Panku Ponk


Panku Ponk is a Japanese children's comedy manga series written and illustrated by Haruko Tachiiri. It began serialization in the December 1976 issue of the Shogakukan magazine Third Grade of Elementary School; as the characters aged, it moved to Fourth Grade of Elementary School, Fifth Grade of Elementary School, and the shōjo manga magazine Hop, before concluding in 1991.
Serial numbers were very short, usually no more than four pages, and were collected in a total of 12 bound volumes under Shogakukan's Ladybird Comics imprint. It was followed by two sequel series, Panku Ponkuserekushon, collected in two volumes, and Panku Ponk: Color Version. Panku Ponk received the 1984 Shogakukan Manga Award for the children's category. It was licensed in English in North America by Studio Ironcat before they eventually went out of business.

Characters

  • Panku Ponk is the protagonist of the series. He is an oversized rabbit, big enough to be mistaken for a pig. He is Bonnie's michevious pet who likes to eat carrots.
  • Bonnie is the leader of the punk girls at elementary school, with a fondness for fighting. She has a habit of eating snacks at lunch, even though this upsets her stomach.
  • Mark is Bonnie's boyfriend and a talented inventor. However, he is usually teased by Bonnie and her group, making his personality change erratically.
  • Honey is Bonnie's mother. She is a full-time housewife with a talent for housework. She frequently has to reprimand Bonnie when she gets a zero on tests.
  • Tony is Bonnie's father. He is a senior post office worker and a heavy smoker.
  • Chamo is a giant hamster who escapes his alcoholic, bachelor owner to follow Panku around.
  • Gokiburiinu-chan is Chamo's girlfriend. She has a friendly personality and aims to be a hairdresser.
  • Doctor Mambo is the owner of the town's pediatric hospital. He is nicknamed "Mambo" because of his fondness for the mambo dance.