Sakura Saotome

Sakura Saotome is a main character of Aikatsu Universe! in seasons 1, 2, and 3. She is a student at Four Star Academy of the Star Dream Class (previously a Theater Class idol in Season 1) and is a member of the 28th Gen S4. Sakura is a cute-type idol (previously pop-type in Season 1) whose preferred brand is her self-created brand, Lotus Blossom (previously Shiny Smile in the first half of Season 1, FuwaFuwa dream in the second half of Season 1, My Little Heart in Season 2) She formerly attended Starlight Academy as an exchange student.

Appearance
Sakura has light pink hair and eyes that are a few shades darker. She has fair skin and is of average height.

In Season 1, Sakura's hair has been dyed the same color as Ako's. She wears green colored contacts. Her appearance is exactly the same as Ako's in almost every way. After losing the S4 Selection to Ako, she realizes how unfulfilling her Aikatsu truly is, and decides to become her own idol.

Personality
In Season 1, Sakura's personality matches exactly with that of her sister. However, by Season 2, she has reverted back to her original personality. She becomes more soft-hearted and gentle, and comes to terms with the fact that she dislikes her sister's flashy pop type brands. She becomes a cute-type idol and wears cute-type dresses for the first time.

Background
Sakura and Ako had never been very close as young children. Ako was always busy by herself, and Sakura was left alone most of the time. They barely exchanged a few words, especially not at school. When Ako left to become an idol, Sakura realized that everyone loved Ako and she didn't have the same pop to her. In an attempt to become more likable, she donned Ako's personality and appearance. Her natural talent for acting helped her to assume Ako's persona.

When she arrived at Four Star Academy, everyone treated her kindly. She assumed it was because they had been kind to Ako. As her idol activities intensified, it was harder and harder to keep up with Ako's persona. At the S4 Selection, she lost to her sister. Victoria, Emily, and Claire then helped her to make up with her sister and realize that being her best self would take her Aikatsu to the next level and make people like her even more.

Relationships

 * Victoria Nakamura
 * Sakura, Emily and Victoria are put in the same homeroom class on their first day. Although Sakura in her Ako form seems very natural because of her acting skill, it makes her Aikatsu more difficult. When Sakura loses the S4 Selection, Victoria is the one to convince her to revert back to her true self.
 * Emily Takahashi
 * Sakura and Emily are close friends who met through Victoria. Sakura often helps Emily with her acting because she is unconfident about it.
 * Claire Kodama
 * Claire and Sakura met through Victoria and became close friends quickly.
 * Ako Saotome
 * The two are sisters with a one-year gap. Even after dropping her Ako persona, Sakura still looks up to her and admires her skills. By the S4 Selection during Season 2, she has risen above her sister's talents. Ako is envious of Sakura's ability to stay composed around Subaru even though this is not much of a feat.
 * Shiratori Hime
 * Hime's brand inspires Sakura as she admires the cuteness of her dresses and aspires to create a cute brand that will live up to previous cute brands' standards.
 * Subaru Yuuki
 * After dropping her Ako persona, Sakura goes to him personally to apologize for her strange behavior. Subaru comments that this could be seen as insulting to Ako, and Sakura is immediately embarrassed, trying to clear her name. After this, the two aren't close but will acknowledge each other when they cross paths.

Trivia

 * Sakura is one of the only two Season 1 main characters who switch their idol type from Season 1 to Season 2, the other being Emily Takahashi.