Hamtaro (Japanese: とっとこハム太郎 Tottoko Hamutarō, Trotting Hamtaro) is a children's anime television program whose main character is the eponymous hamster named Hamtaro (Hamutaro in the original Japanese). The anime is based on Ritsuko Kawai's animated storybooks. Hamtaro is licensed by ShoPro Entertainment in North America.
Supporting characters include other hamsters. 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). This television program teaches children about sharing, adventures, and real life situations.
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.
Hamutaro (ハム太郎 Hamutarō, sometimes ハム太郎くん Hamutarō-kun) / Hamtaro - Owned by Laura. Hamtaro is involved in a love triangle between himself, Bijou, and Boss. One of the more courageous ham hams, Hamtaro isn't above helping out his friends and his owner Laura. However, he cannot stand being ignored by Laura, and when she once did this, Hamtaro left her and tried to make his own home, which brought them to Ham Ham Land (As shown in the first Hamtaro movie). He is also very clueless about...pretty much a lot of things, especially love (much to Bijou and Sparkle's dismay). In the japanese version, Hamtaro ends his sentences with 'na no da', a phrase often used by playful characters (such as Sakuma Ryuichi from Gravitation)
Ribon (リボンちゃん Ribon-chan) / Bijou - Owned by Maria. Bijou has a crush on Hamtaro. A somewhat conceited hamster who loves her blue ribbons, but she isn't above getting dirty when she needs to help her friends and has been known to be generous and helpful. She used to live in France before moving to where she is now (most likely Japan) and feels more attached to Japan and even refused to go back to France. In the japanese version, she spoke normal japanese and tacked on the words 'dechuwa' at the end, while the american version of Bijou used a french accent.
Taisho (大将君 or タイショーくん Taishō-kun) / Boss - a field hamster. Boss has a crush on Bijou. The self proclaimed leader of the ham hams (though the ham hams do consider him the leader most of the time). Often times, he will try to look like he knows everything, only to have it backfire in his face. He has a bit of a temper, but he is very dependable, courageous, and nice, even shy at times (especially around Bijou). Because he is a field hamster, he is more familiar with nature and is more independent compared to the other ham hams. He has even developed a field hamster sense that tells him what kind of weather is rolling in. However, he cannot deal with the sea for he is prone to sea sickness.
Koushi (こうしくん Kōshi-kun) / Oxnard- Owned by Kana. One of Hamtaro's best friends in the series. He has the biggest appetites of the ham hams and also has a crush on Pepper. He originally started as an easily frightened ham ham, but he has been a lot more braver and more dependable in recent episodes. He is also a great at tarot card reading, which soon attracts the other girls, much to the dismay of the other boys. Most of the time, Oxnard's predictions come true, especially for Boss (which usually end in Boss getting hurt in some way).
Maido (まいどくん Maido-kun) / Howdy - Owned by Goldie. A ham ham notorious for telling bad jokes, especially at the wrong times. In the english version, he has a southern accent and a kansai accent in the japanese version. He often rivals for Pashmina's affection with Dexter, causing many bouts between them.
Megane (めがねくん Megane-kun) / Dexter - Owned by Curtis. A refined hamster and is incredibly smart. He loves Pashmina, but often battles with Howdy for her affection. However, their differing personalities also contribute to their many bouts, especially when it comes to Howdy's jokes.
Mafura (マフラーちゃん Mafura-chan) / Pashmina - Owned by June. Considered to be the more motherly ham ham as seen with Penelope. She always wears her pink scarf and loves the color pink. Dexter and Howdy often fight for her affection, but she doesn't seem to notice. She would rather have them get along.
Chibimaru (ちびまるちゃん Chibimaru-chan) / Penelope - Owned by Kylie. Considered the youngest of all the ham hams, Penelope is usually never caught out in the open without wearing her yellow blanket (though a few seconds in the opening theme shows her blanket coming off, revealing her brown fur). She feels attached to Pashmina, though she's friendly to everyone else. She is both innocent and naive, but due to her age, she often gets herself into trouble more than most of the other ham hams. In season two, she has been seen to have affection for characters beyond her own race. This includes Herbert the Pig, a boy by the name of Ethan (who later befriends Mimi, much to Penelope's dismay), and a rabbit at Ethan's school. Unlike the other ham hams, Penelope can't say anything more than 'ookwee' or 'ookyoo' (though she has been heard saying 'bookwee' during the Halloween episode) Though not explained, fans have speculated that this is due to her age.
Noppo (のっぽくん Noppo-kun) / Maxwell - Owned by the eldest son of a bookstore owner. Always carries a book around and is often turned to for knowledge. Has a crush on Sandy. Though not revealed in the English version, he tends to be just as clueless as Hamtaro when it comes to love.
Torahamu-chan (トラハムちゃん Torahamu-chan) / Sandy - Owned by Hillary. A sporty young girl ham who carries a ribbon. Her interest in gymnastics have been influenced by Hillary, who is a gold medal gymnast. She has a crush on Maxwell. While it seems like the two have confessed in the English version, a Japanese episode confirms that they aren't romantically involved yet. In the english version, she has a valley girl accent.
Torahamu-kun (トラハムくん Torahamu-kun) / Stan - Owned by Noel. Sandy's twin (older) brother, who is often caught flirting with the other girls. As a result, he is often an annoyance to the other guys, especially Boss, Howdy, and Dexter. Initially, Sandy and Stan were seperated when Noel (who had a crush on Hillary) offered to take care of one of her hamsters. He is often seen shaking his maracas or riding his skateboard.
Neteru (ねてるくん Neteru-kun) / Snoozer - A mysterious hamster that Boss found in his hideaway (which would soon become the clubhouse). It is unknown where he came from. He is always sleeping, but often utters some helpful advice when the ham hams are in need of it.
Panda (パンダくん Panda-kun) - Owned by Mimi. A ham ham who's fur matches his name, he is the builder/carpenter of the ham hams. Has built and repaired many things throughout the duration of the anime as well as the game.
Kaburu (かぶるくん Kaburu-kun) / Cappy - Owned by Kip and Sue. One of the younger ham hams, Cappy loves hats. The two hats he mostly commonly carries are his green swimming cap and the giant saucepan that he usually is hiding under. While he loves his home, he doesn't like being spoiled and even looks up to Boss due to Boss' independence as a field hamster. He has developed some sort of a rivalry with Stucky, especially when it comes to hide and seek.
Tongari (トンガリくん Tongari-kun) / Jingle - a field hamster. Appears occassionally throughout the series. He speaks in rhymes, which often confuse the other ham hams. He is also very clueless about many things, but tends to let out some wise advice. Always seen carrying his guitar. In 'Hamtaro, Please Come Home' and all other appearances afterwards, he is seen with Herbert the Pig. He also has a habit of forgetting names. Whenever he appears, he usually mispronounces someone's name (Hamtaro most of the time). Whenever he is corrected, he usually replies "You changed your name again?"
Lapis or (in Japan) Lapis-chan (ラピスちゃん Rapisu-chan) - owner unknown, not yet made television debut outside Japan. She, along with Lazuli, has magic powers. Her powers stem from her indigo cape. They try to be helpful, but sometimes their powers tend to get them in trouble. She and Lazuli joined the ham hams in the japanese 3rd season.
Lazuli or (in Japan) Lazuli-chan (ラズリーちゃん Razuri-chan) - owner unknown, not yet made television debut outside Japan. Like Lapis, Lazuli has her own powers. Her powers come from the blush on her cheeks, which usually makes sweets appear. Unfortunately, this power does get the ham hams into trouble from time to time. She and Lapis make their appearance in season 3.
