Dr. Nariyuki Narihara, a self-proclaimed mad scientist, created the android R. Ichiro Tanaka to spearhead a world domination scheme. He discarded both the plan and R upon deeming global conquest excessively laborious, losing interest until R independently enrolled in a Japanese high school. Dr. Narihara has a human family—a wife and a biological son, Akira, whose appearance modeled R's design. Akira remains mostly unaware of R's existence. To explain R's presence to the school's Camera Club, Dr. Narihara and his wife fabricated a story: they claimed Akira died in an accident and was rebuilt as an android, echoing Astro Boy's origin. This deception collapsed when Akira coincidentally appeared in person moments later.

Later, Dr. Narihara constructed another android, R #29, designated as R's younger sister. She shares R's facial structure and airheaded expression but exhibits heightened intelligence and fervent devotion to Dr. Narihara, addressing him as "father." At her urging, he formally named her R. Hideko Takamine, though she prefers the nicknames "R. Deco" or "Carmen." Dr. Narihara ultimately harnessed R #29 as the linchpin in a revived world domination attempt.

His character displays capriciousness and theatricality, evidenced by his abrupt abandonment and later resurgence of global conquest ambitions, alongside the elaborate backstory fabricated for R. He intervenes opportunistically, particularly in scenarios involving R or the Camera Club's activities.