Ryu Nakanishi, designated G-5 and codenamed Ryu the Owl, pilots the Science Ninja Team's vehicles like the God Phoenix, New God Phoenix, and Gatchaspartan. His background sets him apart with confirmed family ties—his father Matsuzo Nakanishi and younger brother Seiji Nakanishi. A mother is mentioned in episode 57 of the original series, though unexplained in her absence. Hailing from a small fishing village, Ryu joined the team after saving Dr. Nambu in a boating accident at age 13. Nambu relocated him to Utoland City, where Ryu discovered the Science Ninja Team and became its last recruit. Beyond missions, he covertly operates a yacht harbor as a docking spot for the God Phoenix. His civilian look includes a green "5"-marked t-shirt and khaki pants. Ryu boasts a large frame with dense, sumo-like musculature beneath his build, and shoulder-length unkempt brown hair. His Bird Style uniform features brown or green tones, a feathered cape, black or gray gloves and boots, plus an owl helmet with a compact lavender visor. Personality-wise, Ryu maintains a relaxed demeanor, contrasting teammates. Early missions saw him often piloting the God Phoenix unless ordered into combat, occasionally voicing frustration over limited action. His loyalty remains steadfast after feeling accepted. He specializes in brute-strength hand-to-hand combat, wielding weapons like a Harpoon Gun, adhesive Gripper rope, and later an Owl Sickle kusarigama. His maritime mastery makes him the team's premier pilot for aerial, aquatic, and spatial maneuvers. Relationships include a sibling-like bond with Jun from orphanage days, respect for leader Ken, and light teasing of Jinpei. Expanded media reimagines Ryu: The OVA portrays him as 25, biracial (half-Japanese, half-Aboriginal Australian), raised near the Great Barrier Reef with ocean rescue training. His design shows deeply tanned skin, a mohawk-ponytail hybrid, surfer-inspired civilian wear with a "5" necklace, and OVA Bird Style in deep green and gold. The cancelled Imagi film explored varied body types—from heavily muscular to slender—and hybrid costumes blending original and OVA elements, often using green/gold schemes with technical detailing. Ryu operates specific units: the Horned Tank amphibious vehicle in *Gatchaman II* and the Gatcha Five bulldozer mecha in *Gatchaman Fighter*, part of the Gatchaspartan. Non-Gatchaman cameos feature his original design in *Yatterman (2008)* and *Time Bokan: Royal Revival (1994)*. International adaptations renamed him Yongmin or Yong in South Korean dubs, while *Battle of the Planets (1978)* recast him as "Tiny Harper," adding ironic humor about his size. These versions sometimes omitted his family or maritime background. Concrete details on Ryu in the 2013 live-action film or other unlisted spin-offs remain unconfirmed.