Aina picked up surfing at a young age, showing an aptitude for keeping her balance and riding the waves. She also picked up the habit of a vlogging diary about her surfing weekends, which often included enthusiastic asides about her side trips and meals outside of surfing competitions. Eventually, the food and the travel portions became long enough to be separated into separate videos, and it turns out they're even more of a hit than the surfing videos.

Abilities

A scion of the ancient people of Sootopolis, Aina should have the ability to open the Sky Pillar, and other locations that are keyed to the bloodline. But she didn't grow up in Hoenn or Sootopolis, so it's not really a pressing matter to her.

The fairy affinity seems to have skipped Gladion, but it reappears in his daughter. She shares the affinity with her aunt, Lillie. So far, all she really uses it for is for adequate lighting in her videos.

Immediate Family

Gladion (father): Aina is a total daddy's girl.

Lisia (mother): Aina shares a love of the spotlight with her mother, and their equally enthusiastic screen presence is a source of joy for her. She spent more time with her father when she was younger because of her mother's hectic travel schedule; these days she finds herself being able to meet up with her mother more often because of it. Lisia supports her daughter's endeavours, and will happily text her about what new foods she's tried on her travels. Whenever her mother guests on her vlog, it's a real hit!

Alto (older brother): It's an odd relationship with her brother, because they get along super well, but they don't really share much time or much in common with each other, apart from their charisma and good people skills. It's not that Aina dislikes her brother's path in life, it's just kinda weird? Not that she won't wheedle him into getting permission to film about certain locations important to Sootopolitan culture. And she'll definitely have him take her to all the niche places in town. It's just incredibly irritating when the comments on her vlog end up being about how hot her brother is.

Family

Agate (first cousin once removed): When Aina was younger and just getting started in surfing, Agate was someone to look up to who gave excellent advice, now she's someone to hang out with on occasion. A bit awkward since Aina's not really professionally seriously in surfing anymore and has pivoted to online travel and food vlogging, but they make it work.

Kyanite (first cousin once removed): Ky is who Aina goes to for music suggestions for her vlog, and eventually it's his band that records her intro title track for her videos. It's on his suggestion that she tries out a contest: she enjoys it and gets glowing reviews from the judges, but decides it's just not her thing.

Friends

Mahina: Mahina and Aina are two peas in a pod. They share a huge interest in videos that results in them often making guest appearances on each other's vlogs, which only gets compounded when they decide to travel together. If they're not on screen, usually whoever's not filming will be helping with something technical behind the camera. Aina depends on her friend's steadiness and gentle encouragement, and in turn does her best to hype up Mahina whenever she can!

Aulu: Aulu started off more Mahina's friend than hers, but their friendship is a bit like when an extrovert imprints on an introvert. Their friend group is like two extroverts (later three!) get an introvert for a friend, and then shenanigans ensue. They get along well enough, but there's friction too, especially when Aina's pushing at boundaries or when they're both frustrated that a shoot isn't going the way they want. Aina always makes sure to save Aulu some of the food though, and will save more of a dish especially for him or order him a dish that she thinks he'll like.

Pokémon

Aina's handle on social media is 'SurfinFoodie'.

Aina is a huge fan of friendship bracelets and will often be wearing multiple on her wrists and ankles.

Aina's quote is borrowed from the late Anthony Bourdain, who would probably be her food idol.

The music is taken from the open of Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown show.

Mizuiro is the 'colour of water' in Japanese.

Auer is derived from Old German, meaning 'meadow by a river, wetland'.