Nakajima, Ritsuko
Seiyuu / Dub
Summary
Ritsuko Nakajima serves as the mother of Youko Nakajima. Although she presents a stern demeanor, she is fundamentally a caring parent who deeply values her daughter. In her role as a dutiful wife, Ritsuko typically defers to her husband’s choices regarding matters such as school selections, setting aside her own preferences. She harbors significant anxiety regarding Youko’s naturally reddish hair, fearing it might cause her to be mistaken for a delinquent or stand out in a negative way, and frequently urges her to dye it black or cut it. When Youko is transported to the Twelve Kingdoms, her family back home is left in the dark about her fate. Through visions induced by the Suiguutou, Youko witnesses her parents’ reactions to her disappearance. Ritsuko is consumed by worry and fear, vehemently rejecting the notions that Youko ran away in rebellion or perished in an accident. This desperation places a visible strain on her marriage, as she resents her husband’s apparent indifference to the situation. Over time, however, Ritsuko grows increasingly resigned to the possibility that her daughter was not who she seemed, influenced by the growing consensus among others that children often conceal their true nature. The outcome of this arc varies between adaptations. In the anime, Ritsuko eventually learns the truth from Yuka Sugimoto after Youko returns from the Twelve Kingdoms. While saddened that her daughter will not come home, she finds comfort in knowing Youko is thriving. Conversely, in the novels, it remains unknown whether Ritsuko ever discovers what became of her daughter.
