Hamtaro (とっとこハム太郎, Tottoko Hamutarō^?, lit. Trotting Hamtaro) was 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).

The original series ended on March 31, 2006 in Japan. 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 is 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.

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 (Seiyuu: Kurumi Mamiya) - Owned by Laura, Hamtaro is the object of Bijou's affection, but often does not seem to realize this. It is uncertain whether he loves Bijou back, however it is suggested that he does. One of the more courageous Ham-Hams, Hamtaro is always ready to help out his friends and his owner Laura. However, he cannot stand being ignored by Laura. He is clueless about many 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 (anime), or Pudding Fong from Tokyo Mew Mew).; Ribon (リボンちゃん Ribon-chan) / Bijou (Seiyuu: Kazusa Murai) - Owned by Maria. Bijou has a crush on Hamtaro. She is a somewhat unworldly hamster who loves her blue ribbons, but she is not 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), but she feels attached to Japan and has even refused to go back to France. In the Japanese version, she speaks normal Japanese and adds the words 'dechuwa' (most likely a hamster version of "desu wa") at the end of her sentences, while the American version of Bijou has a French accent.; Taisho (大将君 or タイショーくん Taishō-kun) / Boss (Seiyuu: Kentaro Ito) - a field hamster. The self-proclaimed leader of the Ham-Hams, Boss has a crush on Bijou. He often tries 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 approaching. However, he cannot deal with the sea as he is prone to sea sickness.; Koushi (こうしくん Kōshi-kun) / Oxnard (Seiyuu: Rikako Aikawa) - 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 was originally an easily frightened Ham-Ham, but he has been braver and more dependable in recent episodes. He has a talent for tarot card reading, which soon attracts the girls, much to the dismay of the other boys. Most of the time, Oxnard's predictions come true, especially for Boss (and usually end in Boss getting hurt in some way). In the final episode, he marries Pepper.; Maido (まいどくん Maido-kun) / Howdy (Seiyuu: Yuu Sugimoto) - 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 has a kansai accent in the Japanese version. He often rivals for Pashmina's affection with Dexter, causing many fights between them.; Megane (めがねくん Megane-kun) / Dexter (Seiyuu: Chihiro Suzuki) - Owned by Curtis. A refined hamster, who is incredibly smart. He loves Pashmina, but often battles with Howdy for her affection. However, their differing personalities also contribute to their many fights, especially when it comes to Howdy's jokes. His Japanese name is a pun: Megane means "four eyes" (in reference to his spectacles).; Mafura (マフラーちゃん Mafura-chan) / Pashmina (Seiyuu: Rei Sakuma) - Owned by June. Considered to be a very maternal Ham-Ham, as she takes care of Penelope. She loves the color pink and always wears her pink scarf. Dexter and Howdy often fight for her affection, but she does not seem to notice. She would rather have them get along, and she feels that she is too young for a relationship anyway (she actually wishes for love in the Japanese version, however).; Chibimaru (ちびまるちゃん Chibimaru-chan) / Penelope (Seiyuu: Kaori Matoi) - Owned by Kylie. Considered the youngest of all the Ham-Hams, Penelope is usually never seen without the cover of her yellow blanket (though a few seconds in the opening theme show her blanket coming off, revealing her brown fur). Although she is friendly to everyone, she feels particularly attached to Pashmina. Being innocent and naive, due to her age, she gets into trouble more often than most of the other Ham-Hams. In season two, she has shown some cross-species affection for Herbert the Pig, a boy by the name of Ethan, and a rabbit at Ethan's school. Unlike the other Ham-Hams, Penelope can't say anything more than 'Ookwee!' or 'Ookyoo!' ('Ukyu!' in the original version).; Noppo (のっぽくん Noppo-kun) / Maxwell (Seiyuu: Takako Honda) - Owned by the eldest son of a bookstore owner (though it seems that the bookstore owner's daughter is the one who cares for him). He always carries a book with him, and is often turned to for information. He is a little taller than the Ham-Hams, partially due to his larger head. He has a crush on Sandy, though it is never intiated until Hamtaro tells him about Sandy's feelings.; Torahamu-chan (トラハムちゃん Torahamu-chan) / Sandy (Seiyuu: Haruna Ikezawa) - 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 in the English version it might seem that the two have confessed their affections, a Japanese episode confirms that they are not romantically involved yet. In the English version, she has a valley girl accent.; Torahamu-kun (トラハムくん Torahamu-kun) / Stan (Seiyuu: Kouki Miyata) - 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 separated, after 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 (Seiyuu: Yuu Sugimoto) - 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 whose 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 in the game.; Kaburu (かぶるくん Kaburu-kun) / Cappy (Seiyuu: Ai Uchikawa) - 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 does not like being spoiled, and looks up to Boss due to Boss's 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 (Seiyuu: Yuu Asakawa) - a field hamster. Appears occasionally throughout the series. He speaks in rhymes, which often confuse the other Ham-Hams. He is clueless about many things, but tends to give 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) (Seiyuu: Saeko Chiba) - owner unknown, has not yet made her 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 get them into trouble.; Lazuli or (in Japan) Lazuli-chan (ラズリーちゃん Razuri-chan) (Seiyuu: Akane Omae) - owner unknown, has not yet made her television debut outside Japan, but she was in "Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Games." Like Lapis, Lazuli has her own magic powers. Her power comes from the blush on her cheeks, and usually makes sweets appear. Unfortunately, this power does get the Ham-Hams into trouble from time to time.;