Obake no Q-taro
Encyclopedia
, by Fujiko Fujio
, is a Japan
ese manga
about an obake
, Qtarō (Sometimes also spelled as Q-tarō) who lives with the Ōhara family. Qtarō, also known as Q-chan or Oba-Q, is a mischief-maker who likes to fly around scaring people and stealing food, though he is deathly afraid of dogs.
The story is formulaic, usually focussed on the antics of Qtarō and his friends. The manga was drawn in 1964–1966 by Fujiko Fujio (Fujiko F. Fujio and Fujiko Fujio A) and in 1971–1974 by Fujiko F. Fujio.
There are three anime
series of Qtaro. The first anime adaptation of Obake no Qtarō was shown on the Tokyo Broadcasting System
(TBS) in black & white, and ran from 1965–1968. Machiko Soga
was the voice of Qtarō. The series was especially popular amongst younger children, preceding Doraemon
. It also ran outside Japan, in Hong Kong
under the name Q-tailong. The second series ran from 1971–1972 on Nihon TV
, this time in color. Episodes in this series have two segments each per episode. The third series ran from 1985–1987 on TV Asahi
. This series is the only one of the three Obake no Q-taro anime to have a home video
release.
.
Fujiko Fujio
was a nom de plume of a manga writing duo formed by two Japanese manga artists. Their real names are and . They formed their partnership in 1951, and used the Fujiko Fujio name from 1954 until dissolution of the partnership in 1987....
, is a Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
about an obake
Obake
and are a class of yōkai, preternatural creatures in Japanese folklore. Literally, the terms mean a thing that changes, referring to a state of transformation or shapeshifting....
, Qtarō (Sometimes also spelled as Q-tarō) who lives with the Ōhara family. Qtarō, also known as Q-chan or Oba-Q, is a mischief-maker who likes to fly around scaring people and stealing food, though he is deathly afraid of dogs.
The story is formulaic, usually focussed on the antics of Qtarō and his friends. The manga was drawn in 1964–1966 by Fujiko Fujio (Fujiko F. Fujio and Fujiko Fujio A) and in 1971–1974 by Fujiko F. Fujio.
There are three anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series of Qtaro. The first anime adaptation of Obake no Qtarō was shown on the Tokyo Broadcasting System
Tokyo Broadcasting System
, TBS Holdings, Inc. or TBSHD, is a stockholding company in Tokyo, Japan. It is a parent company of a television network named and radio network named ....
(TBS) in black & white, and ran from 1965–1968. Machiko Soga
Machiko Soga
was a Japanese voice actress and actress.- Life and career :Machiko had humble upbringings and was raised to be a singer, though her talents were with acting. She was “discovered” after doing a play in Tokyo Center...
was the voice of Qtarō. The series was especially popular amongst younger children, preceding Doraemon
Doraemon
is a Japanese manga series created by Fujiko F. Fujio which later became an anime series and an Asian franchise...
. It also ran outside Japan, in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
under the name Q-tailong. The second series ran from 1971–1972 on Nihon TV
Nippon Television
is a television network based in the Shiodome area of Minato, Tokyo, Japan and is controlled by the Yomiuri Shimbun publishing company. Broadcasting terrestrially across Japan, the network is commonly known as , contracted to , and abbreviated as "NTV" or "AX".-Offices:*The Headquarters : 6-1,...
, this time in color. Episodes in this series have two segments each per episode. The third series ran from 1985–1987 on TV Asahi
TV Asahi
, also known as EX and , is a Japanese television network headquartered in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The company writes its name in lower-case letters, tv asahi, in its logo and public-image materials. The company also owns All-Nippon News Network....
. This series is the only one of the three Obake no Q-taro anime to have a home video
Home video
Home video is a blanket term used for pre-recorded media that is either sold or rented/hired for home cinema entertainment. The term originates from the VHS/Betamax era but has carried over into current optical disc formats like DVD and Blu-ray Disc and, to a lesser extent, into methods of digital...
release.
Characters
- Voiced by: Machiko SogaMachiko Sogawas a Japanese voice actress and actress.- Life and career :Machiko had humble upbringings and was raised to be a singer, though her talents were with acting. She was “discovered” after doing a play in Tokyo Center...
(1965), Junko HoriJunko Horiis a Japanese actress and voice actor represented by Production Baobab.She is known as the voice of the protagonists in 3 Fujiko Fujio works, Obake no Q-tarō, Ninja Hattori-kun, and Chinpui...
(1971), Fusako Amachi (1985) - The protagonist of the manga, Q-tarō has a fear of dogs and cannot transform although he is an obakeObakeand are a class of yōkai, preternatural creatures in Japanese folklore. Literally, the terms mean a thing that changes, referring to a state of transformation or shapeshifting....
.
- Voiced by: Kazue Tagami (1965), Yoshiko Ōta (1971), Katsue MiwaKatsue Miwais a Japanese voice actress from Osaka affiliated with the studio Aoni Production. She began her career in 1960 and has since starred in a number of voice-over roles for various anime, video games, films, and television commercials.-Anime:...
(1985) - A human friend of Q-tarō, Shōta Ōhara is a grade school boy. Q-tarō calls him and Shota calls Q-tarō .
- Voiced by: Masako NozawaMasako Nozawais a Japanese voice actress and actress affiliated with Office Nozawa. Her pet name is Mako. Her husband, Masa'aki Tsukada is also a voice actor....
(1965), Sumiko Shirakawa (1971), Yū MizushimaYu Mizushimais a Japanese voice actor. He is the Japanese voice-over for Sammo Hung, and is the Japanese voice of Wakko.-Notable roles:* .hack//Intermezzo as Male Heavyblade* Black Cat as Doctor * Black Jack* Black Magic M-66 as Leakey...
(1985) - Shota's older brother.
- Voiced by: Unknown (1965), Hiroko Maruyama (1971), Eiko MasuyamaEiko Masuyamais a Japanese voice actress who works for Aoni Production. She is most known for the roles of Fujiko Mine , Kisaragi Honey , and Bakabon's Mama .-Notable voice roles:...
(1985) - U-ko, a judoka, is Q-tarō's girlfriend obake.
- Voiced by: Misae Kita (1965), Yoshiko Yamamoto (1971), Fuyumi ShiraishiFuyumi Shiraishiis a Japanese voice actor.-Voice Roles:*Ashita no Joe *Osomatsu-kun 1966 *Obake no Q-Taro 1985 *Kaibutsu-kun 1968 *Mobile Suit Gundam 1979-1980 *Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam 1985...
(1985) - Dorompa is an American obake. Q-tarō tend to have a rivalry towards him due to the fact that U-ko idolizes Dorompa's intelligence and he likes to annoy Q-tarō.
- Voiced by: Yōko Mizugaki (1965), Kazuko Sawada (1971), Yūko MitaYuko Mitais a Japanese voice actress. She is known for playing gentle, sexy bishōjo as well as many roles of young boys. Her hobbies include tennis and skiing...
(1985) - P-ko is Q-tarō's younger sister.
- Voiced by: Makoto KōsakaMakoto Kosakais a Japanese infielder. He currently plays for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.Makoto Kosaka is well known for his fast running skills -References:*...
→Reiko Katsura (1971), Keiko YokozawaKeiko Yokozawa, born September 2, 1952 in Niigata, Japan, is a Japanese seiyū.She is most known for the roles of Dorami , Mami Sakura , Benio Hanamura , and Sheeta -External links:...
(1985) - O-jirō is Q-tarō's younger brother. Although he can understand others' speech, he can only say "bakeratta." Only Q-tarō understands what O-jirō says.
- Father of Q-tarō, P-ko, and O-jirō.
- Mother of Q-tarō, P-ko, and O-jirō.
- Voiced by: Kaneta KimotsukiKaneta Kimotsukiis a Japanese voice actor who was born in Kagoshima.He is most known for the roles of Suneo Honekawa , Dracula , Pāyan , Iyami , Tom , Benzou Karino , Horrorman , Conductor and Jiminy Cricket is a Japanese voice actor who was born in Kagoshima.He is most known for the roles of Suneo Honekawa...
(1965/1971), Hiroshi TakemuraHiroshi Takemurais a Japanese voice actor. He is an alumnus of the theatrical troupe Gekidan Baraza, which is directed by Nachi Nozawa. His hobbies include billiards, skiing, fishing and tennis. Takemura is employed by the talent management firm Office Kaoru.-TV:...
(1985) - Nickname: GodzillaGodzillais a daikaijū, a Japanese movie monster, first appearing in Ishirō Honda's 1954 film Godzilla. Since then, Godzilla has gone on to become a worldwide pop culture icon starring in 28 films produced by Toho Co., Ltd. The monster has appeared in numerous other media incarnations including video games,...
. A bully in Shota's class and neighborhood.
- Voiced by: Unknown (1965), Sumiko Shirakawa (1971), Kaneta KimotsukiKaneta Kimotsukiis a Japanese voice actor who was born in Kagoshima.He is most known for the roles of Suneo Honekawa , Dracula , Pāyan , Iyami , Tom , Benzou Karino , Horrorman , Conductor and Jiminy Cricket is a Japanese voice actor who was born in Kagoshima.He is most known for the roles of Suneo Honekawa...
(1985), Naoki TatsutaNaoki Tatsutais a Japanese voice actor affiliated with Aoni Production.He is most known for the roles of Buta Gorilla , Daima Jin , Oolong , Ashibe's Father , and Scoop-kun ....
(1985, stand-in) - Shota's smart classmate.
- Voiced by: Unknown (1965), Kazuko Sawada (1971), Naoki TatsutaNaoki Tatsutais a Japanese voice actor affiliated with Aoni Production.He is most known for the roles of Buta Gorilla , Daima Jin , Oolong , Ashibe's Father , and Scoop-kun ....
(1985) - Shota's rich classmate who kisses up to Godzilla.
- Voiced by: Mariko Tsukai (1965), Michiko NomuraMichiko Nomurais a Japanese voice actress. She is married to fellow voice actor Kenji Utsumi.-Notable voice roles:*Speed Racer : Mitchi Shimura *Sazae-san : Wakame Isono *Doraemon : Shizuka...
(1971), Sanae MiyukiSanae Miyukiis a Japanese voice actor known for voicing Botan of YuYu Hakusho. Her previous stage name was .-Anime roles:*Akuma-kun *Bubblegum Crash *Bokku ...
(1985) - Shota's female classmate, always referred to as .
See also
- Obake no Q-tarō WanWan Panic, a video game released in North America as Chubby CherubChubby CherubChubby Cherub is a video game software by Bandai for the Nintendo Family Computer. The original Japanese version of the game, Obake no Q-tarō: WanWan Panic, was heavily modified for its United States release and retitled Chubby Cherub since Americans had no knowledge of Obake no Q-taro...
.
Appearances in Other Media
A toy of Obake appears on the desk of a character in volume 16 of 20th Century Boys20th Century Boys
is a science fiction-mystery manga created by Naoki Urasawa. It won the 2001 Kodansha Manga Award in the General category, an Excellence Prize at the 2002 Japan Media Arts Festival, and the 2003 Shogakukan Manga Award in the General category. The last two volumes of the story were serialized under...
.
External links
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- 80s