The first time I saw Rina was when a YouTube channel I liked did some vocaloid covers of love live SIFAS songs. I didn't know anything about the game, but the songs and the characters were fun.
I liked Rina, but I came to like her more when I read about her character from the game. (The game wasn't out in English yet. I did download it when it eventually released)
When the anime came out, her focus episode made me cry. It really touched me. She struggled her whole life with making friends, because she couldn't express her emotions with her face. She hid under a box...the kind of thing I did when I was younger.
In the end, her friends didn't try to fix her or anything. She started using a board to help communicate her emotions. And everyone accepted her the way she was.
I really like her. It's hard to explain with words, but maybe she's partially what I am and partially what I wish I could have.
Her songs have the theme of "connection". It would be nice one today, if I could connect with others. Not having to change, just able to be who I am.
Anyway, I'm glad that Rina exists. I'm glad that I discovered her.