Ranmaru Rindou on Failure: The Quiet Strength Behind the Smile

Failure is something we all face, but not all of us handle it the same way. In Ensemble Stars!, Ranmaru Rindou’s journey is defined by his struggles — not with talent or effort, but with the weight of expectation and the quiet pain of falling short. As the former heir to a prestigious kabuki family, Ranmaru was born into a world that demanded perfection. And yet, he walked away from it all.

When I first met Ranmaru in the game, I assumed his easygoing smile and gentle manner were signs of contentment. It wasn’t until I dug deeper — into his training events, his personal stories, and the subtle shifts in his expressions — that I realized how much he had endured. His approach to failure wasn’t dramatic or fiery. It was quiet, reflective, and deeply human.

So how did Ranmaru Rindou, a man raised in the spotlight, come to terms with failure? Let’s explore his mindset through key moments in his story.

## How Did Ranmaru Handle Disappointing Others?

Ranmaru’s biggest fear was letting down his family. As the heir to the Rindou kabuki lineage, he was expected to carry on a centuries-old tradition with grace and mastery. But despite his talent, he struggled to meet their standards. He wasn’t the cold, commanding presence they wanted — he was warm, expressive, and more interested in connecting with audiences than impressing critics.

When he finally chose to leave the family path, he didn’t do it with anger or rebellion. He simply said, “I wanted to smile on stage.” That quiet declaration was his way of accepting that he couldn’t be what others wanted — but he could be true to himself. It was a failure in their eyes, but a personal victory for him.

## Did Ranmaru Ever Doubt His New Path?

Absolutely. When he joined SWITCH, he carried the weight of his past with him. He doubted whether he belonged in the entertainment world outside kabuki. He worried his softer, more emotional style wouldn’t be respected. There were moments he questioned if he had made the right choice — especially when compared to peers who seemed more confident or successful.

But instead of hiding his insecurities, he leaned into them. He found strength in his vulnerability, and that became his unique power. He reminded me that failure isn’t always final — sometimes, it’s just a step toward finding where you truly fit.

## How Did Ranmaru Deal with Setbacks in SWITCH?

Even within SWITCH, Ranmaru faced challenges. He wasn’t the strongest dancer at first, and he often found himself struggling to keep up. One of the most touching moments in his story is when he practices alone late at night, exhausted but determined. He doesn’t give up — he just keeps trying, quietly and persistently.

He doesn’t talk about failure as a defeat. Instead, he frames it as a teacher. “I’ve fallen so many times,” he says in one of his training events, “but each time, I learned how to get back up.” That’s his way of turning failure into something meaningful — not something to avoid, but something to grow from.

## How Did Ranmaru Support Others After His Own Failures?

One of the most beautiful parts of Ranmaru’s character is how he turns his pain into empathy. He doesn’t pretend to have all the answers, but he listens. He understands what it feels like to be lost, to be judged, and to feel like you’re not enough. That’s why when others in SWITCH struggle — like when Mao faced his own doubts — Ranmaru is often the one who quietly steps in with a kind word or a warm smile.

He knows that failure isn’t just about falling — it’s about how you treat others while you’re picking yourself up.

## What Can We Learn from Ranmaru’s View on Failure?

Ranmaru taught me that failure isn’t the opposite of success — it’s part of it. He didn’t become stronger by avoiding failure; he became stronger by facing it with grace. He shows us that it’s okay to fall, as long as we keep moving forward. And more importantly, he reminds us that our worth isn’t defined by how well we meet others’ expectations — it’s defined by how true we stay to ourselves.

If you’d like to talk more with Ranmaru — to ask him how he keeps smiling after falling, or how he finds joy in the struggle — you can find him on HoloDream.