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Rin Natsume

Rin Natsume (棗 鈴, Natsume Rin) is one of the main heroines of the Little Busters! series. She is the younger sister of Kyousuke Natsume and the only female among the five original founding members of the Little Busters group. Rin plays a central role in the story, particularly as the narrative progresses toward its emotional core.

Biography

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Rin Natsume playing with cats

Rin Natsume is known for her shy and inarticulate nature, often struggling to express herself clearly in social situations. As a result, she tends to be reserved and prefers solitude, frequently distancing herself from others. Despite this, she is a core member of the Little Busters and serves as the group’s pitcher during their casual baseball games.

She has a deep love for cats and takes care of several strays on the school grounds. It is common to see cats gathering around her, reflecting the quiet kindness she shows to animals. Within the story, Rin becomes one of the two initial survivors of a tragic bus accident, and her emotional growth plays a key role in the unfolding events. She later enters a romantic relationship with Riki Naoe, another member of the Little Busters.

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Appearance

Rin has long, dark brown hair that she wears tied back in a ponytail. A small yellow bell, fastened with a white ribbon, is tucked behind her bangs, serving as a subtle but distinctive accessory. Her eye color varies slightly by adaptation appearing as brown with a reddish hue in the anime and clear red in the visual novel.

She wears the standard school uniform for female students, consistent with the other girls in the series.

History

Rin Natsume grew up alongside her older brother, Kyousuke, and became one of the founding members of the Little Busters, a group formed during childhood that bonded over shared adventures and a desire to fight for justice. Though naturally shy and introverted, Rin found comfort and connection within the group, particularly through her friendships with Riki Naoe and the other members.

As the story progresses, Rin begins to confront the emotional challenges of growing up and facing loss. Her world shifts dramatically following a catastrophic bus accident, where she and Riki are initially the only known survivors. This event becomes a catalyst for Rin’s emotional development, forcing her to step beyond her quiet life and engage more deeply with those around her.

Throughout the course of the story, Rin gradually becomes more expressive and open, forming a romantic relationship with Riki. Her growth is central to the overarching themes of friendship, resilience, and self-discovery within the Little Busters! narrative.

Relationships

  • Kyousuke Natsume: Kyousuke is Rin’s older brother and a central figure in her life. As the leader of the Little Busters since childhood, he has often guided the group’s activities and served as a source of stability. Unlike Kyousuke, who is sociable and confident, Rin struggles with communication, especially when interacting with strangers. Despite their contrasting personalities, the siblings share a strong bond.

  • Komari Kamikita: Komari is the female classmate Rin becomes closest to over time. Initially, Rin found Komari’s cheerful and persistent nature irritating and often pushed her away. However, as the story unfolds, Rin gradually warms up to her, and they develop a meaningful friendship.

  • Riki Naoe Riki has been a constant presence in Rin’s life since childhood, offering her quiet support and understanding. Rin feels at ease around him and eventually confesses her feelings for him. In the Refrain route, their bond deepens, and they enter a romantic relationship.

Etymology

The name Rin (鈴) translates to “bell” in Japanese, which is reflected in her character design as she wears a small bell tied in her hair. This accessory serves as a subtle reference to the meaning of her name.

Her surname, Natsume (棗), means “jujube,” a type of fruit from the Ziziphus jujuba tree. Commonly known as jujube, red date, or Chinese date, it is a species in the buckthorn family, often associated with traditional East Asian culture and symbolism.

Trivia

    • Rin is voiced in English by Brittney Karbowski, who has also voiced several characters from previous Key anime adaptations, including Ryou Fujibayashi in Clannad, Ayu Tsukimiya in Kanon, and Yuri Nakamura in Angel Beats!
      • Rin is known for giving fellow Little Busters member Masato Inohara various nicknames, such as “Trash,” “Retard,” and “Idiot,” often as playful insults.
      • During the group’s first baseball practice, Kyousuke Natsume gives Rin the title “Godly Lack of Control” due to her erratic pitching. However, in the visual novel, if the player completes her route and improves her performance, the title changes to “An Ordinary No-Con.”
      • Kyousuke’s efforts to help Rin become more independent are shown through his creation of tasks for her, assigned under the persona Lemmon. This is revealed by Riki Naoe during their conversation in Refrain episode 5, “The Final Task.”