Hamtaro

Hamtaro

Cover of the first children's book
とっとこハム太郎
(Tottoko Hamutarō[1])
Genre Adventure, comedy
Manga
Written by Ritsuko Kawai
Published by Shogakukan
Demographic Shōjo
Magazine Ciao
Original run 19972000
Volumes 3
Anime television series
Directed by Osamu Nabeshima
Music by Motoyoshi Iwasaki
Studio Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment
TMS Entertainment
Licensed by
Viz Media
Network TV Tokyo (2000–2006)
English network
YTV (2002–2005)
TV3 (2003)
Fox Kids (2002–2004)
Cartoon Network (2002–2004)
Nick Jr. (2002-2007;2010-present)
Original run 7 July 2000 31 March 2006
Episodes 296 (Japanese), 105 (English)
Original video animation
Directed by Osamu Nabeshima
Music by Motoyoshi Iwasaki
Studio Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment
TMS Entertainment
Released August 6, 2001 August 6, 2004
Episodes 4
Anime film series
Directed by Osamu Nabeshima
Music by Motoyoshi Iwasaki
Studio Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment
TMS Entertainment
Released December 15, 2001 December 23, 2004
Runtime 50 minutes
Films 4
Anime television series
Trotting Hamtaro Hai!
Directed by Osamu Nabeshima
Music by Motoyoshi Iwasaki
Studio Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment
TMS Entertainment
Network TV Tokyo
Original run April 5, 2006 March 26, 2008
Episodes 77
Anime television series
Tottoko Hamtaro Dechu
Directed by Osamu Nabeshima
Studio Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment
TMS Entertainment
Network TV Tokyo
Original run April 2, 2011 March 31, 2012
Episodes 52
Anime television series
Directed by Osamu Nabeshima
Studio Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment
TMS Entertainment
Network TV Tokyo
Original run April 7, 2012 March 30, 2013
Episodes 51

Hamtaro, known in Japan as Trotting Hamutaro (とっとこハム太郎 Tottoko Hamutarō), is a Japanese children's manga and storybook series created and illustrated by Ritsuko Kawai. The manga is serialized in Shogakukan's all girl's magazine Ciao in 1997, focusing on a hamster named Hamtaro who has a variety of adventures with other hamsters, known as "Ham-Hams" ("Hamuchans" in the Japanese version). VIZ Media published the manga adaptations and storybooks in English.[2][3]

Multiple anime adaptations were produced by TMS Entertainment and aired on TV Tokyo. The first series was dubbed in English by The Ocean Group.

Plot

The series revolves around an anthropomorphic hamster named Hamtaro, who is owned by a 10-year-old girl named Hiroko Haruna (Laura Haruna in the English dub). Curious by nature, he ventures out each day to make friends and go on adventures with a clan of fellow hamster friends known as The Ham-Hams. The Ham-Hams meet at a special clubhouse built by Boss ("Taisho").

Media

Anime

In Japan, Hamtaro aired five anime series, released four movies, several specials, many video game/DVD releases and merchandise. The success was not paralleled in the United States, however, with only the first series, some special episodes, three video games (though two others were released in Europe), and limited merchandise. In 2004, Hamtaro was cancelled in the United States to air the new Gundam series and Dragon Ball Z. On 23 February 2011, it was announced that Hamtaro would be receiving a series titled Tottoko Hamtaro Dechu.[4]

References

  1. Clements, Jonathan; McCarthy, Helen (2006). The Anime Encyclopedia. California: Stone Bridge Press. ISBN 1-933330-10-4.
  2. Hamtaro Gets Lost and Other Stories (The Adventures of Hamtaro, Vol. 2) Amazon.com
  3. The Adventures of Hamtaro, Vol. 3: Jealous Hamtaro and Other Stories Amazon.com
  4. "Tottoko Hamtarō Dechu TV Anime to Premiere in April".
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