Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tatsuya Hiruta, and film and novel series adaptations
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Kōtarō Makaritōru!
Cover art for the first bunkoban edition volume of Kōtarō Makaritōru!, released in Japan by Kodansha on October 8, 2004.
Kōtarō Makaritōru! (コータローまかりとおる!, "Kōtarō Forces His Way Through!") is a Japanese shōnenmanga series written and illustrated by Tatsuya Hiruta. It was published by Kodansha in Weekly Shōnen Magazine from 1982 to 1994 and collected in 59 tankōbon volumes, and was followed by two sequel series: Shin Kōtarō Makaritōru!, which ran from 1995 to 2001 and collected in 27 volumes, and Kōtarō Makaritōru! L, which ran from 2001 to 2004 and collected in eight volumes. It was adapted into a live-action movie and a novel in 1984 and a pachinko game in 2007.
Kōtarō Shindō - A high-school-aged karate prodigy who is descended from a long line of ninja. Although a fighting genius, he lacks common sense and inhibitions, but has a strong sense of justice. He is frequently in trouble with school officials, and often attempts to steal girls' underwear, especially his friend Mayumi's. He is very protective of his long hair, his collection of stolen underwear, and Mayumi.
Mayumi Watase - Captain of the 7th Discipline Squad, Mayumi is Kōtarō's childhood friend and main romantic interest. She is the only person who is able to keep Kōtarō under control. Although not as skilled as Kōtarō, she is proficient in the basics of karate and judo. She is also a member of the school's Decency League, in spite of Kōtarō's disapproval.
Teruhiko Tenkōji - A bald samurai who patrols the school as the enforcer of the Decency League. He initially appears to be an enemy of Kōtarō, but as the series progresses he gradually becomes his main rival and best friend. He comes from a traditional upper-class family and has an iinazuke (fiancée chosen by his parents) named Sayoko. He is highly sensitive about mockery of his baldness, and maintains that his head is actually shaved. He is the only character in the series whose fighting ability is equivalent to Kōtarō's, though they have never fought on genuinely even terms, and it is implied that both of them are reluctant to do so, in case it jeopardises their friendship.