Line #203 Manga/Ratman


1	[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ratman-kittens_1304.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:250:Yeah, those are the [[MinionWithAnFInEvil villains]]]]
3	''The Smallest Hero!?''
4
5	A {{manga}} series by Sekihiko Inui, brought to North America by Creator/{{Tokyopop}} (until they folded).
6
7	TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture, advances in technology have made low-level superpowers available to anyone who can afford the treatments and gadgets necessary. As a result, [[CorporateSponsoredSuperhero corporate-sponsored superheroes]] have become ubiquitous in Japanese society. Young Shuto Katsuragi has been a superhero {{otaku}} since he was rescued by one as a child, and plans to become a hero himself at the earliest opportunity. Unfortunately, Shuto is just short of five feet tall, skinny, and generally way too wimpy to be considered hero material.
8
9	Opportunity knocks when the evil organization Jackal kidnaps Shuto and a classmate, and the hero who comes to save them fails. But not before he passes a transformation device to Shuto, who promptly uses it to "henshin." But it was all a trick! Shuto finds that he is now actually a hideous supervillain named Ratman, who is contractually required to do whatever Jackal wants. And what they want is for him to infiltrate the headquarters of the Hero Association and steal their files -- a job that incidentally makes him Hero Association Enemy #1.
10
11	But this isn't your average super villain story - in a city that worships heroes without question, corporate heroes sell out on a daily basis, and low-profile villains prepare for war while the heroes just spend their days catching robbers and showing off. Armed with a TransformationTrinket with the power to turn its wearer into a seven-foot tall demon (and minions who are so lackadaisical that Film/TheThreeStooges could look more competent), Shuto has to figure out what being a hero really means, and who his real enemies are.
12
13	Not to be confused with Italian superhero parody comic ''[[ComicBook/RatMan1989 Rat-Man]]''.
14
15	-----
16	!!Tropes seen in this series include:
17	* AccidentalAimingSkills: In Episode 01 while imagining himself as a hero, Shuto made a kick but his shoe flew out and slipped onto a delinquent's [[AnimeHair ducktail hairdo]].
18	* AccidentalPervert: While trying to find his way through the Kizaki manor he infiltrated, Shuto as Ratman saw Rio Kizaki naked when she left the bath to see the disturbance.
19	* {{Acrofatic}}: Fatman's pretty agile for his size.
20	* ActionGirl: Rio Kizaki, [[spoiler: who later get a superpower upgrade when she becomes an official hero]].
21	* ActuallyPrettyFunny: Crea and Gengo, despite trying to tell Shuto that the Jacky 5 in the virtual training are "heroes", they can't help but laugh at their appearance as well.
22	* AlmightyJanitor: After ANK goes bankrupt, Ankaiser loses his position as its A-Rank commercial hero. Shortly after, he becomes the commercial hero of Kaiser Gym, but has to start over as a D-Rank hero. He is shown to still have his equipment from back when he was an A-Rank.
23	* AlwaysInClassOne: [[AvertedTrope Mirea and Shuto are in class 1-C]], but Rio is in 2-A.
24	** Post-Unchain Arc, everyone moves up a grade: Mirea, Shuto, and Shiki are in class 2-C; Anzu is in class 1-A; Mikoto is in class 1-B.
25	* AmbiguouslyGay: Shiki hasn't really stated anything directly, but how he constantly touches Shuto and refers to him as cute heavily suggest so.
26	* AnimalThemedSuperbeing: Ratman, Mr. Big Horn, and [[spoiler: Cat Girl Rio]].
27	* AnnoyingYoungerSibling: Ana Katsuragi, one of Shuto's little twin sisters.
28	* AntiHero: Shuto sees himself as a dark hero while as Ratman. The funny thing is: Ratman is an AntiVillain [[SlidingScaleOfAntiVillains Type II]] ([[TheWoobie Woobie]] Anti-Villain) and IV ([[DesignatedVillain In Name Only]])) ''together'', the only thing that separates him from true hero-dom is the {{card carrying\|Villain}}. And even that is forced on him.
29	* ApronMatron: Big Mother.
30	* ArmCannon: Two '''D'''-rank heroes, who were chasing a Jackey out shopping in Episode 04, were equipped with them.
31	* ArtShift: Usually done for comical effects in single panels.
32	* AscendedFanboy: Shuto, but on the "wrong" side.
33	* AwesomeButImpractical: Roiko is a fully sentient android build by Andou however she consumes an incredible amount of energy causing him a substantial amount of money to keep her functional.
34	* BabiesEverAfter: [[spoiler: Haruka is revealed to be pregnant with Fatman's kid and they are planning on getting married.]]
35	* BadassCreed: Ratman tries to use one with mixed results.
36	* BarehandedBladeBlock: A Jacky attempted this against a pipe to protect Ratman from a sneak attack, but he still got smacked on the head.
37	%%* BarrierWarrior: Van Guardner
38	* BatmanGambit: Jackal's plan for creating Ratman relied on [[TakingUpTheMantle Shuto acting]] like a superhero fan. One, "hey wait a minute", and the whole scheme would have collapsed.
39	** His not stopping to think is [[LampshadeHanging brought up]] by none other than... himself. He outright thinks that he doesn't have time to be suspicious of the situation.
40	* BattleAmongstTheFlames: Invoked the second time Ratman and [=ANKaiser=] meet each other when he disables the sprinkler system, as Ankaiser believes he will get more prestige defeating Ratman in this situation despite the fact it puts innocent people in danger. Obviously [[BerserkButton Shuto is not pleased]].
41	* BeachEpisode: Episode 36.
42	* BerserkButton: Short jokes for Shuto. Well, that's what [[TheNapoleon he]] says. "Heroes" not acting heroic are a much, much bigger one.
43	* BettyAndVeronica: Mirea Mizushima and Rio Kizaki, although which is which depends on your perspective.
44	* BigBrotherInstinct: When Shuuto's little sisters are kidnapped by Yakuza after a botched drug deal and the gangsters decide to silence them permanently, Ratman shows up just in time to save them, then tells the Yakuza leader he doesn't want to think about what he'd have done if he'd been too late.
45	* BigDamnHeroes: Parodied.
46	* BigEater: Shuto, by necessity, as using his Ratman abilities uses up his caloric energy at superhuman rates.
47	* BigFancyHouse: The Kizaki manor.
48	* BlandNameProduct:
49	** Pizza Fat is a blatant parody of Pizza Hut.
50	** Comicbook/{{Watch\|men}}aman film, and even has Rorschach on the ticket.
51	* BlankWhiteEyes: Whenever a super goes berserk.
52	* BlatantLies: [=ANKaiser=] seems to be fond of this trope, even claiming he "accidentally turned off the sprinkler system".
53	* {{Blog}}: The Jackies have a website ([[LoggingOntoTheFourthWall not in the real world, unfortunately]]). Luckily for them, everyone thinks it's a parody.
54	** [[http://jackall.blog113.fc2.com/ Guess what.]]
55	* BodyHorror: The way Ratman's body morphs new weapons.
56	* BoundAndGagged: Shuto falls victim to this in Episodes 01 & 02. In the first time he also suffers a BagOfKidnapping.
57	* BoxingLessonsForSuperman: Shuto, after realizing that all of his strength is from being Ratman and relies solely on being UnskilledButStrong, deduces that he needs to actually learn how to fight to deal with his opponents that are equally strong or stronger. So he now jogs four days of the week and went to a Boxing Gym to improve himself.
58	* BreathWeapon: One of Ratman's abilities.
59	* BridalCarry: In Episode 01, how Shuto as Ratman saved Mirea from Jackal who "captured" her.
60	** In Episode 14 with some RoofHopping, how Shuto as Ratman brought Rio to the car crash emergency.
61	** In Episode 20 with some more roof hopping, how Shuto as Ratman brought Anzu to where her brother and Mr. Big Horn crashed and how he helped her to deliver both ''Pizza Fat'' and ''Bison Burger'' deliveries to the ''Pen Pen'' building.
62	** In Episode 24, how Shiki saved Shuto.
63	* BrokenPedestal: Many to Shuto, when many of the "heroes" just seem to be in it for the glory and prestige rather than genuinely wanting to help people.
64	* BroughtToYouByTheLetterS: Some heroes have this in costume.
65	** Shiningman has a "S" on his helmet.
66	*** In Shuto's ImagineSpot in Episode 01 as the hero he wants to be, "Super Nova", he has a "S" on his belt buckle.
67	** Randolman has a "R" on his chest.
68	** The Jackies have "J" shaped belt buckles.
69	** Mr. Big Horn has two "B"s [[ChestInsignia on his chest]][[note]]the first "B" is mirrored to the second[[/note]].
70	** "Watchaman" has the katakana "wa" symbol on his mask.
71	** YAVAIS has "Y"s on his belt and boots.
72	* BulletCatch: A Jacky does this after an OffscreenTeleportation to grab a piece of concrete just as it was about to hit an unflinching Mirea. Yes, that scene was a SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome.
73	** Well it would have been, if another Jackey [[FunnyBackgroundEvent didn't get hit in the head by another piece]].
74	* CannibalismSuperpower: It is heavily suggested Unchain gains the strength of whatever he eats.
75	* CantHoldHisLiquor: A female version, Mirea is shown to pass out after just a few cups of sake.
76	* CaptainSuperhero: One of the heroes has this naming convention.
77	* CardCarryingVillain: The entire Jackal Organization.
78	** A fake hero version. The guy that comes to save Shuto and Mirea in Episode 1 wears a [[FunTShirt shirt]] that says "I'm a Hero!".
79	* CassandraTruth: Ratman when he tries to explain he isn't the bad guy and stopped the bad guys. More often then not the one he is trying to explain this to still believes he was involved.
80	** Also the Jackey Blog. Where it states that it is a communication for the Combatants of an Secret Evil Organization, no one outside of the Combatants takes it seriously as no one believes a Secret Evil Organization would post their activities so publicly.
81	** Averted somewhat with Ankaiser, who later states he doesn't care if Ratman caused the fire or not as he just wanted to defeat him.
82	* CatGirl: [[spoiler: Rio's]] costume and codename are based on this.
83	* CaughtWithYourPantsDown: Shuto accidentally walks in on one of the Jackies taking care of business.
84	* ChronicHeroSyndrome: Basically, what helps you to make differences between hero who was OnlyInItForTheMoney and "true" heroes.
85	* ClarkKentOutfit: Shouichirou is commonly seen in a business suit and looks to be about an average middle aged man. That is until he takes off his suit. It is later revealed that Ankaiser considers his only lost to him and he was almost picked to be Shiningman.
86	* CoincidentalBroadcast: When Rio is trying to figure out Ratman's motives, the teacher is explaining the use of rats in lab experiments.
87	* ColorCharacter: Prisms Blue, Red and Yellow of the Prism Crystal Rangers.
88	* ComesGreatResponsibility: Cited by Mirea, although she may not mean it in the usual sense.
89	* CoolAndUnusualPunishment: "Article 8 - Failure to honor the contract will result in [[FelonyMisdemeanor the destruction of Shuto's entire action figure collection]]."
90	* CooldownHug: Mirea tries this on Shuto [[spoiler: when he enters a berserk state, but gets injured in the process. However it was causing her injuring that made Shuto come back from the [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone shock of what he did]]]].
91	* CorporateSponsoredSuperhero: Almost every hero who is part of the Hero Association.
92	* CovertPervert: Of all people Mirea, in the extra Chapter 19.5, after Shuto (who due to a drug has reverted to the age of five) suggests Mirea and himself take a bath after dinner. She is later seen in the kitchen repeating the idea in her head.
93	* CrucifiedHeroShot: Shiki props up an unconscious Rio on a cross made of stuff.
94	* CurbStompBattle: Ratman vs Jacky Five, 1st simulation battle. [[spoiler:Having power isn't the same as having the skills to use it, right, Shuto?]]
95	* CuteBruiser: Rio, who kicked the butt of three upperclassmen without breaking a sweat.
96	* DamselInDistress: Mirea Mizushima appears to be one, but is really a DecoyDamsel.
97	** Rio plays it straight later.
98	* DarkIsNotEvil[=/=]LightIsNotGood: Lampshaded by the reporter when she witnesses the fight between Ratman and the Unknown Hero, since she can't tell which one is supposed to be the hero or the villain.
99	* DatePeepers: Crea and the Jackies do this when Shuto and Mirea go to the movies, but later lose them.
100	* DescriptionCut: Crea states the Jackies got in by using "kickass disguise equipment", cut the shot of a Jackey hiding in a cardboard box.
101	* DiabolicalMastermind: Crea Mizushima, though she tends to overplay the part.
102	* DisproportionateRetribution: Crea wanted to blow up a restaurant because the waitress was rude to her.
103	* DramaticDrop: Mirea has a habit of dropping things when something happens to Shuto or when he is [[GreenEyedMonster with another girl]].
104	* DrunkOnTheDarkSide: [[spoiler: All the lower ranked heroes that used the Hero Amplifier App as chapter 44]].
105	* {{Eagleland}}: Bison Burger's theme is based on Type One, Mr. Big Horn is secretly Type Two.
106	* EmpireWithADarkSecret: Heavily hinted about the Hero Society, especially when Mr. Kizaki made sure Ratman didn't find a certain room after breaking in.
107	** The [[SecretPolice S Security]] sure doesn't help their case.
108	* EpicFail: Ratman falls off a building where Fatman is able to spot it. He suddenly changes into his super hero persona, makes a mad dash to catch Ratman, all leading up to [[http://www.mangahere.com/manga/ratman/c013/10.html this scene.]]
109	* EverythingIsAnIpodInTheFuture: The [[http://ratman.wikia.com/wiki/Hero_Tracker Hero Tracker]] greatly resembles an iPod.
110	* EvilIsOneBigHappyFamily: At least the Jackal Organization is.
111	* EvilCounterpart: [[spoiler: Akeboshi Shin/Sin, Shiningman's son, looks like an eviller Ratman in his true super form.]]
112	* ExpressiveMask: The Jackies' masks show them crying or drooling.
113	* FacelessGoons: The Jackies. Played with, in that their masks and bodies show highly expressive emotions, and in that they're the most tenderhearted people in the series.
114	* FakeMemories: [[spoiler: Shuto's memories of how Shiningman rescued him years ago don't match the video evidence.]]
115	* FakeUltimateHero: [=ANKaiser=]
116	* FangsAreEvil: Whenever Ratman gets angry or excited his mask morphs into a [[NightmareFuel fanged maw]]. Bonus points for it actually giving Rio nightmares.
117	* FanserviceWithASmile: The female employees of '''Bison Burger''' dress as cowgirls with exposed navels and wearing short short jeans.
118	** In Episode 36, the '''Bison Burger''' cowgirls wear cow-spotted bikinis to serve customers on the beach.
119	*** Anzu, Rio, and Mirea wear aprons over their bikinis when the served '''Pizza Fat''' pizzas as well.
120	* FeetFirstIntroduction: Rio gets one when she meets up with Shuto at the Hero Awards after party.
121	* FightingTheLancer: The Crystal Fighter PRISMMAN team during the Hero Awards, Ruby Red fights with his teammates Sapphire Blue and Topaz Yellow when they are fed-up with his glory hogging.
122	* FiveManBand: Parodied with the Skull Ranger Jacky Five, a one-time training exercise where the Jackies modified their usual outfits in sentai style to fight Ratman. Notable for a number of reasons: It's the only time we see more than three Jackies at once, the only time we ever see [[TheBigGuy a muscular]] or apparently female Jackie, and the Jackies easily defeat Ratman with their teamwork.
123	* FormerlyFat: Fatman's teenaged sister Anzu.
124	* ForTheEvulz: [[InvokedTrope Crea states that an Evil Organization shouldn't need a reason to do evil things.]]
125	* FountainOfYouth: Shuto spends an EX-chapter chemically regressed to a much younger physical and mental age.
126	* FunnyBackgroundEvent: The Jackies LIVE AND BREATHE this trope. From trying on Rio's underwear and posing (until she notices them) to their anticlimactic (and totally deadpan) antics, these masked goons are an endless source of fun.
127	* FuroScene: Rio was soaking in the hot tub after working out when the alarm reported intruders.
128	* GemstoneAssault: The Gem Unit of PRISMMAN uses gems when they fight. It is lampshaded that they are quite an expensive bunch of heroes.
129	* GilliganCut: The leader of Jackal assures her sister that Ratman won't be caught. The next page has Ratman on his knees in front of a hero apologizing for getting caught.
130	* GirlishPigtails: Rio's hairstyle.
131	* GloryHound: Prism Red, at first. But ''especially'' [=ANKaiser=], who goes so far as to disable the sprinkler system of a burning hotel so he can be the one to arrest the "villain" while other heroes are busy saving civilians.
132	* GratuitousEnglish: Here and there in the story, and every chapter name is "subtitled" in English too. At least it's usually grammatically correct, if not always stylish.
133	%%* GreenEyedMonster: Clear as day in Chapter 5, and again in Chapter 33. Shiki even lampshades how dense Shuto is to not feel her anger. (Needs more context)
134	* GreyAndGrayMorality: It's rather explicitly shown that the members of Jackal are not nearly as evil as they claim they are. Shuto also discovers that some heroes aren't as nice as people believe they are, such as [=ANKaiser=]. However, there's plenty of evidence that there are heroes who genuinely want to help people, such as Fatman and the Akiba Holy Girls, or heroes who wants glory but still a decent human being like YAVIS. And in later chapters, even [=ANKaiser=] gets some development that depicts him as a JerkWithAHeartOfGold.
135	* HappilyMarried: Fatman's parents. Mr. Big Horn and Linda.
136	* HeadbuttingHeroes: Fatman and Mr. Big Horn.
137	* HenshinHero: The entire series seems to be an AffectionateParody of this trope.
138	* HeroesFightBarehanded: Some heroes don't use weapons even if their budget could let them. On the other-hand, some have powers to supplement them.
139	* HeroicBSOD: Prism Red, after he realizes how badly he screwed up.
140	* HeroicWannabe: Shuto. Taken to extreme with YAVIS.
141	* IdiosyncraticEpisodeNaming: Each chapter is called an "Episode".
142	* IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight: [[spoiler: Subverted during the Unchain fight as both Ratman and Unchain wind up needing assistance to [[ResistTheBeast overcome]] their own [[SuperpoweredEvilSide dark sides]] before the end of the battle.]]
143	* ImAHumanitarian: Unchain wants nothing more than to eat Ratman.
144	* ImplausibleDeniability: [[spoiler:Once Shuto has discovered enough to suspect that something's going on, he confronts Crea and demands to know why he was chosen as Ratman and what her real goals are. Instead of telling him, she repeats her implausible reasons from the start of the story, but in monosyllabic half-sentences and without even bothering to look at him.]]
145	* InstantCosplaySurprise: In Episode 23, in helping Mirea choosing clothes for her date with Shuto, Crea and the Jackies changed Mirea's clothes to Crea's UsefulNotes/{{Qipao}}.
146	* IntrepidReporter: Chihaya Sugimura.
147	* JawDrop: Shuto as Ratman does this, showing his teeth.
148	* JourneyToTheCenterOfTheMind: In Episode 29, Shuto gets glimpses of Shiki's memories [[spoiler:when Unchain plunges his arm into Ratman's torso looking for the S-gene.]]
149	* JumpedAtTheCall: Shuto--should have used Caller ID, man.
150	* {{Kevlard}}: Fat Man's super power.
151	* KickTheDog: [=ANKaiser=] deliberately sabotages an inhabited skyscraper's sprinkler system, so that the fire won't go out before he has a chance to defeat Ratman.
152	* KnightOfCerebus: Whenever Shiningman or the S-Gene comes up, shit gets real.
153	* TheKnightsWhoSaySquee: Shuto as Ratman has one of these towards [=ANKaiser=], to where he forgets he was currently breaking into Kizaki Mansion and asks for his autograph. It's soon afterwards that he receives a BrokenPedestal moment.
154	* LargeHam: And a very rare female villainous version at that, Crea. She ''smashes'' [[ChewingTheScenery the scenery]].
155	* LaughingMad: [[spoiler: Shiki AKA Unchain]] when he finds out Shuto is Ratman.
156	* LawfulStupid: Shuto signed a contract that legally requires him to work for Jackal as Ratman. So naturally it does not occur to him to simply ignore a promise made under false pretenses. It does help that his lifelong dream was being a supersomething, and there's a cute girl attending him at Jackal base as added bonus.
157	* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: Chrea helping her sister get ready for her date.
158	-->'''Crea:''' ''Exactly, I picked out some outfits that no boys could keep their eyes off of. What you and this manga lack is sexiness.''
159	* LetsGetDangerous: Mirea might not be dangerous by herself, but she has the Jackies on her side. To the point that when an enemy throws a rock at her face, she doesn't even bother to blink when a Jacky appears out of nowhere and catches it.
160	* LightEmUp: Shiningman and [[spoiler: Ratman.]]
161	* LonelyRichKid: Rio
162	* LovesMyAlterEgo: Inverted, Rio likes Shuto (and considers him heroic), but has nightmares about Ratman.
163	** She warms up around Ratman recently, though.
164	* LovesTheSoundOfScreaming: [=ANKaiser=], at least towards Ratman.
165	* MadScientist: Grandfather Mizushima, but at least [[EvenEvilHasStandards he had]] [[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes restraint]]. Dr. Teramishi, in the other hand....
166	* MalevolentMaskedMen: The Jackies are a parody of this.
167	* ManHug: Shuto and Fatman have one, only for Fatman's little sister Anzu to walk in on this and [[MistakenForGay mistake it for something else]].
168	* ManlyTears: A Jackey seems to be fond of this.
169	* MeaningfulName: Ratman. Both a reference to Shuto's small size, and his role as Jackal's lab rat.
170	* MediumAwareness: In Episode Five, Crea mentions that if she released Shuto from being Ratman, the manga would be over, and that she's sure some readers like things in "small packages."
171	* {{Meido}}: The defenders of Akihibara work at a MaidCafe, and don't always get the chance to change out of their uniforms when called to action.
172	* MiniatureSeniorCitizens: Grandfather Mizushima.
173	* MinionWithAnFInEvil: The Jackal minions. The first chapter they forget they are supposed to kidnap Shuto, so they play with and feed stray kittens. Seen in the picture above.
174	** Their most common contribution to fights is also usually to evacuate innocents. Unlike most examples, their bosses generally don't want them to be evil anyway, although Crea sometimes gets (affectionately) frustrated when they act so softhearted that it interferes with operations.
175	* MistakenForGay: Anzu suspects this between her brother and Shuto when she walks into them [[ManHug hugging]]. After being set straight she is noticeably glad that [[ShipTease Shuto isn't]].
176	* [[MrExposition Ms. Exposition]]: Crea, in Episode 05.
177	* MobileShrubbery: At one point a Jacky sneaks into a hospital under a cardboard box labelled [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid MGS4]]
178	* MomentKiller: Mirea and Shuto in the hospital, with Mirea just about to feed him. Cue Crea and the Jackies bursting into the room.
179	** A nurse does this in Chapter 42, where Mirea was hugging Shuto she interrupted their their tender moment by stating "[[NotWhatItLooksLike If you are going to continue doing what you are doing, do it somewhere else]]".
180	* MoreTeethThanTheOsmondFamily: Ratman looks like a Franchise/SuperSentai version of ComicBook/{{Venom}}.
181	* {{Motifs}}: Many of the heroes have their hero code names from who they work for.
182	* NakedApron: A variant. When everyone is helping Pizza Fat at the beach, they forget the girls' uniforms at home, so they just wear aprons over their swimsuits.
183	* NonIdleRich: Rio. Despite being quite wealthy, she is completely determined to be a hero to help others and will JumpedAtTheCall to help anyone in need.
184	* NonverbalMiscommunication: A Jackey tries to communicate with Shuto with hand gestures, which only leaves Shuto baffled as to how he is supposed to know what the Jackey is trying to say.
185	* NoPlansNoPrototypeNoBackup: Roiko, where her creator has no idea how she gained AI.
186	* NotADate: What Shuto states to his friends when he and Mirea meet them at a restaurant, much to Mirea's frustration.
187	* NotCheatingUnlessYouGetCaught: Ankaiser seems to believe this. As he comments that if you are going to commit a crime make sure you don't get caught.
188	* NotWhatItLooksLike: Rio hears the description of a purse snatcher as a tall man in black, then comes across Ratman, who is a tall man in black holding a purse (which he just took away from the real thief).
189	** Episode (Chapter) 42 has one of these at the end with Mirea and Shuto in the nurses office. Where Mirea is hugging a shirtless Shuto from behind, and the Nurse assumes something else.
190	** [[spoiler:Nine years before the story starts, Crea saw Shouichiro Kizaki holding a gun over her parents' bodies and assumed he killed them. He was actually making a vow to avenge their deaths [[BetterManhandleTheMurderWeapon while holding the real killer's weapon]].]] This misunderstanding isn't cleared up until chapter 53.
191	* ObliviousToLove: Shuto seems to be oblivious to Mirea's feelings for him.
192	** Proven true as he did not realize she liked him until after Mira sister flat out told him 55 chapters since he became Ratman.
193	* OddlySmallOrganization: Jackal, we have the three Mizushimas, a handful of mooks and the titular Ratman himself. And that's it.
194	* OfficialCouple: [[spoiler: Shuto and Mirea in the epilogue]].
195	* OffscreenTeleportation: The Jackies are able to do it to the point it creeps Shuto out.
196	%%* OhCrap
197	* TheOnlyOne: They state that only Shuto can be Ratman. It has yet to be revealed why this is the case.
198	** [[spoiler: It was a lie.]]
199	* TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou: Ankaiser seems to see himself as this to Ratman, as he is angry at the fact he believes the [[spoiler:S Security]] will defeat him before he can.
200	* {{Otaku}}: Shuto is a self proclaimed Hero Otaku.
201	* PapaWolf: Rio's father might never give her a Heroes License, however when he couldn't find her for a day he summons the Hero Association to find her.
202	* ParentalAbandonment: Crea and Mirea's parents died when Mirea was little. Rio's {{m\|issingMom}}other also died when she was little, partially fueling her desire to become a superhero so that she could save others from a similar fate. Shuto's father is also nowhere to be found, but his situation is less clear.
203	* ParkingGarage: Where Ratman and [=ANKaiser=] had their rematch.
204	* PetTheDog: [=ANKaiser=] in his civilian identity gives an impromptu boxing lesson to Shuto because he sees the boy struggling with a punching bag.
205	* PiggybackCute: Rio carries Shuto back to school after the latter twisted his ankle saving a kitten.
206	* PsychoSerum: [[spoiler: The Unofficial Hero Amplifier app, which appears to be related to the S genes that can drive Ratman berserk.]]
207	* PunchClockHero: Many of the members of the Hero Association.
208	* PunchPunchPunchUhOh: Ratman's first fight against [[spoiler: the S Rank hero]].
209	* RandomPowerRanking: Heroes are ranked from '''F''' to '''S'''.
210	** '''S''' Ranks: Kreios, and Unchain.
211	** '''A''' Ranks: [=ANKaiser=], Vanguardner, and Hevenly Maiden.
212	** '''B''' Ranks: The Gem Unit of PRISMMAN.
213	** '''C''' Ranks: The Akiba Holy Girls.
214	** '''D''' Ranks: The two heroes with arm cannons who were chasing a Jackey in Episode 04.
215	** '''E''' Ranks: Fatman
216	** '''F''' Ranks: YAVAIS
217	* RankInflation: After A-rank hero [=ANKaiser=] gets badly beaten by Ratman, the Hero Association calls in the S-rank heroes. Somewhat justified though, in that the A-ranks are the most powerful ''publicly'' known heroes, and S-ranked heroes operate in a completely different capacity as the Association's secret enforcers.
218	** [[spoiler: Big Horn]] thanks to the Hero Amplifier app.
219	* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Shuto as Ratman gives a good one to [=ANKaiser=] for purposely putting people in harm's way just to make himself look good.
220	* RebelliousPrincess: Rio Kizaki.
221	* RefugeInAudacity: Jackall posted a blog on the internet telling everyone that they were a secret evil organization. Not believing that a ‘Secret’ organization would actually do this everyone figured it was a parody site
222	* RescueRomance: Taishi asked Shuuto and the Jackals to arrange this to impress her customer and LoveInterest, Haruka. HilarityEnsues. [[spoiler:In the end, it didn't matter; [[SamaritanRelationshipStarter Haruka already]] [[NiceGuy knows his]] [[SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan worth as a man]].]]
223	* {{Revenge}}: [[spoiler:Cited to be ''real'' reason of Mizushima's opposing Hero Association.]]
224	* RightManInTheWrongPlace: Shuto always uses Ratman to save people and do the right thing. However because of his status as a "villain", he is often blamed for the very crime he stopped.
225	* RobotGirl: Roiko.
226	* RoofHopping: How Ratman usually gets around. Also best because he is able to stay out of sight.
227	* RooftopConfrontation: Ratman's fight with the unknown hero[[note]]his hero name later is revealed to be Kreios[[/note]] on top of the Kadoyama Press.
228	* SamaritanRelationshipStarter: Rio's opinion of Shuto goes up considerably when she sees him risk his life to save a kitten...without the benefit of superpowers.
229	** [[spoiler:Haruka, one of Taishi's customer, also begin to appreciate the man after she sees him calming down a crying child using his TransformationSequence and free pizza, on his own account.]]
230	* SatchelSwitcheroo: At the start of Episode 21 Ana mistakenly grabs the wrong Mr. Boxers plushie. That plushie is actually a drug drop for the dealers.
231	* {{Scapegoat}}: [[spoiler: The Bio-Department puts all the blame for the creation of the Hero Killers on Jackal.]]
232	* ScarfOfAsskicking: Shuto as Ratman has one.
233	* ScaryBlackMan: Big Billy.
234	** Ratman could count as well.
235	* ScrewDestiny: Shuto's outlook at being a super hero. He knows his height would most likely prevent him from ever truly being one, but still focuses on trying.
236	** Rio as well, her [[FantasyForbiddingFather father]] explicitly stated he will never give her a Hero's License, but that doesn't stop her dream of one day becoming one. So she trains for it when he isn't around and tries to stop crime.
237	* SecretIdentity: All hero license holders under the Hero Association. Ratman's first mission is to steal the information of who they are.
238	** Crea's explanation of why Jackal chose Shuto as Ratman is that no one could make a connection between a "shorty" like Shuto and the "big" bad Ratman.
239	* SecretKeeper: [[spoiler: [=ANKaiser=] doesn't turn in Shuto after finding out he is Ratman, claiming that he didn't want people to know he got beat by a kid.]]
240	* SecretPolice: "S Security" is a group made up of the S-ranked heroes. Unlike other heroes, however, S Security are the Hero Association's secret enforcers, who go to brutal lengths to covertly eliminate threats that can't be handled by heroes who have to maintain a good public image.
241	* SecretPublicIdentity: Many of the heroes don't wear masks or can be recognized without their masks.
242	* ShipperOnDeck: The entire organization of Jackal appear to enjoy watching the "teen drama" between Shuto and Mirea.
243	* ShoutOut: Some of the poses on one page look [[Franchise/SailorMoon AWFULLY]] [[{{Manga/Kinnikuman}} familiar]]...
244	** One page appears to have the move [[Manga/{{Hellsing}} Seras did to Zorin]].
245	** Chapter 11 is titled: "[[Literature/HaruhiSuzumiya The Melancholy of Mirea Mizushima]]" and Chapter 19 is called [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion Shooto Katsuragi Raising Project]]
246	*** The way Ratman's faceplate shatters when his [[MoreTeethThanTheOsmondFamily mouth]] forms is evocative of when the Evangelion Units go berserk.
247	** In Akihibara Shuto channels the spirit of [[Series/{{Heroes}} Hiro Nakamura]]. Must be the shared hero fever.
248	** A Jackey [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid hides under a cardboard box]], the box is even labeled [=MGS4=].
249	** Both chapters with Fatman have titles [[Franchise/{{Batman}} I Am Fatman!!]] and [[Film/BatmanReturns Fatman Returns]].
250	*** To really nail it in, Fatman's vehicle is the [[Film/TheDarkKnightTrilogy Tumbler]], and his father who made it tells Fatman not to tell anyone as be doesn't want be sued for trademark infringement.
251	** Fatman's family photo had him wearing a shirt with {{Manga/SgtFrog}} on it.
252	** G9's little speech matches the members of the ''Manga/CodeBreaker''.
253	** In chapter 23, Mirea and Shuto go see a movie together. It's about a hero named Watchaman, who's overall appearance is eerily similar to Rorschach from the western SuperHero comic, ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}.
254	** In Episode 33, Shuto mentions [[Film/IronMan Ironman 2]] coming out soon.
255	** Ratman in his look and origin seems very similar to Franchise/KamenRider.
256	*** The Jackies' outfit seems designed after the Shocker soldiers.
257	* ShowWithinAShow: ''Panchura/Mr. Boxers'' a kids' anime starring cute mice that wear little pants.
258	* SmokeOut: How a Jacky got himself and Ratman out of the Kizaki Mansion.
259	* SomethingPerson: Some hero code names are this.
260	* SpellMyNameWithAnS: The original author's romanizations for Shuto and Jackal are "Shooto" and "Jackall" respectively.
261	* SpitTake: Usually Shuto when the Jackies sneak up on him.
262	** Crea has one when she sees how the Append Gear malfunctions.
263	** Rio did this in Episode 02, when the alarms went off while she was [[FuroScene soaking in the tub]] while sipping a drink.
264	** The entire Jackal Organization does this when a 5 year old Shuto suggest he and Mirea take a bath.
265	** Dr. Andou did one when Roiko lifted her skirt showing her missiles and panties.
266	** Vanguardner did this when [=ANKaiser=] revealed the existence of Ratman at a press conference.
267	* StalkerWithoutACrush: The Jackies are pretty much never that far away from Shuto.
268	* StoutStrength: Fatman
269	* SugarAndIcePersonality: Mirea Mizushima, type 1 Kuudere and, for once ''not'' with an [[ReiAyanamiExpy overused]] character design.
270	* SuperheroesWearCapes: Not all of them do.
271	* SuperhumanTransfusion: [[spoiler: It is revealed that the incident 10 years ago caused Shuto to be severely wounded which led to Shiningman to give Shuto his blood for the transfusion. This also gave him access to the S Factor.]]
272	* SuperpoweredEvilSide: You won't like Ratman when he's angry. Triggering his animal fighting instincts [[spoiler: activates his S-Genes]] and gives him enough of a boost to make 2 A-list heroes run for the hills.
273	** To say nothing of what happens when [[spoiler: Sin tosses Mirea off a building.]] The resulting DespairEventHorizon drives Ratman to become a mindless beast that looks like a cross between The Hulk and Godzilla. With a BreathWeapon/ WaveMotionGun to boot.
274	* SuperPrototype: Ratman is an experimental bio-weapon. He's literally a lab ''rat''.
275	* SuperWindowJump / NoEscapeButDown:
276	** Ratman did this in Episode 02 to escape Big Mama and Billy.
277	** Van Guardner did this with [=ANKaiser=] to escape from Ratman's BreathWeapon.
278	* TeamMom: Mirea.
279	* TenMinuteRetirement: [[spoiler: Shuto when he stops being Ratman after his fight with the Unknown Hero. He returns by the end of the same chapter]].
280	* ThereIsAnother: [[spoiler:In Episode 41, Hijiri reveals to Crea that there is someone else other than Ratman who has the S-gene.]]
281	* ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill: A '''D'''-rank hero uses his strongest attack on a single Jackey who was simply grocery shopping.
282	** For bonus points, it doesn't even really do anything to him.
283	* ThroughHisStomach: It appears to be Mirea's main course of action to get Shuto's attention, such as making him delicious lunches or giving him extra to eat.
284	* TinyGuyHugeGirl: Shuto and Mirea. To where Mirea even says point blank to Shuto's face she prefers how he is now and his height would not bother her if she was with him. And he still doesn't [[ObliviousToLove get the hint]].
285	** Actually he does [[LuminescentBlush fluster]] to her statement, but was more concerned by the fact that Crea was eavesdropping on their conversation.
286	* TomboyAndGirlyGirl: Anna and Yuna, the Katsuragi twins.
287	* TooDumbToLive: The Jackeys on many occasions. One notable example; they know they are targeted by the Hero Association, but don't seem to think it's a bad idea to go grocery shopping while still in costume.
288	** Another is where their best idea to take on the heavily defended Hero Society HQ, was by simply climbing over the wall to the front door. Shuto even lampshades this. They also do this again when they break into the Hero Society HQ for the second time, again lampshaded.
289	* TransformationTrinket: Shuto's trinket that allows him to transform into Ratman is a [[GadgetWatches watch]] called APPEND GEAR!!
290	** The Gem Unit of PRISMMAN uses gems to transform: rubies for Ruby Red, sapphires for Sapphire Blue, and topaz for Topaz Yellow.
291	** Fatman uses a Transforming Pepperoni.
292	** Unchain uses a Reverse Cross.
293	** ISKA uses a smartphone.
294	** YAVAIS uses a belt.
295	* TrouserSpace: Where one of the Jackies kept a smoke bomb.
296	* UglyGuyHotWife: The other characters' reaction to discovering Mr. Big Horn is married to Linda. He's not that ugly by square-jawed muscleman standards.
297	* VillainsOutShopping: One of the Jackies is spotted while grocery shopping and was attacked by two D Ranks from the Hero Association.
298	** It happens again in Episode 22 but this time it was from a RobotGirl.
299	** Subsequently, a photo of Mira and the Jackies shopping is taken and Ratman nearly goes berserk trying to stop it from being published in a popular magazine.
300	* VirtualTrainingSimulation: The Jackal Organization has one, it excels in reproducing the environment and Ratman but didn't have enough effort for making virtual heroes and instead have the Skull Ranger Jacky Five.
301	* TheVoiceless: The Jackies, normally. One does speak when in disguise.
302	* WhatTheHellHero: One of the themes of the series so far. Shuto tends to give these to some heroes, especially Ankaiser.
303	%%* WhenSheSmiles: Mirea Mizushima, she looks so cute.
304	* WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds: Shiki before his HeelFaceTurn, and [[spoiler: Akeboshi Shin/IS-KA/Sin, the son of Shiningman]].
305	* WrestlerInAllOfUs: Rio does a Frankensteiner to a {{delinquent}}, saving Shuto from the latter's wrath in Episode 01.
306	* YouWouldntLikeMeWhenImAngry:
307	** Shuto, he is a kind and carefree superhero fan, but hit his berserk button and he will take you on.
308	** Taken up another level when he is Ratman, gaining SuperStrength and becoming so frightening even a veteran Hero was scared stiff.

Context Manga / Ratman