You know that feeling when you're scrolling through Netflix or Crunchyroll and you see a pink-haired kid with green glasses and antenna-like things on his head? Most people call it "the coffee boy psychic movie" or "the one with the coffee jelly kid." We're talking about The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. (2017).
It's weird.
Actually, it's beyond weird. It’s a live-action adaptation of Shūichi Asō’s legendary manga, and it tries to do something almost impossible: translate the lightning-fast, fourth-wall-breaking humor of an anime into real life. It stars Kento Yamazaki—basically the king of live-action adaptations—as Kusuo Saiki. Saiki is a high schooler who just wants to be invisible. He wants a quiet life. The problem? He’s basically a god. He can teleport, read minds, and turn people to stone with a glance.
But honestly, all he really cares about is coffee jelly.
Why the Coffee Boy Psychic Movie is a Fever Dream
If you’ve seen the 2017 film directed by Yuichi Fukuda, you know it doesn’t look like a "normal" movie. The hair is too bright. The costumes look like high-end cosplay. The internal monologue is constant.
Fukuda is the same guy behind the Gintama live-action and HK: Forbidden Super Hero. He has this specific style where he doesn’t try to make the anime look "realistic." Instead, he leans into the absurdity. He makes the world bend to the anime's logic. In the coffee boy psychic movie, this means Saiki’s pink hair is never explained or toned down. It just is.
The plot centers on the PK Academy school festival. Saiki is trying to navigate the day without his powers being exposed, which is hard when your classmates are literal magnets for disaster. You have Shun Kaidō, who thinks he’s a dark hero fighting an evil organization (he’s actually just a dork), and Riki Nendō, the only person Saiki can’t read because he’s literally too stupid to have thoughts.
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Most Western viewers find the pacing jarring. In Japanese comedy, there's a style called manzai—a straight man and a funny man. Saiki is the ultimate straight man. He doesn't speak out loud. Yamazaki plays him with a permanent deadpan, delivering all his lines via telepathic voiceover.
The Coffee Jelly Obsession Explained
Why do people call it the "coffee boy movie"?
It's the stakes. In most superhero movies, the protagonist is trying to save the world from a sky-beam or a purple titan. Saiki is trying to save his afternoon snack. Coffee jelly is a legitimate Japanese dessert—bitter coffee gelatin topped with whipped cream or coffee creamer.
In the movie, Saiki’s parents and classmates use his love for this dessert to manipulate him. It’s his one "Kryptonite," but in reverse. If you have coffee jelly, you own a psychic. This creates a strange, low-stakes tension that makes the movie feel more like a sitcom than a supernatural epic. It's refreshing, honestly. You're not worried about the apocalypse; you're worried about whether a teenager gets his jiggling cup of caffeine.
Can Live-Action Anime Ever Actually Work?
There’s a huge debate in film circles about whether movies like The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. are "good" or just "accurate."
Critics often point to the "Uncanny Valley" effect. When you see a real human being making the exaggerated facial expressions of an anime character, it can feel cringey. Kanna Hashimoto, who plays Kokomi Teruhashi (the "perfect" girl), has to literally glow on screen because her character is so beautiful the world reacts to her.
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The Casting Choice: Kento Yamazaki
Yamazaki is a polarizing figure in the otaku community because he is in everything. From Your Lie in April to Alice in Borderland, he’s the go-to lead. In the coffee boy psychic movie, he has to carry the film without moving his mouth. It’s a physical acting challenge that most people overlook. He uses micro-expressions and sharp head tilts to convey annoyance. It works because the source material is so frantic that having a stationary center point keeps the audience from getting a headache.
Production Design vs. Reality
The sets look like a stage play. That’s intentional. Fukuda’s movies often use "cheap" looking practical effects for comedic timing. When Saiki uses his pyrokinesis or telekinesis, the CG isn't trying to be Avatar. It’s trying to be a punchline. This is a massive departure from how Hollywood handles anime (think the 2017 Ghost in the Shell or Alita: Battle Angel), where they try to ground the fantasy in gritty realism.
What Most People Get Wrong About Saiki K.
The biggest misconception is that Saiki is a jerk.
He acts like he hates everyone. He calls his classmates "nuisances." But if you watch the movie closely, he’s constantly using his powers to save them from minor embarrassments or physical harm. He’s a tsundere—someone who is cold on the outside but actually cares.
Another thing? The "antennas" aren't a fashion choice. They are limiters. Without them, Saiki’s powers would leak out and probably destroy the planet while he’s sleeping. One of the tense moments in the film involves a limiter nearly coming off. It reminds the audience that while this is a comedy, Saiki is basically a god playing house.
How to Watch and What to Look For
If you’re looking for the coffee boy psychic movie, you might find it listed under different titles depending on your region:
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- Saiki Kusuo no Sai-nan (The Japanese title)
- Psychic Kusuo
- The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.
It’s currently available on various streaming platforms, though licensing changes frequently between Netflix and regional Japanese cinema hubs.
When you watch it, pay attention to the background characters. Much of the humor comes from the "average" people reacting to the chaos caused by Saiki’s "hidden" actions. The film thrives on the irony that the most extraordinary person in the room is the only one trying to be normal.
The Verdict on the Adaptation
Is it a masterpiece of cinema? No.
Is it a perfect translation of the "coffee boy" energy? Absolutely.
The movie succeeds because it doesn't take itself seriously. It understands that the heart of the story isn't the psychic powers, but the social anxiety of a kid who knows too much about what everyone is thinking. We've all felt like Saiki at a party—wanting to leave, annoyed by the loud person in the corner, and just wishing we had a snack. He just happens to be able to blow up the building with his mind if he gets too frustrated.
Your Saiki K. Action Plan
If you've finished the movie and want more of that specific "coffee boy" vibe, here is exactly how to dive deeper into the lore without wasting time on filler:
- Watch the Anime "Reawakened" Series: Netflix produced a continuation that specifically bridges some of the gaps left by the movie's compressed timeline. It’s fast-paced and keeps the original voice cast.
- Try the Coffee Jelly Challenge: You can actually make Saiki’s favorite snack at home with strong brewed coffee, sugar, and gelatin (or agar-agar for a vegan version). It’s a staple in Japanese convenience stores like 7-Eleven or Lawson if you're ever traveling.
- Explore the "Fukuda Verse": If you liked the weird, theatrical style of this movie, watch the Gintama live-action films. They feature many of the same actors and the same "don't-care-about-the-budget" comedic energy.
- Read the Manga for the "Cat" Chapters: The movie skips a lot of the interactions between Saiki and a specific stray cat (Anpu) that he begrudgingly helps. These chapters provide some of the best character development for Saiki’s "hidden" kindness.
The coffee boy psychic movie is a gateway drug into the world of surrealist Japanese comedy. It’s loud, it’s bright, and it’s deeply obsessed with dessert. Once you get past the initial shock of the live-action aesthetic, you’ll find a story that is surprisingly relatable for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider in their own life.