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Hamtaro

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Hamtaro (Japanese: とっとこハム太郎 Tottoko Hamutarō, Trotting Hamtaro) is a children's anime television program. The main character is the eponymous hamster named Hamtaro (Hamutaro in the original Japanese). The anime is based on Ritsuko Kawai's storybooks. Hamtaro is licensed by Viz Media in North America.

Supporting characters include a large clan of hamsters, known as the Ham-Hams. Hamtaro is owned by a girl named Laura Haruna (Hiroko Haruna or "Roko-chan" in the original Japanese). The show also features the household's dog, Brandy (Burandon or "Don-chan" in the Japanese series). In later episodes, not yet seen outside Japan, there is more emphasis on robot battles and magic powers.

The original series ended on March 31, 2006. As of April 5, 2006, a series known as Norisuta Hai began airing five minute Hamutaro episodes known as "Tottoko Hamutaro: Norisuta Hai!" The Norisuta Hai series is animated differently from the original series and seems designed to appeal to a younger audience. There does not seem to be any connection between Tottoko Hamutaro and Tottoko Hamutaro: Norisuta Haai beyond the planned appearance of all fifteen original Ham-Hams.

Contents

Characters

List of main hamsters

The English name is listed after the Japanese name. The English Wikipedia will refer to Hamtaro characters by the names used in the English-language editions.

Supporting Hamsters

Nin-Ham/Ninhamu-kun/ニンハムくん: a Ninja hamster who comes from a far-away valley. Being the worst ninja in his home, he left so he could be appreciated by non-ninja Hams.

Stucky/Nekenai-kun/ぬけないくん: A run-away hamster stuck in a hamster tube toy. He chants "roly-poly" as he rolls to get around. Rivals Cappy in hide and seek, though the two have become the best of friends lately. Stucky is also known as a terrible flirt when it comes to girls.

Sparkle/Kururin-chan/くるりんちゃん: Owned by Glitter. Sparkle is a spoiled pop star hamster. She did not like the Ham-Hams at first, but she gradually became attached to them. In the Japanese episodes, Sparkle began to have a crush on Hamtaro, and has since then been trying to get him to notice her. She has been unsuccessful, perhaps because Hamtaro loves Bijou. For this and many other reasons, she sees Bijou as a rival.

Pepper/Jajahamu-chan/じゃじゃハムちゃん: Pepper is the girlfriend of Oxnard (who, in the Japanese, she calls Koushi). She is the pet hamster of Kana's cousin, who lives in the country. Compared to Oxnard, she is a lot braver and can be very rough. She ends up marrying Oxnard in the final episode.

Omar/Oashisu-kun/オアシスくん: A hamster from a far-away land who looks exactly like Snoozer. Left his wealthy owner to travel the world.

Sabu/Sabu/サブ: Hamster with a dove named Françoise. He appears in the series from time to time with different roles. Mainly, he's a seed vendor who feeds anyone he sees. At one point, Boss considered him more of a man than he was.

Auntie Viv/Ohamubaa-san/おハムばあさん: Extremely fit elderly hamster with an attitude. Used to be involved with Elder Ham.

Elder Ham/Chorohamu/長老ハム: A narcoleptic elderly hamster, he is always falling asleep while talking. Despite this, he is a source of wisdom for the Ham-Hams.

Hannah/Hana-chan/ハナちゃん: Childhood friend of Howdy. Develops a short-lived crush on Dexter. She is one of the very few who can stand Howdy's jokes.

Robo Joe/Mecha Jirou/メカージロウ: Created by Laura's Grandfather, Robo Joe is a robot hamster whose appearance seems to be based on Hamtaro. Robo Joe's main function is the ability to learn and mimic what he hears; both human language and Ham-Ham language. In a later Japanese episode, Laura's Grandfather places a slightly modified Robo Joe in a Battlebots-like tournament.

Chef Ham/Koshiku-kun/コックさん: A chef hamster with an Italian accent and many children.

Flora/Nasu-chan/ナースちゃん: A nurse hamster who never made an appearance in the English TV show, but made an appearance in Hamtaro: Rainbow Rescue (Video Game) and Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Games(Video game). She is willing to cure any hamster she sees, with the big needle she carries around. She also seems to like Stan.

Harmony/Enjieru-chan/エンジェルちゃん: Hamster in an angel costume, who fights Spat and tries to save love for all hamsters. Never made an appearance in English TV series; made an appearance in Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Heartbreak(Video game).

Spat/Debihamu-kun/デビハムくん: Hamster in a devil costume, who fights Harmony and tries to ruin love for all hamsters. Never made an appearance in English TV series; made an appearance in Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Heartbreak(Video game). In the Japanese version, Spat appears from time to time with different evil plots. Just as in Ham-Ham Heartbreak, the Ham-Hams always thwart his plans.

Barette/Poniiteru-chan/ポニーテールちゃん: Runs the photo studio in the Ham-Ham Clubhouse with her boyfriend Seamore. Never makes an appearance in English TV series; makes an appearance in Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Heartbreak(Video game).

Seamore/Kanehamu-kun/カメハムくん: Hamster with a turtle shell on his back; can swim (unlike most hamsters). Seamore never makes an appearance in the English TV series, but appears in Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Heartbreak(Video game). He also runs a photo studio in the Ham-Ham Clubhouse with his girlfriend, Barette. Some fans think that his shell holds air which allows him to swim by making it easier for him to float, he seems to say something like this in one of the endings of Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Heartbreak when Barette asks him how a shell allows him to swim.

Ook-Ook/Ukihamu-kun/ウキハムくん: A hamster who wears a monkey costume. Never appears in English TV series

Buster/Taiho-kun/たいほくん: Never appears in English TV series.

Little Hams/Chibi-chanzu/ちびちゃんず: Never appears in English TV series.

Potato/Poteto-kun/ポテトくん: Never appears in English TV series.

Shake/Shieiku-chan/シェイクちゃん: Never appears in English TV series.

Solara/Himawari-chan/ひまわりちゃん: Never appears in English TV series, but makes an appearance in Hamtaro: Rainbow Rescue (Video Game)

Naasu-kun/ナッスーくん: Never appears in English TV series.

Tomy-T/Tomato-kun/トマトくん: Never appears in English TV series, but makes an appearance in Hamtaro: Rainbow Rescue (Video Game)

Chibikuri-chan/ちびくりちゃん: Never appears in English TV series.

Prince Bo/Nijihamu-kun/にじハムくん: Prince of Rainbow Land. Never appears in English TV series (with the exception of the Ham-Ham Games episode), but appears in Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Games(Video game) and Hamtaro: Rainbow Rescue.

Oshare-chan/おしゃれちゃん: Never appears in English series. She, like Bijou, came from France. Boss once had a crush on her, but now it seems like she has a crush on Hamtaro. This, of course, gets her in trouble with both Bijou and Sparkle.

Leo/Taion-san/ライオンさん: Member of Team Djungle; never appears in English TV series (with the exception of the Ham-Ham Games episode), , appears in Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Games(Video game).

Sabotenburazasu/サボテンブラザース: Never appears in English TV series.

Warts/Kaeru-san/カエルさん: Member of Team Djungle. Primarily wears a frog outfit, but often changes. Never appears in English TV series (with the exception of the Ham-Ham Games episode), ; appears in Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Games(Video game).

Bunny/Usagi-san/ウサギさん: Member of Team Djungle. Never appears in English TV series (with the exception of the Ham-Ham Games episode), ; appears in Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Games(Video game).

Stripes/Zebera-san/ゼブラさん: Member of Team Djungle. Never appears in English TV series (with the exception of the Ham-Ham Games episode), ; appears in Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Games(video game).

Rainbow Girls/Reinbogarusu/レインボーガールズ(Rosy:Beauty-chan, Daisy:Pretty-chan, and Ivy:Cutie-Chan): Three members of Team Rainbow; Prince Bo is the leader of Team Rainbow. They never make an appearance in English TV show (with the exception of the Ham-Ham Games episode); appear in Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Games(video game). They were jealous that the Ham-Hams got to carry the everlasting torch, so they pursued them to steal it.

Radar/Mimiyori-kun/みみよりくん: News reporter hamster. Never appears in English TV show; appears in Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Heartbreak(video game).

Minoko-chan/きのこちゃん: Never appears in English TV series.

Kurohamu-kun/くろハムくん: News reporter hamster. Never appears in English TV show; appears in Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Heartbreak(video game).

Gelato/Jieraado-chan/ジェラードちゃん: Never apperas in English TV series.

Broski/Safua-kun/サーファーくん: Surfing hamster. Never appears in English TV series; appears in Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Heartbreak(video game) and "Hamtaro: Rainbow Rescue" (video game).

Sky Ham/Sorahamu-kun/そらハムくん: Never appears in English TV series.

Ohkiny-chan/オーキニーちゃん: Never appears in English TV series.

Mystery/Misuteri-chan/ミステリーちゃん: Never appears in English TV series.

Magical/Majikaru-kun/マジカルくん: Never appears in English TV series.

Ice/Aisu-kun/アイスくん: Never appears in English TV series.

Lolly/Kyandei-chan/キャンディーちゃん: Never appears in English TV series, but makes an appearance in Hamtaro: Rainbow Rescue (Video Game)

Moguru-kun/もぐるくん: Never appears in English TV series.

How/Nande-kun/なんでくん: Never appears in English TV series.

Tux/Penhamu-kun/ペンハムくん: Never appears in English TV series, but makes an appearance in Hamtaro: Rainbow Rescue (Video Game)

Salia/Azarashi-chan/あざらしちゃん: Never appears in English TV series, but makes an appearance in Hamtaro: Rainbow Rescue (Video Game)

Humans

Other characters

Relationships

Couples often discussed and supported by the fans. Of all the couples, Sandy/Maxwell, Hamtaro/Bijou, and Oxnard/Pepper are the most canonical.

Hamtaro/Boss/Bijou/Sparkle A love triangle often debated between the fans. Both Hamtaro/Bijou and Boss/Bijou have strong followings and often clash with each other. Both couples have had equal amounts of evidence, and even entire episodes based on the two couples ('Bijou's Favorite Ribbon' supports the Hamtaro/Bijou pairing, while 'Scary Museum' supports Boss/Bijou). It is known that that Bijou loves Hamtaro and Boss loves Bijou, but Hamtaro's take on the relationship is never truly explained (although his actions at the end of "Bijou's Favorite Ribbon" suggest that he has feeling for Bijou). However, a couple of the games and even the Ham-Ham Grand Prix movie seems to support Hamtaro/Bijou more.

Sparkle, in the later Japanese episodes, begins to have a crush on Hamtaro as well, and goes through great lengths to get Hamtaro to notice her, similar to how Boss tries to get Bijou to notice him. As a result, some fans have begun to pair Boss with Sparkle due to some of their similarities. A Japanese episode also showed Boss suddenly falling for Sparkle, but that was because Boss ate a seed that made him fall in love with her (the seed was originally meant for her to give to Hamtaro). However, it is definitely not certain whether they will harbor any feelings for each other and Boss tends to think of Sparkle as an annoyance, while Sparkle thinks Boss is ugly. (especially in Ham-Ham Games)

Sandy/Maxwell The most clearly visible couple in the series. Sandy's feelings for Maxwell were first revealed in 'Let's Dance Sandy' when Maxwell helped her up after messing up during practice for the Sunflower Seed Festival. After being forced by the other girls to tell Maxwell about Sandy's feelings, Hamtaro finally tells Maxwell, and he begins to love Sandy as well. Later episodes show Sandy and Maxwell together more often. In 'Bijou's Favorite Ribbon' they were poked fun at by Stan. Sandy was also seen giving Maxwell a Valentine's Day seed, though Stan wanted it.

In the Japanese episode 'Chisana Koi Monogatari', Maxwell is shown as being clueless about his relationship with Sandy, much to Sandy's dismay. The episode showed that their relationship wasn't really solidified yet, despite the other episodes. It ends with Maxwell barely admiting his feelings to Sandy and the two of them holding each other's paw on the night of Tanabata.

Unlike all the other couples, most Hamtaro fans agree that Sandy and Maxwell should stay together.

Dexter/Howdy/Stan/Pashmina Another often debated love triangle. In the series, the love triangle involved Dexter, Howdy, and Pashmina, but fans have also added in Stan and Panda.

It is unknown who Pashmina really likes. Dexter and Howdy are always seen fighting for her love, but she does not seem to be paying attention to them. Instead, she wants them to be friends. Currently, she is not looking into a relationships, but a rumor of a Japanese episode confirms that she loves Dexter. It also makes the most sense since Dexter is a more refined hamster compared to Howdy, who is rough and tells many bad jokes. However, it is still unknown.

Many fans have paired Stan and Pashmina for various reasons (They look cute together, Stan should be with a girl ham...). There have been a couple of instances where Pashmina seemed to like Stan (Stan impresses her at one point in 'Bijou's Favorite Ribbon' and in 'Pashmina's Present' Stan gives Pashmina a pink rose, which she likes until Stan reveals other roses for Bijou, Penelope, and even Sandy.) It is still not confirmed. There is also a rumor about Stan falling for Flora, the nurse ham.

Cappy/Penelope A couple that has gotten a small following. The fans have paired the two together since they are the youngest of the Ham-Hams. So far, it has been fairly disproved due to Penelope's love for the other races (currently, she loves Herbert the Pig). However, there has been some evidence. In the game, Ham-Ham's Unite, Cappy tells Hamtaro that he will not go back to clubhouse without Penelope. Also, in 'Stucky's Tunnel' there was a brief scene where Stucky flirts with Penelope, which upsets Cappy. It is still not known if they will be a couple.

Oxnard/Pepper Another visible couple in the series. All of Pepper's appearances seem to indicate that both have definite feelings for each other. There was even one instance where Pepper thinks that Oxnard is interested in another girl and becomes upset. They are a confirmed couple, as in the final episode of Hamu Hamu Paradaichu, an announcement is made that they will be married.

Movies

As of 2006, there are 4 Hamtaro movies.

Hamu Hamu Rando Daibouken/Adventures in Ham-Ham Land:

It is Laura's birthday, and Hamtaro is feeling neglected. The Ham-Hams then tell him about a magical sunflower seed that will grant you any wish you want-- Hamtaro is determined to find it so that he can tell Laura how much he loves her. However, an evil devil hamster is after it too! Will Hamtaro ever get his wish?

Hamu Hamu Hamu Maboroshi no Purincess/Princess of Vision:

Hamtaro and the Ham-Hams are peacefully sleeping when Hamtaro suddenly has a vison. It is a princess called Saro-shina calling for help! Suddenly, the Ham-Hams are takes right out of their dreams and taken to a faraway land called Hamu Ja! Saro-shina is being forced to marry an evil cat genie named Sabaku-nya! Can the Ham-Hams save the land from danger?

Hamu Hamu Guran Purin/Ham-Ham Grand Prix:

Bijou is called to a distant land, and Hamtaro follows. Bijou makes friends with the village hamsters (who regards her as the 'snow princess'), when a group of pirate hamsters suddenly show up! The captain falls in love with Bijou, and Hamtaro is jealous. Now Hamtaro must race the captain for Bijou's love!

Hamutaro to Fushigi no Oni no Ehon Tou/Hamtaro and the Mysterious Ogre's Picture Book Tower:

This story is based off of the old Japanese folk tale of Momotaro (Peach Boy). However, Hamtaro floats down the river in a sunflower instead of a peach; thus they call him Himawaritaro (Sunflower Boy).

OVAs

There are also four Hamtaro OVAs. The first two OVAs plus the fourth OVA were shown in America (though the first one was heavily edited).

Tottoko Hamutaro: Hamutaro no Otanjoubi ~Mama wo Tazunete Sanzen Techitechi/Happy Birthday, Hamtaro!~: Laura tells Hamtaro where he came from yet Laura thinks it is not true, just in time for his birthday, Hamtaro sets out with Boss and Oxnard to visit his mother to see if what Laura said is true, while the other Ham-Hams set up a surprise birthday party for him. While it was shown in America, the entire adventure was edited out, showing only the beginning where the Ham-Hams were telling everyone to keep Hamtaro's birthday a secret and the ending where all the Ham-Hams are singing for Hamtaro's birthday.

Tottoko Hamutaro: Hamuchanzu no Takara Sagashi Daisaku/Ham-Hams Ahoy!: As Laura heads out to summer camp, Hamtaro and Oxnard come across a young girl by the name of Heibi, who's trying to find the ocean. Heibi found a treasure map while searching through her grandmother's place and is now willing to do this to help her ailing grandmother. The Ham-Hams, who are more than willing to help her, pack their things and set out to find the treasure. Unlike the first OVA, the second was shown in its entirety in America.

Tottoko Hamutaro: Hamuchanzu to Niji no Kuni no Oujisama/Rainbow Rescue: Based on the third Hamtaro game (fourth in japan), Prince Bo falls from the sky when the rainbow disappears. Now Hamtaro and the Ham-Hams must help him bring back the rainbow. The only OVA not shown in America.

Tottoko Hamutaro: Hamuchanzu no Mezase! Hamuhamu Kin Medal/Ham-Ham Games: Considered the prequel to the fourth Hamtaro game (fifth in japan), Hamtaro and the Ham-Hams are tasked by Prince Bo with lighting the everlasting torch to Hamcropolis. However, the Rainbow Girls will not allow this and pursues the Ham-Hams. This was the last Hamtaro episode shown in America before Cartoon Network cancelled the series.

Games

There are several Hamtaro games, all released for various Nintendo handhelds.

Tottoko Hamutaro - Tomodachi Daisakusen Dechu (Game Boy Color): This was the very first Hamtaro game, and was not released anywhere outside of Japan (although fans outside Japan could usually get the game by means of importing it or getting it from import stores. Lack of a region-locking mechanism on Nintendo's handheld machines means that the game can be run trouble free on any Game Boy Color/Game Boy Advanced handhelds). It is a virtual pet simulation. The fully translated name is Hamtaro:The Great Friendship Plan, if it were released to America, although the name is not confirmed from japanese to english.

[[Hamtaro: Ham-Hams Unite]] (Game Boy Color): The second game released in Japan, but it was the first game released in the United States. Taking place in a full hamster world, Hamtaro is tasked with finding all the Ham-Hams and bringing them together in the clubhouse. The game introduced the use of the ham chat. While it is simply the Ham-Ham language in the game, the ham chat in the game allows different uses of each expression, which include Hamspar (rival) to set things ablaze. This was the final Game Boy Color game released in Europe.

[[Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Heartbreak]] (Game Boy Advance): The second game in America (third in Japan), Ham-Ham Heartbreak had a more interesting story than the first game. Hamtaro has a nightmare one day about an evil Ham-Ham in a devil costume. He runs around and tears apart any couple he sees. However, this nightmare turns out to be a vision of his upcoming struggle against the evil Ham-Ham, Spat. Luckily, he's not alone, for Bijou is going to help him set things right. More of an enhancement of the first game, Ham-Ham Heartbreak slightly improves Ham-Hams Unite's graphics and colors and adds an interesting story, more ham chat vocabulary, and Bijou as Hamtaro's partner.

[[Hamtaro: Rainbow Rescue]] (Game Boy Advance): A game released in Japan and was translated for an American release, but it did not actually get released in America. It was released in Europe however, fully playable in English and several other languages. Prince Bo was happily crossing the rainbow, when suddenly, the rainbow disappeared and he soon fell from sky. Luckily, he happened to "bump" into Boss. Prince Bo wanted to return home, but without the colors of the rainbow, he was unable to return. Willing to help the prince, the Ham-Hams set out to find the seven colors of the rainbow. Rainbow Rescue improved on almost every aspect over its predecessors. It is graphically superior to the other two games. However, unlike the previous games, the gameplay relies more on multiple mini games. It is also currently the only Hamtaro game that allows usage of all the Ham-Hams (with the exception of Snoozer and Jingle).

[[Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Games]] (Game Boy Advance): The third Hamtaro game in America (fifth in Japan). Prince Bo has invited many Ham-Hams to compete in a tournament known as the Ham-Ham Games. The Ham-Hams wish to win the tournament, but they must face fierce competition from their three rival teams. Focuses on story the least, but it is graphics are slightly superior to Rainbow Rescue's. The game relies on mini games, but is less heavier on them than Rainbow Rescue. However, the mini games in Ham-Ham Games tend to be slightly more challenging the some of the games in Rainbow Rescue.

[[Hamtaro: Nazo Nazo Q]] (Nintendo DS): This is the newest Hamtaro game. It hasn't been released outside of Japan, and probably never will be do to various factors (low popularity of the show/cancellation, last game not being translated, etc). It is a Quiz/RPG, and not much else in known. There is a chance that this will be release outside Japan as various Amercian websites like IGN has the games for an American release date but currently it is TBC.

Hamtaro E-Reader: There might have been a Hamtaro card series released for the Nintendo E-Reader System.

Broadcasters & World airing information

This is just a partial list of channels. Full list of channels carrying Hamtaro is available on both the [Japanese site] and the [English site]

Licensed products

  • Shogakukan: Ritsuko Kawai's books, other Hamtaro related titles, Japanese videos/DVDs
  • Columbia Music Entertainment: Japanese music CDs
  • 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 (Unreleased 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/Ham-Ham Sports]], Hamtaro E-Cards for the E-Card reader (Japanese market only).
  • Sega: Arcade painting game, Sega Pico titles (Japanese market only), Cocopad titles (Japanese market only)
  • Banpresto: Arcade kiddie ride
  • Smuckers: Smucker's Snacker's
  • VIZ Media: books, English-language comics, videos/DVDs
  • Seiko: Limited Edition watches
  • Daiwon C&A Holdings: All market character products from Japan and United States.
The full list of licensees can be found on both the Japanese and American, Korean, Asian, European Hamtaro websites.

Trivia

  • Another manga about a hamster, Oruchuban Ebichu, has been called the "anti-Hamtaro". The main difference is that Ebichu contains sex scenes.
  • Several Japanese fan artists have drawn the Ham-Hams in human form. These have been called either human Ham-Hams or Ham-Ham gijinkas. The human Ham-Ham fan-art by the artist Chicko is the most well known, depicting the Ham-Hams as preteens to teens.
  • Hamtaro, and the Hamtaro theme song, were featured on the popular web cartoon "Kerri's Big Invention" by Legendary Frog. In this cartoon Hamtaro was eaten alive by Pikmin.
  • In the anime show Gakuen Heaven ends with a segment called Ham-Ham Heaven with the cast looking much like Hamtaro and his friends.

External links

USA & Canada
Japan
  • [Hamtaro Official Japanese site]
  • [TV Tokyo Hamtaro Website]
    • Korea
  • [Daum Cafe Hamtaro Korea Fan Club Website]
  • [Daum Cafe Hamtaro Korea Hamutaro Guide Website]
    • Fansites/Other

     

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