Hallo guys, vadengs and YKPers! I already have a one-month con break and that is why I acquired a new phone, yet again, but screw it! Anyways, the Yona's Rankings segment finally makes a reboot and rise comeback for the first time in four years, and this time we're gonna an appreciation about the seiyuu and singer Yoshino Nanjo, who celebrates her 41st birthday this year!
A kirakilala birthday to Nanjo-san and what a way to celebrate it with our top five characters voiced by her!
5. Eli Ayase (Love Live!)
One of Nanjo's iconic characters, Elicchi puts on a show that she can slay the stage as an idol. And yeah, who isn't? Also I may not know much about Love Live!, but it's cool to see that she's still loved by many fans even if there are generations come and go (yep that includes Aquors, but still) and has the same charm all these years ago. Also her iconic "Harasho!" is still iconic!
4. Yoko Sorano (Princession Orchestra)
Minamo's mom is such a sweet person and I like how she inherits cooking skills to her daughter. It's a strange occurrence, but it maybe is something to do with work aka being a teacher at a confectionary school (and Nanjo's hectic sked irl). Nevertheless, I'd like to see more of her in the future episodes though, and up on something that will affect Minamo/Princess Ripple in the process.
3. Miwa Kurushima (Bartender: Glass of Gods)
The heiress to the Hotel Cardinal but also an office lady, Miwa doesn't seem to use her influence in her own empire and yet she still manages to persuade Ryo Sasaki (voiced by Takuma Terashima in the reboot version) by competing the bartending contest. She knows and believes in the dude's skills as if she sees a world-class bartender (but he really is) and from what I saw in that version, these two are getting along and formed a genuine relationship that's wholesome, something that's mostly common in the seinen genre.
2. Shirabe Tsukuyomi (Senki Zesshou Symphogear)
Technically my first ever anime show that introduced me to Nanjo-san, Shirabe has been through a lot! From being one of the experimental orphans used in war and being Finé's inheritor, which literally shocked me the most in my entire watching of Symphogear, to being the other half of the Zababa Duo. This gal isn't just ever underestimated because I do like her relationship with Kiri-chan and that made me so squeal, and yeah I ship them so much!
That aside, her relationship with Bikki and co is very cute and nice too and they're treating her like their little sister, and this is why they're not just her comrades, they're her family. And that's something really special about Shirabe and her entire existence. Also, her songs are a huge banger! Too many to mention, but I've gotta say I adore this cutie so much in any way.
I hope Shirabe have a wonderful life and maybe we can see her again in the movie very soon.
1. Purirun/Cure Zukyoon (You and Idol Pretty Cure)
Oh man, where do I start? Ah yeah, that cute little gremlin that is Purirun! She's everything. No I mean, I like her both as a fairy and a Cure, no questions intended. When I heard her voice in the baton pass message at the end of Wonderful Pretty Cure!'s finale episode, I was so excited! And when I saw Nanjo-san's name on the headlines then I was so overjoyed that she'd be in another iconic show like Pretty Cure!
I love Purirun for being silly as heck and brave at the same time. Her bond with Uta Sakura aka Cure Idol (voiced by Misato Matsuoka) is one of the wholesome things I've seen in the current season because they're so cute together and I love their friendship so much, but I was so terribly gutted when her memories had been lost due to the effects of the Heart Kirari Lock, making our kirakilala idol fill with sadness and despair until a certain miracle happened. But we'll get to that in a moment.
As Zukyoon however, she singlehandedly got me the moment I saw her for the first time when she and Meroron aka Cure Kiss (voiced by Miharu Hanai) got into action for the first time to defeat and purify Cutty in his monster form and rescue Idol and the others. Speaking of Kiss, that snarky fairy herself makes things very complicated even before and after became a Cure, moreso takes a hostile on Uta-chin and co and only wants Purirun to be by her side. But I still wonder what's the thing she sacrifices, only time will tell.
Well time for the miracle moment finally, but holy moly! Purirun becoming a monster was something unexpected, but also a shocking bombshell to me because she's the first midseason hero to do so! Then Uta-chin, untransformed, tried to get her beloved friend and family back into her senses by singing "Smiles in Unison." Try and try again despite the desperate hindrance until the two are singing together, not only our silly but brave gremlin broke free from the KirakiLight Kurayaminda, but also restored her Kirarun Ribbon to its original state and memories. Damn it who cut the onions?!
Anyways, I can't wait to see more of Zukyoon, especially the movie with the Hirogaru Sky and the Wonderful Pretty Cures will come out this September, and yeah, idol activities and fights till the season ends of course.
Who's your favorite character from Nanjo-san? Let us know here or on our socials.
