Hero Ba-Ban

A creation of mangaka Makoto Raiku, Hero Ba-Ban (ヒーローバ-バン) is a cheerful, but not too powerful superhero that is an alter ego for the artist whom created him. His main mission in life is to protect children from any threats that may come to harm them. His special powers include "Ba-ban Flash" (which the bulb on top of his helmet lights up, it really doesn't do much) and "Ba-ban Dynamite" (which causes a huge explosion surrounding him similar to certain sentai shows), neither of which are helpful against real threats. He lives in a secret headquarters and rides around on a motorcycle (except when he runs out of gas) and loves eating horse mackerel for breakfast.

Ba-ban was actually first introduced in a cameo in Raiku's one-shot story Yurine Great (ユリネ　グレイト), written in 1996 for the monthly anthology for Shogakukan's Shonen Sunday. While he didn't appear in person, he was an inspiration for one of the main characters in the art of being a true hero. In 1997, Ba-ban finally got his own one-shot, a gag manga called Pathetic Soldier Hero Ba-ban (哀愁せんしヒーローバーバン "Aishū Senshi Hīrō Bāban"). In this, the idiot hero tries to fight and save the day when a little girl he befriends gets captured by an immense demon. (who could be a prototype design for Demolto, a powerful villainous Mamono from his most famous series, Zatch Bell!) Although he gets tossed around rather easily by the creature, he finally saves the day by emotionally appealing to it.

In more recent times, Ba-ban has found himself gaining some more cameo appearances, mostly in video games for Makoto Raiku's biggest series. In the "Zatch Bell!" game Konjiki no Gash Bell!! Yuujou no Zakeru 2 (金色のガッシュベル！！友情のザケル2) for the Game Boy Advance, Ba-ban poses in the celebration scene whenever the mangaka (who is a secret character) wins a match. In the sequel game, Konjiki no Gash Bell!! Yuujou no Zakeru Dream Tag Tournament (金色のガッシュベル！！友情のザケルドリムタッグトナメント), Ba-ban appears in two backgrounds instead: once at "Mochinoki Amusement Park" and again at the secret "Raiku Castle".