Reki Kyan isn't your typical shonen protagonist. Most of the time, the lead character in a sports anime is a natural-born prodigy or someone with a "hidden power" that makes them unbeatable by episode twelve. Not Reki. In the high-stakes, underground world of "S" racing, Reki Kyan from Sk8 the Infinity is the guy who finishes middle-of-the-pack while bleeding from both knees. He's the enthusiast. The gearhead. The guy who builds the boards but doesn't always win the race. Honestly, that’s exactly why we need to talk about him.
Most fans initially tuned into the Bones-produced original anime for the flashy animation or the "Adam vs. Langa" drama. But as the season progressed, the conversation shifted. People stopped asking who would win the next race and started asking if Reki was okay. It's rare for an anime about skateboarding to pivot into a heavy exploration of "imposter syndrome" and the burnout that comes from being overshadowed by a talented friend.
Reki represents a specific type of pain. It's the sting of introducing someone to your favorite hobby only for them to become better than you in three weeks.
The Design of Reki Kyan: More Than Just Red Hair
Character designer Michinori Chiba did something subtle with Reki. While Langa is all cool tones and sleek lines—looking every bit the "Snow" prince—Reki is a visual explosion of warmth. The headband, the bright red hair, the yellow hoodie. He looks like a classic hot-blooded hero.
But his design also reflects his blue-collar approach to skating. Look at his hands. Unlike the "pro" skaters in the series, Reki’s character model often features bandages or slight scuffing. He’s a tinkerer. His room isn't just a bedroom; it's a workshop filled with decks, grip tape, and wheels. This matters because Reki’s connection to skateboarding isn't just about the physical act of riding; it’s about the soul of the board itself.
He’s the one who teaches Langa Hasegawa that a skateboard isn't just a piece of wood. It's an extension of the body. When Reki explains the mechanics of a "pop shove-it" or how to adjust trucks for better carving, he isn't just providing exposition for the audience. He’s showing his worth.
Why Reki Kyan from Sk8 the Infinity Broke the Internet's Heart
Midway through the series, specifically around episode seven, the tone shifts. We see Reki start to pull away. This is the "Reki Kyan Depression Arc" that took over social media when the show aired.
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Why did it resonate so much?
Because it’s real.
Reki watches Langa, a total beginner, start pulling off tricks that take years to master. Langa is a "prodigy" because of his snowboarding background, but to Reki, it feels like a personal failure. He starts thinking, "I'm just the guy standing next to the genius."
- He stops showing up to "S."
- He hides his skateboard under his bed.
- He avoids Langa's calls.
This isn't just "anime drama." It's a depiction of how burnout and envy can kill a passion. Director Hiroko Utsumi (who also directed Free! and Banana Fish) focuses heavily on Reki’s eyes during these episodes. They lose that spark. For a character defined by his excitement, seeing him go silent is jarring. It makes the viewer realize that Reki isn't the sidekick—he’s the emotional anchor. Without his stoke, the whole show feels cold.
The Technical Side: Reki’s Skating Style
Let's get technical for a second. In Sk8 the Infinity, the skating styles are highly stylized, bordering on fantasy. Adam uses his "Love Hug" (which is basically physical assault on wheels), and Langa treats the pavement like a snowy mountain.
Reki is different.
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Reki Kyan’s skating style is grounded in street fundamentals. He doesn't have a "superpower" move. Instead, he relies on:
- Technical Knowledge: He knows exactly how much tension is in his wheels.
- Environment Awareness: He uses the terrain—walls, rails, and stairs—better than the "power" skaters.
- Custom Builds: He literally creates a board (the "Yellow Heart") specifically designed to handle Langa’s unique snowboarding-influenced stance.
When Reki finally gets back on the board to face Adam, he doesn't win by being faster. He wins (spiritually, at least) by being more creative. He uses a "manual" to navigate a section Adam thought was impossible. It’s a victory for the "average" skater. It proves that knowing your gear and loving the sport can bridge the gap between talent and hard work.
Misconceptions About Reki’s Skill Level
A lot of people think Reki is a "bad" skater. That’s just wrong.
Actually, within the context of the Okinawan skating scene, Reki is probably in the top 10%. He can clear gaps, he can grind rails, and he survived a race against a literal Olympian-level psycho like Adam. The problem isn't that Reki is bad; it’s that he’s surrounded by "monsters."
If you put Reki in a normal skatepark, he’d be the coolest guy there. But because he’s standing next to Langa (a prodigy), Cherry Blossom (a tech genius), and Joe (a physical powerhouse), he feels inferior. This is a classic case of "Comparison is the thief of joy."
The Voice Behind the Passion
The performance by Tasuku Hatanaka (Japanese) and Matt Shipman (English) really sells the character. Hatanaka, in particular, has this raspy, energetic delivery that makes Reki feel like a real teenage boy. When he yells "Ska-ay-to!" it sounds genuinely joyful.
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In the English dub, Shipman captures the vulnerability of the later episodes with a lot of nuance. There’s a scene where Reki admits he’s "not like them," and you can hear the heartbreak in his voice. It's one of the best dub performances in recent years because it avoids the "shouting protagonist" trope and goes for something more intimate.
What We Can Learn From Reki Kyan
Reki’s journey isn't about becoming the "King of S." It’s about realizing that you don't have to be the best at something to deserve to do it.
In a world obsessed with "hustle culture" and being the G.O.A.T., Reki Kyan from Sk8 the Infinity is a reminder that hobbies are allowed to be just that—hobbies. You can love something and still be "mid" at it. The joy comes from the wind in your face and the friends you're with, not the trophy at the end of the race.
His reconciliation with Langa is one of the most poignant moments in modern sports anime. It’s not a grand apology; it’s just two friends realizing that skating is fun because they’re doing it together. Langa needs Reki’s warmth just as much as Reki needs Langa’s inspiration.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Artists
If you're inspired by Reki's journey, here is how you can apply his "gearhead" energy to your own life:
- Focus on the Craft: If you're feeling stuck in a hobby, stop looking at "pro" highlights on Instagram. Instead, go back to the basics. Clean your equipment. Learn the history of the tools you use. Reki found his confidence again by building boards, not just riding them.
- Acknowledge the "Shadow": It's okay to feel overshadowed by a friend's success. The key is to communicate it. Once Reki told Langa how he felt, the pressure dissipated.
- Personalize Your Setup: Reki’s "Yellow Heart" board is iconic because it represents him. Whether you skate, paint, or code, make your tools your own. Add stickers, customize the settings, make it yours.
- Watch the "Our Infinity" OVA: If you haven't seen the extra content, look for the upcoming Sk8 the Infinity Season 2 and the OVA. They promise to dive deeper into Reki’s development as a mentor and builder.
Reki Kyan is the soul of the series because he is us. He’s the fan who turned his passion into a lifestyle, even if he’s not the one standing on the highest podium. In the end, that makes him the most relatable character in the show.
Next Steps for Sk8 Enthusiasts
To truly appreciate Reki's technical skill, re-watch the opening sequence and focus specifically on his foot placement compared to Langa's. You'll notice Reki's movements are much more "skate-accurate," reflecting the animators' dedication to real-world physics. Additionally, check out the official Sk8 the Infinity "Chill Out!" manga for more low-stakes stories about Reki's daily life at the skate shop, which adds even more depth to his character beyond the races.