| Nintama Rantarō | |
| 忍たま乱太郎 | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Comedy, Action, Adventure |
| TV anime | |
| Studio | Ajia-do Animation Works |
| Network | NHK |
| Original run | 10 April 1993 – ongoing |
| Episodes | 1,471 (as of S18E78)[1] |
Nintama Rantarō (忍たま乱太郎, lit. Rantarō the Ninja Boy) is a Japanese anime series based on Sōbē Amako's manga Rakudai Ninja Rantarō. It was produced by Ajia-do Animation Works and originally broadcast on NHK. It is aimed at young children, featuring the adventures of Rantarō and his friends and teachers at Ninja school. The fact that glasses are worn by one of the main characters is intentionally anachronistic. The manga references other Japanese media personalities such as Ken Shimura.
In July 2011, a live action film version directed by Takashi Miike titled Ninja Kids!!! was released.[2] The rights to produce an American version of the film are in negotiations.[3]
Contents |
The main character, a bespectacled first grade boy who is aiming to become an excellent ninja. Unfortunately, he often gets distracted and prefers to goof off with his friends Kirimaru and Shinbei.
One of Rantaro's best friends. He is an orphan who lost his family and home during a war, and now makes a living doing various part time jobs. When school isn't in session, he lives with Doi. His primary interest is being obsessed with earning money.
A rich merchant's son, who quickly became friends with Rantaro at the beginning of the series. He is overweight, a bit slower when it comes to thinking, and often has to be corrected by his friends. Nonetheless, he possesses great power and strength.
Rantaro's classmate and first year Hagumi's class president.
Rantaro's classmate, collects slugs as a hobby.
Heidayū likes traps and has his entire room rigged with them.
The leader of the kunoichi. She is also Rantaro's partner.
Tomomi is the class president of the kunoichi. She is Kirimaru's partner.
Shige is the grand daughter of the principal and also Shinibei's partner.
Rantaro's main classroom teacher. He often loses patience with Rantaro and his classmates due to their inability to pay attention. His personality resembles Iruka Umino, another ninja teacher who is voiced by the same voice actor.
Another teacher of Rantaro. He serves to teach the actual techniques and trains the lazy first graders. Denzo tends to lose his patience faster than Doi. He also shows unnatural fondness in disguising himself as a woman, usually with disastrous results.
A dog skilled in ninjutsu, he is the long time companion of the head master. Also in charge of ringing the school bell
The teacher of the female nintamas, she alternates between the form of a young woman and an old lady
Shinzaemon Tobe is another teacher at the school, who occasionally appears from time to time. He's a sword instructor who is skilled, but if he doesn't have his daily meals, he loses the strength to even pick up the sword.
Ando is the first grade teacher for another class. He often calls Rantaro's class lazy and unproductive, comparing them to his class which seem to do nothing but study all day, thus getting good marks on their tests.
Rantarō's father, a farmer and failed ninja.
Shinbei's younger sister.
Yamada-sensei's 18-year-old son, a free agent ninja. Unlike his father, he is rather handsome. His nickname is Ricky.
A bumbling and forgetful pirate captain.
Tobe-sensei's self-proclaimed rival.
According to the official website, there are sixteen seasons so far. Each season has a different amount of episodes. Currently total, there are over 1,000.
Various video games were spawned, starting in 1995. Most of them were developed and published by Culture Brain.