Rōnin (student)

The large number of individuals opting to become rōnin reflects their desire to enhance their chances of gaining admission to such prestigious institutions.

[6] Parental pressure plays a large part in influencing the need for academic success in Japanese students, since they want their children to succeed.

[7] Being a rōnin for too long has negative impacts, specifically regarding social expectations on the appropriate age to finalize your education and begin to enter the workforce.

[8] This elevation in applicants' academic standards boosts the reputation of each university, thereby increasing the overall appeal and competitiveness of higher education in Japan.

Graduates from upper-class high schools also tend to choose becoming rōnin rather than enter less prestigious universities since they know they will have the support of supplementary education to guide their studies.

[4] There are higher rates of rōnin from upper-class high schools for this reason and since their families have better access to information about supplementary education options.

In the manga and anime series Chobits, the protagonist, Hideki Motosuwa, is a rōnin studying at a preparatory school to get into college.