As a dedicated manga enthusiast with over two decades analyzing Masami Yuki's groundbreaking works—from Mobile Suit Gundam to his schoolyard sci-fi tales—I've long admired Kyukyoku Chojin R (Ultimate Superhuman R). This 1980s serialized gem blends android antics with high school chaos, following R, a 15-year-old robot built for world domination but sidetracked by rice and the Digital Camera Club.
R: The naive, airheaded android protagonist created by Dr. Narihara. He loves rice, boasts quirky traits like rotating his head 180 degrees, and often forgets world conquest. In the 'Kyukyoku Sentai Kougaman' parody, he's Kouga Black. Early CDs feature Yuki Masami voicing R alongside animation staff.
Sango: R's quick-to-befriend classmate and Camera Club member with a growing crush on him. Athletic and serious about photography; Kouga Blue in Kougaman. First encounters R on a club trip, bonding over his rice obsession.
Shiiko: The quick-witted 'Mother of the Camera Club,' repeatedly rescuing the group from crises. A tomboyish mainstay.
Erika: Hyper, cheerful tomboy with a crush on R (rivaling Sayoko). Kouga Pink in Kougaman; embarrassed by her older sister Marii.
Makoto: Athletic best friend to Sango; Kouga Yellow. Serious about pursuing photography professionally.
Magaki: Dimwitted but pleasant, with cross-dressing tendencies. Close with Erika and Makoto; resembles R's group as a senior. Kouga Red; loves flowers and reacts dramatically like The Scream.
Tosaka: Conceited senior with school pride and a middle finger habit. Clashes with ghosts like Sayoko.
Tawaba: Oldest member (20 at start), cynical chain smoker, aggravated by R.
Dr. Narihara: Self-proclaimed mad scientist and R's creator, inspired by his son Akira (R's appearance basis). Abandoned world domination as 'too much work'; built R29 as a smarter 'sister' for a second try.
Marii: Arrogant Student Council leader hating the Camera Club, especially R and Tosaka. Nearsighted, avoids glasses; accompanied by narcissistic 'seducer' Iwashimizu.
Sayoko: Ghost haunting the old clubroom (comatose from accident). Controlling; later club president earning big from photos, drawn to R's magnetic field.
Background figures like glasses-wearing, stuttering Asano; small-eyed Kishida; and friends Gou, Chief Hattori add flavor.
Reissued in five bunkoban and four wideban volumes. OVAs feature Kougaman parody (15-page sentai spoof with Yutaka Izubuchi designs; theme by Masayuki Yamamoto). Columbia Music Entertainment relaunched four image albums on March 21, 2007, from mid-80s LPs. Crossovers appear in Yuki's Assemble Insert anime.
