In Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-kun, Riki's surname was Hibari.The character Kazuma Kuwabara from the anime Yu Yu Hakusho bears a close resemblance to him due to his Pompadour hairstyle and his uniform color.Riki has had at least two confirmed girlfriends in the games: Mami in Downtown Nekketsu series, and Kyouko in Kunio-tachi no Banka.According to Yoshihisa Kishimoto, Riki's name originates from a notorious yakuza in his youth.Animating the Mach Punch in the original arcade game (when Riki grabs Kunio and punches him) reminded Kishimoto of the Mach GoGoGo anime.
The inspiration for the Mach Punch comes from the Speed Racer manga (which was known as Mach GoGoGo in Japan).
In the Downtown Nekketsu series his full name is Samejima Riki (鮫島力, さめじま りき Samejima Riki). Soon after, he had his first encounter with Kunio and was defeated. However, this came at the cost that he was not only removed from his school's soccer club, but he was forced to repeat his senior year. The biker gang Mushamonzen attacked members of the club, and Riki built his legend as "Mach Punch Riki" by destroying the biker gang in revenge and taking the position of banchou from Sakata. In his subsequent appearances in the franchise he would face Kunio in different sport competitions ( Downtown Nekketsu Koushinkyoku: Soreyuke Daiundoukai and Bikkuri Nekketsu Shin Kiroku! Harukanaru Kin Medal) or become his ally ( Shodai Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-kun and Shin Nekketsu Kouha: Kunio-tachi no Banka).īefore becoming the banchou of Hanazono High School, Riki was the ace of his school's soccer club. In Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari, Riki and Kunio join forces for the first time and become best friends. His first appearance in the franchise is in Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-kun as the first stage boss.
However, when his anger reaches the boiling point, he snaps and goes berserk. He is known as " Mach Punch Riki", and just like Kunio, is a righteous delinquent who fights for justice. He is Kunio's rival and best friend, and like him he takes the role of helper in various sport clubs at his school, which grants him praise from his peers and juniors at the school. Riki is a 3rd year student and the banchou (delinquent leader) of Hanazono High School. Alternate Names: Jack ( Renegade, Super Dodge Ball), Ryan ( River City Ransom games), Crusher ( Crash 'n the Boys: Street Challenge).Affiliation: Hanazono High School (Cross Town High School in River City Ransom), Team Thornley ( Crash 'n the Boys: Street Challenge).Blood Type: O (Unknown in Nekketsu Kakutou Densetsu).