“ | If you really want to fulfill your dreams, don't be scared to reach for it. You will really be a loser if you don't even try. | ” |
—Ritsuko Sakakibara |
Ritsuko Sakakibara | |
---|---|
Kanji | 榊原理津子 |
Romaji | Sakakibara Ritsuko |
Personal Information | |
Born | 1957 |
Age | 26 (At the time of death) |
Gender | Female |
Height | Unknown (155cm?) |
Eye Color | Brown |
Hair Color | Brown |
Occupation | Housewife |
Family | Ryōhei Mikami (Father) Tamie Mikami (Mother) |
Status | Deceased |
First appearance | |
Manga | Chapter 10 |
Anime | Episode 1 (Mentioned) Episode 5 (In the graduation album) |
Voice Actors | |
Japanese | Unknown |
English | Unknown |
Ritsuko Sakakibara (榊原 理津子, Sakakibara Ritsuko) is the older sister of Reiko Mikami, the deceased wife of Yōsuke Sakakibara and the mother of Kōichi Sakakibara who only appears in the school graduation album and the old Sakakibara family pictures. She went to Yomiyama North Middle School in 1972 and was in the same class with the dead Misaki Yomiyama, 9th Grade Class 3-3.
Personality[]
Yōsuke Sakakibara mentions that Ritsuko is a very special lady who has a great taste in men and is also a supportive sister. Reiko Mikami mentions that when Ryōhei Mikami (Reiko's father) went against Reiko's decision to attend art university, Ritsuko is the only one who stood up for her and supported her. Also, in the manga, in Another 0 chapters, Ritsuko is shown as a kind-hearted, calm and peaceful woman as she says that she will protect her younger sister after Reiko yelled at her. Reiko claimed that she admired Ritsuko the most and she was her idol. Also, she was very happy when Ritsuko came in Yomiyama to give birth to Kōichi Sakakibara. Ritsuko was shown to be a loving and caring person.
Appearance[]
Ritsuko has long brown hair and brown eyes (black eyes in the manga). In her middle school days, she wears a ponytail in the anime, where in the manga, her hair is shoulder length and her hair is worn down. Also, she is seen after Kōichi Sakakibara's birth in the manga wearing her hair tied in a pigtail.
Plot[]
In the manga, Ritsuko appears in Reiko Mikami's flashback. After Kōichi Sakakibara comes to live with Reiko, she is seen standing in front of Ritsuko's altar, talking to her. In Chapter 10, it is hinted that her death was in that class, because of the calamity. And it was also confirmed that she is actually The Death Of May of the 9th Grade Class 3-3 in 1983. In Another 0 chapters, it is shown that she died shortly after Kōichi's birth. Misaki Yomiyama enters the room, Ritsuko calls his name and then dies. The cause of her death is unrevealed. After her death, her father (Kōichi's grandfather), is always seen sitting in front of her altar, probably still depressed about her death, claiming that he is sick of funerals (including Reiko's). Also, Rei (family's pet bird) always repeat the phrase "Poor Ritsuko, poor Reiko". In Episode 5, when Kōichi was looking at his mother's class picture, the librarian, Tatsuji Chibiki, came to him and asked about his mother. Tatsuji is shown to know about his mother since he was the homeroom teacher of class 3-3 in 1972. In Episode 10 Kōichi had shown Mei Misaki some old pictures with Ritsuko in her teens.
Etymology[]
- The name Ritsuko means "law" (律) (ritsu) and "child" (子) (ko).
- It can also mean "ferry child".
- Ritsuko's surname Sakakibara means "the truth of the sacred Shinto tree field".
Trivia[]
- In the manga, Chibiki shows no knowledge about Ritsuko's death.
- It is affirmed about the fact that Ritsuko and Reiko Mikami's (Ritsuko's sister) look a lot alike.
- In the manga, the relationship between Ritsuko and Reiko is more pronounced and close than in the anime.
- In the original novel, Ritsuko died of a sudden illness soon after Kōichi Sakakibara was born.
- The age difference between Ritsuko and Reiko is 11 years.
Quotes[]
- "I will always be with you. even though I have no idea of the problems you're facing...But it doesn't matter. No matter what happens, I will stand by your side."
- "You have to be more confident."
- "And if you have worked hard, but it didn't turn out well, then I will protect you."
- "Why did it turn out this way? Someone.."
- "Who are you? Misaki-kun?"
Gallery[]
- Main article: Ritsuko Sakakibara/Image Gallery