Hamtaro
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| Hamtaro | |
 Hamtaro's English Logo |
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| とっとこ ハム太郎 (Tottoko Hamutarō[1]) |
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|---|---|
| Genre | Comedy |
| TV anime | |
| Directed by | Osamu Nabeshima, Ritsuko Kawai |
| Produced by | Ritsuko Kawai |
| Studio | Tokyo Movie Shinsa |
| Network | TV Tokyo |
| English network |  YTV Fox Kids Cartoon Network (2002–2004) GMA Network |
| Original run | 7 July 2000 – 31 March 2006 |
| Episodes | 296 (Japanese) 105 (English) |
| TV anime | |
| Tottoko Hamutarō: Norisuta Hai! | |
| Network | TV Tokyo |
| Original run | 5 April 2006 – 26 March 2008 |
| Episodes | 77 |
| TV anime | |
| Tottoko Hamutarō Dechu | |
| Network | TV Tokyo |
| Original run | 2 April 2011 – ongoing |
Hamtaro (とっとこハム太郎 Tottoko Hamutarō, literally Trotting Hamtaro) is a Japanese anime series. The main character is a hamster named Hamtaro who has a variety of adventures with other hamsters, called "Ham-Hams" ("Ham-chans" in the Japanese version). The show is based on a manga series by Ritsuko Kawai,[2] Hamtaro Gets Lost and Other Stories,[3] and Jealous Hamtaro and Other Stories.[4] VIZ Media published the storybooks in English.
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[edit] Anime
The anime, Hamtaro (とっとこハム太郎 Tottoko Hamutarō, literally Trotting Hamtaro), is based on the manga series. Hamtaro ("Hamutaro") is owned by a 10-year-old girl named Laura Haruna (Hiroko Haruna or "Roko-chan" in Japanese version). Hamtaro leads an exciting life for a small hamster. 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. These Ham-Hams meet at a special clubhouse built by Boss ("Taisho"). Hamtaro is licensed by VIZ in North America, which dubbed it in a format aimed at a younger audience. People magazine named this show, "Hottest new thing in Hollywood!" due to its rise in popularity among small children and older ones alike. In Japan, Hamtaro ran for four seasons, had four movies, several specials/OVAs, saw many video game and DVD releases as well as merchandise. However, in the United States, there were only two seasons, no movies, few special episodes, only three video games (though two others were released in Europe), and limited merchandise. Hamtaro was cancelled in the United States. On February 23, 2011, it was announced that Hamtaro would be receiving a new series titled Tottoko Hamutaro Dechu.[5] However, when it was aired April 2, 2011, 9 a.m., it was found to be the original show with a new intro and borders. It is currently unknown if the series will be reintroduced in the U.S.
[edit] Characters
See List of Hamtaro characters
[edit] Licensed products
- Shogakukan: Ritsuko Kawai's books, other Hamtaro related titles, Japanese videos/DVDs
- Toho (Toho Co., Ltd.): Distribution of all 4 movies
- Columbia Music Entertainment: Japanese music CDs
- Anime Video Comics: Launched in 2008 and it does not have a website. Summit Entertainment, an owner company of Anime Video Comics releases some episodes.
- Epoch Co., Ltd.: Plushes, collectible toy line, talking toys, musical toys, standalone electronic games (for the Japanese/Asian market only, but can also be found in some import stores in North America and Europe)
- Hasbro: plushies, collectible toy line
- The Learning Company: Hamtaro: Wake Up Snoozer! for the IBM PC/PC compatibles/Apple Macintosh
- Nintendo: video games -
- For the Game Boy Color: Hamtaro (released in the US/Rest of the World), Hamtaro: Ham-Hams Unite!
- For the Game Boy Advance: Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Heartbreak, Hamtaro: Rainbow Rescue, Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Games, Hamtaro E-Cards for the E-Card reader (Japanese market only).
- For the Nintendo DS: Hamtaro: Nazo Nazo Q (Unreleased in the US/Rest of the World)
- Sega: Arcade painting game, Sega Pico titles (Japanese market only), Cocopad titles (Japanese market only)
- Natsume: Tottoko Hamtaro Ham Ham Challenge Atsumare Hai Nintendo DS game (Released as Hi! Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Challenge! in the US/Europe)
- Banpresto: Arcade kiddie ride
- Smuckers: Smucker's Snackers
- VIZ Media (North America): books, English-language comics, videos/DVDs
- Chuang Yi (Singapore): books, English-language comics
- Seiko: Limited Edition watches
- Daewon Media: All market character products from Japan and United States
[edit] References
- ^ Clements, Jonathan; McCarthy, Helen (2006) (in English). The Anime Encyclopedia. California: Stone Bridge Press. ISBN 1-933330-10-4.
- ^ , including A Home for Hamtaro and Other Stories (The Adventures of Hamtaro, Vol. 1) Amazon.com
- ^ Hamtaro Gets Lost and Other Stories (The Adventures of Hamtaro, Vol. 2) Amazon.com
- ^ The Adventures of Hamtaro, Vol. 3: Jealous Hamtaro and Other Stories Amazon.com
- ^ "Tottoko Hamtarō Dechu TV Anime to Premiere in April". http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-02-23/tottoko-hamtaro-dechu-tv-anime-to-premiere-in-april.
[edit] External links
- Hamtaro Official Japanese site (Japanese)
- TV Tokyo Hamtaro Website (Japanese)
- TV Tokyo Tottoko Hamutaro Dechu Website (Japanese)
- Hamtaro Official English site
- YTV Website
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