Akane Hino, known as Cure Sunny, is a 14-year-old second-year at Nanairogaoka Middle School. She shines on the volleyball team, aiming to become its ace attacker. Hailing from Osaka, she speaks with a distinctive Kansai dialect, using "uchi" for herself and expressions like "aka~n" and "uchi no deban ya!". Her family runs "Okonomiyaki Akane," where she often helps, frequently debating secret recipes with her father Daigo. She shares close bonds with her mother Masako and younger brother Genki.

Akane possesses a passionate, tomboyish personality and a strong sense of humor, often making puns and jokes for her classmates. Despite her brash exterior, she harbors a fondness for cute things and shows fierce loyalty to friends. Her tendency to act impulsively is balanced by intense focus on her goals, especially volleyball. This focus initially led her to decline becoming a Pretty Cure. However, witnessing her friend Miyuki Hoshizora (Cure Happy) in danger awakened her protective determination, unlocking her transformation ability with the Smile Pact.

As Cure Sunny, she commands fire-based powers, declaring: "The brilliant sun, hot-blooded power! Cure Sunny!" Her design features orange hair, a feathered tiara, a flame-accented pleated dress, and thigh-high boots. Power-up forms include Tiara Mode (adding a gold crown and earrings), Princess Sunny (lengthened hair and a lighter, rainbow-gradient outfit), and Ultra Cure Sunny (gold accents, feathery cape elements, functional wings).

Akane shares strong bonds with her fellow Pretty Cures. She considers Miyuki a "treasured friend," often winking, playfully teasing her about clumsiness, or physically shielding her in battle. She affectionately nicknames Yayoi Kise (Cure Peace) a "crybaby" while openly praising her artistic talents and enjoying her homemade meals. Her dynamic with Nao Midorikawa (Cure March) involves friendly rivalry rooted in their athleticism, and she respects Reika Aoki (Cure Beauty) for academic excellence. Akane also shows protective instincts towards the fairy Candy, often comforting or patting her head.

In the movie *Eiga Smile Precure: Ehon no Naka wa Minna Chiguhagu!*, Akane enters a picture book world alongside her teammates, guided by a mysterious girl named Niko.

Akane experienced a crush on exchange student Brian Taylor, reacting with visible shyness when teased and sadness upon his departure. Her journey as Cure Sunny reinforced her values of teamwork and trust, moving beyond her initial reluctance to accept help. This evolution is reflected in her growing openness to collaboration in both volleyball and as a Pretty Cure.