TV-Series
Description
Karamaru, called Bad Bird in the Saban English adaptation, acts as a primary antagonist in the series. Hailing from Karakara village, he forsakes a promise to marry his childhood sweetheart Carla (Okara in Japanese media) upon joining the Ninja Crows and aligning with villains Big Cheese (Ko'on-no-Kami) and Jerry Atric. As commander of the crow ninja squad, he spearheads plans to conquer Edoropolis (Little Tokyo), frequently deploying mechas or leading assaults against the heroic Pizza Cats.
His personality blends stoicism, intense seriousness, and fierce loyalty to his superiors, though their incompetence often sabotages his efforts, resulting in repeated defeats. Despite demonstrating cunning, deception, and ruthlessness in missions, he possesses an underlying sense of honor and dedication. His rivalry with Speedy Cerviche (Yattaro) drives him to undergo rigorous training, mastering the Komusou Tekutaa power armor, yet he still faces ultimate failure.
A significant shift occurs when he operates undercover at the Pizza Cats' restaurant in "Pizza Bird Delivers!" During this time, he displays genuine cheerfulness, diligence, and kindness toward customers and colleagues, unaware that Speedy (using the alias "Flopsy" or "Bootaro") is his rival, foreshadowing his capacity for reform. His unresolved feelings for Carla resurface in "All You Need Is Love," where he nearly reunites with her but chooses distance to protect her from his criminal life, citing the Ninja Crows' prohibition on love.
In the series finale ("The Big Comet Caper"), Carla waits for him at a riverside meeting place; he vows to abandon his ninja life after one final mission for Big Cheese. During a climactic duel with Speedy, he gains the upper hand but hesitates upon recognizing Speedy as his former coworker "Bootaro." Moved by this revelation and Speedy's appeal, he saves Speedy from collapsing debris and joins forces to pilot the Supreme Catatonic (Nyangoking) mecha, aiding in destroying a comet threatening Edoropolis, solidifying his redemption.
Following the city's rebuilding, he fully renounces his villainous affiliations. In the Japanese continuity, he opens a competing pizza restaurant opposite the Pizza Cats', establishing a friendly rivalry with Speedy. The English adaptation ambiguously implies collaboration with the heroes in crime-fighting and pizza delivery, though the rivalry persists.
His abilities include mastery of "Karakara Ninpou" techniques like "Hi no Tori" and "Majin Shinkuu Giri." Physically, he stands 140 cm tall, weighs 40 kg, and wears distinctive dark-green armor, often concealed under a Japanese monk’s attire during covert operations.
His personality blends stoicism, intense seriousness, and fierce loyalty to his superiors, though their incompetence often sabotages his efforts, resulting in repeated defeats. Despite demonstrating cunning, deception, and ruthlessness in missions, he possesses an underlying sense of honor and dedication. His rivalry with Speedy Cerviche (Yattaro) drives him to undergo rigorous training, mastering the Komusou Tekutaa power armor, yet he still faces ultimate failure.
A significant shift occurs when he operates undercover at the Pizza Cats' restaurant in "Pizza Bird Delivers!" During this time, he displays genuine cheerfulness, diligence, and kindness toward customers and colleagues, unaware that Speedy (using the alias "Flopsy" or "Bootaro") is his rival, foreshadowing his capacity for reform. His unresolved feelings for Carla resurface in "All You Need Is Love," where he nearly reunites with her but chooses distance to protect her from his criminal life, citing the Ninja Crows' prohibition on love.
In the series finale ("The Big Comet Caper"), Carla waits for him at a riverside meeting place; he vows to abandon his ninja life after one final mission for Big Cheese. During a climactic duel with Speedy, he gains the upper hand but hesitates upon recognizing Speedy as his former coworker "Bootaro." Moved by this revelation and Speedy's appeal, he saves Speedy from collapsing debris and joins forces to pilot the Supreme Catatonic (Nyangoking) mecha, aiding in destroying a comet threatening Edoropolis, solidifying his redemption.
Following the city's rebuilding, he fully renounces his villainous affiliations. In the Japanese continuity, he opens a competing pizza restaurant opposite the Pizza Cats', establishing a friendly rivalry with Speedy. The English adaptation ambiguously implies collaboration with the heroes in crime-fighting and pizza delivery, though the rivalry persists.
His abilities include mastery of "Karakara Ninpou" techniques like "Hi no Tori" and "Majin Shinkuu Giri." Physically, he stands 140 cm tall, weighs 40 kg, and wears distinctive dark-green armor, often concealed under a Japanese monk’s attire during covert operations.