Ratman (manga)

Ratman
Cover of the first volume of Ratman.
ラットマン (Rattoman)
Genre	Action, Comedy, Romance, School life, Sci-fi, Superhero
Manga
Written by	Sekihiko Inui
Published by	Kadokawa Shoten
Demographic	Shōnen
Magazine	Monthly Shōnen Ace
Original run	August, 2007 – June 26, 2013
Volumes	12

Ratman (ラットマン, Rattoman^?) is a Japanese shōnen manga written and illustrated by Sekihiko Inui. The series follows the story of Shuto Katsuragi, a wanna be hero, who tries to save his friend, but ends up becoming the "villain" Ratman.

Ratman was serialized in the Japanese magazine Shōnen Ace, published by Kadokawa Shoten from August 2007 to June 2013. Kadokawa Shoten compiled its chapters into twelve tankōbon bound volumes.

Ratman was published in America by Tokyopop, but production ceased after volume 4.

Taking place in the day and age of heroes, technological advancements in recent years has allowed corporations to design all sorts of heroes, igniting widespread public interest. The corporate appeal of these mascots led to the arrival of these so-called "commercial heroes" and are registered under the Hero Association, an organization that assigns missions to registered heroes.

Shuto Katsuragi, a short and kind 15-year-old, despite his height has dreamed of becoming a hero himself. One day at school, he talks with a classmate Mirea Mizushima about his desire to overcome the odds of someone of his height becoming a hero. Shortly after, Shuto is kidnapped by the evil organization Jackal in which Mirea works at, and he is tricked into wearing a watch which transforms him the superhuman identity "Ratman." Despite Jackal forcing him to work for them in their mission to overthrow the Hero Association, Shuto strives to turn Ratman into a hero.

A short and energetic high schooler who aspires to one day be a hero at the Hero Association but is often teased by his friends for being too short to join. After meeting Mirea and telling her how he does not want to give up on his dream, he is kidnapped by the evil organization Jackal and works for them as the anti-hero Ratman with the promise that he could one day graduate to being a full-fledged hero.

Shuto's tall, foreign classmate who often exudes a cold and quiet exterior, making it difficult for her classmates except Shuto to approach her. about her cute mascot hobbies . She develops a crush on Shuto after meeting him and is the one who recommends Shuto as the candidate for the Ratman identity. She works at the evil organization Jackal with her sister Crea as the leader in its goal to overthrow the Hero Association for their hidden sins against their family.