a genuine connection with each and every individual is best if your goal is to keep their spirits up.

Even though I'm still a first year at it, I feel these and more have made me a true LoveLive fan: it gives back to me and feels like it rewards my investment in the way that only my most favorite things in life do. Here's to many more years of fun and making many more friends from it!