Nao Midorikawa (April McCartnery in English adaptations) attends Nanairogaoka Middle School as a second-year student in Class 2-2. As the oldest of six siblings, she frequently assumes caretaking duties during her parents' absences, fostering strong protectiveness and loyalty towards her family; her deepest fear is losing loved ones. She juggles school commitments, sports, and household responsibilities, including cooking for her siblings. She possesses dark green eyes and matching short hair, typically tied in a ponytail secured by a yellow rabbit-ear bow. Her casual outfit consists of an olive quarter-sleeved shirt adorned with badges, olive shorts, orange socks, and black boots featuring red laces. In summer, she switches to a light green ruffled blouse, denim skirt, and brown loafers. Nao's personality blends a fierce sense of justice with straightforwardness and competitiveness, notably as soccer team captain. Despite her courage and determination, she harbors significant fears of insects, ghosts, and heights, often seeking comfort from childhood friend Reika Aoki. She values honesty and displays a no-nonsense attitude, though she can become forceful when situations defy her expectations. She shares a friendly rivalry with Akane Hino due to similar personalities and a close bond with Miyuki Hoshizora, who admires Nao's bravery and family dedication. Transforming into Cure March (Glitter Spring) grants her wind manipulation and super speed. Her transformation initiates with "Pretty Cure! Smile Charge!" using the Smile Pact and Cure Decor. This form brightens and lengthens her hair into a knee-length ponytail with curled pigtails framing her face. Her costume is a light green dress with dark green accents, white feathery sleeves, emerald shorts, and ankle-length boots with pale green leg warmers. A distinctive gold crown-like tiara with a single wing adorns her forehead. Her signature attack, March Shoot (Sparkle Shot), compresses wind energy into a soccer-style ball kicked at enemies. Upgrades include March Shoot Impact (Sparkle Shot Maximum Impact) and the combination attack Fire Shoot with Cure Sunny. Group techniques encompass Rainbow Healing, Rainbow Burst, and Royal Rainbow Burst, employing items like the Miracle Jewel Decor, Princess Candle, and Royal Clock. Transformational upgrades feature Tiara Mode, where her tiara evolves into a jeweled gold crown, and Princess March, achieved with the Green Big Clover Princess Decor, showcasing a lighter ruffled mint dress and rainbow-gradiented ribbons. Nao's journey as Cure March began defending her siblings from an Akanbe by courageously kicking a soccer ball at it, activating her powers. This followed inviting Miyuki to dinner, where their bonding led to confronting the Bad End Kingdom. Her battles highlight core traits: reliability in teamwork, fierce protectiveness, and occasional impulsive mishaps like colliding with walls during early super-speed use. Her name reflects her character: "Midorikawa" combines "green" (緑) and "river" (川), while "Nao" (直) means "straightforward," a quality her father desired. "March" references spring winds and meteorological associations with courage. Trivia notes her original conceptual color as purple instead of green and her status as the only Smile Cure gaining powers in casual attire, not a school uniform. She shares similarities with other green-themed heroic characters like Sailor Jupiter, including athleticism, cooking skills, and boot-style footwear. Her portrayal across media consistently emphasizes familial devotion, evolving combat abilities, and the balance between her bold exterior and hidden vulnerabilities.