Riku

**Hair Color**: White

Riku is the pet dog of [Shizu](https://anilist.co/character/13970/Shizu), and his loyal vassal. Despite being a dog, he is able to speak. He first appears alongside Shizu in the Land of Colosseum. He refers to his master as Master Shizu at all times. He's oftentimes the narrator of some of the chapters in which center around Shizu, [Ti](https://anilist.co/character/150047/Tifana) and himself.

Riku is a white Samoyed, with white busy fur. He states that while he always looks happy and smiling, that is not how he always feels. Being not only Shizu's pet, but also his only vassal, he cares strongly for his master's well being, and tries in vain to have Shizu reconsider his journey back home. Despite his master's insistence on continuing with his plan, his loyally stays alongside him. He's oftentimes designated as the ward of the children that he and Shizu come across and care for on their travels.

Riku, being a sidekick similar to how [Hermes](https://anilist.co/character/88/Hermes) is to [Kino](https://anilist.co/character/87/Kino), appears to have quite a rivalry with the motorrad. In the Anime, he's only spoken to Hermes, as Kino does not believe Riku can speak when told about the discussion Hermes had with him. In the 2003 anime, he also speaks to Shizu, but in the English version, only barks or whimpers to him in these instances. In the novels and the 2017 anime, Riku speaks to both Kino and Hermes

(Source: Kino's Journey Wiki, edited)