TV-Series
Description
Hanon Hōshō is a central figure in her narrative, serving as the Mermaid Princess of the South Atlantic Ocean and the keeper of the aquamarine pearl. Her journey to the human world began not out of curiosity but from necessity, as she fled the destruction of her underwater kingdom by sea demons. Upon arriving on land, she takes on a human form to blend in, a transformation that significantly alters her appearance. As a human, her naturally long, wavy, light blue hair becomes shorter and darker, shifting to a deep azure, while her aqua blue mermaid eyes turn a gentle brown. She typically adorns her hair with an X-shaped barrette. In contrast, her true mermaid form features long, flowing blue hair held by star-shaped ornaments, with aqua eyes and a darker blue tail.
In terms of personality, Hanon is characterized by a vibrant and friendly nature, though she is far more complex than her cheerful demeanor might suggest. She is a self-proclaimed expert on matters of the heart, possessing extensive knowledge about love and relationships, which she frequently shares with her friends. This interest in romance is matched by a passion for fashion, makeup, and shopping. However, her expertise often falters when applied to her own life, as she can become hot-headed, stubborn, and easily jealous when her own romantic feelings are involved. While she can seem mature and worldly, particularly regarding love, she is also a fun-loving and somewhat flighty girl who enjoys teasing her companions. Underneath this, she possesses a profound sense of responsibility and resilience, having been reluctantly persuaded by her attendants to flee her kingdom for her own safety.
Her motivations and role within the story are deeply tied to her dual responsibilities as a princess and a friend. Initially believing that loving a human was wrong, her perspective changes completely when she falls for her music teacher, Tarō Mitsuki, whom she affectionately calls Tarō-chan. This first love is a driving force in her early actions, pushing her to be brave and self-sacrificing, even stepping in to protect him from danger. Later, in the second story arc, she develops feelings for a boy named Nagisa Shirai, who finds a musical score left for her by Mitsuki. Her motivation evolves from a focus on her own romantic ideals to a deeper understanding of sacrifice and moving forward, ultimately finding the courage to reciprocate Nagisa's feelings.
Hanon's key relationships are central to her development. Her best friends are Lucia Nanami and Rina Tōin, forming a tight-knit trio of mermaid princesses. With Lucia, she shares a particularly strong bond, having recognized her as a fellow mermaid and become her first friend on land. Her relationship with her first love, Tarō Mitsuki, is an unrequited adoration for her teacher that teaches her about the pain and complexity of love, especially when she learns of his tragic past with another mermaid, Sara. This experience helps her mature and eventually open her heart to Nagisa Shirai, a boy her age whose earnest persistence helps her learn to love in a more grounded and reciprocal way.
Throughout the series, Hanon demonstrates notable development. She begins as a somewhat boy-crazy girl who fled a disaster but matures into a more selfless individual. She shows incredible resilience and willpower, notably standing up to the powerful mermaid Sara to protect Mitsuki, a sacrifice that helps pave the way for Sara's redemption. She also learns to set aside her own feelings when necessary, understanding that her love for Mitsuki must change when he leaves for Germany. While she is dedicated to protecting her friends and fulfilling her duties, some sources note she has been criticized for a passive approach to rebuilding her own destroyed kingdom, remaining on land rather than taking a more active role in its restoration.
As a mermaid princess, Hanon possesses significant abilities. Her primary power lies in her voice. By activating her pearl with the chant Mizuiro Pearl Voice, she transforms into an idol form called the Mizuiro Pearl Voice, also known as the Aqua Pearl Voice. In this form, she uses a microphone-like device called an E-pitch to project her songs as offensive attacks against enemies, using the incantation Love Shower Pitch in the anime. Her signature image songs are Ever Blue and Mizuiro no Senritsu (Sky Blue Melody). Her abilities are enhanced when she receives a more powerful second-level transformation from the sea goddess Aqua Regina, featuring a more elaborate costume and greater power that allows her to defeat stronger foes. Besides combat, a mermaid's song can also purify evil, heal negative emotions, and create protective barriers, and mermaids naturally possess the ability to communicate with sea life and withstand extreme cold in the ocean.
In terms of personality, Hanon is characterized by a vibrant and friendly nature, though she is far more complex than her cheerful demeanor might suggest. She is a self-proclaimed expert on matters of the heart, possessing extensive knowledge about love and relationships, which she frequently shares with her friends. This interest in romance is matched by a passion for fashion, makeup, and shopping. However, her expertise often falters when applied to her own life, as she can become hot-headed, stubborn, and easily jealous when her own romantic feelings are involved. While she can seem mature and worldly, particularly regarding love, she is also a fun-loving and somewhat flighty girl who enjoys teasing her companions. Underneath this, she possesses a profound sense of responsibility and resilience, having been reluctantly persuaded by her attendants to flee her kingdom for her own safety.
Her motivations and role within the story are deeply tied to her dual responsibilities as a princess and a friend. Initially believing that loving a human was wrong, her perspective changes completely when she falls for her music teacher, Tarō Mitsuki, whom she affectionately calls Tarō-chan. This first love is a driving force in her early actions, pushing her to be brave and self-sacrificing, even stepping in to protect him from danger. Later, in the second story arc, she develops feelings for a boy named Nagisa Shirai, who finds a musical score left for her by Mitsuki. Her motivation evolves from a focus on her own romantic ideals to a deeper understanding of sacrifice and moving forward, ultimately finding the courage to reciprocate Nagisa's feelings.
Hanon's key relationships are central to her development. Her best friends are Lucia Nanami and Rina Tōin, forming a tight-knit trio of mermaid princesses. With Lucia, she shares a particularly strong bond, having recognized her as a fellow mermaid and become her first friend on land. Her relationship with her first love, Tarō Mitsuki, is an unrequited adoration for her teacher that teaches her about the pain and complexity of love, especially when she learns of his tragic past with another mermaid, Sara. This experience helps her mature and eventually open her heart to Nagisa Shirai, a boy her age whose earnest persistence helps her learn to love in a more grounded and reciprocal way.
Throughout the series, Hanon demonstrates notable development. She begins as a somewhat boy-crazy girl who fled a disaster but matures into a more selfless individual. She shows incredible resilience and willpower, notably standing up to the powerful mermaid Sara to protect Mitsuki, a sacrifice that helps pave the way for Sara's redemption. She also learns to set aside her own feelings when necessary, understanding that her love for Mitsuki must change when he leaves for Germany. While she is dedicated to protecting her friends and fulfilling her duties, some sources note she has been criticized for a passive approach to rebuilding her own destroyed kingdom, remaining on land rather than taking a more active role in its restoration.
As a mermaid princess, Hanon possesses significant abilities. Her primary power lies in her voice. By activating her pearl with the chant Mizuiro Pearl Voice, she transforms into an idol form called the Mizuiro Pearl Voice, also known as the Aqua Pearl Voice. In this form, she uses a microphone-like device called an E-pitch to project her songs as offensive attacks against enemies, using the incantation Love Shower Pitch in the anime. Her signature image songs are Ever Blue and Mizuiro no Senritsu (Sky Blue Melody). Her abilities are enhanced when she receives a more powerful second-level transformation from the sea goddess Aqua Regina, featuring a more elaborate costume and greater power that allows her to defeat stronger foes. Besides combat, a mermaid's song can also purify evil, heal negative emotions, and create protective barriers, and mermaids naturally possess the ability to communicate with sea life and withstand extreme cold in the ocean.