User blog comment:Baru Drake/Buddyfght Gaiden "Meiru Amagasa" (fantranslation)/@comment-5959367-20190711182014/@comment-5959367-20190715204434

>''What is the difference between Hikaru’s “ore”s? Wouldn’t they at least be heard the same way?''

Hikaru's pronoun "ore" signifies confident nature. Even though it's usual, pretty much the norm for many characters in anime, it's seen over-confident rude in real life, which is why it's barely used (fun fact!).

When Hikaru is on-stage, in front of audience and doing his modeling work, he uses オレ. Written in katakana, it gives way more casual, carefree and confident feeling to it. Hikaru is really, really self-confident in his on-stage persona (even noted few times in the story itself) and constantly calls himself by his full name, which is basically a pun meaning "brightest, first (as in top one) star". When he is talking to himself, at home and overall in his true, off-stage personality, he uses 俺 instead. Even though "ore" is more casual and carefree than formal "watashi" or kind/shy/calm "boku", with kanji it gives more serious and polite meaning. (For example, both Gao and Gaito use "ore", but Gao's is written as オレ, while Gaito's is as 俺, signifying how Gao is more casual/carefree while Gaito is more serious.) Hikaru, in his real personality, is much more serious and less carefree even when he has confidence. The writing change signifies this difference between his on-stage personality he created to the audience and his real, off-stage personality, which shows how actually serious and cool-headed he is.

Japanese tv has sub options on them so there would be visual proof for the writing change in anime as well. What it comes to the hearing/how it would sound, I think Hikaru's tone of voice would be different with his on- and off-stage personalities, signifying the difference. His on-stage tone would likely be over-the-top confident and flamboyant, while his off-stage voice would be more calm and serious (likely a bit more caring and soft around his mother).

Hikaru is truly interesting and great character! He's probably my favorite Ancient World user after Masato. I'll definitely get into translating his story when I can as it touches interesting concepts as models/idols/celebrities creating fake personalities to sell in media, and how they hide their real, hard-working personality and effort from audience to sell that spesific image of them.