The first three issues of the Manga
Ninja Hattori-kun (忍者ハットリくん) is a manga series created by Motoo Abiko. The first manga started in 1964, and ended in 1968, a fair while before Ninja Hattori became a major anime. Three volumes were released in SUNDAY COMICS【秋田書店】. It ran from 1982 to 1988 in CoroCoro Comic, with 16 volumes released.
The manga was praised for its artwork and not-so dark comedy and unpredictability.
Plot[]
10-year-old Kenichi Mitsuba is an average kid who goes to primary school and struggles with his studies. He is somewhat stubborn and lazy and always ends up frustrating his parents and teacher. Meanwhile a young ninja named Kanzo Hattori befriends Kenichi. Hattori is becomes a part of the Mitsuba family along with his brother Shinzo Hattori, and his ninja dog, Shishimaru. Hattori helps Kenichi with his problems, and constantly keeps an eye on him as a good friend. Yumeko Kawai is portrayed as Kenichi's friend and as romantic tension. However, Kemumaki, a Koga Ninja and his ninja cat Kagechiyo, always cause trouble for Kenichi, so Kenichi often asks Hattori to take revenge. Although Hattori is a good friend, Kenichi sometimes fights with him due to misunderstandings created by Kemumaki. Once in a while, Jippou, the giant turtle, Togejirou, the magical cactus, and Tsubame, Hattori's love-struck classmate help out.