In Japanese "badtz" ( batsu) is a term for "X", the cross signifying a wrong answer. "Maru" means circle or "O", and signifies a correct answer. So, his name is like "wrong-correct," and is frequently represented by "XO". Indeed, with his friends Pandaba and Hana-Maru, Badtz runs the mischievous XO clan. Badtz-Maru also frequently appeared in a subsection of Chitty Chatty Strawberry titled (A Little...) Hocus Pocus, where a set of instructions similar to spells and charms are given to readers to try out in hopes of achieving something such as making up with a friend after a fight, curing stomach aches, and getting your crush to notice you. Badtz-Maru later received a PC game for Windows and Macintosh computers titled バッドばつ丸 ゴージャスタウンは大さわぎ！Hisato had a hand in developing the game. [1]

For a time in the Strawberry News magazine, readers could send in rumors they want investigated by Badtz-Maru and his friends, where they would be confirmed or debunked. Ninja Badtz-Maru Hide and Pon!) - Appears on サンリオTVオリジナルソングブック::うれしSONG!!～みらいへの宝物 along with a Karaoke version.He lives in Gorgeoustown with his mother, pinball-playing father and younger siblings; the Badtz Twins and Tzunko. Within a few years of his debut in May 1993, Badtz-Maru frequently landed in the top 5 of the official Sanrio Character Popularity poll; landing 3rd place in 1994 and eventually taking 1st place in 1996. During the 2013 Character Ranking, if Badtz-Maru reaches 10th place or higher, a king-sized sofa based on Badtz will be made. However, he failed to reach that rank.

Badtz-Maru was the official Mascot for the 2006 FIBA World Championship of basketball, which was held in Japan. Special merchandise based on this event was released as well.

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Badtz-Maru cameos with Hello Kitty and Keroppi in the first few minutes of the film Ready Player One. Although Badtz-Maru was created by Hisato Inoue, at some time around 1996, his designer became Kaori Harada presumably after Hisato left Sanrio in 1995 to become a Freelancer. When Badtz-Maru was officially introduced in the Strawberry News May 1993 Issue, he was noted to be Sanrio's first "not nice" character. Badtz-Maru was a frequent guest in the Strawberry News' Chitty Chatty Strawberry column, where he and his friends (and sometimes family members!) often appeared in comics and talked about a variety of topics such as Christmas and Valentine's Day. Badtz-Maru has two best friends, who are often found accompanying him: Pandaba, a female Giant Panda who always is seen in a short frilly skirt, and Hana-Maru, a male white seal.