The Struggle of the Shiniest | Who is Ohara Mari?

In celebration of her birthday, today we're talking about one of the most central characters to the story of Love Live! Sunshine!! as well as the sequel film Over the Rainbow: Ohara Mari! Fans of the series see Mari as that upbeat, meme spouting ball of positivity that everyone seems to love, but what I feel is a bit undersold is just how central to the series, its themes and the development and understanding of its characters she actually is. The frivolity of a school idol, of wasting one’s youth doing nothing but having fun with others that you love that is one of the foundations of Love Live’s story lies at the core of Mari’s struggle, because for her who had so many expectations placed upon her, she found freedom in this world that she was introduced to by her friends. Arguably hers is a story of tragedy and reconnecting that lies beneath that bright surface, and in order to understand anything about Aqours or even Love Live! Sunshine!! itself, I feel it is vital to understand who she is and what her struggle poses to the world of Love Live! So on the birthday of Uranohoshi’s chairwoman and the ninth member of Aqours, let’s celebrate that girl whose life was forever changed by the wings of freedom that are school idols.
This is Ohara Mari, the girl who struggled against all odds to show her shine to the world.
Blog form:
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Tracklist:
海の音を探して-Love Live! Sunshine!! OST
嫌いにならなきゃ-Love Live! Sunshine!! OST
alba-JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 5: Golden Wind OST
pace-JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 5: Golden Wind OST
FRIENDSHIP-Love Live! Sunshine!! OST
素直になれなくて-Love Live! Sunshine!! OST
legame-JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 5: Golden Wind OST
School Idol wa Kudaranaku nanka Nai!-Love Live! Sunshine!! The School Idol Movie: Over The Rainbow OST
Ima, Watashitachi ni Dekiru Koto-Love Live! Sunshine!! The School Idol Movie: Over The Rainbow OST
My Way On My Own-Love Live! Sunshine!! The School Idol Movie: Over The Rainbow OST
ありがとう、そしてサヨナラ-Love Live! Sunshine!! Second Season OST
Aqours - Next SPARKLING!! (ISOKAN Remix): • Aqours - Next SPARKLIN...
#小原鞠莉生誕祭2020 #LoveLive #MariOhara
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DISCLAIMER
Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

[@WatTheWut]

The text version of this video is available on my website: wtwhivemind.com/the-struggle-of-the-shiniest-who-is-ohara-mari/ Let me know what y'all think of the video and let me know who or what you would want to see me cover next!

[@obits3]

“I care about you. Don’t take that lightly!” This is honestly one her best lines. Gets me every time.

[@stariibear4690]

I read this as “I don’t care about you.” 😭

[@weeabooclub4312]

Nobody: Absolutely no one: WattheWut: *sobs over idols for 20 minutes*

[@Nyabot-mh2zi]

I mean, all of us did that after BokuHika qvq

[@Akiro258]

😅

[@squidlover7615]

Im guilty as well

[@Carrybear.]

*Me who sobbed for almost an hour after the next sparking online viewing* I’m guilty

[@gdelusiveplayz3609]

Mmh... I hate to admit but I too am guilty

[@smugqing5164]

It's CELEBRATION TIME

[@theguyfromtsukihime3898]

Come on Its a celebration 🎺🎺🎺🎺

[@phantomslay5612]

Happy birthday! Shine on!

[@jonhummel4341]

Happy Birthday, Mari-san.

[@onigiriisamusicweeb9408]

Happy bday Mari, shiny~ x3

[@Akiro258]

I know I’m late but happy birthday

[@IncogChrome]

Nobody: Literal no one: Me: *continues to cry half way through the video*

[@Akiro258]

Same here

[@Silverstorm173]

Same

[@rebeccapaiottidasilva4054]

Same bro, why do these videos always make me cry so much

[@VigilanteLulu]

The only animated character who could outdo Tamatoa from Moana in the SHINY department!

[@sandy-pb5vt]

i love that leni pfp

[@connerrolofson1585]

Mari terrible at english, Tamatoa better than her

[@acesavvycr8117]

XD

[@themysteriousmista4922]

@@connerrolofson1585 incorrect! It's a part of her shine.

[@FallenGhoul]

Another beautiful video in this series. Mari has always been a character who’s story I feel is constantly overshadowed by her meme value. She is eccentric, outgoing and rich but more than anything Mari is intense. Growing up the daughter of the Ohara’s Mari would have been just another rich girl working for her future but she had something else. It was Kanan Matsuura and Dia Kurosawa who pulled her away from the Ohara plan. They showed Mari a world unlike any other she had seen where she had a say in the matter. And through the years of their friendship Mari grew confidence and the chance to break out of the Ohara she was. She learned how to stand her ground and choose her own dreams. When she started high school she had no plans to be a school idol but it was the determination here friends had that made her love it even more than them. And it was that determination that made her want to keep trying instead of leaving for a better future abroad. When Mari left, she never stopped trying to save her school. She spent all her years in high school convincing her father to keep the school open, even to the point of becoming the chairwoman and sacrificing her future. Because above everything, Mari Ohara is the school’s center. She was always the light that gave this school a chance to shine. Yet when it matter most her light couldn’t save them. She wasn’t enough to pull Ura back into the spotlight. And with one final thank you Mari broke down in front of the school she loved and did nothing more than apologize. Despite how much she shines on her own, Mari shines brighter with the friends she loves. And it was through this love that Miss Ohara Mari became the girl who would challenge her mother’s wishes and prove that her actions and her experiences were not a waste. Mari embodies the idea that regrets, failures, and pain are just as important as moments of success and happiness. She may have lost everything she cared for but her light never stopped shining and with her friends by her side Mari created a miracle. And that’s why she’s just as important to Aqours as Chika is.

[@tamaralewis9258]

Yea parents want the best for their kids because they want them to have a better future. But what if their child wants to follow the path that they choose?? What if they want to be the person of their own and figure out who they are??? What if the pressure and expectations is too much for their child's sake??? What if you can't go through life without experiencing pain and failure??? Mari ohara has that answer. So when mari decided to be a rebel, she wasn't rebellious because its "oh forget my family" and stuff. Shes rebellious because dia and kanan showed her friendship and freedom and that mari can follow her own independent path. She was able to let her mother know that her actions and her experiences weren't a mistake. Meaning that when she tells her this is the path I'm choosing, the mom should find the strength to let her do it and learn for herself. That's where the release comes.

[@starietiger9927]

These videos always make me want to cry... They always give me a whole new look at these girls, a new look I never expect to see, for I am not the analytical one.. and I come to appreciate these 32 girls (not just Muse and Aqours) even more... I always look forward to these videos. They're always so well done, and I can always feel the passion for each girl. I say that a lot, but it's true. Never stop being awesome dude. And keep trying to make me cry with these beautiful videos!😆😭

[@Akiro258]

It’s honestly the same for me...

[@Friendly_Neigborhood_Astolfo]

I am not the analytical type either

[@gyroball6883]

What a warm-hearted video on why Mari is such a delightful character. To add my two cents on love live as a whole, I think one of the selling point of the series are the characters being straightforward. Most, if not all, of the main cast are so sincere that when they have something on their mind, they will express it from the bottom of their heart. Hell, there's not even a single scene I remember where there's an internal monologue, a trope that can be used to hide true feelings of a character. It shows that a character speaking out what they truly feel only matters in the series.

[@jonhummel4341]

Happy Birthday Mari-chan. Thank you for making this. Mari is my favorite character across the Love Live franchise. I really appreciate the close look into the "Shiny!" Mari Ohara. I'll admit it brought a tear to my eye to watch this. Again, thank you, WatTheWut. Great work as always. Failure is only bad if we don't learn and grow from it, otherwise, it's just a stepping stone to success. Mari didn't fail with the outcome she received. She shone so radiantly with the rest of Aqours and made memories that she can cherish forever and she certainly inspires me to "Ganbaruby!" each day.

[@Akiro258]

Bruh I was bawling 😭

[@connerrolofson1585]

She terrible at English

[@yeastarly4268]

You too? W

[@ryanthomas5874]

I burnt my cinnamon rolls because I wanted to finish this video first

[@AD_RC]

man you ok? you almost cried at least 5 times

[@NerdKirby]

God, you always make these in such an amazing way. This is why Mari Ohara is my favorite from Aqours. She's key to the whole point of the series and an amazing example of growing from absolute failure.

[@x_amia_x]

Thank you so much for this video. I hope that this serves to show people that Ohara Mari is more than the loud meme girl. She’s such a determined soul and I’m so proud to call her my best girl

[@peytonlutz1]

This is a beautiful video, just like all of the other ones you have made. I feel like many people will be inspired by this just like your Chika video. Thank you for making this.

[@KaLa1865_]

I’m so upset that I missed her bday. But I can always appreciate your videos for these girls. And here, thank you for talking about Mari and her importance in the show and the group. People say that she’s annoying but really, that’s just her character. A beautiful, optimistic foreigner who loves her friends so much that she’d defy her own future and her family. She would throw away her easy way out to stay with her friends and her carefree and rambunctious personality hides that. I love Mari so so much and I’m glad you showed how important she is. She’s much more than the 9th member and a rich girl. She’s someone that Aqours would not be without and an amazing friend 💜💜💜💜💜

[@prettybomberhead6947]

Thanks for making this video! I've always waited for this. This is gonna be long but please bear with me i have to let some emotions out because people outside LL community would hardly understand this. When LLSS season 1 aired, i've always wondered why i'm drawn to her character. Then i realized in her character is a reflection of myself. Wasted my opportunities so i can be with my best friends-yes, quick to reject help and rather do things on my own-yes, struggling with regret and failure after failure- yes, people deciding and thinking they know what's best for me- yes. Freedom from my parents' decisions-yes and lastly hiding my struggles behind a goofy personality to avoid troubling others- big yes. But there's this one thing that connected me with Mari that makes me cry until now i think of it. 2 years before LLSS, me and someone close to me got into an argument. When episode 7 aired, had to pause and cry for about half an hour because these words were similar to what we argued about 2 years before sunshine: "I don't care about my future right now, i just want to be here with you'' ''studying abroad? My parents forced me to, and i don't care about any of that at all''. I wondered why do i have so much connection to a girl who doesn't even exist. For me, Mari is not just a best girl or something like that, she was like a link to know myself more, to know my strengths, weaknesses, dreams and passion. In short, Mari had made me a much better person today compared yesterday. Love Live Sunshine and Aqours is an irreplaceable treasure for me. Sorry too long, too much emotions XD Appreciate your videos, keep it up!

[@ShiorikoDesu]

I have never seen Mari like this. Now, knowing so much about her... she definitely deserves title of best Aqours girl. She has done so much to earn that title for people to turn a blind eye. #BestGirlMariOhara

[@linnylinlinlin]

Thanks for making this vid about our beautiful SHINY queen! I’m gonna try and persuade my brother to watch bc he keeps saying he doesn’t like her (I know he does). Looking forward to more LL vids and others in general!

[@landofillusions-gensokyo5360]

Why he doesnt like her?.... i love Mari because she's quite like me... solving the problem on my own way... but im glad Mari have her real friends who wants to help her.... she's so independent....

[@Kyarochefort]

I have to admit, I played SIF before watching Sunshine and had troubles understanding Mari. She was my 9th Aqours girl. And now that I finally know her through the anime, she's my favorite Love Live girl. (It might change with Ai since she is a close second and her anime is not here yet though !) Underneath her excentric nature and positive/funny side hides a girl who faced a lot of hardships. A friend jokingly calls her 'Shiny Depression' but it's not that far off. She is joyful, bubbly and hopeful, but when she starts to crack, her heart and her true emotions take over. And I love her so very much. She might be my favorite anime character of all time as of now. Thank you Mari, for being the Shiny symbol of hope that I needed.

[@landofillusions-gensokyo5360]

Same here im a sif player first beforeni watch the LL series i even selected Chika 1st because shes a soft ball player like me.... based on her sif Info.... but then when i watched LL i really fall hard to Mari.... lots of people are actually like her.... She is cheerful she is one of the Happy virus of aqours... but when theres a problem she prefers solving it by herself... which is proves that shes independent.... but she s so lucky to have friends like Kanan and Dia who is willibg to listen to her problem and solve it with her.... shes so freaking unlike any other people thats why i look up to her story and 3rd year story.... they are a great inspiration for people like her that you dont need to close your heart but open it to people who wants to help you

[@MikeNishikino]

absolutely phenomenal once again! 💜👏🏻

[@kalther_w]

Finally, a video about my second favorite character. After I finished the series I didn't realized it, but after one or two rewatches, I started crying way more than the first time. Love Live, the more you know, the more tissues you'll need. Awesome video as always, now I have something to rewatch until I can go out. Who's next? Well, I'd say Chika the Normal Monster 2, ooooor a Kanan or Riko video. Well, anyone will be great, I'll watch it like 100 times even if you spend 30 mins talking about Honoka's father

[@BlueverseProject]

Dia is the best! Cute!

[@beomkaslana]

Mari is my second best girl, and i love this vid already ^^ I love how you analyzing these girls

[@penelopebeatrice1142]

You know who I want to see a vedio like this about her Ruby and rina these two have a very interesting characters and they have two faces Ruby Shy but has a strong leader inside of her Rina anxious but has alot of ideas and emotions inside of her

[@aprfinancing481]

I would love to see some prequel stories for Honoka and Kotori, and The Aqours' seniors. There was obviously a lot of weight those bonds held even before we saw them in the anime that would be a real treat to see get developed further in a prequel story. It would make the series feel just that much more complete for me.

[@banan1212]

SHINY

[@Akiro258]

I love the video and making a video on Mari Ohara makes me happy. I like the way you edit the videos you made my day and thank you.

[@TokyoMewMewGurl94]

I knew it was a good decision to put off watching this until everyone else went to bed. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go cuddle my cat and cry for the next hour or so

[@angelchan9218]

Have been waiting for this video!Shinyy!

[@Glitchyz]

I’m waiting for the Nozomi Tojo one. She is so much more than the “Washi Washi” girl

[@squidlover7615]

Best anime of all time. Great vid on it

[@AJ1703]

Damn its your videos that make me always look at the characters I watched in any series in a different way. Like everything in this video is flawless, you manage to connect well with others. Even though I'm late, Im still happy to say Belated Happy Birthday Mari!

[@ananteolas]

I always rewatch the whole series everytime I watch this kind of video

[@lewisfields2299]

Such a nice video! I would love to see a video about Dia if there hasn't been one yet!

[@IoriMinaseKana]

I would love to see your story to the two that I love from Aqours Dia and Ruby. Those two I just love there love for each other and the bond they have for each other and how Ruby grow up like Dia said in the anime when she help out Leah from Stain Snow.

[@Squip_]

I love Mari so much thanks for making this video ;w;

[@SuperKittenLvr6626]

Can’t go a episode without Mari saying "SHINYEEEEE”

[@heretic_engineer391]

Fitting that the central theme to the American girl is Freedom

[@Sailor-Saturn]

What the hell last night before I went to bed and thought about your channel, and today you upload a video! Amazing video, had me sobbing at min 5 I don't how you do it

[@rei337]

3:39 "Saying it's Mio but it's actually Mugi" I made the same mistake too so i understand v_v

[@Juanka888]

All I can say is Happy Birthday Mari! and great video dude!

[@newlifejapan]

Love your videos on Love! Live!!

[@SticklysKingdom]

I hope you'll do an analysis on Hanamaru sometime. I want to like her more because Kinchan is a queen but I feel like her character was written really poorly after season 1

[@Texaboose]

Agree. Zuramaru is a delight in Season 1; a selfless, shy girl, with a great voice, and would rather hide away in the library that be onstage, but is willing to at least try to be an idol to support her friend. With a rapier wit, but also having extreme innocence to the ways of the world. In Season 2, she's just an just a meme for eating and tacking Zura onto everything.

[@nesswhopees]

THE JOJO MUSIC OMG

[@culturedcrazygirl]

*cries in shiney*

[@kiratta384]

Mari is my worst girl (Yes, I know. Best girl is Nozomi and worst girl is Mari), but I've never hated any Love Live character. The closest I've gotten to hating a character was probably Eli. Now she's tied with Kotori and Honoka at 3rd best girl. It seems impossible to hate any Love Live! character. Every Love Live! character has something bad about them and good about them. Especially the seiyuus. If you hate a seiyuu, then you're heartless af. Mari may not be my favorite, but I definitely will never hate her. Happy extremely belated birthday Mari!

[@leanderlopez7652]

Imagine this guy as your high school English teacher.

[@Silverstorm173]

These kinds of videos hurt my heart but does feel good makes it soar to

[@keter783]

Okay, so this is a bit of a stretch, but hear me out. I think she heard the "rumor" of Uranohoshi having a new school idol group from Dia. She couldn't have heard it from her father, he would never have heard about a feeble attempt to start up an idol group of all things. She wouldn't have heard about it on the internet, it's heavily implied that her main and only friends were Kanan and Dia. That leaves just those two. It sounds as if Kanan cut off all contact, and she wouldn't have mentioned it. Dia, on the other hand, doesn't seem like she did completely or possibly reported (being student council president) to her father who mentioned it to Mari because he knew she had been one and would find it interesting. Ep 3 shows that they didn't keep up well at all, but it wouldn't surprise me if Dia had mentioned it to her while talking about the school. Dia just wouldn't have expected Mari to come storming back at that news and thus her surprise in Ep. 3. Mari specifically says that "It's sad if you're forever getting in their way," Meaning she knew Dia was stonewalling them. It seems she knows too much information and it's proven later that Dia was secretly supporting and doing things to help Aqours out. Maybe I'm crazy and grasping at the craziest straws, but I don't really see where else she would have heard it from. Sorry for the length of this mess.

[@chelseathechipette]

I love Mari, she is my best Aqours girl

[@Akiro258]

Happy birthday to Mari Ohara and I love the video wtw.

[@gamegirl7183]

Please do Ruby next!

[@certifiedmonsterfucker]

These videos make me question who is my best girl

[@jethalalkhurana6190]

Wow you told good about me. Thanks.. My bf is RN.... He likes me and I likes him very much

[@the_grayguy6128]

here we go again😭

[@ethxreql._5721]

Please do ruby or hanamaru next!!

[@zaozao48]

Your video made me cry. So have a "like"

[@isabelvianna2362]

Im early, yay

[@zuriruchan9706]

Happy birthday Mari!! ✨✨

[@anasarteazy]

I'm still not ready for the feel... So I put my comments 1st and will watch later😢

[@Yubi_Yubi]

Happy Birthday, Mari Darling

[@allyrally-chan2884]

SHINY!

[@DEEZ_N4T]

Episode 9 still gives me the feels man also episode 8

[@GrumpySylveon]

Damn, I gotta get into this series. Where should I start?

[@WatTheWut]

I have a video that serves as a perfect guide to the series if you wanna check it out :^] It's called "The Complete Guide To Love Live"

[@BrightRF]

and here I am crying in my room at 3am..

[@cospr0sun]

If you made me cry with all of your Love Live Sunshine videos until now, I can’t imagine what will happen if you’ll make one about Dia aka my best girl and my favorite character ever-

[@Huh-exploosion]

Happy birthday to mari

[@mobiusprime462]

Great video :)

[@poehlerity]

cried a few seconds into the video im not ok

[@islaonvocaloid7618]

3:39 Is it me or did he say Mio instead of Mugi?

[@WatTheWut]

Shhhhhhhhh

[@terzax9]

Shiny time

[@phantomslay5612]

I may be alone on this, but I always took Mari's side way more in the argument between her and Kanan. I know it was meant to be a two sided thing to make you feel bad for everyone, but I could never see it as Mari being in the wrong. She was lied to and turned away for years of her life, just when she'd found something she truly loved and was passionate about. And then, when one imperfection or mistake happens, the rest of her friends turn her away and give up on the dream? That feels really cheap and just plain rude. Mari only wanted to go back to that life! You didn't need to lie to her all that time and complicate things more!

[@kotarouushiromiya1902]

You are not wrong, Kanan was just like Mari's mother on the realiscally perspective. However what I realy think that made her take that decision, was the feeling that she was allways draguing Mari along with her since she was a child. Mari Refused proposals to study abroad, and created conflicts on her family because of her, so she felt responsible. And the image of Mari's injured ankle just reinforced that feeling, culminating on her decision on that stage. Mari failed to convey that she was fine with that, and to Kanan's eyes she was just being ingenuous. All of this could be prevented had they been sincere with each other from the start, wich is exactly the point of their arc.

[@phantomslay5612]

@@kotarouushiromiya1902 I guess so, but I still feel really bad for Mari. And lying to her was not your best solution, Kanan.

[@tenyaan]

THANK YOU finally someone who understands me! I really didn't like Kanan at first because of that and also because she just cut all ties with Mari after basically guilting her into going abroad, she could just have been honest with her? Or at least stay her friend? Kanan is lucky that Mari has such a pure heart

[@phantomslay5612]

@@tenyaan I wouldn't say I hate Kanan or even dislike her. I just thought she made a really bad decision, considering how many other ones she could've made.

[@tenyaan]

@@phantomslay5612 I don't dislike her now, I feel like she redeemed herself but at the start of season one I was really angry and how mean she was, in game she's such a sweetheart tho

[@JikanOni]

How is it that every video related to LoveLive makes me cry?! It's ridiculous!

[@srolaguer]

Mari Ohara is best girl.

[@yeastarly4268]

W

[@insomniogamers5722]

MARI BEST WAIFU

[@ArchdukeJake]

She’s a joestar, and there are so many theories to prove it

[@kittywitch1771]

It’s a jokeeee

[@connerrolofson1585]

NO ENGLISH MAKI

[@squidlover7615]

SHINYYYYYYYYYYY

[@yanzsifasjp2512]

My best forever Watanabe you :v

[@connerrolofson1585]

Why does no one care about the seaside town that the Aqours live in

[@bekyuu]

My bestest girl TT - Tt

[@monkeydgeminis]

I need kurosawa Dia

[@massi_t1]

best waifu uwuwuwuw

[@yoshizorarimi1890]

From what anime is the blond girl at the right? 3:40

[@overkill1340]

I'm only a month late, but that's Eri Sawachika from School Rumble.

[@hawke123]

You accidentally mixed up Mugi and Mio from K-on.

[@WatTheWut]

Shhhhhhhhh

[@blxckcxt66]

hey, where is the maki video? ;( i was expecting a lot in march/april, but there is only a you video. U dont like her? 😢

[@olivia7_]

are you okay?

[@WatTheWut]

Are you

[@authorbhattacharjee4957]

Haven't watched love live. But have read a shit ton of its doujinshis

[@EnjoyGengar]

I'm pretty sure i watched this anime for 1 episode. Then droped it. Because its not my cup of tea.

[@isabelvianna2362]

Sad

[@medicfdumbo]

Good video but to be honest I find it REALLY hard to like Mari. Something about her bruh

[@tjtoolman5200]

uh...gay?

[@Feyyedits_11]

Mari is not real😭😭. Why this fuckin god didnt make anime girls real life.... If she was real I would marry her... I am her boyfriend

[@Yusei5ds0707]

Her seiyuu is real.

[@yusukeurameshi5877]

Can you like actually shut up about the dancing singing girls pls

[@WatTheWut]

tsundere dot

[@kittywitch1771]

@Yusuke Urameshi rude much- You don’t have to watch y’know Because YOU’RE A JOKEEE

[@Rarestein]

There are plenty of channels with different content. Just watch those instead.

[@nomi7743]

no