The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.

The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. (Japanese: 斉木楠雄のΨ難, Hepburn: Saiki Kusuo no Sai-nan) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Shūichi Asō. Following a series of one-shot chapters published from 2010 to 2011, the manga was serialized in Shueisha's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from May 2012 to February 2018. It was followed by a short serialization of 4-panel chapters published in the same magazine, and two one-shot chapters published in Jump GIGA in May and July 2018. Shueisha collected its chapters in twenty-six tankōbon volumes.

The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.
First tankōbon volume cover, featuring Kusuo Saiki
斉木楠雄のΨ難
(Saiki Kusuo no Sai-nan)
Genre
Manga
Written byShūichi Asō
Published byShueisha
ImprintJump Comics
Magazine
  • Weekly Shōnen Jump (May 14, 2012 – February 26, 2018)
  • Jump GIGA (May 25 – July 26, 2018)
DemographicShōnen
Original runMay 14, 2012July 26, 2018
Volumes26 (List of volumes)
Original net animation
Music byYuuichi Murata
ReleasedAugust 4, 2013
Anime television series
Directed byHiroaki Sakurai
Produced by
List
    • Sayako Matsumura
    • Takashi Umemoto
    • Tomoya Negishi
    • Jun Fukuda
    • Ryouichi Ishihara
    • Shinobu Satou
    • Hitoshi Yagi
    • Hideyuki Yamazaki
    • Naoki Matsushita
Written byMichiko Yokote
Music byPsychic Lover
StudioJ.C.Staff
Licensed by
Original networkTV Tokyo, TV Aichi, TV Osaka, TV Hokkaido
Original run July 4, 2016 December 25, 2016
Episodes120[a] (List of episodes)
Video game
Saiki Kusuo no Psi Nan: Shijō Psi Dai no Psi Nan!?
DeveloperBandai Namco Studios
PublisherBandai Namco Entertainment
PlatformNintendo 3DS
ReleasedNovember 10, 2016
Further information
Anime television series
2nd Season
Directed byHiroaki Sakurai
Produced by
List
    • Sayako Matsumura
    • Takashi Umemoto
    • Kaori Itou
    • Yasushi Uchida
    • Mai Ogiwara
    • Kentarou Anai
    • Souya Kiyota
    • Takahiro Fujii
    • Souji Miyagi
    • Tatsuo Shibano
Written byMichiko Yokote
Music byPsychic Lover
StudioJ.C.Staff
Licensed by
  • AUS: Madman Entertainment
  • NA: Crunchyroll
Original networkTV Tokyo, TV Aichi, TV Osaka, TV Hokkaido
Original run January 17, 2018 June 27, 2018
Episodes24 (List of episodes)
Anime television series
3
Directed byHiroaki Sakurai
Produced by
List
    • Sayako Matsumura
    • Takashi Umemoto
    • Kaori Itou
    • Kentarou Anai
    • Souya Kiyota
    • Takahiro Fujii
    • Souji Miyagi
    • Tatsuo Shibano
Written byMichiko Yokote
Music byPsychic Lover
StudioJ.C.Staff
Licensed by
  • AUS: Madman Entertainment
  • NA: Crunchyroll
Original networkTV Tokyo, TV Aichi, TV Osaka, TV Hokkaido
Original runDecember 28, 2018
Episodes1[b] (List of episodes)
Original net animation
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.: Reawakened
Directed byHiroaki Sakurai
Produced by
List
    • Sayako Matsumura
    • Takashi Umemoto
    • Mai Ogiwara
    • Kaori Itou
    • Kentarou Anai
    • Souya Kiyota
    • Takahiro Fujii
    • Souji Miyagi
    • Tatsuo Shibano
    • Shiotto Nakayama
    • Takashi Fujita
Written byMichiko Yokote
Music byPsychic Lover
StudioJ.C.Staff
Licensed byNetflix
ReleasedDecember 30, 2019
Episodes6 (List of episodes)
Live-action film
icon Anime and manga portal

An anime television series adaptation produced by J.C.Staff, aired from July 2016 to December 2018. A live-action film directed by Yuichi Fukuda and starring Kento Yamazaki at Columbia Pictures (Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan) and Asmik Ace was released in October 2017.[3] A six-episode sequel anime series entitled The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.: Reawakened premiered on Netflix in December 2019.

Premise

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Kusuo Saiki is a high school student with an extraordinary secret—he possesses a wide array of psychic abilities, such as psychokinesis and teleportation. Despite his powers, he goes to great lengths to conceal them from everyone at school, desiring to live a normal, average life. Throughout the series, Kusuo usually finds himself in comedic daily life scenarios where he discreetly employs his powers to navigate the challenges he faces. Along the way, he encounters a host of unique individuals, each presenting their own set of problems. Most of the time, he is able to cleverly use his abilities to resolve issues without drawing attention to himself.

Kusuo eventually receives a "limiter" from his older brother that removes his powers. Despite this, he regains his abilities and learns that he is basically a different species of human now, as his body has adapted to his overwhelming powers. This revelation adds a new layer of complexity to his already extraordinary life.

Media

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Manga

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The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. is written and illustrated by Shūichi Asō. He started publishing one-shot chapters of the series. The first chapter was published in the Summer 2010 issue of Jump Next! on August 16, 2010.[4] Chapters were then irregularly published in Weekly Shōnen Jump from May 9 to November 21, 2011,[5][6][7] and in the Winter 2012 issue of Jump Next! on December 26, 2011.[8] A compiled tankōbon volume was published on May 2, 2012.[9] The series was then serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from May 14, 2012, to February 26, 2018.[10][11] It was later followed by a short serialization of 4-panel chapters published in the same magazine.[11] Asō published one-shot chapters in Shueisha's Jump GIGA on May 25 and July 26, 2018.[12][13][14] Shueisha has compiled its 281 individual chapters into twenty-six individual tankōbon volumes, published from September 4, 2012, to August 3, 2018.[15][16]

Light novel

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On May 4, 2013, a light novel titled Saiki Kusuo no Psi-nan - Extra Story of Psychics was released, following with Saiki Kusuo no Psi-nan - Extra Story of Psychics 2 in July 2014.

Anime

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A flash anime series based on the manga began release on Jump Live from August 4, 2013, featuring the same voice cast as an earlier Comic adaptation.[17]

An anime television adaptation was announced by Weekly Shōnen Jump in 2016. J.C.Staff and Egg Firm produced the adaptation, with Hiroaki Sakurai directing, Michiko Yokote handling series composition and Masayuki Onji designing the characters.[18] The series began airing on July 4, 2016, on TV Tokyo, with an episode airing every weekday morning followed by a compilation episode at the end of each week, the series would contain one hundred and twenty episodes in total, along with twenty four compilation episodes on Oha Suta.[19] The opening themes are "Seishun wa Zankoku janai" (青春は残酷じゃない, Youth Isn't So Cruel) by Natsuki Hanae, "Sai-Sai-Saikōchō!" (最Ψ最好調!, The Most Favorable!) by Denpagumi.inc from the thirteenth compiled episode onwards and "Saihakkenden!" (Ψ発見伝!) by Denpagumi.inc from second season, while the ending theme, also used for the short episodes, is "Psi desu - I Like You" (Ψです I LIKE YOU) by Denpagumi.inc. From the thirteenth compiled episode onwards, the ending theme is "Kokoro" (こころ, Heart) by Hanae. From second season, the ending theme is "Saihakkenden!" (Ψ発見伝!) by Denpagumi.inc.[20] The series was simulcast by Funimation, who released an English dub on August 7, 2016.[21][22]

A 24-episode second season aired from January to June 2018.[23] In the last episode of the second season, an anime conclusion special was announced. It premiered on December 28, 2018.[24]

On March 24, 2019, it was announced that a new anime series would be released on Netflix, with the cast and staff returning to reprise their roles.[25] Titled The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. Starting Arc or The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. Reawakened, the 6-episode new series premiered on December 30, 2019, on Netflix worldwide.[26][27] While the new anime series is not a full-length season, Netflix officially lists the reboot as the fourth season on their streaming platform, while the conclusion special was listed as the third season.[28]

Video games

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A video game titled Saiki Kusuo no Psi Nan: Shijō Psi Dai no Psi Nan!? was announced in the Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine's 32nd issue of 2016. The game was developed by Bandai Namco Studios and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment for Nintendo 3DS.[29] It was released on November 10, 2016, in Japan.[30]

Another video game adaptation, 斉木楠雄のΨ難 妄想暴走!Ψキックバトル, is a tower defense game for mobile phones announced at Jump Festa 2018.[31] It was released on April 16, 2018, in Japan.[32]

Kusuo also appears as a playable character in the Jump crossover fighting game J-Stars Victory VS released in 2014.[33] Its European and North American release marks the first release of Saiki Kusuo no Psi-nan material outside Japan.

Live-action film

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Notes

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  1. ^ The first season was originally aired as 120 episodes, but recompiled into a 24-episode format afterwards.
  2. ^ The third season aired as two episodes combined into one 45 minute television special.

References

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  1. ^ Lynzee, Loveridge (December 12, 2017). "Sequels Dominate Most Anticipated Winter 2018 Anime Poll". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 12, 2017. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  2. ^ Lynzee, Loveridge (December 12, 2017). "Sequels Dominate Most Anticipated Winter 2018 Anime Poll". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 12, 2017. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  3. ^ 山崎賢人が「斉木楠雄のΨ難」で主演、監督は「銀魂」も手がける福田雄一. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. August 1, 2016. Archived from the original on June 27, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  4. ^ ジャンプNEXTで「バクマン」作中作、ラッコ×青葉コラボ. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. August 16, 2010. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  5. ^ 「こち亀」1700回突破でネタ大募集!麻生周一読み切りも. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. May 9, 2011. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  6. ^ 次週の週刊少年ジャンプ No.50号 ★11月21日(月)発売予定★. shonenjump.com (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on November 18, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  7. ^ 今週の週刊少年ジャンプ No50号 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on November 22, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  8. ^ 「めだかボックス」球磨川禊の番外編がジャンプNEXT!に. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. December 26, 2011. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  9. ^ 超能力者 斉木楠雄のΨ難 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on September 24, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  10. ^ ジャンプで超能力少年描くギャグ新連載「斉木楠雄のΨ難」. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. May 14, 2012. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  11. ^ a b Hodgkins, Crystalyn (February 25, 2018). "The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. Manga Ends, Gets 4-Panel Manga Sequel". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  12. ^ 「斉木楠雄のΨ難」最終回のその後を描く新作がジャンプGIGAに. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. May 25, 2018. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  13. ^ Sherman, Jennifer (May 24, 2018). "The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. Gets 1-Shot Manga". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  14. ^ ジャンプGIGA 2018 SUMMER vol.3. Weekly Shōnen Jump (in Japanese). Shueisha. November 17, 2015. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  15. ^ 斉木楠雄のΨ難 1 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on September 24, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  16. ^ 斉木楠雄のΨ難 26 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on September 24, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  17. ^ Loo, Egan (July 3, 2013). "Saiki Kusuo no Psi Nan Manga's Adaptation Is a Flash Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  18. ^ Hallmark, Kyle (May 2, 2016). "Saiki Kusuo no Psi Nan Manga Gets TV Anime in July". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 24, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  19. ^ Sherman, Jennifer (May 30, 2016). "Saiki Kusuo no Psi Nan Anime's Main Visual, Premiere Dates Revealed". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 30, 2016. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  20. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (January 4, 2018). "Dempagumi.inc Returns for The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. Season 2's Ending Song". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 4, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  21. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (August 1, 2016). "Funimation Reveals Dub Casts for Planetarian, Handa-kun, Saiki K., Show By Rock!! Short!!". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  22. ^ Ressler, Karen (June 29, 2016). "Funimation to Stream Cheer Boys!!, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K., Puzzle & Dragons X". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 30, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  23. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (January 17, 2018). "The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. Season 2 Listed With 24 Episodes". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  24. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (December 2, 2018). "The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. 'Conclusion' Anime Airs on December 28". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 2, 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  25. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 24, 2019). "The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. Anime Gets New Series on Netflix". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 28, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  26. ^ Loo, Egan (October 11, 2019). "The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. Anime's New Series Unveils Title, Cast, Staff, Global Winter Debut on Netflix". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 12, 2019. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
  27. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (October 23, 2019). "New Disastrous Life of Saiki K. Anime's Trailer Unveils December 30 Debut, 6-Episode Length". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 27, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  28. ^ Frye, Patrick (October 23, 2019). "The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K. Season 4 release date confirmed: Original 'Restart Arc' sequel confirmed as Saiki Kusuo no Psi Nan Season 4 on Netflix U.S." Monsters and Critics. Archived from the original on December 4, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  29. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (July 10, 2016). "The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. Gets 3DS Game". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 11, 2016. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  30. ^ Sato (September 5, 2016). "Saiki Kusuo no Psy-nan's 3DS Game Releases In Japan On November 10, 2016". Siliconera. Archived from the original on April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  31. ^ Sherman, Jennifer (December 18, 2017). "The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. Gets Smartphone Game". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  32. ^ "Teaser Page". Saiki K. App Website. Archived from the original on June 8, 2019. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  33. ^ Loo, Egan (February 18, 2014). "J-Stars Victory Vs. Game's 52 Characters Unveiled". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on November 6, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
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