Yes.. another warplane schemes containing K-On! elements~

Mio Akiyama

- About the Chara

Mio Akiyama (Hepburn: Akiyama Mio) is one of the five main characters in K-ON! She is a passionate and technical left-handed musician and writer who serves as the bassist, second vocalist and main lyricist of the band Ho-kago Tea Time. She is a kind and warm girl, albeit very shy and sensitive. Despite her timid streak she often finds herself as the voice of reason amongst her bandmates, who often rely on her sensibility when in trouble.

She is seiyuu'd by Youko Hikasa (Japanese - Yes, that same seiyuu to Rias Gremory and Utahime Iori) and Cristina Valenzuela (English).

Mio is very reserved and bashful by nature. She is private and soft-spoken, even amongst close friends, and seems to enjoy time alone, which she often dedicates to songwriting. She has been socially anxious and self-conscious since she was small, hence falling prey to a young Ritsu's teasing, and typically retreated into the sanctuary of her books. She struggles to interact with strangers, has few friends outside the Light Music Club (despite her popularity), and is strikingly sensitive to attention from others. She also embarrasses very easily and does not easily live down mortifying moments. Her bandmates' antics and jokes are hence often at her expense. Mio specifically chose the bass guitar as her instrument because it is not as conspicuous as the guitar.

Mio is warm-hearted and in touch with her and others' emotions, possessing a very sensitive side that reveals itself more than she would like. Her kindness and empathy is possibly best demonstrated in her sister-like treatment of Azusa. She even has a heart to heart with the band's new recruit, who she hardly knew at the time, hoping to make her feel welcomed. Mio is very aware and expressive of her feelings, though not always intentionally, be it her appreciation of her friends or her passion for the bass guitar. She is also the first to shed tears following their final school festival concert. She also seems to have a knack for offering her friends comforting words when they are distressed, particularly when it comes to Ritsu. Mio's softer side comes out in her, at times peculiar, writing and lyrics, which often feature cutesy and overly girlish themes and lines. Her weakness is the macabre and horrific, and she can be incapacitated with fear by stories involving the supernatural, horror, and gore. She also has trypophobia, an irrational fear of collections of small holes.

Mio is diligent, responsible, and sober, especially when contrasted with her happy-go-lucky bandmates. She is academically inclined, always ranking within the top 10 students of her grade, and a keen reader and writer. She is a very dedicated musician and is technically advanced at the bass guitar. She is very driven when it comes to the Light Music Club and, in her own words, is committed to the club as if it were her boyfriend. She even takes over lead vocals from Yui when she needs to, despite strongly preferring to solely play bass. Her bandmates often turn to her when faced with academic troubles or when curious about musical technique.

Throughout high school, Mio gradually comes to grips with her anxieties and insecurities. She establishes herself as the voice of reason amongst her bandmates when their carefree ways get the better of them and becomes the most vocal about the band's direction and motivation. She comes into her own as a musician and composer, stepping up as the band's main songwriter and embracing the dual roles of bass and vocals despite her fear of standing in the spotlight. She also becomes more comfortable on stage and more open to the attention that may come with it. Understanding Azusa's reservations about the Light Music Club, Mio was the first to open up to her, convinces her to remain in the club, and stands up for Azusa's ambitions to her fellow bandmates. Mio even finds herself acting like an older sister figure to Azusa.

During her final year of high school, Mio begins to loosen up more, concentrate on the present, and give in to the hijinks of her friends, which she previously viewed as immature. She comes to appreciate the affection of others, such as that of her fan club, although it still leaves her flustered. Mio starts to consider coming of age and the ephemerality of her high school years more than any of her bandmates. She embraces events such as the summer rock music festival to an extent that even surprises Ritsu and voices an almost childish wish to keep playing with the band forever. She even chooses to take a large step outside of her comfort zone in performing a lead role in the school play, albeit with initial difficulties. After contemplating hard about what she values and wants, with university entrance exams approaching fast, Mio resolves that her friendships with Ritsu, Yui, and Tsumugi are too dear to risk. She boldly turns down a distinguished recommendation for a university to apply to the same women's university as her bandmates, in hopes of spending her university years alongside those that matter most to her.

Mio stands at 5'3" (160cm), being the tallest in the group and has straight, long, black hair and gray-blue eyes. As shown in episode 4 of season 1, she is also quite a bit more busty than the others (except Tsumugi Kotobuki), much to the dismay of Yui Hirasawa, Ritsu Tainaka, and later Azusa Nakano as well.

Possible Nicknames:

• Mio-chan: (Obvious one, but a classic! Shows affection, especially from Japanese fans.)

• Scaredy-Mio: (Teasing but affectionate, referencing her easily frightened nature).

• Bass Queen/Bass Goddess: (Highlighting her musical talent and dedication).

• The Mom/The Responsible One: (Due to her often being the voice of reason and trying to keep the club organized).

• The Straight Man: (Playing off her tendency to react normally to the other members' antics).

• Yuri Bait/Mio-Yuri: (Given her close relationships with the other girls, and tendency to be shipped with Ritsu).

• "Moe Desu" (Moe Death) Mio: ("Moe desu" is a term often used by characters who are overcome by cuteness when seeing moe. The fans often use it ironically, stating that Mio's cuteness is so overwhelming that it causes "moe death").

• The Sass Queen/Sassy Mio: (Because she can be surprisingly sarcastic and brutally honest when she's had enough).

• Left-Handed Goddess: (A niche one, but referencing her left-handedness, which is seen as cool by some).

• The Unwilling Idol: (Referencing the episode where she's forced to be the main singer and becomes surprisingly popular in the aftermath, much to her dismay.)

• Ritsu's Plaything: (A more pointed nickname referring to Ritsu's constant teasing of Mio).

• Precious Cinnamon Roll: (A nickname that means she's too good for this world and must be protected).

• Goth Mio: (A possible nickname given the dark lyrics that she writes).

• Ice Queen: (A nickname to describe her level-headed and cool personality).

• Crying Mio: (A nickname that describes how she cries when scared).

Chara x Aircraft Connection

So, why Mio Akiyama x Hawker Sea Hawk ?

• Naval Association: Mio's calm and collected nature mirrors the composed precision required for naval aviation. The Sea Hawk, being a carrier-based jet, required finesse and restraint-traits Mio also embodies.

• British Origin: Hawker Sea Hawk was British, and K-On! is known for its cultural ties to British rock (Beatles-like influence). Mio plays bass (like Paul McCartney) and likes British rock bands (also as Mio's enthusiasm falling to London in K-On! Movie) so the connection deepens here.

• Performance Style: The Sea Hawk wasn't the flashiest jet but was solid and got the job done. Similarly, Mio isn't flashy but often anchors the band musically and emotionally.

• Refined, Not Aggressive: Unlike more aggressive fighters, the Sea Hawk was known for its elegance and dependable performance -just like Mio's soft-spoken but strong-willed demeanor.

• Ocean Motif: Mio's name contains "Akiyama" (Autumn Mountain), but "Mio" can mean "waterway" or "channel," reinforcing the naval connection.

C O N T R O L S
Trim : Flaps, cruising 'rotate' adjuster
VTOL : Further flaps
AG.1 : Arresting hook
AG.8 : Fold the wing

TRIVIA AND NOTES

• There is another (?) lore about of the aircraft scheme (lack-of-idea of what-if scenario alert):

Originally one of the "airworthy" Sea Hawk had customly repainted into the WWII night fighter-style with D-day invasion-styled stripe over the original oftenly yellow/black one, but the aircraft had a belly landing after suffering a stuck landing gear on an airshow. Fortunately, it was only slight damage on the belly and not counted as damaged beyond repair; then brought the damaged aircraft to the hangar, but the fellow midnight in the hangar when the aircraft hasn't yet finished repairs, someone has been vandalized the D-day stripe on the aircraft to that "C U R S E D rice bowl"... but the 'underrated' aircraft then surprisingly went viral and fan of the aircraft (especially enthusiasts in aviation circles and forums) counts are skyrocketed in just 24 hours...

• Which Ritsu (Ricchan) (and maybe Tsumugi later) as a 1950s-60s fighter jet depiction should be? Just let me know in the comments!;)