Mikami Riku

Overview

Mikami Riku is the main protagonist of Gundam Build Divers. A 14-year-old middle school student living in a coastal city, he operates under the diver name Riku within the virtual reality space of GBN. Blessed with impressive athleticism and natural adaptability, he spent his early youth searching for a true passion. After witnessing a high-level battle by Champion Kujo Kyoya, Riku decides to enter GBN, eventually founding the force Build Divers and growing into a formidable pilot.

Appearance

In the physical world, Riku commonly wears casual hooded sweatshirts. His GBN avatar closely mirrors his real-world look, outfitted in a blue-themed costume with a protective chest plate and a short blade mounted at his waist. As he matures, his physical height increases slightly, and his GBN attire transitions from short sleeves to long sleeves.

Personality

Despite his innate talent for quickly mastering new skills, Riku remains humble, earnest, and deeply open-minded. He genuinely admires the expertise of top-tier fighters and absorbs every challenge as an opportunity to mature. Possessing a fierce dedication to his friends, he will unhesitatingly risk everything and face overwhelming odds to protect those he cares about.

Abilities

Although beginning GBN as a novice, Riku rapidly demonstrates superior maneuvering skills and exceptional quick thinking during combat. He pilots customized Gunpla built off the 00 Gundam base, including the Gundam 00 Diver, 00 Diver Ace, Gundam 00 Sky, 00 Sky Moebius, and 00 Diver Arc. He also possesses kitbashing skills, integrating components and armaments from various model kits stored in his room into his main units.

Background

Upon turning 14, Riku gains permission from his parents to start playing GBN, inspired by the thrilling matches of Kujo Kyoya. He forms the force Build Divers with his closest companions and steadily achieves remarkable battle records, such as clearing the renowned Lotus Challenge. When the electronic entity Sarah faces systemic deletion, Riku leads his force to safeguard her existence, successfully enabling her to live alongside them in the real world. He continues to play GBN, eventually battle-testing and befriending newer generations of divers.

Relationships

Riku creates Build Divers alongside his best friend Hidaka Yukio, Yashiro Momoka, Nanase Koichi, Ayame, Nanase Nami, and Sarah, with whom he shares an exceptionally strong bond. His talent and upright character earn him the respect of top fighters like Kujo Kyoya, Tigerwolf, and his rival Ogre. Later, he connects deeply with Kuga Hiroto, resolving past misunderstandings and promising to clash again as equals.

Trivia

Riku marked the first male protagonist in a Gunpla-themed anime series to be voiced by a male voice actor in eight years. Due to his extraordinarily pure heart and boundless capacity for forgiveness, fans humorously refer to his disposition as possessing a 'Bodhisattva mentality'.