Igano Kabamaru (伊賀野カバ丸) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yū Azuki. The eponymous protagonist is a naive young ninja from the Iga province called Kagemaru (absolute shadow), nicknamed Kabamaru (hippo's mouth) for his insatiable appetite. Following the death of his strict grandfather and ninja sensei, Kabamaru moves to Tokyo with one of his grandfather's acquaintances. The plot primarily revolves around Kabamaru's adjustment to urban life after growing up in the mountains, his burgeoning feelings for his guardian's granddaughter, and his involvement in the rivalry between two private schools.
Igano Kabamaru has been adapted into both an anime series and a live-action film.
Plot
Kabamaru was raised by his strict grandfather Saizō Igano (伊賀野才蔵), who trained him and another young orphan, Hayate Kirino (霧野疾風) in the ninja arts. When Saizō dies, Kabamaru meets Saizō's old friend Ran Ookubo (大久保蘭). Following Saizō's request, Ran takes Kabamaru to Tokyo, where he is to stay in her house and attend her private school, Kin'gyoku. Kabamaru takes a liking to Ran's granddaughter Mai Ookubo (大久保麻衣), Ran's granddaughter, but she finds his coarse manners and endless appetite embarrassing and repulsive.
Kin'gyoku School has been engaged in a bitter rivalry with Ōgyoku School for half a century. Ran and Ōgyoku headmistress Suu Matsuno were romantic rivals for Saizō's love, while Shuu Maejima (前島秀), head of the Ōgyoku student council, and Shizune Mejiro (目白沈寝), a student council member at Kin'gyoku, are scions of feuding wealthy families. Kabamaru becomes an unwitting pawn of the student council members in their various machinations. Complicating matters is Hayate, who has been forced into Suu's employ after running away from Saizō's harsh training.