Starting out, who should I focus on?

Slurp! If Haruka and Suzumi fit your taste, you won't have much trouble progressing early on. However, for efficient growth, securing supporters like Ako or Himari is a definitive strategy. 'Love is the greatest motivator,' so while raising your favorite characters, try to develop performance characters alongside them, hmm!

If you look up the 'human rights bingo' (a common term for optimal character builds), they are indeed good for performance. However, unless you're aiming for top ranks in Total War, you can comfortably play by raising characters you like.

For the free 100 pulls you get upon first login, aim to get and raise Aru, Hibiki, Iori, and Maki. There's nothing useful in the current pickup banner, so wait for Seia to be released on August 4th and raise her. For the archive banner, only use your archive-exclusive tickets.