【 ♡ 𝖭𝖾𝗇𝖾 𝖪𝗎𝗌𝖺𝗇𝖺𝗀𝗂 ♡ 】

Nene Kusanagi is one of the most compelling and emotionally complex characters in Project SEKAI’s Wonderland x Showtime group. Her character is multi-layered, driven by deep insecurities, but also by a fierce passion for performing and technology. Nene is a girl who often battles silently against her inner demons—primarily, her intense social anxiety and self-doubt. While she is incredibly talented, especially in her role as the tech wizard and operator behind Wonderland x Showtime, her emotional vulnerability often leads to her feeling restricted, unable to fully spread her wings due to the overwhelming weight of her anxiety. This tension between her potential and her fears defines much of her internal struggle.

Nene’s Emotional State: Summer and Anxiety

During the summer, Nene's feelings become increasingly difficult to suppress. The summer break, a time typically filled with relaxation and fun for others, becomes a period of deep reflection and heightened stress for her. The lack of school structure, combined with increased time alone, allows her anxieties to bubble up. She starts to feel a growing pressure, as though her inability to break free from her own emotional shackles is holding her back from truly moving forward, not just in her career but in life.

Nene’s social anxiety is debilitating. It creates an invisible barrier that stops her from easily engaging with others, making even the simplest social interactions feel like monumental tasks. Over the summer, she becomes painfully aware of how her friends, especially her groupmates in Wonderland x Showtime, are growing and evolving. Rui is constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity with his performances, Emu’s boundless energy seems to increase with every show, and Tsukasa’s unwavering self-confidence continues to shine. In contrast, Nene feels stuck—frozen in place by her own fears. While she doesn't lack talent or passion, her constant overthinking and fear of judgment prevent her from taking risks, trying new things, or even sharing her thoughts with the others.

As summer days pass, this sense of stagnation becomes suffocating. She spends countless hours in her room, overwhelmed by thoughts of inadequacy. Her desire to improve, to be better not just for herself but for the group, is palpable, but she’s paralyzed by the fear of failure or embarrassment. The disconnect between her ambitions and her ability to act on them starts to eat away at her self-esteem, bringing her to tears on more than one occasion. She feels like she’s watching herself fall behind, unable to catch up to her friends who seem to be moving forward with ease.

Her Relationships Within Wonderland x Showtime

Rui Kamishiro

One of Nene’s most complicated relationships is with Rui, the eccentric and imaginative leader of the group. Rui is incredibly intelligent and innovative, constantly dreaming up new, daring performances. He encourages Nene to step outside of her comfort zone and explore her full potential. On some level, she deeply admires his creativity and confidence, but at the same time, it heightens her own feelings of inadequacy. Rui’s wild ideas often make Nene anxious, especially when she feels unprepared or unable to contribute at the same level. Although she trusts him deeply and knows Rui is looking out for her, his carefree attitude towards risk-taking clashes with her caution, which sometimes frustrates her.

That said, Rui also sees Nene’s potential more clearly than she does. Over the summer, as Nene grows more introspective and bottled-up, Rui notices the changes in her behavior. He tries to gently push her to express herself, but his eccentric ways of doing so sometimes backfire, making her feel overwhelmed. However, Rui’s persistence also reassures Nene that she’s not alone in her struggles. He provides a strange but steadfast sense of support—one that she may not always understand, but can rely on.

Emu Otori

Emu, with her never-ending optimism and cheerfulness, represents a stark contrast to Nene’s reserved and introverted personality. At first glance, it might seem like they wouldn’t get along, but in reality, Emu’s energy often serves as a beacon of light for Nene. When she feels trapped in her own negative thoughts, Emu’s presence can sometimes lift her spirits, even if only temporarily.

Over the summer, Emu continues to exude positivity, but Nene can’t help but feel like she’s a world apart from her. Emu’s ability to be so carefree and happy while Nene struggles to even hold a normal conversation makes her feel isolated. It’s not that she’s jealous of Emu—she genuinely loves her friend and appreciates her efforts to bring joy to the group—but it does remind her of the emotional barriers she faces daily. Emu, on the other hand, senses that something is wrong with Nene and does her best to cheer her up, often inviting her to hang out or take breaks during their rehearsal. While Nene appreciates it, she often feels guilty for not being able to match Emu’s enthusiasm, which leads her to withdraw even more at times.

Tsukasa Tenma

Nene’s relationship with Tsukasa is also complex. On one hand, Tsukasa’s larger-than-life personality and overwhelming confidence can be intimidating for someone like Nene, who is often consumed by self-doubt. Tsukasa’s constant declarations of being a “star” and his unshakable belief in his abilities make Nene feel inadequate, as if she could never reach that level of self-assurance. She envies his ability to push forward with complete conviction, something she struggles to do due to her anxiety.

However, Tsukasa is not oblivious to Nene’s struggles. Beneath his confident exterior, he’s surprisingly compassionate and always tries to support his teammates. Over the summer, Tsukasa makes a point to encourage Nene whenever he sees her struggling. His compliments, though sometimes over-the-top, are genuine, and Nene appreciates his efforts even if she doesn’t always show it. In moments when she feels particularly down, Tsukasa’s words can sometimes help her see herself in a more positive light. Though she may not say it outright, she admires his resilience and hopes to one day find that kind of strength within herself.

Nene’s Internal Conflict

As the summer stretches on, Nene’s internal conflict reaches a peak. She feels torn between two sides of herself: the part that wants to break free of her anxiety and fully embrace her passions, and the part that is terrified of what might happen if she fails. This emotional tug-of-war often leaves her exhausted. There are days when she feels hopeful, buoyed by the support of her friends and the progress they’re making as a group. On other days, the weight of her anxiety feels crushing, and she finds herself crying late at night, frustrated by her perceived inability to grow and change.

Her anxiety manifests not only in social situations but also in her creative work. As the tech operator and occasionally the performer for Wonderland x Showtime, Nene feels immense pressure to contribute to the group’s success. But the constant fear of making a mistake or not living up to her own expectations holds her back. Even when she’s successful, she often downplays her achievements, convinced that it wasn’t really “good enough” or that she just got lucky.

During the summer, Nene begins to recognize that she’s been bottling up her feelings for too long. She tries to distract herself by focusing on the technical aspects of their performances, immersing herself in the world of programming and design, but even this becomes a source of stress. She starts to feel that she’s using her role behind the scenes as a way to hide from the spotlight, rather than face her fears head-on. This realization both scares and frustrates her, as she knows she can’t keep running away forever.

Moving Forward: A Glimmer of Hope

Despite the heaviness of her anxiety, Nene is not without hope. Deep down, she knows she has the potential to overcome her fears. The summer, though difficult, provides her with moments of clarity. She begins to realize that maybe it’s okay to take things slowly—that growth doesn’t always have to happen overnight. Through small steps, like opening up to Rui or accepting Emu’s invitations to hang out more often, Nene begins to find moments of relief.

Her friends in Wonderland x Showtime serve as both a source of comfort and a reminder of the person she wants to become. Nene may feel restricted now, but there’s a part of her that refuses to give up. The tears she sheds over the summer are not just tears of frustration, but also of release—a sign that she’s ready to confront her feelings and take steps, however small, towards breaking free of the chains her anxiety has placed on her. As summer winds down, Nene may still struggle, but she’s slowly learning that she doesn’t have to do it alone. With the support of her friends and her own determination, there’s a glimmer of hope that she will find her own way forward, one step at a time.