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Hamtaro

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Hamtaro
File:Hamtaro.png
Hamtaro's English Logo
とっとこハム太郎
(Tottoko Hamutarō[1])
GenreAdventure, comedy
Manga
Written byRitsuko Kawai
Published byShogakukan
MagazineCiao
DemographicShōjo
Original run1997 – 2000
Volumes3
Anime television series
Directed byOsamu Nabeshima
StudioShogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment
TMS Entertainment
Licensed by
Original networkTV Tokyo (2000–2006)
English network
Original run July 7, 2000 – March 31, 2006
Episodes296 (Japanese), 105 (English) (List of episodes)

Hamtaro (とっとこハム太郎, Tottoko Hamutarō, "Trotting Hamtaro") 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.[citation needed] 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").

Characters

See List of Hamtaro characters

Reception

People magazine named this show "[the] Hottest new thing in Hollywood!" due to its rise in popularity among audiences of all ages.

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, Dragon Ball Z, Gumby Adventures, and as well as a new Canadian TV Series, Atomic Betty. On 23 February 2011, it was announced that Hamtaro would be receiving a series titled Tottoko Hamutaro Dechu.[4] However, upon airing on 2 April 2011 at 9 a.m., it was found to be the original show rehashed with a new intro and new borders. "Tottoko Hamutaro Dechu" was broadcast for the final time in Japan on Saturday, 30 March 2013.

Licensed products

File:HamtaroPlush.jpg
Hamtaro plush from Hasbro

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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