Ririka Tachikawa

Ririka is cheerful and generally good-natured during competition. She has a lighter presence at the cards than many older Class A players despite the considerable expectations attached to her talent.

Her prominent ears were a source of teasing when she was younger. Rather than allowing that feature to define her negatively, Ririka becomes known for acute listening and develops into an advanced player while still in elementary school.

The clover she wears serves as a lucky mark, adding a childlike personal detail to a competitor already being discussed in terms usually reserved for future champions.

Ririka reaches Class A while still in sixth grade, making her unusually advanced for her age. Speed is one of her clearest strengths, and observers regard her as talented enough to draw comparisons with Shinobu's own exceptional childhood development.

Against Chihaya, Ririka initially demonstrates how dangerous another fast player can be. Chihaya cannot simply assume that reaction speed belongs uniquely to her and has to apply the timing work taught by Hideo Harada.

Ririka's hearing is also associated with her distinctive ears, but the most firmly demonstrated aspect of her karuta is the speed that makes her a credible Class A competitor despite her age.

Ririka appears during Chihaya's first serious attempt to advance through the East Japan Queen qualifier. Her reputation immediately gives the opening round more weight than Chihaya expects from such a young opponent.

The match tests Chihaya's recent work on timing. Rather than moving purely on the earliest sound she perceives, Chihaya begins applying Harada's instruction and eventually gains control of the contest.

Ririka's appearance also broadens the picture of elite youth karuta. Shinobu is extraordinary, but she is not the only child capable of reaching Class A years before most players.

Chihaya Ayase is Ririka's opponent in the East Japan Queen qualifier. Their match pits two notably fast players against each other and gives Chihaya Ayase an opportunity to apply her improved timing.

Shinobu Wakamiya is the reigning Queen to whom observers compare Ririka because of her unusually early advancement.

Hideo Harada does not coach Ririka, but his instruction to Chihaya Ayase becomes important to the strategy used against the young prodigy.