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Rina Tennoji

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Revision as of 04:21, 30 May 2025 by AyTaco (talk | contribs) (Translated some things from her dic pixiv entry and melded them with the original fandom wiki entry)
Spoiler Alert!
This article contains details about plotlines described in the anime.
Do not proceed unless you want to be spoiled.


Rina Tennoji

Kanji天王寺璃奈
RomajiTennouji Rina
DebutSeason 1 Episode 1
Statistics
GenderFemale
BirthdayNovember 13th
Year1st
Height149cm
Blood TypeO
Three SizesB 71, W 52, H 75
Other
Zodiac SignScorpio
Portrayals
Seiyuu Kanji田中ちえ美
Seiyuu RomajiTanaka Chiemi
English DubHayden Daviau
Icon and Signature
IconFile:Rina Icon.png
SignatureFile:Rina Signature.png



Rina Tennoji is a main character in Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club. She is a first-year at Nijigasaki High School. She is a member of QU4RTZ, a unit under Nijigaku. Her image color is paper white, though she is also often represented with gray.

Background

In the ALL STARS story, she was invited to become a school idol by the player character. Along with Ai Miyashita and Ayumu Uehara, she works under Famitsu App.

Personality

Rina is not good at conveying emotions on her face. Because of this, she makes use of the "Rina-chan Board", a sketchbook that she draws her emotions on. Rina is also friends with Mia, who met her in Chapter 22 of ALL STARS.

Despite her flaws, Rina is still trying to change herself by communicating and talking more with her friends. She admires Ai for her confidence and friendliness. Rina gets nervous easily but continues to try her best.

As a school idol, she hopes that people will cheer for her so that she can show everyone her true smile.

Rina has a heavy fondness for animals, and she is definitely a cat person. She often wears cat-ear-themed outfits, has a calico-inspired Exciting Animal[1] costume, and even her loungewear features a big cat illustration printed near the bottom of her shirt. She once rescued a white kitten and named it Hanpen (localized to Fishpuff in the ALL STARS English version).

Clubs and Hobbies

As a student in the Information Science course, Rina is a hardcore tech geek and gamer, and shows a strong interest in science. She excels in both Science and Math but struggles with her Japanese class.

She’s skilled in both hardware and software. Her knowledge of mechanical engineering is far beyond high school level. Her talents include programming apps and devices, editing videos, creating 3D CG, building custom machines, adding functions to them, and even modifying equipment in public facilities.

She wears the "Auto Emotion Convert Rina-chan Board" on stage and other activities that require both hands. She's often seen with gadgets such as a quadcopter or just working on a tablet or laptop.

She’s great with computers and knows all about mobile apps too. On her days off, she watches anime online, binge-watches crafting videos for inspiration, or just games nonstop. She’s always been into games—even before helping with Famitsu App—especially free and mobile games. She’s also tried out VR gaming. A night owl, she often stays up late gaming or watching videos, and struggles with mornings.

She’s best at flashy, action-heavy games and is practically unbeatable in competitive games. On the flip side, she struggles with relaxing games like island-builders, where she doesn’t know what to do.

At home, she has a high-spec custom-built PC and a large monitor set up just for gaming.

Appearance

Rina has semi-long pink hair styled like flat ribbons, giving it a paper-like, bundle-of-strips look. A single ahoge (cowlick) sticks out from the top of her head. She also has a slim figure and amber yellow eyes. She is the shortest Love Live! character so far, being 149cm tall.

She struggles to show emotion through facial expressions, so she communicates using a board she calls the Rina-chan Board, on which she draws “faces” by hand to convey her feelings. When she tries to show emotions on her actual face, it tends to remain blank.

The board she uses can be a single sheet of paper or a sketchbook. Each page shows a different facial expression drawn with a pink marker, each expressing a different emotion. During performances, she uses a special LED mask version of the board.

This LED mask has actually been made in real life and worn by Chiemi Tanaka, Rina's voice actress, during live events. However, the limited visibility makes dancing with it impossible.

The Love Live! series has always featured unique characters, but Rina’s defining trait is that her real face is hidden behind a drawn board—a first for the franchise.

This bold character concept made waves when she was revealed as part of the Nijigasaki's new member announcements. While some idols from other series might hide part of their face, it’s extremely rare for one to conceal their entire face. With this concept, Rina became perhaps the first-ever “masked school idol” in the country.

Her real face was kept hidden for over two years until it was finally revealed in December 2019 in ALL STARS, an event that trended on Twitter.

Other Data

Official Introduction from Website[2]
File:PDP Character Intro - Rina Tennoji.png
I’m Rina Tennoji.

A very cute girl. Really!
But, since I don't like showing emotions on my face, I always give off an antisocial vibe. So I thought up a solution. A secret item for communicating my feelings to everyone.
It’s called the “Rina-chan Board”.
On this board, I’ll draw faces to show what I feel.
Yes, this is perfect. I think I can share my feelings with everyone at live shows with this.
Eh? You want to see my real face?
Well, then, if everyone cheers a lot for me, I’ll show it.
When that happens, I’ll show you the smile of someone who’s trying their best. It’s kind of weird, but I’d be happy if everyone would let me do that.

Official Introduction from Famitsu App Website[3]

Sorry, did I keep you waiting?

Am I ready for the video? Yup, I’m ready to start whenever.

Though, I’m a little curious. About you inviting me to be a school idol. Why did you ask me?

Huh? Was it troublesome? No, nothing like that. If anything, I’m glad.

See? Rina-chan Board: “Smiling ♪”.

I’m so happy that I’m actually super fired up.

Really, I wish I could convey my feelings with my own face, but I’m bad at it, so no matter what, I end up expressionless.

Because of that, I was wondering why you would ask someone like me to be a school idol.

What? You had a gut feeling that I like school idols? That’s why?

A gut feeling... I don’t really get it.

Don’t apologize. It’s not like I feel bad about it. Actually, I think it’s funny.

To put it another way, you have high hopes for me, right? I’m really happy to hear that. No one has ever said anything like that to me.

Now I have a little more self-confidence. Rina-chan Board: “Ahem ♪” Fufu, that’s kind of how I’m feeling right now.

By drawing my face on a board like this, I want to convey my feelings to everyone, and do my best as a school idol.

If I can get along with everyone like this, I’ll be very happy. Because I want to make a lot of friends.

First, I’ll work hard on this introduction video, so you better ready yourself. Rina-chan Board: “Mun!” [TL note: “Mun!” is just a sound effect. If you’re not familiar with Japanese pronunciation, it sounds like “moon”. Probably a grunt of determination.]

Question & Answer Corner[4]

Being frank, how has it been, working with Famitsu App?

Have you gotten used to helping out at Famitsu App?

I think I’m getting used to it, a bit at a time. But since there are a lot of people around, it’s still tough. Because I haven’t really conversed together with this many people before.

But it’s really fun talking to such a variety of people. This much fun: Rina-chan Board: “Whee ♪”


What are your thoughts on working with us?

It’s very fun. It’s great to be able to do different things from what I do at home or at school.

They mostly have tasks that I haven’t done before, so there might not be that much I can work on, but I’m still very glad that they’ve let me work on a variety of things.

Perhaps the staff at Famitsu App are angels?


What motivated you to work with Famitsu App?

Ayumu-san and Ai-san invited me. “Let’s do this together”, they said. Hardly anyone ever asks me to do anything together like that. So I accepted their offer instantly.

I wanted to make an commemorative recording of it, and when I asked them to say it again, they were kind of surprised. That’s a good memory, too. Rina-chan Board: “V ♪” [TL: as in the peace sign]


When you’re working at Famitsu App, what do you talk about with Ayumu-chan and Ai-chan?

With Ayumu-san, we talk about being a school idol a lot. Often, we talk about trying our best together.

Also, there’s Ayumu-san’s childhood friend??, who was the one that invited me to be a school idol. Perhaps I’ve listened to her talk about them a lot as well.

When she talks about them, Ayumu-san seems really happy, and I like that person as well, so I smile when I listen to her.

Ai-san teaches me about a lot of things. She knows a lot, whether it’s about academics or about having fun.

And she gives me things like candy and tsukemono [TL: pickled vegetables], so I love her.

But listening to her belting out rapid-fire puns is honestly kind of a tough situation.


How do people react to your board?

As expected, everyone seemed surprised at first. But they adjusted surprisingly quickly. Humans’ ability to adapt is incredible.

After they got used to it, we’ve had a lot of fun. I’m happy to be able to converse with this.

Truly, the Rina-chan Board is a impressive invention. Rina-chan Board: “Ehe ♪”


Would it be possible to take the board off and show your face...?

I can’t. It’s embarrassing, and a little scary. Because I can’t express my true feelings with my own face...

You see, I always end up looking displeased or bored. I get anxious about disappointing people because of an expression like that.

So, please wait a little longer. Because someday, once I’ve worked hard enough, I’ll be able to smile with my own face.


What do school idols mean to Rina-chan?

Why did you start being a school idol?

It really is strange how I’m a school idol, right?

Yup, I think it’s really strange too. After all, you’d think that I’m the furthest thing from a school idol.

But there was someone who asked me. It made me really happy, and I decided to try my best. That’s why I became a school idol.


Being honest, what are your appeal points as a school idol?

I think the Rina-chan Board is my unique feature. It’s a little different from an appeal point, though. But if someone remembers me because of that, that’d make me happy.

And if I could do things like live shows with everyone, it’d be really fun. Rina-chan Board: “Excited—♪”


What kind of school idol do you want to become?

Um, it might sound weird coming from me, but I want to try to be a school idol that can make everyone smile. I’m not good at expressing my feelings on my own face, so to compensate, I’d like to make everyone smile a lot.

And, if I could see that many smiles, maybe I could naturally smile as well. One day, I want to be able to smile with everyone, using my real face. That’s my dream.


From now on, what activities do you want to do as a school idol?

There is one thing I want to try a bit. Just thinking about it makes me nervous, but I want to try having a handshake meeting. I want to try talking directly to the people cheering me on.

Oh, wait, what I do about the Rina-chan Board when I’m shaking someone’s hand?

Muuun, I’ll have to improve the Rina-chan Board to prepare for that.

Monthly Rankings (July 2017)[5]
File:PDP 1st Popularity Poll - 1st Rina Tennoji.jpg

I placed 1st? I didn’t expect this development.
That’s very surprising. At a time like this, what kind of face should I put on my Rina-chan Board?
A joyful “Smile”? Or maybe a fighting “Mun”?
Sorry, I’m just very confused. But, I’m really happy.
I don’t have quite enough confidence yet to thank you with my uncovered face, but I think that if people keep cheering me on like this, one day I’ll have that confidence.
Though I’m only using my board right now, have my feelings of gratitude.
Rina-chan Board: “Chu ♪”

Monthly Rankings (August 2017)[6]
File:PDP 2nd Popularity Poll - 2nd Rina Tennoji.jpg

I didn’t expect at all that I’d be in the top three again.
I’m truly happy to have this many people cheering me on; it feels like I’m living in a dream.
Rina-chan Board: “Hyappo—♪”
But, after placing second this time, a new emotion emerged within me. It was “frustration”.
It didn’t even occur to me that such a feeling would come up, so the Rina-chan Board doesn’t have a face prepared for frustration.
...This is surely part of growing up, huh?
Setsuna-san is an amazing person, but I’ll try my best so that I won’t lose next time.
Please support me, as I’ll work really really hard.
Rina-chan Board: “Bowing”

Monthly Rankings (October 2017)
File:PDP 4th Popularity Poll - 3rd Rina Tennoji.jpg

Video

Songs

The songs featuring Rina are:

TOKIMEKI Runners
Love U my friends
Mirai Harmony
Just Believe!!!
Nijiiro Passions!
Sweet Eyes
NEO SKY, NEO MAP!
Zensoku Dreamer
Yume ga Koko Kara Hajimaru yo
Hurray Hurray
L! L! L! (Love the Life We Live)
Miracle STAY TUNE!
Colorful Dreams! Colorful Smiles!
Twilight
Yume ga Bokura no Taiyou sa
Ryouran! Victory Road
Future Parade
Level Oops! Adventures
Eien no Isshun
OUR P13CES!!!
Wachu Gonna Do
KAGAYAKI Don't forget!
Sugar Sugar Yummy Yummy Parfait
Go Our Way!
SINGING, DREAMING, NOW!
Wawawa☆What's up!
Fly with You!!
New Year's March!
Nijigasaki Gakuen Kouka
Doko ni Itemo Kimi wa Kimi
Eternalize Love!!

Etymology

  • The name Rina is a common female name and can be written with various kanji characters. (璃) (ri) means "glassy, lapis lazuli". (奈) (na) can have multiple meanings and can be associated with various sounds like "na."
  • Rina's surname Tennoji means "heaven/heavenly, sky, imperial" (天) (ten), "king, prince, monarch, sovereign, potentate" (王) (no) and "temple" (寺) (ji). It is said to be a surname derived from the Shitenno-ji temple.

Trivia

General

  • Rina fulfills the smile attribute of the NijiGaku first years.
  • Although Rina is a character that had initially hidden her face prior to its reveal in ALL STARS, interestingly enough, however, when the rest of the initial nine members' silhouettes were teased (along with the already revealed prior art of Emma Verde, Kanata Konoe, and Shizuku Osaka), Rina's silhouette is slightly different to her final art from the game, with her not holding up anything to her face[7], implying that she didn't used to have a board at some point in Nijigasaki and ALL STARS' early development.
  • Rina has different nicknames from different members of Nijigaku: Kasumi Nakasu calls her Rinako (to match Shizuku's nickname Shizuko and Shioriko Mifune's nickname Shioko) and Ai calls her Rinari. In ALL STARS, Nozomi Tojo calls her Rina-chi.
  • In ALL STARS, Ai credits herself with assisting Rina in coming up with the Rina-chan board, and helps her with the drawings.[8]
    • Because Rina uses the board for the most of the time in the game, the fans created a lot of fanart illustrations to speculate what Rina's real face looked like. A tag called 素顔璃奈 (sugao rina lit. Rina with a natural face) was created for such illustrations. The tag became irrelevant when the officials decided to reveal her true face in ALL STARS on December 1, 2019.
  • Rina is the shortest out of all of the Love Live main characters at 149 cm (or 4'11").
  • Most of Rina's song titles are all written in katakana. This is likely due to the fact that she isn't very good with emotional expression and how she struggles with modern Japanese.
  • The auto-emotion convert Rina-chan board has hardware that senses faint electrical signals in the facial muscles to display different expressions.[9]
    • It is implied that her auto-emotion convert board is waterproof, as she is able to swim with it.[10]
    • A real version for Rina's auto-emotion convert board was made for Chiemi Tanaka to wear on stage. However, due to various technical problems, the camera behind the board was not made, therefore it is impossible for Chiemi to dance with the board on. According to Chiemi, she can see the light from Love Live Blades, but she is still unable to walk on her own.
  • Rina is the third character to be slapped, except not by a childhood friend this time. The first two characters to be slapped by childhood friends are Honoka Kosaka and Kanan Matsuura. Rina was also not slapped on the cheek, unlike Honoka and Kanan, and was instead only slapped on the hand.
  • Despite the Love Live! Virtual School Idols being announced first in early 2022, Rina is the first from the Love Live! Series to debut as a Virtual YouTuber[11], albeit it was very short-lived.

Media-Specific (Manga, Anime, School Idol-Diary)

References

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