The title character, Maruko, is a nine-year-old third-grade student. She is lazy, disorganized and usually late for school, in strong contrast with her neat and tidy older sister who must share her room with her. Maruko, like many kids, tries to avoid homework and chores, takes advantage of her doting grandfather and squabbles with her sister. Nevertheless, she is a well-meaning child who tries to do good. Notes: - Won the 13th Kodansha Manga Award for shoujo in 1989. - After Sakura-sensei's passing in 2018, the production was taken over by her former assistants at Sakura Production, with irregular serialization continuing in Ribon Magazine.