Ritsu Kawai
Ritsu Kawai |
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| Kanji | 河合 律 |
| Romaji | Kawai Ritsu (Ri-chan) |
| Statistics | |
| Age | 16-17 years-old |
| Gender | Female |
| Occupation | Student |
| School | Hokko |
| Year | 2nd Year |
| Debut | |
| Manga | Chapter 1 |
| Anime | Episode 1 |
| Actors | |
| Japanese | Kana Hanazawa |
Ritsu Kawai (河合 律 Kawai Ritsu), often referred to by her nickname “Ricchan”, is one of the main characters in The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behavior. She is a second-year high school student who lives at the Kawai Complex, a boarding house shared by a group of eccentric individuals. Ritsu moved into the complex after her mother went abroad for work. She is related to the dorm manager through her grandfather, who is the manager’s brother, and is considered family by the manager.
Known for her quiet and bookish personality, Ritsu often helps manage the dormitory in the absence of the landlord. She also keeps various self-defense weapons hidden around the house and does not hesitate to use them especially when the male residents attempt to enter the girls’ side of the building.
Appearance
Chibi Appearance
Ritsu Kawai is a petite and attractive teenage girl with short brown hair that frames her face and striking violet eyes. Her appearance often draws attention, although she remains indifferent to it. At school, she wears the standard school uniform, which includes a blazer and skirt. Outside of school, Ritsu typically dresses casually in shorts and a simple T-shirt, reflecting her laid-back personality. Occasionally, she is seen wearing various costumes, often due to the influence or antics of the other Kawai Complex residents.
Personality
Ritsu Kawai is often perceived as antisocial due to her reserved nature and preference for solitude. In reality, she is an extremely shy and introverted individual who finds comfort in reading, often becoming so absorbed in her books that she loses awareness of her surroundings. When asked if books are her friends, she affirms this, suggesting a lack of close human relationships and a preference for fictional companionship over superficial social interaction. Ritsu has expressed that she would rather be alone than spend time with people who don’t genuinely want to be her friends.
Despite her reclusive tendencies, Ritsu is not indifferent to those around her. She cares deeply for the residents of the Kawai Complex and will stand up for them when they are being mistreated or taken advantage of. While generally quiet and composed, she is not afraid to assert herself, occasionally threatening to double or triple the rent of male dormmates when they offend or annoy her.
Her emotional state is often influenced by the books she reads, with her mood shifting depending on the tone or subject matter of the story she is immersed in.
History
Before relocating to the Kawai Complex, Ritsu lived a quiet and peaceful life alone with her mother. Their life was calm and uneventful, shaped by a routine of independence. However, due to her mother’s overseas work assignment, Ritsu was sent to live at the dormitory managed by her extended family. Her grandfather is the brother of the dorm’s manager, who also considers Ritsu a relative and entrusts her with small responsibilities, such as looking after the dorm in her absence.
Relationships
Kazunari Usa
Ritsu gradually develops romantic feelings for Kazunari Usa, though she is initially reluctant to acknowledge them and often denies any affection when teased by the other dorm residents. As the story progresses, particularly in the manga, her feelings become more apparent. She is shown to be subtly jealous when other girls interact closely with Usa, indicating a growing attachment. By chapter 72 of the manga, Ritsu begins to display more open signs of affection when speaking about him. Their relationship takes a significant step forward when Usa asks Ritsu on a date in chapter 77, and the two openly express their feelings for each other in chapter 78.