Ritsuko Mukae

Ritsuko Mukae serves as the central heroine of the coming-of-age jazz anime Kids on the Slope. As class representative of her first-year class at Higashi High, she is known for her genuine and grounded personality. Having grown up alongside Sentaro, their childhood bond forms one of the story's emotional anchors. The basement of her family's record shop, Welcome Records, becomes the beloved rehearsal space where the protagonists pour their hearts into jazz. A sincere Catholic, Ritsuko embraces those around her with quiet warmth, acting as the vital link between Kaoru and Sentaro's friendship—and ultimately sharing a profound romantic connection with Kaoru.