Patalliro!

パタリロ!

83 chapters

104 volumes

1979 – present

On an island called Malynera in the South Seas, where perpetual spring reigns, one can find lush forests, vast lakes, and towering mountains packed with diamonds. This idyllic yet treasure-filled land is ruled by a young monarch, Patalliro the 8th, who at ten years old shows a curious mix of characteristics: endless energy, occasional brilliance, sometimes cruelty, and a talent for making puns out of nearly anything. Despite being smart, his childish tendencies constantly land him in ridiculous situations. "Patalliro!" follows the adventures of this unusual young king. The story takes place in a world much like ours, but where extraordinary events are considered normal. Patalliro encounters a wide range of troubles, from dealing with international terrorists and alien creatures to accidentally traveling through time. His first real trial as king occurs when the International Diamond Syndicate tries to take over Malynera's diamond mines. During a trip to Britain, he gets Bancoran assigned as his bodyguard and also meets Maraich, an assassin sent by the IDS. Patalliro is almost never by himself; his constant companions are the Tamanegi, nicknamed "Onions" because of their onion-shaped wigs. These protectors wear identical masks, wigs, and glasses and are identified only by numbers. While they guard Patalliro, they also act as a barrier between him and everyone else, shielding others from his unpredictable behavior as much as they shield him from danger.