Sonoda Umi is one of the main characters of Love Live! School Idol Project. She is 16 years old and a second year high school student in Otonokizaka Academy. She, along with Kotori Minami, has been good friends since they were young, thanks to Honoka inviting her to play a game of hide and seek with them. Being a granddaughter of a traditional Japanese family, her father being a martial arts trainer and her mother teaching her traditional Japanese dance, Umi has become an expert in the field of Kendo, Nagauta, Archery, Calligraphy and traditional Japanese dancing.
Umi was born on the 15th of March and her zodiac sign is Pisces. She is portrayed in the anime as a girl having long blue hair complemented by her brown eyes and stands around 159 centimeters tall. Her character’s theme color is blue. When Honoka decided to start her own school idol group, Umi was initially reluctant in joining but was eventually convinced by Honoka and Kotori. Though she views Honoka as someone demanding, she appreciates Honoka’s adventurous and optimistic attitude.
While Minami Kotori is responsible for most of the group’s costume design, Sonoda Umi acts as the group’s physical trainer and choreographer until Ayase Eli joined the group at a later time who eventually takes up the role. In addition to this, she is also the group’s lyricists and was the one who wrote the song “Start: Dash!” She was initially uncomfortable wearing shot skirts since she is reserved and conservative due to her upbringing but eventually got used to it after their first live.
Despite being reserved, Sonoda Umi can be very strict and disciplined when it comes to physical training and is very logical when it comes to approaching things. She also has the qualities of being leader and has a strong will.