Ryuko Arima

"There's so much we can learn from the animals we share this planet with. We just need to be patient and observe, and they'll teach us some of life's most important lessons."

- Ryuko Arima

Ryuko Arima (有馬 龍子) is a student at Hope's Peak Academy's Class 2-C and a participant of the 'Killing School Cruise'. Her title is Ultimate Zookeeper (超高校級の「飼育員」lit. Super High School Level Keeper).

Appearance
Ryuko Arima is a petite young woman standing at 5'3" with a slender build. Her medium-length, wavy auburn hair is typically tied back into a loose, messy ponytail, with a few strands framing her face. Her bangs are swept to the side, adding a playful touch to her appearance. Ryuko's warm brown eyes are often filled with kindness and curiosity, reflecting her deep love and compassion for the animals she cares for.

Her attire consists of a simple green button-up shirt, which she usually rolls up to her elbows for practicality. The shirt is adorned with various animal-themed pins and patches, showcasing her enthusiasm for her talent. Each patch and pin represents a different species, reflecting the diversity of animals she has worked with as a zookeeper.

Ryuko wears a pair of khaki cargo pants that provide her with plenty of pocket space for any tools or supplies she may need throughout her day. Her pants are often slightly dirt-stained or frayed at the hem, evidence of her hands-on approach to her work. She also sports a pair of durable brown boots, perfect for navigating the various terrains and enclosures she encounters in her line of work.

To complete her look, Ryuko dons a pair of fingerless gloves that offer her a better grip on tools and equipment while still allowing her the dexterity needed to handle animals with care. These gloves are well-worn but meticulously cared for, demonstrating her attention to detail and commitment to her profession.

Personality
Ryuko Arima is a compassionate and dedicated individual with a deep love for animals. Her passion for her work as the Ultimate Zookeeper shines through in her every interaction, and she approaches her responsibilities with enthusiasm and a strong sense of duty. She believes that animals deserve the same level of respect and care as humans, which drives her to excel in her field and ensure the well-being of her animal charges.

Ryuko is a gentle soul who has a knack for putting others at ease, both human and animal alike. She is patient and understanding, with an uncanny ability to read the emotions of those around her. This emotional intelligence allows her to form strong bonds with the animals she works with, as well as her classmates at Hope's Peak Academy. She is always willing to lend a sympathetic ear and offer support to those in need, making her a beloved friend to many.

Despite her gentle demeanor, Ryuko is not one to shy away from tough situations. Her determination and commitment to her work have helped her overcome numerous challenges in her career as a zookeeper. She has a strong work ethic and takes pride in her ability to handle difficult tasks with grace under pressure. When faced with adversity, Ryuko will push herself to the limit to ensure the safety and well-being of her beloved animals and friends.

Ryuko is also an advocate for conservation and environmental awareness, often using her platform as the Ultimate Zookeeper to educate others about the importance of protecting our planet's diverse ecosystems. She is knowledgeable in her field and is always eager to share her insights with others, hoping to inspire a sense of responsibility and appreciation for the natural world.

Although Ryuko is typically calm and composed, she can become fiercely protective when it comes to the well-being of her animals or her friends. She is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in, even if it means going against the majority. Her strong moral compass and unwavering commitment to her values make her a respected and inspiring figure among her peers.

In her downtime, Ryuko enjoys studying animal behavior, learning about new species, and staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in zookeeping and conservation efforts. She is also fond of photography, often capturing candid moments of the animals she works with in order to share their beauty and uniqueness with the world.

Early Life
Ryuko Arima experienced a sudden change in her life early on when her family moved to a new city. The move was prompted by her father's job as a lawyer, which demanded a lot of his time and kept him away from home. Despite his frequent absences, Ryuko was very close to her father, who took her to places like the zoo whenever they had the opportunity to spend time together. Unbeknownst to Ryuko, her father's outings with her were a way for him to hide his ongoing affair.

Eventually, Ryuko's mother discovered the affair and decided to divorce her husband. In order to protect her daughter from the painful truth, she chose not to disclose the reason for the divorce. Ryuko and her mother moved away, and as a result, she saw her father less and less. This significant upheaval in her family life deeply affected Ryuko, leaving her feeling hurt and betrayed.

Feeling lost and angry, Ryuko began acting out and getting into trouble. She held a grudge against her mother, who she believed was responsible for the distance between her and her father. Struggling to make friends as she got older, Ryuko turned to animals for comfort, volunteering at the local zoo and immersing herself in their company.

Her love for animals grew stronger as she spent more time at the zoo, and it quickly became her sanctuary from the difficulties of her personal life. Ryuko's passion and dedication to caring for the animals eventually led her to become a part-time employee at the zoo after school at Harmony Wildlife Academy. This opportunity not only allowed her to further her skills as a zookeeper but also gave her a sense of financial independence from her mother.

Ryuko's talent and hard work did not go unnoticed, and she was soon recognized as the Ultimate Zookeeper. Despite the challenges she faced in her early life, Ryuko found solace and purpose in her work with animals, shaping her into the determined and compassionate person she would become.

Killing School Cruise
When Ryuko received her acceptance letter to Hope's Peak Academy, she was excited for the new chapter in her life. However, on her first day of school, she found herself thrown into a killing game with her fellow classmates, the Killing School Cruise. The drastic change from her old life to the deadly game was overwhelming and disorienting for Ryuko.

At the start of the game, Ryuko felt lost and unsure of herself in the unfamiliar situation. She struggled to adapt to the horrifying reality of being trapped with her classmates in a deadly game of survival. However, she was determined not to let fear and despair take over her life.

As she spent more time with her classmates, Ryuko befriended one of the more mature students, who was also fun to be around. This connection helped her feel grounded and provided her with a sense of belonging in the midst of the chaos. As their relationship deepened, Ryuko found herself developing a crush on her new friend.

Determined to maintain a positive attitude and prevent the group's morale from deteriorating, Ryuko became an asset in the class trials, helping to identify the guilty parties. She began to take on a leadership role, rallying her classmates to work together and fight against Monokuma, the twisted mastermind behind the Killing School Cruise.

Throughout the game, Ryuko continued to grow as a person, learning from the experiences and losses of her classmates. She became more resilient and focused, always pushing forward in the face of adversity. Her positive attitude and determination to survive inspired her classmates and gave them hope in their darkest moments.

As the killing game progressed, Ryuko's crush was tragically killed. Devastated by the loss, she was forced to confront her feelings of grief and helplessness. However, rather than succumbing to despair, Ryuko used her pain as motivation to continue fighting for her own survival and the memory of her fallen friend.

When the final trial arrived, tasking the remaining students with uncovering the mastermind among them, Ryuko faced her most significant challenge yet. The evidence was confusing and conflicting, making it difficult to pinpoint the true culprit behind the Killing School Cruise. Despite the daunting task, Ryuko persevered, using her analytical skills and intuition to uncover the truth.

After a long and grueling trial, Ryuko and her classmates finally succeeded in exposing the mastermind and putting an end to the killing game. Although the journey had been fraught with loss and hardship, they had managed to survive and overcome the twisted forces of despair.

As the Killing School Cruise came to an end, Ryuko felt a mixture of relief and anxiety about what the future would hold for her and the other survivors. The bonds they had formed during their time together remained strong, and they leaned on each other for support as they began the process of healing and rebuilding their lives.

In the aftermath of the game, Ryuko reflected on the experiences she had gone through and the person she had become. She was no longer the lost, angry girl she had once been, but a resilient, determined survivor who had learned to face adversity head-on. She vowed to honor the memory of her fallen classmates by continuing to push forward and make the most of her second chance at life.

Ryuko's journey through the Killing School Cruise ultimately taught her the value of hope, friendship, and perseverance. She emerged from the deadly game as a stronger, more compassionate person, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead with courage and determination.

Research Lab
Ryuko's Research Lab resembles a small, indoor wildlife sanctuary, complete with artificial trees, foliage, and grassy areas. The space is designed to resemble a variety of natural habitats, allowing her to care for and interact with a diverse range of animals. The lab is equipped with state-of-the-art animal care facilities, including veterinary equipment, food storage, and grooming tools. There are also numerous books and reference materials on animal behavior, biology, and conservation to help Ryuko expand her knowledge of the animal kingdom. It is unlocked in chapter 2.

Upon discovering her research lab, Ryuko was immediately captivated by the space and its thoughtful design. The indoor sanctuary provided a sense of comfort and familiarity to her, reminding her of the zoo where she had spent countless hours caring for animals. She was eager to explore the lab and learn about the different creatures that inhabited the space.

Initially, Ryuko spent a lot of time in her research lab, tending to the animals and making sure they were well-cared for. She found solace in the presence of the creatures, who helped her cope with the stress and anxiety of the Killing School Cruise. She also used the lab as an opportunity to educate her classmates about the animals and their unique characteristics, sharing her passion for conservation and environmental awareness with them.

As the killing game progressed, Ryuko became increasingly protective of her research lab and its inhabitants. She understood the importance of maintaining a safe and secure environment for the animals, especially in the midst of the chaos and danger that surrounded them. Consequently, she implemented strict rules for anyone who wished to enter her research lab, ensuring that the animals' well-being was always the top priority.

Ryuko's insistence on protecting her research lab led to some friction with her classmates, who felt that she was being overly cautious and secretive. However, Ryuko was determined to keep the animals safe and refused to compromise on their care. This unwavering commitment to her values only served to deepen the respect and admiration her classmates felt for her.

Despite her strict rules, Ryuko was always willing to share her knowledge and insights with her classmates. She organized guided tours of the research lab for small groups, allowing them to learn more about the animals and their habitats. These tours also served as a reminder of the beauty and diversity of the natural world, providing a brief respite from the grim reality of the killing game.

As the Killing School Cruise came to an end, Ryuko's research lab played a significant role in her journey. The sanctuary had not only provided her with a sense of purpose and direction but also served as a constant reminder of the importance of protecting the things she loved most. Through her experiences in the lab, Ryuko had learned to channel her passion for animals into a powerful force for good, using her knowledge and skills to make a difference in the world.

Alternate Fates
The following is Ryuko's execution had she murdered someone during the game

The Zookeeper's Final Show


Ryuko finds herself standing in the center of a large, dimly lit circus tent. The audience, composed of Monokuma's robotic minions, cheers and claps as a spotlight shines down on her. She's dressed in a zookeeper's uniform, and her hands are bound by a long chain that extends up to the tent's ceiling.

Suddenly, the tent's lights flicker on, revealing cages filled with ferocious, life-like animatronic animals surrounding Ryuko. Each cage has a small, bright red button on the outside. Monokuma, dressed as a ringmaster, appears with a sinister grin and dramatically presses one of the buttons.

The cage door swings open, releasing the animatronic animal inside. It charges at Ryuko, who instinctively tries to escape, but the chain limits her movements. As she struggles to evade the animal, Monokuma continues to press the buttons, unleashing more and more of the mechanical beasts upon her.

Ryuko, relying on her Ultimate Zookeeper skills, manages to calm some of the animatronics and even turns them against each other. However, Monokuma has a trick up his sleeve. He unveils a giant animatronic T-Rex, which roars menacingly as it breaks free from its cage.

The T-Rex chases Ryuko around the tent, its powerful jaws snapping inches away from her. As she runs and dodges the beast, the chain binding her hands grows shorter and shorter, limiting her movements even further. She realizes that she must use her zookeeper skills one last time to find a way to outsmart the monstrous predator.

Ryuko devises a plan and lures the T-Rex beneath the spot where her chain is anchored to the ceiling. With a burst of strength and agility, she leaps out of the way just as the T-Rex lunges for her. The animatronic beast crashes into the chain's anchor, causing it to snap and sending the T-Rex crashing down onto the circus tent floor.

For a brief moment, Ryuko thinks she's outsmarted her execution. However, as the dust settles, she realizes that the T-Rex has fallen onto the other cages, crushing them and releasing all the remaining animatronic animals. The tent becomes a chaotic battleground, with Ryuko caught in the center of the frenzy.

Despite her best efforts to escape or tame the animatronics, Ryuko is ultimately overwhelmed by the sheer number of the mechanical beasts. In the end, the relentless swarm of animatronic animals seals her fate, leaving her lifeless body in the center of the now-destroyed circus tent. The spotlight fades, and Monokuma, still dressed as a ringmaster, takes a final bow to the cheering robotic audience.