Ratman (manga)
"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. It is currently licensed by Viz Media. Plot. 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 into 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. Main characters. 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. Jackal Society. The elder sister of Mirea and the leader of the evil organization Jackal. She learns about Shuto from Mirea and orders the Jacky Combatants to  kidnap him to turn him into their super-powered pawn, Ratman. Her goal is to overthrow the Hero Association and make them pay for the crime they committed against her parents. The generic minions of Jackal, the speechless Jackies often act weak as fodder and comedic effect, making them essentially useless in Jackal's combat activities. The grandfather of Mirea and Crea and the second in-command in Jackal. He and Crea created the Ratman suit that Shuto wears. Hero's Association. The president of the Hero's Association, making him in charge of assigning registered heroes their missions and  regulating conflicts within the organization. He once worked with the Mizushimas' parents prior to the prominence of the Association. The daughter of the Hero Association's president and a registered high school hero. She is an upperclassman at Shuto's school and despite being friends at school from being hero admirers, they clash several times as their opposing hero-villain selves. Media. Manga. The manga series "Ratman" is written and illustrated by Sekihiko Inui. "Ratman" was serialized in the Japanese magazine "Shōnen Ace", and has been published by Kadokawa Shoten from August 2007 to June 2013. Kadokawa Shoten compiled its  chapters into twelve bound volumes.