Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo

"Bobobo" redirects here. For the locomotive type, see Bo-Bo-Bo.

For the character of the same name, see Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo (character)

Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
File:Bo-index.jpg Picture of four of the main characters. Heppokomaru (Gasser), Beauty, Don Patch, and Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
Genre	Comedy, Parody, Surreal humour, Action, Shōnen
Manga
Written by	Yoshio Sawai
Published by	Jump Comics
Anime
Directed by	Hiroki Shibata
Studio	Toei Animation

Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo (ボボボーボ・ボーボボ, Bobobō-bo Bō-bobo) (sometimes known as Bo x 7, Bo^7, or Bo-bobo) is a manga by Yoshio Sawai, published by Shueisha in Japan and serialized in the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo has also been adapted into an anime.

In Japan, Shueisha published the manga and serialized it in Weekly Shonen Jump. The original manga story ended in 2005, and in January 2006 a sequel manga replaced it in Weekly Shonen Jump, now entitled Shinsetsu Bobobō-bo Bō-bobo (True Theory : Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo) which is currently running in the magazine weekly. The anime was made by Toei Animation and ran for 76 episodes from 2003 to 2005 on TV Asahi.

In North America, the manga has been licensed by Viz Media and was published in a one shot graphic novel form in October 2005. The anime, which is licensed by Toei Animation, first aired as a sneak peek on Cartoon Network's Fridays block on September 30, and then aired on Cartoon Network's Toonami programming block Saturdays at 10:00PM and 10:30PM (EST). The show returned to the United States on February 17, 2007 at 8:30 PM. It has been shown on Jetix UK since April 14, 2007 at 7:00PM. The anime is dubbed by Phuuz Entertainment Inc. (pronounced "fuse"), the studio that also dubbed the second Lupin the 3rd series, the original 1994 Shin Chan dub, and the Viewtiful Joe anime. The dub was heavily edited from scenes and the over use of on-screen inappropriate scenes. The anime also has a DVD which is called "The Bo-nafide Protector" released in America by Illumitoon Entertainment and Westlake Entertainment Inc.

Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo is an absurdist comedy that uses puns, non sequiturs, double-talk, breaking of the fourth wall, non-sexualized cross-dressing, visual gags, and satirical and pop-culture references, which makes its humor very specific to Japanese audiences (much in the same way The Simpsons is often not as accessible to non-native English-speaking audiences).

Despite its limitations, the American dubs of the anime and manga manage to preserve the spirit of the show; the translators and adaptation writers were forced to rewrite several of the jokes due to the differences between the Japanese and English languages. At several points in the dub, the American version makes fun of the fact that it is a translation of a Japanese product (for example, when Bo-bobo is filling out an application card in one episode, he botches it because the application is in Japanese and he cannot read it, instead drawing "little doodles" for answers; in the original Japanese version he messes up the application for a completely different reason, and the "little doodles" are his honest answers written in hiragana). This style of self-referential humor can also be seen in the American version of Kyatto Ninden Teyande (Samurai Pizza Cats). Additionally, with the exception of the opening credits, all other on-screen Japanese text is intentionally kept in the English dub (most likely as a part of the retaining the show's surreal humor).

Parodies

The series mocks existing manga and anime conventions, making fun of more than a few fairly specifically: Doraemon, Sailor Moon (and the whole magical girl genre in general), Pokémon, Naruto, Gundam, Dragon Ball, Serial Experiments Lain, Fist of the North Star, Inuyasha, Wolf's Rain and many others are used as humor fodder. The result is usually nothing short of sheer nonsense. The series also operates as a mockery of stereotypes in Japanese literature (for instance, the ideal of noble self-sacrifice) and Western popular culture (such as action films). While Bo-bobo is ostensibly the hero, his behavior is frequently self-important, childish, arbitrary, and incomprehensible. However, this is also often how he deals with his enemies — by confusing them into submission. At various points the top of Bo-bobo's head pops open, revealing a scene that is either an allegory for the state of Bo-bobo's own mind (e.g., when his powers fail him, the viewer sees a pair of boy-and-girl cartoon squirrels going through a painful separation), or to unleash weapons. Bo-bobo even turns into a giant robot (or at least emulates its functions) a number of times. Bo-bobo's afro also opens up to reveal something meant to drive the opponent mad, such as Game Boy Pig or the cat throwing churros (chikuwa, a Japanese dish, in the original version).

File:Bo manga.jpg

The American Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo manga cover.

The manga version of Bo-bobo has an easier time getting away with parodying and paying homage to various other manga, past and present, from Weekly Shonen Jump, the manga anthology book it is published in. Other mangaka have assisted in the parodies and paying homage as well. The most famous being a cameo by Yugi Mutou from Kazuki Takahashi's Yu-Gi-Oh!, where Bo-bobo summons him from his afro and he summons the Egyptian God Saint Dragon - God of Osiris (Slifer the Sky Dragon in the English version) to take out an enemy (a scene that is re-enacted in the video game Jump Superstars). About the same time as this, Takahashi returned the favor by sneaking in Tokoro Tenosuke "nu handkerchief" in a panel of his manga. The Bo-Bo-Bo anime could not get away with many of these homages and tributes.

There were also two special chapters of Bo-bobo that parodied chapter 18 of Death Note (while the original artists made a Bo-bobo chapter making them look more realistic) and recently a chapter based on the fight between Son Goku and Vegeta in Dragon Ball. They basically had Don Patch and Tokoro Tenosuke imitating the characters in those series (with a special cover with even more DBZ/Bo-Bo-Bo fusions).

Adaptations

The manga, which had been adapted into a TV series by Toei Animation and TV Asahi, follows the original story for the most part, though at the same time toned down some content from the manga for television (and preserves its surrealistic tone with fidelity).

Several name changes were made to the English version to adapt the series to American audiences.

The U.S. release of the manga does not start at the beginning. Instead, it is a standalone volume based on some of volume 9 and 10 (the Halekulani arc) which uses the cover from volume 9, and is not assigned a volume number. The official explanation is that Viz wishes to "test the waters," by giving readers a sneak preview into the world of the manga, and to give readers "a taste of what Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo is about."

Viz also did this with a previous release, Phoenix: A Tale of the Future, which was originally volume 2 of Osamu Tezuka's Phoenix canon; later, Viz published more of the Phoenix canon in English, although publication was temporarily suspended due to the fact that only five volumes were originally translated by Fred Schodt. Viz has only recently been able to finish the rest of Phoenix that will be released in 2007.

In the June, 2007 issue of the American Shonen Jump, Viz confirmed the monthly serialization of Bo-bobo will begin in the July issue. At this point, it is unknown where in the series the serialization will begin.

However, a DVD called "The Bo-nafide Protector", by Illumitoon Entertainment and Westlake Entertainment, was released on February 13, 2007. This DVD was uncut and had the original Japanese soundtrack.

List of main characters

For further information on the characters in Shinsetsu Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo, come here.

File:Bo-index.jpg

The main characters of Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo. From left-to-right:Gasser, Don Patch, Bo-bobo and Beauty

Although many wild and wacky characters exist within the world of Bo-bobo, the story focuses primarily on the nine main heroes who gather together under the most unlikely circumstances to fight against Tsuru Tsurulina the IV and the evil forces of the Maruhage Empire. At the center of this team is Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo himself, master of "Hanage Shinken" (Fist of the Nosehair) and the completely wacky Hajikelist who will do anything and everything for victory. Through his journey to defeat the forces of baldness, he slowly gathers a team of allies and former enemies who become attached to his cause in one way or another:

• Beauty: The teen female who usually has little idea regarding why all the strange stuff is happening.
• Don Patch: The egotistical former leader of a group of Hajikelists whose ultimate power comes from his own insanity.
• Softon: A warrior with the power of the mysterious land of Blabsalot, and a head that is made out of ice cream (or feces in the undubbed version).
• Heppokomaru: (A.K.A Gasser) A teen boy with the stinky abilities of "Onara Shinken" (Fist of the Backwind), and with as little knowledge of what is going on as Beauty knows. Also may have a thing for Beauty.
• Tokoro Tennosuke: (A.K.A General Jelly Jiggler) A gelatinous being who is as powerful as he is the consistent target of his allies attacks.
• Hatenko: A warrior from Bo-bobo's Hair Kingdom with the power of keys, and an obsession with Don Patch.
• Dengaku Man: A cute little mascot who is frequently ignored or left behind.
• Torpedo Girl: The transformed state of a former enemy with a short temper and an obsession for teaching her "students" who's boss.

While these nine are the main warriors of the series, others occasionally assist in fighting against the evil in this world, including:

• King Nosehair: A nosehair that used to live in Bo-bobo and takes part in the nonsense of "Bo-bobo World."
• Serviceman: A covered being that makes everyone see things that shouldn't be seen. His name could be a play on the term "Fan Service."
• Suzu: A nice girl with psychokinetic powers.
• Rice: Master of "Kome Shinken" (Fist of Rice) and powerful Hajikelist.
• Hanpen: A walking fishcake who fights with his fists or by jumping a lot.
• Despair-kun/Sad Sack: A guy with a bag over his head and serious emotional issues.
• Kancho-kun: A tiny being with fingers of fury.
• Halekulani: One of Bo-bobo's greatest enemies with a power and obsession tied to his greed.
• Bebebe-be Be-bebe: One of Bo-bobo's older brothers and the master of "Sunege Shinken" (Fist of Leghair).
• Bububu-bu Bu-bubu: Bo-bobo's sister, master of "Wakige Shinken" (Fist of Armpit Hair) and bearer of a strong resemblance to one of Bo-bobo's fused forms. She also has a crush on Don Patch.
• Land Mine Dandy: A skillful Hajikelist and teacher, he is the master of "Enban Shinken" (Fist of the Disc), and is Torpedo Girl's father.
• Gunkan/Captain Battleship: User of "self-taught fist of the nose hair" and bobobo's childhood friend.

Fusions and transformations

Main article: List of character fusions in Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo

Due to Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo being both a part and parody of the shōnen manga genre, it takes advantage of various classic traits in the genre and places its own bizarre spin on them. One of these traits is the usage of character transformation, a well-known cliché where a character gets an amazing power-up by unleashing either a dormant power within or a new power taken from elsewhere. The unpredictability of many characters causes them to go through all sorts of weird transformations, either as part of the parody/homage process (like turning into a demonic being or "turning golden") or merely as part of a huge joke (such as turning into a vegetable, a yen or an immense fortress). However, even with the many nonsense or one-shot changes, certain power-ups and transformations are consistently used by the main characters. Some of these more common transformations include:

• Baby Heppokomaru: A transformation undertaken by Heppokomaru whenever his neck belt comes off. Although it vastly increases his "Onara Shinken" abilities, it also reverts his mind to that of an infant.
• Super Bo-bobo: A stronger form of Bo-bobo who is unleashed when he wears a black jacket with flames on the bottom that cost 582 yen ($23.50 dollars in the english version of the anime) at a supermarket. The "Super" power comes from the hopes and wishes of the supermarket employees absorbed within, which powers Bo-bobo when active.
• Ikarin Patch / SuperPatch: A powered-up form of Don Patch which is unleashed when his anger is at his peak and can be consistently powered up, particularly with the assistance of the KoPatch of the Hajike Gang.

Similar to the transformations, Bo-bobo and his allies also use various fusion abilities, combining together to form more powerful beings. But once again, these beings are slightly different: no fusions are like the original bases and no two are the same. These beings range in personality from the heroic BoboPatch, the manipulative BoboPatchnosuke (BoboPatchiggler), and the cheerful female Denbo (created from two males) to the impatient PatchBobo, the violently peaceful TenBobo, the reckless Kintenbo and the mature Adult Woman. With each being comes new surprises in attacks and in what they unleash, adding to the weirdness of these already weird characters.

Villains

Main article: Villains in Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo

Running gags

Throughout the Bo-bobo series, there are several running gags that continue to pop up every now and then. Each character has certain traits that end up with the gag being used, with some of the gags showing up like clockwork (such as Beauty freaking out over many of Bo-bobo's actions or various "toilet jokes" connected with Softon) while others appear at the most random or unexpected times (such as Bo-bobo or Don Patch appearing in drag or Jelly Jiggler using some "Nu"-based artifact connected to his obsession) Generally each of the main characters, as well as several of the more minor characters, has one of these weird unique traits that is shown occasionally, adding to the humor and unexpected nature of this show.

Common Bo-bobo terms

• Hajike (ハジケ): This word is taken from the Japanese verb hajikeru (弾ける), which means "to burst open" or, in more appropriate terms, "to wig out or go crazy". In the world of Bo-bobo, the ability to "hajike" (or dub terms, Wig Out), is a useful ability used by many of the weird warriors of the world such as Bo-bobo or Don Patch. These Hajikelists (Wigging specialists in the dub) are able to fight opponents or each other using random, silly tactics in order to either confuse or outdo their opponents to the point of insanity. Also, perhaps not coincidentally, "hajike" rhymes with "majide" (see below).

• Shinken (真拳): Literally standing for True Fist, this is a reference to Fist of the North Star, where the main character Kenshiro uses "Hokuto Shinken" (北斗神拳; God-given martial art of the North Star). Hence, the "Shinken" (真拳) in Bo-bobo is a Japanese pun on "Shinken" (神拳) in Fist. Besides Bo-bobo with his Hanage Shinken (鼻毛真拳; True Fist of the Nose Hair) technique, many other characters also have some type of "Shinken" technique, each one using various attacks based upon the thing they have mastered.

• Ōgi (奥義): One of the Japanese words for Secret, it is used in conjunction with many of the special attacks, particularly in conjunction with the "shinken" attacks, as a special fighting technique of the practiced art. In the Bo-bobo dub, these secret techniques are emphasized instead by the prefix word Super prior to the attacking style and the subsequent attack (e.g.: "Super Fist of Nose Hair", or "Super Snot Fo-You"). The term is also used to identify the chapters in the original Japanese manga (Ōgi 1, Ōgi 2, etc).

• Oyabin (おやびん): A mispronunciation of the word oyabun (親分), meaning boss in Japanese, this is the title called for Don Patch by members of the "Hajike Gang." Those whom call Don Patch this include the KoPatch, a young man who works with Don Patch when he is first introduced and Hatenko. The dub replaces "oyabin" with these characters calling him Boss or, in Hatenko's case, The Don.

• Majide (マジで): Connected to the words maji (マジ), or "serious" and majime (真面目), "honest or serious", it is an exclamation that could be taken as meaning either Are you serious!? or Seriously!?. Although some characters exclaim this word due to the weird and wild circumstances of this series, it’s best used in conjunction with BoboPatchnosuke's Majide Time, a time-space dimension where BoboPatchnosuke performs some truly bizarre attacks, leading to those trapped inside to constantly yell out this exclamation and make BoboPatchnosuke stronger. Also, perhaps not coincidentally, "majide" rhymes with "hajike" (see first entry).

• Nu (ぬ): A common character of hiragana. When introduced, the character of "nu" is found all over Tokoro Tennosuke handkerchief (which is seen and used many times). However, later in the series, "nu" starts to become Tokoro Tennosuke's obsession and is seen and used in more ways than just a handkerchief (starting with “nu” pajamas). The dub avoids all matters of Japanese language with "nu", making it a symbol of his "lucky hanky" on everything he adorns it with.

• Sangaria (３狩リア→アニメでは３狩りヤ): A combination of san, the Japanese pronunciation for the number 3 and Karu, the verb To Hunt(Sangariya=Japanese soda name). First used in battles against the former Hair Hunters of one-hundred years ago, it is a specific rule set up determining how many fighters can take part in a showdown, usually in a 3X3 fight, but can be whatever number the opponents choose. The actual word is perhaps a pun to sangria.

• Yamiken (闇拳): Translating into Dark Fist, this is similar to Shinken, but used by warriors from the Reverse Maruhage Empire. Like Shinken, these techniques are a mastery of the object or concept of their choosing. But while Shinken are merely techniques, a Yamiken master can fuse with the element through a process that transforms them into a more powerful being!

• Ganeme (ガネメ): While this word seems like gibberish, it is actually a modification of the Japanese word Megane (メガネ), which stands for Glasses, with the first kana moved to the end creating this new word. This term originally appeared during a match between Bo-bobo and Z-Block Vice-Leader Kibahage, where Bo-bobo uses it to further confuse his opponent. However, it returns with a force against Bo-bobo's brother Bebebe-be Be-bebe, when the afro warrior uses the term while flipping his glasses over to unleash a furious glasses-filled final attack!

• Shigeki (シゲキ): Standing for Excitement in English, this word is connected to Hair Kingdom general Shigeki X, who, like Don Patch (whom he looks a lot like) with his Hajike abilities, fights and inspires people to do things with Shigekiteki. (Excitingly)

Episodes

Main article: List of Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo episodes

Manga

Main article: List of Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo manga chapters

Japanese cast

• Shinichiro Ota - Narrator/Serviceman
• Takehito Koyasu - Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
• Ai Nonaka - Beauty
• Masaya Onosaka - Don Patch
• Keiichi Sonobe - Tokoro Tennosuke
• Naomi Shindou - Heppokomaru
• Tomoko Kaneda - Dengaku Man
• Hikaru Midorikawa - Softon
• Ryuzaburo Otomo - Gunkan
• Daisuke Kishio - Hatenkou
• Tomokazu Sugita - Over
• Wakana Yamazaki - Suzu
• Eiji Takemoto - King Nosehair
• Minoru Shiraishi - Super Rabbit
• Ryoutarou Okiayu - Tsuru Tsururina the III
• Taiki Matsuno - Tsuru Tsurina the IV
• Shinichiro Miki - Halekulani
• Tomokazu Seki - Giga

English cast

Main cast

• Michael McConnohie - Narrator, Captain Ishida, Wan Ronga
• Richard Epcar - Bobobo-Bo Bo-Bobo, BoBo Patch, Wall Man
• Vicky Green - Beauty
• Kirk Thornton - Don Patch, Bobopatchosuke
• Taylor Henry - Jelly Jiggler, Mean Green Soup Alien, Additional Voices
• Brad MacDonald - Gasser
• Donn A. Nordean - Dengaku Man, Chuunosuke, Additional Voices
• Joe Lotsko - Softon, Additional Voices
• Jason Palmer - Hatenko, Indus Guy, Sonic, Additional Voices
• Melodee Spevack - Torpedo Girl

Guest cast

• Lia Sargent - Suzu
• Richard Cansino - King Nose Hair, Katsu, Botan, Infinite Shoot, The Bad Bard, Additional Voices
• Joe Cappelletti - Halekulani
• Doug Erholtz - Nightmare
• Tom Fahn - Additional Voices
• Barbara Goodson - Young Capt. Battleship, Additional Voices
• Kate Higgins - Denbo
• Steve Kramer - Gechappi, Gasser's Neckbelt, Lead Battleship Special Forces Member
• Wendee Lee - Additional Voices
• David Lodge - Giga, T-500, Radio Man
• Dan Lorge - Otto
• Yuri Lowenthal - Rice, Megafan
• Mona Marshall - Young Bobobo-Bo Bo-Bobo, Lambada, Additional Voices
• Liam O'Brien - Kittypoo, OVER, Pana, Pistachio
• Bob Papenbrook - Tarashi, Killarino
• Paul St. Peter - Captain Battleship, Additional Voices
• Roger Rose - Garbel of Manicuria
• Michael Sorich - TUYOSI: Bo-bobo's Pappy, Chocolate Munchie, Doll Man, June 7, Puppet Lad, Haou, J, Additional Voices
• Ezra Weisz - Hagen, Geha the Gale, Yellow River Guy
• Dan Woren - Maitel, Mesopotamian Guy, Wild Wister
• Terrence Stone - Czar Baldy-Bald The 4th, Telu

See also

Bobobo-bobo-bobo after-cancellation event list

External links

• Template:Languageicon Japanese Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo website
• Template:Languageicon Shueisha Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo website
• Template:Languageicon Toei Animation Bo-bobo website
• Template:Languageicon TV Asahi Bobobo-bo website
• TV.com summary
• Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo at IMDb