Suggested by JHG195 It’s time for a battle or similar protagonists, at least design wise. Both of them can put up a fight if necessary, but don’t have a whole lot of practical experience. Umi has a lot of dedication though and deals with her emotional strife quite well. She never missed a day lifting her flag and as she is 2 years older than Shizuku that will help a lot in a fight as well. I say that she manages to claim the win here. Umi Matsuzaki wins.
DReager1.com 
I was convinced this was a tie. I guess you just like Umi more?
Well, Umi’s also 2 years older so I figure that will let her deal more damage with each hit. I’m not sure who I’d like more since I haven’t seen either film yet, but they both sound like reasonable characters
Watch them! Whisper of the Heart and From up on Poppy Hill are great movies!
Definitely, I’ll be sure to check them out. I’ll probably go on a Studio Ghibli marathon at some point
I am lost over what they could be fighting over…
Fame and Glory
Really? They aren’t the confrontational type. I would’ve thought they’d fight over who’s boyfriend is hotter.
The heat of battle really ends up changing a person though
How about a sing off where Umi sings Summer of Farewells: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpENe4GOMAw and Shizuku sings Take me Home, Country Roads: https://vimeo.com/70406053
Who’d win THAT I wonder.
That one’s definitely pretty close I gotta admit. I’m not really sure what I’d go with, possibly Summer of Farewells I suppose