Shutaro Mendo (面堂 終太郎, Mendō Shutarō) is heir to the Mendo Zaibatsu with staggering wealth and its own private army. Upon his transfer to Tomobiki High, he and Ataru immediately become enemies.[ch. 22] Although very handsome, charming and intelligent, on occasions Mendo succumbs to lechery and resembles Ataru, just more respectful and sophisticated in his approach. The two are much more alike than either would like to admit.[ch. 23] Shutaro takes his role as heir to the vast Mendo fortune extremely seriously.[ch. 30] A descendant of a samurai family, Shutaro often carries a katana with him, which at any moment could be flying at Ataru's face, who has become adept at catching it with his bare hands. Swordplay even extends to his name "Men" and "Dou" are Kendo terminology for a blow to the head and belly respectively.
Mendo is narcissistic, overly dramatic, claustrophobic and afraid of the dark. But due to his vanity, his phobias incredibly disappear when a girl can see him.[ch. 30] Ataru often plays on Mendo's fears by putting a large bell over him, forming a dark enclosed area where a girl can not see him. However, this has resulted in him breaking these bells out of sheer terror, resulting in him becoming considerably stronger than most other characters.[5] The girls at school have formed a fan club for Mendo and they will do anything to protect him. Though Shinobu is the closest thing he has to a girlfriend, Mendo has feelings for Lum, tolerating Ataru's presence in order to be close to her. He is voiced by Akira Kamiya in Japanese, and by Robert Rogan, Russell Wait (Animax dub), Brian Hudson, and Vinnie Penna in various English dubs.
