Rantarō the Ninja Boy

is a Japanese anime series based on Sōbē Amako's manga Rakudai Ninja Rantarō. It was produced by Ajia-do Animation Works and originally broadcast on NHK.

In July 2011, a live-action film version directed by Takashi Miike titled Ninja Kids!!! was released. The rights to produce an American version of the film are in negotiations.

Plot
Rantarou, a young boy with glasses and reddish hair, begins to attend Ninjutsu Gakuen (Ninja School). He is determined to become an elite ninja, unlike his father who is a very poor, common ninja. At the school, he makes two good friends, Kirimaru and Shinbei. Kirimaru is obsessed with money, and always has some kind of part-time job. Because he doesn't have a family, he usually stays with Doi-sensei (and gets him to "help" with his part-time jobs) when school is out. Shinbei, a pudgy boy with a constantly running nose and hair that becomes a lethal weapon, is the son of a very rich family. However, Shinbei is not very bright, and usually misses the point of any conversation.