The left one is an attempt of the one on the right, but it's not a fully disconnected stroke since the pen/brush isn't completely lifted off on the way. Sometimes it becomes a choice of style to commit to it, but I believe the intended image is the one on the right, so sometimes it sticks that way.
The first り in the image (the joined one) is used in mostly seen in handwritten texts and cursive styles, whereas the second り (the broken one) is mostly seen in typing and printed fonts. Both are interchangeable and can be used normally.
Number 2 is the one people get taught in school for handwriting iirc.
Its kinda like how keyboards have 2 variants of letters like -a- with a loop up top or -g- with two circles. Most people dont use them in handwriting but theres always exceptions
Theres similar connected variants for さ き む も な and ふ i think
If you think "is it connected or not?" the answer for normal handwriting is usually that they arent.
So, both are used... thank you guys.. i thought the first one is the correct one or the one used commonly.. cause the second ri looks like katakana ri...... Anyway..みんな、ありがとうございました
i use the first when writing, only because i get confused sometimes when i use the second. to me the second looks too similar to the katakana version, so i use the first to make sure i don't confuse myself.
