Maki is a first-year honor student expected to become a doctor and inherit her father's work in her parents' hospital despite being a talented singer and pianist, which leads her to refuse joining μ's at first. Maki is the main composer and vocal coach of the group. She later becomes the vice president of the Idol Research Club.

Love Live! (Japanese: ラブライブ! Hepburn: Rabu Raibu!) School Idol Project is a Japanese multimedia project co-developed by ASCII Media Works' Dengeki G's Magazine, music label Lantis, and animation studio Sunrise. The project revolves around a group of fictional school girls who become idols in order to save their school from shutting down. It launched in the August 2010 issue of Dengeki G's Magazine, and went on to produce music CDs, anime music videos, two manga adaptations, and video games. A 13-episode anime television series produced by Sunrise and directed by Takahiko Kyōgoku aired in Japan between January and March 2013, with a second season airing between April and June 2014. Both anime series and film are licensed in North America by NIS America. An animated film has also been announced to be distributed by Shochiku as well as a new project titled Love Live! Sunshine!!, featuring an all new cast of characters.