With its likable characters and sitcom-style approach, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K is one of the most refreshing anime in a long time. Each episode is told through a series of segments that can follow one or multiple storylines, featuring the introverted psychic Saiki Kusuo and his friends. Fans have chosen which of these episodes are their favorites by rating them on IMDb.
However, while IMDb has pages for all 24 episodes from season two, the 24 episodes from season one are split up into 120 individual pages. Therefore, the season 1 episode ratings listed here are based solely on each episode's highest-rated segment. Segment titles are taken from the Funimation versions of the episodes.
10 Season 1, Episode 21 - 7.9
In "Here Comes the Mad Scientist!", Kusuo travels to London to get the device that controls his powers fixed. While there, he runs into his estranged older brother Kusuke, who challenges him to a high-stakes game of tag that continues into the next segment, "Run for It! A Battle of Wits". Finally, Kusuo and his friends visit the National Gallery in "Please at Least Be Quiet in the Art Museum".
This episode takes place entirely in England, which makes for a nice change of setting, and the storyline involving Kusuke's one-sided rivalry with Kusuo ranks as one the series' best.
9 Season 1, Episode 23 - 7.9
This episode's first segment, "The Heir to A Conglomerate Makes His Appearance", introduces Saiko Metori, who, after being turned down by Kokomi in the second segment, "Break through the Overwhelming Financial Power!", vows to make life difficult for the people around her. Kusuo's grandparents pay him a visit in "Tsundere Grandpa Returns!", and Shun hosts a somewhat off-kilter Halloween party in "Holding a Halloween Party". Metori returns for the episode's final segment, "The Saiko Family's Unbeatable Financial Power!", in which he learns that not everyone can be bought off.
This episode obviously garnered some attention for introducing Metori, but the segments that don't feature him are excellent and the jokes land every time regardless.
8 Season 2, Episode 11 - 7.9
In "An Ugly Bolt Out Of The Blue", Riki's friends are shocked when he gets a love letter from an underclassman. In "Conceal Your Hidden Power!", Kusuo tries to keep his abilities from being found out during a PE exercise, and in "A Fight Between The Two Worst People", he tries to avoid a trip to the shrine with Kokomi. He also sees into the lives of others in "A Miraculously Average Guy Appears!", where he tries to figure out the most average student's secret to mediocrity, and "Disaster In The Library Room", where he gets caught up in a drama surrounding the previous owners of the book he's reading.
This episode features several of the series' usual plotlines — Kusuo trying to avoid Kokomi, for instance — but done in new and exciting ways. The comedy is also especially on-point for these stories.
7 Season 2, Episode 1 - 7.9
In "Restarting! Everyday Life, As Usual", the series's main characters are reintroduced. Then, "Another Christmas Challenge" finds Kusuo's attempts at having a peaceful Christmas thwarted. "First Experiences Of The Year Are Important" sees Kusuo confused that his friends keep appearing on TV, "Courtside Love Game" follows his attempts to land Reito a date, and "Desert Buffet Disaster" sees him transform into a girl to take advantage of a females-only event at a sweets shop.
The creative humor and excellent writing of this, the season 2 premiere, instantly struck a chord with fans that kept them hooked for the entire season.
6 Season 2, Episode 8 - 8.0
In "A Totally Bad News Transfer Student Appears!", a transfer student named Mikoto Aiura arrives at Kusuo's school claiming to be a psychic searching for her soulmate — who might be Kusuo himself. In "Escape The Aural Sight!", Kusuo attempts to figure out the extent of Mikoto's abilities. Also, Kusuo's attempts to help his young neighbor Yuuta go awry in "The Circumstances of Delicate Children", a time loop spells danger in "Another Time Leap Challenge!", and Kokomi attempts to find Kusuo by using her horde of male admirers in "The Disastrous Life of Kokomi Teruhashi".
This episode is most prominent for featuring the debut of Mikoto Aiura, a character who remains one of the series' most popular.
5 Season 1, Episode 2 - 8.0
In "Hot-Blooded! Dodgeball!", Kusuo has to figure out how to win a dodgeball game without anyone figuring out his powers. Chiyo tries to get closer to Kusuo in "Reach Him! Sign Of Love", and Kusuo's dad enlists him to help move furniture in "Saiki Family Home Renovation?! Drastic Makeover!!". Plus, Kusuo explains why others see him as completely normal in "Deceive! Mind Control".
This stellar continuation of the first episode introduces some new characters and sheds greater light on Kusuo's psychic abilities. It'll hook any first-time viewer right out of the gate.
4 Season 1, Episode 24 - 8.1
In the season one finale's first segment, "Talent Blossoms?! Melancholy of a Popular Magician", the magician Uryoku Chouno makes a reappearance to invite Kusuo to his solo performance. Chiyo's weight gain leads to bizarre revelations in "An Exercise in Runaway Delusion", while Kusuo's attempts to relax between classes are sabotaged by constant distractions in "Break-time Disaster." Finally, in "Crushed! Surprise Party", the last segment of the episode, Kusuo tries to keep his friends from holding a surprise birthday party for him.
The episode ends with Kusuo alongside his friends, wrapping up the first season with a surprisingly sweet flourish.
3 Season 1, Episode 11 - 8.1
In "Jump! Cyborg Cider-man No. 2", Kusuo keeps Yuuta's balloon from floating away using his psychic powers, which leads to the boy mistaking Kusuo for a fictional superhero. In "Industry-leading, Top-ranking Company?! Father's Job", Kusuo finds out his dad works as a manga editor.
In "Cider-man No. 2 Vs. The Lemonade Fiend", Kusuo is forced to spend a day with Yuuta, as more Cider-man-related hijinks ensue. In "Kusuo Saiki's Holiday," Kusuo visits a festival where he tracks down a pickpocket. In "Kusuo Saiki's Woman Troubles," Kusuo employs a clever strategy to keep Kokomi and Chiyo fight over him.
2 Season 2, Episode 2 - 8.2
In the three-part segment "Firsthand Science Fiction," Kusuo skips listening to the story of how his parents first met to take a nap — only to find upon waking that he inadvertently went back in time and prevented their meeting. In "Sup! Love Challenge", Aren receives a suspicious love letter. In "Fashion Sense Out Of Stock," Kusuo gets stuck clothes-shopping with Kokomi.
This compilation of stories is a particular fan-favorite, earning it an exceptionally high IMDb rating.
1 The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K.: Conclusion - 8.2
This two-part Saiki K. finale, released on Netflix as the show's third season, follows Kusuo as he attempts to use his powers to stop a coming catastrophe while vacationing with his friends during spring break.
A solid conclusion to Kusuo's story is both funny and dramatic. This episode deserves the top spot for ending a fantastic series on an extremely high note.