The Adventures of Hamtaro is a manga series created by Ritsuko Kawai. The series focuses on several hamsters named Hamtaro. The series has some facts on real hamsters. The series was published in English by Viz Media. Only the first three volumes are available in English. A possible English version of the fourth book under the title Playful Hamtaro & Other Stories is advertised at the back of Jealous Hamtaro & Other Stories but nothing about it is online and it was probably never released in English. It served as the basis for the children's anime Hamtaro .
The Adventures of Hamtaro contains examples of:
- Animal Talk: In Jealous Hamtaro & Other Stories Hamtaro is able to have disscusions with Amy's dog Scruffy.
- Breaking the Fourth Wall: In both A Home for Hamtaro & Other Stories as well as Hamtaro Gets Lost & Other Stories, Hamtaro at some points will show a "trick" (information on real hamsters) and want the reader to pay attention.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Hamtaro in Jealous Hamtaro & Other Stories. Although he is jealous of Amy's love for Timothy, he still wants his owner to be happy and feels guilty whenever he causes her emotional pain.
- Meaningful Name: In Jealous Hamtaro & Other Stories Hamtaro's owner Amy has a name meaning "beloved" indicating Hamtaro's love for her.
- Her Japanese name Ai is the Japanese word for "love", also a girl's name in Japan. The title of the book in Japan is also Tottoko Hamtaro Ai Shiteru Dechu playing on this meaning.
- Rescue Romance: Hamtaro was found by Amy's dog Scruffy in the rain. After Amy took him in and helped him feel better, he becomes find of her.
