Nendou Riki
Nendou Riki |
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| Kanji | 燃堂 力 |
| Rōmaji | Nendou Riki |
| Age: | 17 |
| Birthday: | May 9 |
| Height: | 191.3 cm (6’3”) |
| Voice Actor | |
| Japanese | Daisuke Ono |
| English | David Wald |
Riki Nendou (燃堂 力, Nendō Riki), is one of the main characters of Saiki Kusuo no Psi-nan (The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.). Though he is dull-witted and eccentric, he is also kind-hearted and extremely loyal, often going out of his way to help others. While his peers find him annoying, his intentions are always genuine, making him one of the most dependable friends despite his lack of intelligence.
Nendou is easily recognized due to his distinctive appearance, which includes a bald head with short spikes, thick eyebrows, and a uniquely shaped chin. His loud personality and cluelessness make him a constant source of frustration for Kusuo Saiki, but he remains one of the few people who genuinely considers Kusuo his best friend. In the Saiki Kusuo no Psi-nan live-action adaptation, Hirofumi Arai played the role of Nendou.
Background
Appearance in anime
Riki Nendou was raised by his single mother, Midori Nendou, after his father passed away. Despite his intimidating appearance, he was brought up with strong moral values, always looking out for those who need help. Though he is academically weak and often struggles to grasp even the simplest concepts, he makes up for it with his unwavering kindness and physical strength.
His friendship with Kusuo Saiki is one of the most bizarre dynamics in the series, as Kusuo, despite his psychic powers, cannot read Nendou’s mind something that frustrates him immensely. Although Kusuo tries to avoid him, Nendou continuously follows him around, considering Kusuo his best friend.
Appearance
Nendou is a tall, muscular teenager with a very distinctive facial structure. He has a buzz-cut hairstyle with a small spiked tuft at the top, thick eyebrows, and a strong, exaggerated chin that gives him a somewhat cartoonish and intimidating look. His round, beady eyes and wide mouth add to his goofy and dim-witted appearance.
He typically wears the standard PK Academy uniform, consisting of a green jacket with black trim, matching pants, and a white shirt underneath. His casual outfits often include bold, loud patterns that match his brash personality.
Personality
Nendou is cheerful, straightforward, and fiercely loyal, but he is also not very bright. His simple-minded nature and complete lack of awareness often lead him to misunderstand situations, causing hilarity and chaos. He is oblivious to social cues and does not realize when he is being annoying, much to Kusuo’s frustration.
Despite his dim-witted nature, Nendou is one of the most dependable characters in the series. He has a strong moral compass, always standing up for his friends and the weak. His genuine kindness and selflessness make him well-liked by many, even if his lack of intelligence makes him difficult to deal with.
One of Nendou’s most unique traits is that Kusuo cannot read his mind, something that makes him one of the few true mysteries in Kusuo’s life. This further frustrates Kusuo, as he cannot predict Nendou’s thoughts or actions, making him one of the biggest sources of unpredictability in his life.
Role in the Story
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An Unwanted Best Friend
Although Kusuo tries to keep his distance from Nendou, he always ends up getting dragged into his antics. Nendou sees Kusuo as his best friend, constantly inviting him to eat ramen, hang out, or do ridiculous activities. No matter how much Kusuo tries to avoid him, Nendou’s persistence always wins. -
Comic Relief and Chaos Bringer
Nendou’s lack of awareness leads to many of the series’ funniest moments. Whether he misunderstands a situation, says something wildly inappropriate, or simply refuses to take a hint, his actions constantly disrupt Kusuo’s attempts at a peaceful life. -
A Surprisingly Dependable Ally
Despite his foolishness, Nendou genuinely cares about his friends and is always willing to stand up for them. His strength and fearless nature make him a reliable protector, and his good-natured personality brings a rare sense of warmth and sincerity to the group.
Relationships
Kusuo Saiki
Kusuo and Nendou have one of the most entertaining relationships in the series. While Nendou considers Kusuo his best friend, Kusuo sees Nendou as his greatest annoyance. Kusuo tries countless times to avoid him, but Nendou somehow always finds him, making Kusuo feel trapped in their “friendship.” Despite Kusuo’s constant irritation, Nendou is one of the few people who genuinely cares about him, always looking out for him and including him in everything. Deep down, Kusuo acknowledges that Nendou is a good person, even if he would never admit it.
Shun Kaidou
Nendou and Shun Kaidou have a hilarious dynamic, as Kaidou, who acts like he’s a hero fighting against secret organizations, is terrified of Nendou due to his intimidating appearance. However, Nendou is completely unaware of this, treating Kaidou like a regular friend.
Aren Kuboyasu
Aren, a former delinquent, is one of the few people strong enough to fight Nendou. While Aren has abandoned his violent past, Nendou sometimes unknowingly brings out his old habits, leading to funny confrontations between the two.
Midori Nendou (Mother)
Nendou’s mother, Midori Nendou, is a gentle and kind woman who raised him as a single parent. She is one of the few people Kusuo actually respects, as her good-hearted nature contrasts greatly with her son’s ridiculousness.