Q-Tarō, also known as "Q-chan" or "Oba-Q", is a mischief-maker who likes to fly around scaring people and stealing food, though he is deathly afraid of dogs.

The manga was drawn in 1964–1966, 1971–1974, 1976 by the duo Fujiko Fujio (Hiroshi Fujimoto and Motoo Abiko).

The series was broadcast in the United States in the 1970s as Little Ghost Q-Taro, making it one of only three works by Fujiko Fujio to reach North America.

[2] In France, one of the episodes of the 1965 series was aired in November 1967 as part of ORTF Chaine 2's Japanese week, complete with French subtitles.

[3] The popularity of the 1965 anime adaptation caused a cultural phenomenon called "Oba-Q boom" (オバQブーム Oba-Kyū būmu), which made the series have an 30% audience rating, high popularity with children and spawn a variety of toys, songs and clothes, as well a host of imitators.