Rakudai Ninja Rantarō facts for kids
| Rakudai Ninja Rantarō | |
Cover of the first volume
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Quick facts for kids 落第忍者乱太郎 |
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| Genre | Comedy |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Sōbē Amako |
| Published by | The Asahi Shimbun Company |
| Demographic | Children |
| Magazine | Asahi Shogakusei Shinbun |
| Original run | 1986 – 2019 |
| Volumes | 65 |
| Anime television series | |
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Rakudai Ninja Rantarō (Japanese: 落第忍者乱太郎, lit. "Failure Ninja Rantarō") (often called Rakuran) is a funny ninja manga series. It was created by Sōbē Amako in 1986.
This popular series also became an anime TV show called Nintama Rantarō. The anime started in 1993 on NHK. There was even a movie in 1996, Eiga Nintama Rantarō. If you like video games, several Nintama Rantarō games have been released since 1995.
Contents
What's the Story About?
The story of Rakudai Ninja Rantarō takes place a long time ago in Japan. It's set near the end of the Muromachi period, during a time called the Sengoku period. This was a time when many different groups were fighting.
The main character is a boy named Rantarō. His father wants him to become a great ninja. So, Rantarō enrolls in a special school called Ninjutsu Gakuen. This school teaches kids how to be elite ninjas.
However, things don't always go as planned for Rantarō! He quickly becomes friends with two other boys, Kirimaru and Shinbee. Together, they often find themselves in funny situations. Most of their ninja training attempts end up being big failures!
About Ninjutsu Gakuen
Ninjutsu Gakuen is a secret ninja school hidden in the mountains. Its exact location is a mystery, even to the author! Students from first to sixth grade attend this unique school.
The students are divided into three classes: I-gumi, Ro-gumi, and Ha-gumi. These names come from an old Japanese alphabet order called Iroha. Boys and girls go to separate classes at the school.
The series is mostly set in the past. But it also has many funny "mistakes" on purpose. You might see modern things like a vending machine or a wristwatch. Characters sometimes even talk directly to the audience or mention the manga books themselves!
Meet the Characters
Many characters in the series have names from real places in Japan. Especially from Amagasaki, where the author lives.
Here are the main characters you'll meet:
Rantarō Inadera
- Age: 10 years old
- Lives in Settsu province
- Part of the Health Committee
Rantarō is an energetic boy with reddish hair and glasses. He comes from a family of poor ninjas. He really wants to be the best student in his class. But usually, the opposite happens!
He has trouble seeing far away, so he wears glasses. Even with his eyesight, he is an incredibly fast runner. He can run 100 meters in just 10 seconds! Rantarō is on the Health Committee. Students in this committee are often called "Fuun Kozou," which means "bad luck boy." This is because they seem to have constant accidents and mishaps.
Kirimaru Settsuno
- Age: 10 years old
- Lives in Settsu province
- Part of the Books Committee
Kirimaru is one of Rantarō's best friends. He loves money more than anything! He will try to earn any amount, even if it's tiny. This means he takes on many part-time jobs. Sometimes he takes on too many and needs help from his teacher, Doi-sensei.
Kirimaru is very careful with his money. He doesn't like words like "give" or "pay." This is because he is an orphan. He lost his parents when his village burned down. He paid for his school fees by selling bento boxes. During school breaks, he lives with Doi-sensei.
Shinbē Fukutomi
- Age: 10 years old
- Lives in Sakai
- Part of the Tools Committee
Shinbē is another one of Rantarō's friends. He is a short, round boy who always has a runny nose. He absolutely loves to eat! He seems to get heavier after every school break.
When he first started school, he cried a lot. But he slowly got used to ninja life. Shinbē isn't very good at schoolwork. He was sent to Ninjutsu Gakuen because his father is a rich merchant. His father wanted him to become a successful heir.
Even though he struggles with school, Shinbē has some amazing skills. He is super strong, much stronger than he looks. His sense of smell is also better than any dog's! Sometimes, his hair can even stand straight up. When it does, it becomes stiff and sharp, like a weapon!
