Ikariya is a small, squid-shaped robot that appears in the anime Hand Maid May. He is a project created by the main character Kazuya Saotome, who is a college student with a strong interest in robotics and artificial intelligence. The robot is part of what Kazuya calls his Doraemon Project, named after the famous robotic cat from another series, representing his ambition to build a truly intelligent machine. In physical appearance, Ikariya is a simple, non-humanoid robot with the likeness of a squid. His design is compact and portable, easily fitting inside a backpack or being carried around.

In terms of personality and intelligence, Ikariya is portrayed as being quite primitive compared to the advanced Cyberdolls that populate the series. He does not possess the sophisticated emotions or complex conversational abilities of characters like May or Sara. His speech is limited to simple phrases or repeating words, which is a result of his early-stage artificial intelligence. Despite his simplicity, he exhibits a capacity for playful and sometimes mischievous behavior. On one occasion, he is shown wearing sunglasses and playfully chasing another character, demonstrating a sense of fun that goes beyond his basic programming.

The character's primary motivation is inherent to his nature as a robot under development. He does not possess personal goals or desires in the same way human characters do. Instead, his function is defined by his relationship with his creator, Kazuya. Ikariya serves as a constant for Kazuya, a long-term project that predates the arrival of the more advanced Cyberdolls. He is a symbol of Kazuya's dedication to robotics and his hands-on, inventive skills. Throughout the story, Kazuya continues to work on Ikariya, providing him with periodic upgrades via a USB connection that enhance his capabilities and grant him more of a distinct personality.

Ikariya's role in the story is primarily as a supporting character and an important plot device. He acts as a foil to the highly advanced Cyberdolls, highlighting the contrast between Kazuya's homemade, developing technology and the sophisticated, mass-produced androids from the Cyberdyne Corporation. His existence grounds the story's science fiction elements, reminding the audience that Kazuya is a talented hobbyist and inventor. In a key sequence, Ikariya inadvertently helps Kazuya and May by distracting another character, Rena, a young Cyberdoll sent to retrieve May. Rena becomes so fascinated with playing with Ikariya that she abandons her original mission, showcasing the little robot's unexpected value.

Several key relationships define Ikariya's place in the narrative. His most important bond is with Kazuya, who treats him not just as a machine but as a meaningful creation. Kazuya's continuous efforts to upgrade and improve Ikariya demonstrate his commitment to the project and his passion for invention. Another significant relationship forms with the Cyberdoll Rena. She develops a strong fondness for Ikariya, frequently carrying him around and treating him almost like a beloved pet or a best friend. This attachment is a recurring element, demonstrating that even the more advanced robots can find value and companionship in simpler machines. Other characters, such as Kazuya's neighbor Kasumi, also interact with Ikariya, often commenting on his design and progress.

Throughout the series, Ikariya shows a subtle but important development. He begins as a barely functional prototype that can only move with assistance and speak in limited patterns. As Kazuya performs hardware and software upgrades, Ikariya gains more autonomy and his personality becomes more defined. He progresses from a passive object to a more active participant in small events, capable of independent movement and simple communication.

Regarding notable abilities, Ikariya is primarily a product of Kazuya's engineering ingenuity. His most significant ability is his capacity for learning and growth through direct programming and hardware modifications by his creator. He can be plugged into a computer via a USB port for upgrades, allowing his intelligence and functionality to increase over time. As a robot designed after a squid, one of his more distinctive abilities is the power to shoot a cloud of ink, which he uses in a playful scheme to teach another character a lesson about responsibility and power. This ability, while not technologically impressive, is unique to him and ties into his whimsical design. While primitive, his core programming is considered a potential prototype that may have influenced the development of the Maid Program, the advanced operating system used in all later Cyberdolls, hinting at the long-term significance of Kazuya's work.