Rita

* Colored
* Manga

**Rita** (リタ, *Rita*) is the main character in *Kindergarten WARS* series, written and illustrated by You Chiba.

Rita is a former assassin known as **the Witch** who currently works at the Kindergarten Noir under Erina's orders. She is the teacher of the dandelion class along with Doug and Hana.

## Appearance

Rita, being of smaller stature than average for her age, is often referred to by Doug as a "little twerp." She has brown hair, which she usually ties back in a simple ponytail. She also has uneven long fringes that fall just above her green eyes, as well as side bangs that reach slightly past her shoulders.

When she is at work in the Kindergarten Noir, she wears their standard teacher uniform, consisting of a long-sleeved white polo shirt, a black necktie, and an apron with the word "たんぽぽ" (meaning "Dandelion") written on it.

## Personality

Rita is known for her friendly and approachable nature, especially when it comes to interacting with the children at the Kindergarten Noir. She is physically strong, which allows her to easily participate in any play activities the kids want to engage in, making her adaptable to various physical games. While she may appear confident in handling tantrums from the children, there are moments when she becomes anxious and unsure of how to handle them. In the past, she held a grudge against Doug for his boastful nature and occasional teasing.

Rita's attraction to attractive men has led her to employ a peculiar strategy when dealing with assassins targeting the children. She occasionally grants them a brief opportunity by asking them irrelevant questions related to her preferences. If their answers don't align with her likes, she ends up eliminating them. As someone like her who's a notorious criminal, she has a quirky side and holds a strong belief in various types of horoscopes, including those related to blood types and zodiac signs. She has a particular interest in the idea of soulmates and eagerly awaits the opportunity to find her own. This fascination with horoscopes adds a sense of intrigue and excitement to her daily life. She often consults her horoscopes, wholeheartedly believing in their predictions, particularly when it comes to finding a handsome partner in the future.

Despite her usual cheerful and warm disposition, Rita can be quite intimidating when she is focused on carrying out a specific mission, particularly one involving killing. There have been instances where even Hana Bradley herself became terrified of Rita, who displayed a stark contrast to her usual attitude. During these moments, Rita eliminates her enemies with a coldness, treating them as insignificant and unworthy, revealing a side of her that is vastly different from how she is normally perceived.

## Plot

### Background

She was a legendary assassin known as **the Witch**, famous for murdering anyone who came her way. At some point in her life she was in prison and was known as Jane Doe.

## Relationships

### Familial

* Leo: Leo is Rita's younger twin brother. Currently, there is limited available information regarding the underlying reason behind Rita's big decision to leave her family and disclose the truth at this point in her life. However, it is worth noting that both Rita and Leo possess exceptional combat abilities.

### Non-familial

* Doug: Rita's superior, she and he are good friends and colleagues in addition to having good teamwork, Rita began to see Doug differently when in an accident they both accidentally kissed. From that moment Rita has considered Doug as something more but the interruptions and misunderstandings make Rita think that Doug is still a swindler.

* Hana Bradley: Rita's junior, they are both good friends and they usually trust each other.

* Luke Smith: Another of Rita's superiors, Luke was seen by Rita as a possible boyfriend candidate however after Luke rejected her Rita gave up on him, they are both co-workers and have gone on missions together. Rita trusts his abilities.

* Silvia: Rita has not had as much coexistence with her as with the others, however they both get along well.

* Gordon Z. Sky: Rita respects him for being the vice principal of the kindergarten.

* Erina Winkler: Rita's boss. Rita is intimidated when she is around her since she knows that she is capable of murdering her if she fails her missions.

* Lyla: A kindergarten student, like the rest of the teachers, Rita has the mission of protecting Lyla.

* Natasha: An assassin sent to kill Lyla which Rita had to kill to prevent it. Natasha and Rita had a lot in common which made Rita appreciate her current life more surrounded by her friends and colleagues.

* Natsuki Inomoto: An assassin from Asakusa who planned to kill Rita, Doug and Hana, when confronted by Natsuki he understood that she was stronger than him so he gave up being forgiven by Rita, at the end of their fight Natsuki and she were left in good terms with Rita wondering if she would see them again.

## Operational Proficiency

### Abilities and Skills

* **Strength:** In spite of Rita's petite stature and slender physique, she possesses incredibly powerful superhuman physical abilities. She effortlessly handles various objects, such as large motorbikes and heavy weapons, with ease. Whether engaging in hand-to-hand combat or utilizing weapons, she effortlessly dispatches assassins with a single strike. Notably, there have been instances where she effortlessly leaps from tall buildings, relying solely on her extraordinary strength.

* **Speed and Reflexes:** Rita is imperceptibly fast and agile. Although her uniform being comfortable to move around is also a perk of it, she can easily dodge any surprise attacks using any methods she can, which that includes covering via their kindergarten's tables that are made off hard to be able to use to cover especially since the kids are always being hunted down by the assassins day by day.

* **Durability and Stamina:** Rita possesses an extraordinary ability in terms of durability and stamina, making her a formidable force in any challenge or confrontation. Her durability is nothing short of astounding, as she can withstand punishing blows and attacks that would leave most individuals incapacitated. Whether it's enduring bone-shattering impacts, intense energy assaults, or extreme environmental conditions, Rita stands resilient, undeterred by the adversities thrown her way.

Her stamina is equally remarkable, seemingly boundless and nearly inexhaustible. Rita can push herself to the absolute limit and still keep going, defying physical limitations that would leave others gasping for breath. Long, arduous battles and extended periods of intense physical activity only serve to fuel her determination further, allowing her to sustain peak performance for extended periods without showing signs of fatigue.

With her exceptional durability and unmatched stamina, Rita becomes an indomitable force on the battlefield, capable of outlasting opponents and emerging victorious even in the face of overwhelming odds.

* **Hand-to-hand Combat:** Rita is a master of hand-to-hand combat, a true exemplar of martial prowess that strikes fear into the hearts of her adversaries. Her movements are a seamless blend of grace and lethal precision, showcasing years of dedicated training and honing her skills to perfection. When engaged in combat, Rita becomes an enigmatic force, seemingly anticipating her opponent's every move and countering with expertly executed strikes.

Her fighting style is multifaceted, drawing from a diverse array of martial arts disciplines. Fluid and agile, she effortlessly transitions between striking, grappling, and defensive maneuvers, leaving opponents bewildered and struggling to keep up with her blistering pace. Her strikes are delivered with such force and accuracy that even the most formidable opponents find it challenging to evade or block them.

Rita's exceptional hand-to-hand combat ability is not just limited to her physical prowess; her keen strategic mind enhances her effectiveness in battle. She can quickly analyze an opponent's weaknesses and exploit them with calculated precision, turning their own strengths against them. Every move she makes serves a purpose, and she adapts her tactics on the fly to gain the upper hand.

* **Weaponry:** In times of intense combat, Rita's proficiency with guns and her adaptability to utilize nearby weapons make her a force to be reckoned with. Her expertise extends beyond guns, as she possesses a unique ability to adapt and excel with any weapon she finds nearby. From traditional melee weapons like swords, knives and staffs to improvised tools such as pipes, wrenches, or even household or hospital items, Rita can wield them with surprising skill and dexterity. This adaptability allows her to seamlessly switch between ranged and close-quarters combat, catching opponents off guard and keeping them on the defensive.

### Weakness

* **Attraction towards Good-looking Men:** Rita, despite her remarkable abilities and combat prowess, has a particular weakness that can sometimes compromise her judgment and focus. She finds herself irresistibly attracted to good-looking men, and this infatuation can lead to moments of distraction and vulnerability in critical situations.

When faced with a charming and attractive man, Rita's attention can veer off course, as she becomes engrossed in random conversations and flirty banter. This emotional distraction occasionally hinders her from making swift decisions or staying fully vigilant during missions. In certain instances, she may inadvertently allow adversaries, such as assassins, a momentary reprieve, especially when they happen to possess the captivating qualities that catch her eye. This vulnerability is further exacerbated by her longing for a romantic partner, as Rita is sometimes preoccupied with the idea of finding a boyfriend or meaningful relationship.

* **Can't Swim:** Despite her numerous strengths and formidable abilities, Rita harbors a significant weakness that becomes a potential liability in certain situations - she can't swim.

## Etymology

* The name **"リタ" (Rita)** is a Japanese transliteration of the Western name "Rita." As a foreign name in the Japanese language, it does not have a specific meaning or etymology in Japanese. Instead, the name retains its original meaning and cultural associations from its language of origin, which in this case is likely to be derived from Latin or Spanish.
	+ In Latin, "Rita" is a feminine given name derived from the word "rita," meaning "pearl" or "precious gem." It is often associated with beauty, elegance, and purity. The name has also been influenced by Spanish, where it can be a short form of the name "Margarita," which means "daisy" or "pearl." "Rita" can also be a diminutive form of names such as "Margherita" in Italian or "Margaret" in English.

## Trivia

* It's likely that Rita goes by a different real name, given the recent encounter she had with her twin brother at Kindergarten Noir. During this encounter, her brother, along with some associates, aimed to target Layla, one of the kids attending the Kindergarten. Additionally, there was a time when she was imprisoned, and she was referred to as Jane Doe.

## References

*Kindergarten WARS* Manga: Chapter 32 (Page 16).
*Kindergarten WARS* Manga: Chapter 21 (Page 45).