Rikichi (利吉) is a helper of the elder Kaede in the Musashi Province. He always supports the priestess in case of danger, and is an worker of the Kaede's village.
History
When Kagome Higurashi is discovered in the wood of Inuyasha, Rikichi wonders if she is not a spy of some enemy who wants to attack the village, but Kaede does not agree, since the village is living in poverty and would not make sense plunder. When the Mistress Centipede attacks to steal the Shikon no Tama in the body of Kagome, Rikichi with other men try to hit the demon with spears and arrows, but without being able to scratch it.
Kaede, Rikichi and light of Shikon no Tama destroyed by Kagome.
Subsequently, Rikichi along with other men of the village, alert Kaede of the disappearance of Kagome when she is kidnapped by bandits whose boss is controlled by Shibugarasu. This event will lead to the destruction of the Jewel of the Four Spirits into many small shards. Rikichi indicates to Kaede the glow of Shikon.
Later Rikichi witnessing the theft of the ashes of Kikyō by the witch Urasue without being able to stop it.
Rikichi and Kaede.
After the temporary disappearance of Naraku from the castle, Kaede and Rikichi deal to exterminate demons weak in the area. However, against one of them, are in danger of being killed, but fortunately saved by Inuyasha that destroys the demon easily.
At the end of the series, it shows Rikichi cure the vegetable garden in the village of Kaede. Rikichi also appears in the first movie, when Kaede erects, a spiritual barrier to protect the villagers from evil moths of Menōmaru.
Personality
He has a great respect towards the priestess Kaede and on one occasion defends her to an attack.
Trivia
- The name of Rikichi is initially revealed only in the original credits of episodes in which it appears. Afterwards in the anime is pronounced his name in filler episode 89 and in last episode of The Final Act, in which it appears in a cameo while hoe the ground.
- In the manga Rikichi appears only in a few vignettes than to the anime.
- His seiyū, Toshihiko Nakajima, voiced several characters from Rumiko Takahashi's previous series Ranma ½. They include Farmer Brown, Wonton, and Yamato no Orochi.