TV-Series
Description
Kenichi Saruyama is Rito Yuuki's perverted best friend and classmate, knowing him since junior high. Both attend Sainan High School in class 2-A. Saruyama openly fixates on girls, frequently engaging in peeping activities like attempting to view girls in hot springs or baths. He often drags Rito along and blames him when caught. Despite his lecherous behavior, Saruyama is one of the few male characters Rito confides in regarding his complicated relationships with females such as Haruna Sairenji or Lala Satalin Deviluke. Aware of Rito's feelings for Haruna, Saruyama occasionally advises Rito to pursue her, though sometimes motivated by self-interest in creating voyeuristic opportunities.
Saruyama exhibits significant jealousy toward Rito due to Rito's accidental proximity to numerous attractive girls, including Lala and Haruna. This envy recurs, intensifying in storylines like *To Love-Ru Darkness* where he resents Rito's frequent unintentional intimate encounters. His perversion extends to his personal life, displaying bikini model posters in his bedroom and openly discussing his fascination with female anatomy.
A notable subplot involves Saruyama developing a crush on Yūsaki Riko, unaware Riko is actually Rito transformed into a female by Lala's inventions. This infatuation leads him to imagine romantic or suggestive scenarios with Riko, causing Rito discomfort. In *Motto To Love-Ru*, Saruyama arranges a date with Riko through Lala's assistance, culminating in a near-confession of his feelings before Rito reverts to his male form and flees. Saruyama remains oblivious to Riko's true identity.
Saruyama's relationships center on his dynamic with Rito as a loyal yet competitive friend, though Rito often disassociates during Saruyama's overtly perverted acts. He interacts minimally with other female characters, typically serving as comic relief through failed voyeurism attempts or inappropriate comments. Haruna Sairenji dislikes his lewd remarks, while Lala addresses him formally and occasionally aids him, like facilitating the date with Riko. Saruyama also collaborates with the school principal in comedic pursuits of female attention, though these efforts invariably fail.
Physically, Saruyama has black spiky hair, black eyes, and stands 166 cm tall. His name's etymology—"saru" (monkey) and "yama" (mountain)—reflects his perverted nature. Across all official media, his character remains static, functioning solely as a comic foil emphasizing Rito's accidental romantic successes through Saruyama's own consistent failures and envy.
Saruyama exhibits significant jealousy toward Rito due to Rito's accidental proximity to numerous attractive girls, including Lala and Haruna. This envy recurs, intensifying in storylines like *To Love-Ru Darkness* where he resents Rito's frequent unintentional intimate encounters. His perversion extends to his personal life, displaying bikini model posters in his bedroom and openly discussing his fascination with female anatomy.
A notable subplot involves Saruyama developing a crush on Yūsaki Riko, unaware Riko is actually Rito transformed into a female by Lala's inventions. This infatuation leads him to imagine romantic or suggestive scenarios with Riko, causing Rito discomfort. In *Motto To Love-Ru*, Saruyama arranges a date with Riko through Lala's assistance, culminating in a near-confession of his feelings before Rito reverts to his male form and flees. Saruyama remains oblivious to Riko's true identity.
Saruyama's relationships center on his dynamic with Rito as a loyal yet competitive friend, though Rito often disassociates during Saruyama's overtly perverted acts. He interacts minimally with other female characters, typically serving as comic relief through failed voyeurism attempts or inappropriate comments. Haruna Sairenji dislikes his lewd remarks, while Lala addresses him formally and occasionally aids him, like facilitating the date with Riko. Saruyama also collaborates with the school principal in comedic pursuits of female attention, though these efforts invariably fail.
Physically, Saruyama has black spiky hair, black eyes, and stands 166 cm tall. His name's etymology—"saru" (monkey) and "yama" (mountain)—reflects his perverted nature. Across all official media, his character remains static, functioning solely as a comic foil emphasizing Rito's accidental romantic successes through Saruyama's own consistent failures and envy.