View source for The Fuccons

{{Short description|2002–2005 Japanese television comedy series}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox television
| native_name        = {{Infobox Japanese|child=yes|hide=no|header=none|kanji=オー!マイキー}}
| image              = Fuccons.jpg
| caption            = Left to right: Barbara Fuccon, Blueberry King, Mikey Fuccon, James Fuccon from the episode "Rags to Riches"
| genre              = [[Black comedy]],<ref name="artforum 2001" /> [[surreal comedy]]<ref name="somethingawful 2004-01-07" />
| creator            = [[Yoshimasa Ishibashi]]
| writer             = {{ubl|Yoshimasa Ishibashi|Sakichi Sato|Midori Sugioka (2003-2007)|Junichi Furukawa (2004-2006)}}
| director           = {{ubl|Yoshimasa Ishibashi|Shinsuke Tachikawa (2003-2006)}}
| starring           = {{ubl|Chika|Hitoshi Tatano|Urara Omote}}
| opentheme          =
| endtheme           = 
| composer           = Tetsujiro Suita
| country            = Japan
| num_seasons        = 8
| num_episodes       = 104
| list_episodes      = List of The Fuccons episodes
| executive_producer = 
| producer           = {{ubl|Naoko Oguchi|Masami Yanagihara|Yoko Nakanishi}}
| runtime            = 3 minutes<ref name="artforum 2001" /><ref name="wired 2004-02-01" />
| company            = {{ubl|SSM|[[TV Tokyo]]|Ishibashi Productions}}
| network            = [[TV Tokyo]]
| first_aired        = {{start date|2002|1|6}}
| last_aired         = {{end date|2005|7|11}} 
}}
'''''The Fuccons''''' ({{IPAc-en|'|f|uː|ˌ|k|ɒ|n|s}}), known as {{nihongo|'''''Oh! Mikey'''''|オー！マイキー|Ō! Maikī}} in Japan, is a Japanese [[sketch comedy]] series created by [[Yoshimasa Ishibashi]]. It features the Fuccons, a family of American [[expatriate]]s living in Japan, with characters played by [[mannequin]]s filmed at various locations in real-time.

''The Fuccons'' first aired as recurring sketches titled {{nihongo|''The Fuccon Family''|フーコン・ファミリー|Fūkon Famirī}} on the Japanese sketch comedy series ''[[Vermilion Pleasure Night]]'' in 2000, which was also produced by Ishibashi. In January 2002, the series moved to its own late-night time slot and was broadcast until 2005 for a total of eight seasons. Throughout its broadcast, a 2003 film titled ''Wah! Mikey Returns'' was released in theaters. Following its release, four more series was released [[direct-to-video]] as well as the 2007 theatrical film ''Oh! Mikey Fever''.

Both ''The Fuccon Family'' and ''The Fuccons'' were screened at various film festivals overseas, where news of the series was spread on the Internet through word-of-mouth, gaining a cult following. [[A.D. Vision|ADV Films]] licensed the first four seasons for North American distribution with an English dub, which was later broadcast on [[Anime Network]] and [[G4 (American TV network)|G4]] as part of ''G4's Late Night Peepshow''.

==Overview==
''The Fuccons'' is centered on Mikey Fuccon, an American [[expatriate]] who has moved to Japan after his father's job transfer. All the characters are depicted as mannequins filmed in various locations in real-time,<ref name="wired 2004-02-01" /> while dressed up in [[1945–1960 in Western fashion|post-World War II fashion]].<ref name="artforum 2001" /><ref name="wired 2004-02-01" /> The mannequins' movements are minimal, limiting movement to uncomplicated actions, and their poses change off-camera.<ref name="dvdtalk 2005-11-24" /> Voice acting and camera angles are used to convey the story.<ref name="nytimes 2002-04-17" />

The episodes feature [[Non sequitur (literary device)|non sequitur]] dialogue and occasionally include [[surreal humor]],<ref name="austinchronicle 2005-01-28" /> with every episode ending with all characters laughing.<ref name="artforum 2001" /><ref name="dvdtalk 2005-11-24" /> The characters usually face conflict in bizarre, outlandish situations in non-continuous storylines.<ref name="dvdtalk 2005-11-24" /> The original ''Fuccon Family'' sketches on ''[[Vermilion Pleasure Night]]'' were described as James and Barbara constantly arguing and threatening to kill each other with "giant smiles" on their faces,<ref name="artforum 2001" /> while bonding over sex and tormenting Mikey.<ref name="wired 2006-11-17" /> Mikey encounters problems of his own such as being neglected by his parents, being kidnapped, or being possessed by a demon, to varying degrees of absurdity.<ref name="artforum 2001" /> Each episode is approximately 3 minutes.<ref name="artforum 2001" /><ref name="wired 2004-02-01" />

==Characters==

===Main characters===
;Michael "Mikey" Fuccon
:{{voiced by|Chika (child),<ref name="fever" /> [[Yoshimasa Ishibashi]] (adult),<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=http://www.fuccon-family.com/dvd/mikey_hardcore.html |title=Oh! Mikey Hard Core |date=2005-08-26 |publisher=Ishibashi Productions |time=DVD credits |medium=DVD}}</ref>|Andrea Kwan ([[54th Berlin International Film Festival|BIFF]]),<ref name="biff eng dub">{{Cite AV media |url=http://www.fuccon-family.com/dvd/mikey_hardcore.html |title=Oh! Mikey Hard Core |date=2005-08-26 |publisher=Ishibashi Productions |time=''The Fuccons: Special Edition'' DVD credits |medium=DVD}}</ref> [[Kira Vincent-Davis]] ([[ADV Films]])<ref name="eng dvd credits">{{Cite AV media |title=The Fuccons Vol. 4: The Whole Fuccon Show! |date=2008-12-09 |publisher=[[ADV Films]] |time=DVD credits |medium=DVD}}</ref>}}
:Mikey is a 3rd-grade elementary school student with an innocent and naive personality.<ref name="character profile">{{Cite web |title=''Oh! Mikey'' characters |url=http://www.fuccon-family.com/chara/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214502/http://www.fuccon-family.com/chara/index.html |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |access-date=2020-09-14 |website=[[Yoshimoto Kogyo]] |language=ja}}</ref> He is 8 years old.<ref name="cn 2010-06" /> He attends an international school in Japan, and while he enjoys soccer, he cannot swim.<ref name="character profile" /> Mikey often ends up in bizarre situations,<ref name="artforum 2001" /> to where he is mostly portrayed as a comedic victim to various plots in the show,<ref name="somethingawful 2004-01-07" /><ref name="character profile tv osaka mikey emily">{{Cite web |title=Emily & Mikey |url=https://www.tv-osaka.co.jp/mikey/emily_mikey.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917001804/https://www.tv-osaka.co.jp/mikey/emily_mikey.html |archive-date=September 17, 2020 |access-date=2020-09-15 |website=[[TV Osaka]] |language=ja}}</ref> in part due to his gullible nature. He has a cheerful personality, which makes him popular with his friends.<ref name="cn 2010-06" />
;James Fuccon
:{{voiced by|Hitoshi Tatano<ref name="fever" />|Michael Szuc (BIFF),<ref name="biff eng dub" /> [[Rob Mungle]] (ADV Films)<ref name="eng dvd credits" />}}
:James is Mikey's father and a salaryman whose job transfer to Tokyo caused the family to relocate.<ref name="somethingawful 2004-01-07" /> He is 40 years old.<ref name="character profile" /> James is very supportive of Mikey but often suggests outlandish ideas for the family,<ref name="somethingawful 2004-01-07" /> and he has taken a 50-year loan on his house.<ref name="character profile" /> He has a cheerful, carefree personality and laughs to evade situations.<ref name="nytimes 2002-04-17" /><ref name="character profile tv osaka parents">{{Cite web |title=Mikey-papa & Mama |url=https://www.tv-osaka.co.jp/mikey/papa_mama.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917004535/https://www.tv-osaka.co.jp/mikey/papa_mama.html |archive-date=September 17, 2020 |access-date=2020-09-15 |website=[[TV Osaka]] |language=ja}}</ref> While James is happily married to Barbara, he is not above having extramarital affairs, one notably being with a Japanese secretary.<ref name="nytimes 2002-04-17" /><ref name="character profile" /> In the original ''Fuccon Family'' sketches, James often argues with Barbara but bonds with her over sex and neglecting Mikey.<ref name="artforum 2001" /><ref name="wired 2006-11-17" />
;Barbara Fuccon
:{{voiced by|Urara Omote<ref name="fever" />|Jessica Caplan (BIFF),<ref name="biff eng dub"/> [[Christine M. Auten]] (ADV Films)<ref name="eng dvd credits" />}}
:Barbara is Mikey's mother.<ref name="somethingawful 2004-01-07" /> She is 34<ref name="character profile" /> or 36<ref name="cn 2010-06" /> years old. Most of her dialogue consists of her bossing Mikey around, though she is more practical than James.<ref name="somethingawful 2004-01-07" /> She believes the world is centered on her and laughs to evade situations.<ref name="character profile tv osaka parents" /> While Barbara is happily married to James, she is not above having extramarital affairs and has done so twice.<ref name="character profile" /> In the original ''Fuccon Family'' sketches, Barbara often argues with James but bonds with him over sex and neglecting Mikey.<ref name="artforum 2001" /><ref name="wired 2006-11-17" />

===Recurring characters===
;Laura
:{{voiced by|Yuki Nakaya<ref>{{Cite web |title=中矢 由紀 |trans-title=Yuki Nakaya |url=https://www.yyy-voice.com/talent/show/16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214505/https://www.yyy-voice.com/talent/show/16 |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |access-date=2020-09-14 |website=YYY |language=ja}}</ref>|[[Luci Christian]] (ADV Films)<ref name="eng dvd credits" />}}
:Laura is Mikey's manipulative cousin from the United States who is approaching her "rebellious period."<ref name="cn 2010-06" /> She is never pleased with the events around her and often amuses herself at someone's expense to sate her own boredom,<ref name="somethingawful 2004-01-07" /> She often plays pranks on Mikey, but she later realizes she is in love with him and refuses to leave Japan in order to stay by his side.<ref name="somethingawful 2004-01-07" /> Whenever she is upset with him, she often threatens to return to the United States.<ref name="somethingawful 2004-01-07" /> Despite only being 12 years old, Laura speaks maturely and is also up-to-date on new cafes opening.<ref name="character profile" /> Her mother is James' sister, Mary.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mary & Laura |url=https://www.tv-osaka.co.jp/mikey/mary_laura.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917104309/https://www.tv-osaka.co.jp/mikey/mary_laura.html |archive-date=September 17, 2020 |access-date=2020-09-15 |website=[[TV Osaka]] |language=ja}}</ref>
;Emily
:{{voiced by|Motomi Ishiyama|Cynthia Martinez (ADV Films)<ref name="eng dvd credits" />}}
:Emily is Mikey's girlfriend. She has a strong sense of justice and is the most popular girl in Mikey's class.<ref name="character profile" /> Emily is also the class president and is known to be the prettiest girl in his class.<ref name="character profile" /> While Emily is friendly to Mikey, their relationship is always disrupted.<ref name="somethingawful 2004-01-07" /> She also manipulates Mikey out of her own selfishness at times,<ref name="character profile" /> just to test his feelings for her.<ref name="character profile tv osaka mikey emily" /> She is 8 years old.<ref name="cn 2010-06" />
;Tony and Charles
:{{voiced by|Tomomi Tada|[[Shannon Emerick]] (ADV Films)<ref name="eng dvd credits" />}}
:Tony and Charles are British identical twin brothers and Mikey's classmates.<ref name="somethingawful 2004-01-07" /> At 8 years old,<ref name="cn 2010-06" /> Tony is the older twin, while Charles is the younger twin.<ref name="character profile" /> Tony and Charles repeat each other's words,<ref name="character profile" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tony & Charles |url=https://www.tv-osaka.co.jp/mikey/tony_charles.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916185207/https://www.tv-osaka.co.jp/mikey/tony_charles.html |archive-date=September 16, 2020 |access-date=2020-09-15 |website=[[TV Osaka]] |language=ja}}</ref> until one of them contradicts the other, which results in an argument between them.<ref name="somethingawful 2004-01-07" /> Tony and Charles' mother, Elena, has a twin sister named Helena, and they also communicate in the same ways as Tony and Charles.
;Teacher Bob
:{{voiced by|Hitoshi Tatano|[[Jay Hickman (actor)|Jay Hickman]] (ADV Films)<ref name="eng dvd credits" />}}
:Teacher Bob is Mikey's 28-year-old homeroom teacher, who is so shy he often communicates by whispering in his mother's ears and having her interpret for him. Because of his close relationship with his mother, he is a mama's boy.<ref name="character profile" /> Teacher Bob enjoys Chinese noodles and is unwilling to compromise on them.<ref name="somethingawful 2004-01-07" />
;Bob-Mama
:{{voiced by|Urara Omote<ref name="omote">{{Cite web |title=表 ウララ |trans-title=Urara Omote |url=https://omote-urara.jimdosite.com/profile/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214507/https://omote-urara.jimdosite.com/profile/ |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |access-date=2020-09-14 |website=Urara Omote's Official Website |language=ja}}</ref>|Laura Chapman (ADV Films)<ref name="eng dvd credits" />}}
:Bob-Mama is Teacher Bob's mother, who always accompanies him to interpret his speech, even when she is having a conversation with him.<ref name="somethingawful 2004-01-07" /><ref name="character profile" />
;Brown
:{{voiced by|Kazuaki Oda|Robert Anderson (ADV Films)<ref name="eng dvd credits" />}}
:Brown is Emily's older brother and is 15 years old, who plans on becoming a film director when he gets older.<ref name="character profile" /> Because of his close relationship with Emily,<ref name="character profile" /> he often participates in her schemes to manipulate Mikey.
;Tracy
:{{voiced by|Mari Yanagimori<ref>{{Cite web |title=柳森 万里 |trans-title=Mari Yanagimori |url=https://www.yyy-voice.com/talent/show/15 |access-date=2020-09-14 |website=YYY |language=ja}}</ref>|Jessica Caplan (BIFF),<ref name="biff eng dub" /> Kate Revnel Smith (ADV Films)<ref name="eng dvd credits" />}}
:Tracy (also spelled "Tracey" in ADV Films' releases)<ref name="eng dvd credits" /> is Mikey's 25-year-old private tutor, who is sexually attractive and draws attention from others with her appearance.<ref name="character profile" /> Her dialogue is suggestive and seductive.<ref name="somethingawful 2005-10-13" /> Throughout the series, Tracy gives Mikey life lessons in love.
;{{nihongo|Satoru Kawakita|川北 覚|Kawakita Satoru}}
:{{voiced by|Chika|[[Tiffany Grant]] (ADV Films)<ref name="eng dvd credits" />}}
:Satoru is an 8-year-old boy from Kyoto whose family relocated to Mikey's town. His family is poor, and while they cannot afford the toys he wants, he has a forward and honest personality. His parents are often neglectful of him, and his family holds nihilistic views.<ref name="character profile" />
;{{nihongo|Mamoru Kawakita|川北 守|Kawakita Mamoru}}
:{{voiced by|Hitoshi Tatano|[[Chris Patton]] (ADV Films)<ref name="eng dvd credits" />}}
:Mamoru is Satoru's 40-year-old father. Mamoru is a skilled chef, but he is currently unemployed because he is addicted to alcohol.<ref name="character profile" />
;{{nihongo|Nobuyo Kawakita|川北 信代|Kawakita Nobuyo}}
:{{voiced by|Urara Omote<ref name="omote" />|[[Monica Rial]] (ADV Films)<ref name="eng dvd credits" />}}
:Nobuyo is Satoru's 34-year-old mother. Prior to marriage, she worked at an {{lang|ja-Latn|[[izakaya]]}} as a signboard girl to attract customers. Because the Kawakitas are poor, she tries to manage their budget.<ref name="character profile" />

===Minor characters===
;Christina
:{{voiced by|Unknown|Kelly Manison (ADV Films)<ref name="eng dvd credits" />}}
:Christina is a 40-year-old woman who attended Virginia High School in South Carolina with James. Both of them have known each other since they were children and consider each other their childhood sweethearts. She is Emily's mother.<ref name="character profile" /><ref name="somethingawful 2005-10-06" />
;The Blueberry King
:{{voiced by|Keishiro Tamura|Chris Patton (ADV Films)<ref name="eng dvd credits" />}}
:The Blueberry King is the reigning sovereign of the Blueberry Kingdom, a wealthy country that produces oil and has a gold mountain range. He offers to betroth Mikey to his daughter, Isabella, and make him the prince of the Blueberry Kingdom for helping him.<ref name="character profile" />
;Isabella
:{{voiced by|Mitsuki Mori|[[Nancy Novotny]] (ADV Films)<ref name="eng dvd credits" />}}
:Isabella is the princess of the Blueberry Kingdom and the Blueberry King's daughter, who is featured in a [[story arc]] in which Mikey becomes engaged to marry her. She later breaks off their engagement under the impression Mikey is cheating on her.
;{{nihongo|Time Boy|タイム君|Taimu-kun}}
:{{voiced by|Urara Omote<ref name="omote" />|[[Mark X. Laskowski]] (ADV Films)<ref name="eng dvd credits" />}}
:Time Boy is a transfer student in Mikey's class who is obsessed with following a schedule. His father runs a clock shop and his mother was a former timekeeper.<ref name="character profile" />
;{{nihongo|Why|ナンデ君|Nande-kun}}
:{{voiced by|Yukiko Kurimoto|Tiffany Grant (ADV Films)<ref name="eng dvd credits" />}}
:Why, whose real name is {{nihongo|Nande|南出}}, is a transfer student in Mikey's class who keeps asking questions about everything.<ref name="character profile" />
;Grandpa and Grandma
:{{voiced by|Toshiya Fujisawa and Yuki Nakaya|Rik Thomas and Diana Bruce (BIFF),<ref name="biff eng dub" /> [[Andy McAvin]] and Melinda DeKay (ADV Films)<ref name="eng dvd credits" />}}
:Grandpa and Grandma are Mikey's paternal grandparents. The two are forgetful and have been that way since James was born, making it difficult to hold conversations with them.<ref name="character profile" />
;Romeo
:{{voiced by|Mari Yanagimori}}
:Romeo is Emily and Brown's little brother who is studying abroad in Italy. He is hostile towards women but loves men and is aggressive in his romantic pursuits. As a result, he falls in love with Mikey and James.<ref name="character profile" />
;Clare
:{{voiced by|Mari Yanagimori}}
:Clare is a transfer student in Mikey's class. While she has a quiet and unassuming demeanor, she has a habit of stalking others. She falls in love with Mikey and fiercely pursues him in spite of him having Emily as his girlfriend.<ref name="character profile" />
;Nick
:{{voiced by|Yuka Itaha<ref>{{Cite web |title=いたは ゆか |trans-title=Yuka Itaha |url=https://www.yyy-voice.com/talent/show/26 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214509/https://www.yyy-voice.com/talent/show/26 |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |access-date=2020-09-14 |website=YYY |language=ja}}</ref>}}
:Nick is a transfer student in Mikey's class who views him as a rival and competes against him in everything. His competitive behavior also extends to his parents, who compete against James and Barbara in everything as well.<ref name="character profile" />
;{{nihongo|Shut-in|ヒッキーくん|Hikkī-kun}}
:{{voiced by|Chie Nanami<ref>{{Cite web |title=七実 ちえ |trans-title=Chie Nanami |url=https://www.yyy-voice.com/talent/show/22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214510/https://www.yyy-voice.com/talent/show/22 |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |access-date=2020-09-14 |website=YYY |language=ja}}</ref>}}
:Shut-in is Emily and Brown's cousin. Since his birth, he has never shown his face in public. To travel outside, he rides in a car.<ref name="character profile" />
;{{nihongo|Saori|さおり}}
:{{voiced by|Motomi Ishiyama}}
:Saori is a woman who offers Mikey a ride when he hitchhikes. She is still heartbroken over her break-up with her ex-lover, Mitsuo.
;Mikey the Starmen
:{{voiced by|[[Yoshimasa Ishibashi]]}}<ref name="extra credits">{{Cite AV media |url=http://www.fuccon-family.com/dvd/mikey_extra.html |title=Oh! Mikey Extra |date=2006-08-25 |publisher=Ishibashi Productions |time=DVD credits |medium=DVD}}</ref>
:The Starmen are seven alien brothers who have come to Earth to explore human life, and they have all taken on Mikey's appearance. They speak in unintelligible babbles.

==Production==

[[Yoshimasa Ishibashi]] was inspired to create ''The Fuccons'' after seeing an advertisement where guests at a party had frozen facial expressions, recalling that they were "so fake they made [him] laugh."<ref name="artforum 2001">{{Cite magazine |last=Takeuchi Cullen |first=Lisa |date=2001 |title=The Fuccon Family |url=https://www.artforum.com/print/200106/the-fuccon-family-1048 |url-status=live |magazine=[[Artforum]] |location=United States |publisher=Artforum International Magazine |volume=39 |issue=10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916125934/https://www.artforum.com/print/200106/the-fuccon-family-1048 |archive-date=September 16, 2020 |access-date=2020-09-15 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Ishibashi opted to use mannequins because he did not want audiences to dismiss the series as a "TV parody"<ref name="wired 2004-02-01" /> and because the series' content would feel "too grotesque" if real actors were used.<ref name="nytimes 2002-04-17" /> In addition, he did not want the actors' personalities to influence how the characters were portrayed and wanted the characters to be "completely depersonalized."<ref name="nytimes 2002-04-17" />

Recreating a retro family setting similar to ''[[Bewitched]]'',<ref name="artforum 2001" /><ref name="wired 2004-02-01" /> Ishibashi sourced the mannequins from a friend's warehouse,<ref name="nytimes 2002-04-17" /> which originated from Yoshichu Mannequin.<ref>{{Cite web |title=オー!マイキー ロマンス ～オー!マイキー10年の歩み～展 |trans-title=''Oh! Mikey Romance'': 10 Years of Oh! Mikey Exhibit |url=http://www.yoshichu-m.co.jp/works/works7_5.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301170916/http://www.yoshichu-m.co.jp/works/works7_5.html |archive-date=March 1, 2015 |access-date=2020-08-22 |website=Yoshichu Mannequin |language=ja}}</ref> He picked fair-skinned, blue-eyed mannequins because the Japanese-looking mannequins had facial expressions that seemed too serious.<ref name="artforum 2001" /> Before filming, the mannequins would be styled by Ishibashi's make-up and hairstylist teams while he chose the outfits himself.<ref name="nytimes 2002-04-17" /> He claimed that working with mannequins was "weird at first" but later decided that they were "not all that different from live actors."<ref name="nytimes 2002-04-17" />

Ishibashi chose the name "Fuccons" because he thought it sounded funny and said that the name did not mean anything in Japanese.<ref name="artforum 2001" /> He also denied claims of ''The Fuccons'' being a Japanese commentary on Americans and their stereotypes, insisting that the show was meant to be "art."<ref name="artforum 2001" /> Keishiro Tamura, a colleague of Ishibashi's from [[Kyoto Computer Gakuin]], assisted him in filming the series.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 2007 |title=ワークショップ 【ＫＣＧで遊ぶ】 アート＆デザイン好き集まれ！ |trans-title=Workshop: (Come hang out at KCG) Gather around if you like art and design! |url=https://www.kcg.ac.jp/workshop/2007-09/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809170853/https://www.kcg.ac.jp/workshop/2007-09/ |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |access-date=2020-09-14 |website=[[Kyoto Computer Gakuin]] |language=ja}}</ref> The series was filmed in [[Fullscreen (aspect ratio)|full screen]] format,<ref name="dvdtalk 2006-04-29" /> and it was shot in various locations in Kyoto, Japan.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=http://www.fuccon-family.com/dvd/mikey_extra.html |title=Oh! Mikey Extra |date=2006-08-25 |publisher=Ishibashi Productions |time="Location" |medium=DVD}}</ref> The story's script consists of repetitive lines, which Ishibashi intended to show that they were manufactured conversations instead of real ones.<ref name="nytimes 2002-04-17" />

===Release and distribution===

The series first appeared as a recurring segment titled {{nihongo|''The Fuccon Family''|フーコン・ファミリー}} in the 2000 [[sketch comedy]] show ''[[Vermilion Pleasure Night]]'', which aired on [[TV Tokyo]] and was also produced by Ishibashi.<ref name="wired 2006-11-17">{{Cite magazine |last=Newitz |first=Annalee |date=2006-11-17 |title=The Bizarre Alternate Universe of "Oh, Mikey!" |url=https://www.wired.com/2006/11/the-bizarre-alt/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810204817/https://www.wired.com/2006/11/the-bizarre-alt/ |archive-date=August 10, 2020 |access-date=2019-03-14}}</ref> After the first part ended, it was then followed up by {{nihongo|''The Fuccon Family Part 2''|フーコン・ファミリー　パート２}} and {{nihongo|''New Fuccon Family''|新フーコン・ファミリー}}.<ref name="fuccon family dvd" /> A film titled ''The Color of Life'' compiling skits from ''Vermilion Pleasure Night'' was released in 2001, which also contained alternate cuts and endings to ''The Fuccon Family''.<ref name="color of life">{{Cite web |title=カラー・オブ・ライフ [バミリオン・プレジャー・ナイト映画版] |trans-title=The Color of Life: Vermilion Pleasure Night The Movie |url=http://www.fuccon-family.com/dvd/color.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115171146/http://www.fuccon-family.com/dvd/color.html |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |access-date=2020-08-18 |website=[[Yoshimoto Kogyo]] |language=ja}}</ref> In the same year, ''The Fuccon Family'' premiered in the United States at the [[New Directors/New Films Festival]], where news was rapidly spread on the Internet through word-of-mouth, with viewers discussing the "[[manga]]-like freeze frames" and the morbid storylines.<ref name="artforum 2001" /> ''The Fuccon Family'' won the Ground-Breaker Award at the 6th [[Fantasia International Film Festival]], Honorable Mention at the 3rd Kyoto Film Festival, and the Jury Special Prize at the Cinema Tout Ecran 7th [[Geneva International Film Festival]].<ref name="parasophia 2014" /><ref name="kcua" /> It won Best Series at the International D Cinema Festival in Paris, France.<ref name="kcua" /> It was also screened at the 54th [[Locarno International Film Festival]].<ref name="parasophia 2014" /> A DVD compiling ''The Fuccon Family'' was later released on January 24, 2004, under the title ''The Fuccon Family: Special Edition''.<ref name="fuccon family dvd">{{Cite web |title=The Fuccon Family |url=http://www.fuccon-family.com/dvd/fuccon.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604023206/http://fuccon-family.com/dvd/fuccon.html |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |access-date=2020-08-18 |website=[[Yoshimoto Kogyo]] |language=ja}}</ref>

Beginning January 6, 2002, the series received its own late-night time slot on TV Tokyo under the title ''Oh! Mikey''. The series was broadcast for eight seasons from 2002 to 2005. 21 of the episodes were screened in Ebisu, Tokyo in 2002 and were later released on VHS under the title ''Oh! Mikey: Special Edition 2002''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=VHS「オー！マイキー特別篇2002」 |trans-title=VHS: ''Oh! Mikey Special Edition 2002'' |url=http://www.fuccon-family.com/dvd/mikey_2002.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604023250/http://fuccon-family.com/dvd/mikey_2002.html |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |access-date=2020-08-19 |website=[[Yoshimoto Kogyo]] |language=ja}}</ref> The home releases were initially distributed under [[Avex Trax]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=オー!マイキー 1st. |trans-title=Oh! Mikey 1st |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/28664/products/494986/1/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916234617/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/28664/products/494986/1/ |archive-date=September 16, 2020 |access-date=2020-08-19 |website=[[Oricon]] |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=オー!マイキーDVDBOX |trans-title=Oh! Mikey DVD Box |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/223578/products/492088/1/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917002600/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/223578/products/492088/1/ |archive-date=September 17, 2020 |access-date=2020-08-19 |website=[[Oricon]] |language=ja}}</ref> before moving to their own label, "The Fuccon Family."<ref>{{Cite web |title=DVDのご案内 |trans-title=DVD contents |url=https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/oh-mikey/dvd.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811131825/https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/oh-mikey/dvd.html |archive-date=August 11, 2020 |access-date=2020-08-19 |website=[[TV Tokyo]] |language=ja}}</ref> Afterward, several [[direct-to-DVD]]s were released containing sketches that were not broadcast on television, beginning with ''Oh! Mikey Hard Core'' on August 26, 2005.<ref name="hard core dvd">{{Cite web |title=DVD「ＯＨ！Mikey HARD CORE」 |url=http://www.fuccon-family.com/dvd/mikey_hardcore.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531142645/http://fuccon-family.com/dvd/mikey_hardcore.html |archive-date=May 31, 2020 |access-date=2020-08-19 |website=[[Yoshimoto Kogyo]] |language=ja}}</ref> ''Oh! Mikey Extra'' was then released on August 25, 2006.<ref name="extra">{{Cite web |title=「OH! Mikey Extra」 |url=http://www.fuccon-family.com/dvd/mikey_extra.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707161620/http://fuccon-family.com/dvd/mikey_extra.html |archive-date=July 7, 2020 |access-date=2020-08-19 |website=[[Yoshimoto Kogyo]] |language=ja}}</ref> ''Oh! Mikey Romance'' was released on December 3, 2010, to celebrate the series' 10th anniversary.<ref name="romance">{{Cite web |title=DVD「OH!Mikey Romance」 |url=http://www.fuccon-family.com/dvd/romance.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117162639/http://www.fuccon-family.com/dvd/romance.html |archive-date=January 17, 2021 |access-date=2020-08-19 |website=[[Yoshimoto Kogyo]] |language=ja}}</ref> All home releases were given Region 2 DVDs with an English language subtitle option.

On August 13 and August 21, 2010, [[Cartoon Network Japan]] broadcast an hour-long special on the series.<ref name="cn 2010-06">{{Cite news |date=June 2010 |title=今年で生誕１０周年！！ ベルリン国際映画祭出品も果たした実力派！ 日本発・アメリカンファミリーのブラックコメディ「オー！マイキー」 カートゥーン ネットワーク特別編成で放送決定！ |language=ja |work=[[Cartoon Network Japan]] |url=https://www.cartoonnetwork.jp/uploads/release/pdf_file4c0c4d34464af.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=2020-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214518/https://www.cartoonnetwork.jp/uploads/release/pdf_file4c0c4d34464af.pdf |archive-date=January 27, 2021}}</ref> In 2011, TV Tokyo began distributing all eight televised seasons through their online streaming service, AniTele Theater (currently known as Animeteleto), as well as [[Nicovideo]], for domestic Japanese residents only.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-02-07 |title=世界初の技術を利用「OH!Mikey」microSDカードに直接書き込みのダウンロード販売開始 |language=ja |work=[[TV Tokyo]] |url=https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/kaisha/pdf/110207.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=2020-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214519/https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/kaisha/pdf/110207.pdf |archive-date=January 27, 2021}}</ref>

===English version===

In 2004, three episodes were dubbed in English and screened at the [[54th Berlin International Film Festival]] under the titles ''The Fuccons'' and ''The Fuccons: Special Edition''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-02-10 |title=The Fuccons |url=https://www.berlinale.de/en/archive/jahresarchive/2004/02_programm_2004/02_filmdatenblatt_2004_20042389.html#tab=boulevard |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214522/https://www.berlinale.de/en/archive/jahresarchive/2004/02_programm_2004/02_filmdatenblatt_2004_20042389.html#tab=boulevard |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |access-date=2020-08-20 |website=[[Berlin International Film Festival]]}}</ref><ref name="parasophia 2014" /> It was also screened at the 28th Hong Kong International Film Festival, [[Melbourne International Film Festival]] 2004, the 8th [[Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival]], the 24th [[Hawaii International Film Festival]], 33rd [[Festival du nouveau cinéma]].<ref name="parasophia 2014" />

In the same year, in addition to licensing ''Vermilion Pleasure Night'',<ref name="ann 2006-04-26">{{Cite news |date=2006-04-26 |title=ADV Films June 13 releases--Farscape, Gilgamesh & more |work=[[Anime News Network]] |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2006-04-26/adv-films-june-13-releases-farscape-gilgamesh-and-more |url-status=live |access-date=2020-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917112431/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2006-04-26/adv-films-june-13-releases-farscape-gilgamesh-and-more |archive-date=September 17, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dong |first=Bamboo |date=2006-07-03 |title=Shelf Life: The Triumphant Return |work=[[Anime News Network]] |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/shelf-life/2006-07-03 |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908091641/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/shelf-life/2006-07-03 |archive-date=September 8, 2020}}</ref> [[ADV Films]] also licensed the first four seasons for North American distribution with a new English dub produced, releasing the series under the title ''The Fuccons''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2005-07-06 |title=ADV ANNOUNCES ACQUISITIONS |work=[[ICv2]] |url=https://icv2.com/print/article/7144 |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214523/https://icv2.com/print/article/7144 |archive-date=January 27, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Macdonald |first=Christopher |date=2005-11-18 |title=Fuccons Torrent |work=[[Anime News Network]] |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-11-18/fuccons-torrent |access-date=2020-08-17}}</ref> The English dub was broadcast on [[Anime Network]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=2005-12-21 |title=MORE ANIME IN MORE PLACES |work=[[ICv2]] |url=https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/7978/more-anime-more-places |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002034910/https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/7978/more-anime-more-places |archive-date=October 2, 2017}}</ref> as well as a recurring segment on ''G4's Late Night Peepshow'' on [[G4 (American TV network)|G4]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Metzger |first=Richard |date=2009-03-31 |title=Off-Kilter Japanese Cult TV show "Oh! Mikey" |work=[[Boing Boing]] |url=https://boingboing.net/2009/03/31/offkilter-japanese-c.html |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125170809/https://boingboing.net/2009/03/31/offkilter-japanese-c.html |archive-date=November 25, 2020}}</ref> ADV Films released the first 8 episodes as ''The Fuccons Vol. 0: Meet the Fuccons'' on December 20, 2005, as a preview of the series.<ref name="ann 2006-03-13">{{Cite news |date=2006-03-13 |title=ADV Announces April 25 Releases |work=[[Anime News Network]] |url=https://cdn02.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2003-03-13/adv-announces-april-25-releases |url-status=live |access-date=2020-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214525/https://cdn02.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2003-03-13/adv-announces-april-25-releases |archive-date=January 27, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Fuccons - Meet the Fuccons! (DVD 0) |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/releases.php?id=25113 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130132731/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/releases.php?id=25113 |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |access-date=2020-09-14 |website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> 17 episodes were later released as ''The Fuccons Vol. 1: OH! Mikey'' on February 28, 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Fuccons - OH! Mikey (DVD 1) |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/releases.php?id=25112 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519200456/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/releases.php?id=25112 |archive-date=May 19, 2019 |access-date=2020-09-14 |website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> 18 episodes were released as ''The Fuccons Vol. 2: It's a Fuccon World!'' on April 25, 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Fuccons - It's a Fuccon World! (DVD 2) |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/releases.php?id=6355 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520220549/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/releases.php?id=6355 |archive-date=May 20, 2019 |access-date=2020-09-14 |website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> 17 episodes were released as ''The Fuccons Vol. 3: Fuccon! Fuccon! Fuccon!'' on July 11, 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Fuccons - Fuccon! Fuccon! Fuccon! (DVD 3) |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/releases.php?id=6986 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130132734/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/releases.php?id=6986 |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |access-date=2020-09-14 |website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> A compilation of vols. 1-3 was released as ''The Fuccons: The Whole Fuccon Show!'' on December 9, 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Fuccons - The Whole Fuccon Show! (DVD 1-3 of 3) |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/releases.php?id=12846 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521004059/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/releases.php?id=12846 |archive-date=May 21, 2019 |access-date=2020-09-14 |website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> After the closure of ADV Films, ''The Fuccons'' is being distributed by [[Sentai Filmworks]] through the online streaming service [[Hidive]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Fuccons |url=https://www.sentaifilmworks.com/a/catalog/the-fuccons |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214522/https://www.sentaifilmworks.com/a/catalog/the-fuccons |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |access-date=2020-09-17 |website=[[Sentai Filmworks]]}}</ref>

==Episodes==

{{main|List of The Fuccons episodes}}
{{:List of The Fuccons episodes}}

==Films==

''Wah! Mikey Returns!'' was released in 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |title=「オー！マイキー」プレミアム上映まつり 第二弾決定！！ |trans-title=''Oh! Mikey'' premium screening festival: second part announced!! |url=https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/telecine/whatsnew/030606.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917011145/https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/telecine/whatsnew/030606.html |archive-date=September 17, 2020 |access-date=2020-08-19 |website=[[TV Tokyo]] |language=ja}}</ref> Another limited screening took place in various theaters in Tokyo, Osaka, Kanagawa, and Nagoya in July 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wah! Mikey Returns! |url=https://jfdb.jp/en/title/209 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140930001612/http://jfdb.jp/en/title/209 |archive-date=September 30, 2014 |access-date=2020-08-19 |website=Japanese Film Database}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=■NEWS2■ 今年も開催！オール新作！プレミアム上映祭り「ワー！マイキー リターンズ！」 |trans-title=News 2: An exhibit this year, too! An all-new work! Premium screening festival: ''Wah! Mikey Returns!'' |url=http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/oh-mikey/news.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124161927/https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/oh-mikey/news.html |archive-date=January 24, 2019 |access-date=2020-08-21 |website=[[TV Tokyo]] |language=ja}}</ref> ''Oh! Mikey Fever'', a film containing new original sketches, held limited theater screenings in Tokyo and Osaka on December 1, 2007.<ref name="fever">{{Cite web |title=Oh! Mikey Fever |url=https://jfdb.jp/en/title/872 |access-date=2020-08-19 |website=Japanese Film Database}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Oh! Mikey Fever |url=https://www.tv-osaka.co.jp/mikey/flash_test.html |access-date=2020-08-19 |website=[[TV Osaka]]}}</ref>

==Legacy==
[[File:Daihatsu Naked.jpg|thumb|250px|right|The yellow [[Daihatsu Naked]] is used as the Fuccons' family car. The characters were also used as promotional models for [[Daihatsu]].<ref name="cn 2010-06" />]]
''The Fuccons'' gained a [[cult following]] throughout its broadcast.<ref name="nytimes 2002-04-17" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ward |first=Sarah |date=2011-12-05 |title=Milocrorze: A Love Story |url=https://www.screenhub.com.au/news-article/reviews/film/sarah-ward/milocrorze-a-love-story-186671 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214537/https://www.screenhub.com.au/news-article/reviews/film/sarah-ward/milocrorze-a-love-story-186671 |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |access-date=2020-08-19 |website=Screenhub}}</ref> By 2010, ''The Fuccons'' gained 60,000 followers on their [[Mixi]] page.<ref name="cn 2010-06" /> A New Years' television special titled ''Oh! Mikey New Years Special'' was broadcast beginning December 20, 2007, and was hosted by the comedy duo Fujisaki Market.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2007-12-20 |title=藤崎マーケット、人気マネキンと"ラララライ"コラボ |language=ja |work=[[Oricon]] |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/50617/full/ |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214534/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/50617/full/ |archive-date=January 27, 2021}}</ref> The popularity of ''The Fuccons'' inspired themed restaurants.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2005-12-06 |title=Top the Fuccons Contest |work=[[Anime News Network]] |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/contest/2005-12-06/top-the-fuccons |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419111323/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/contest/2005-12-06/top-the-fuccons |archive-date=April 19, 2019}}</ref> In December 2010, [[Nescafé]] held a collaboration cafe with ''The Fuccons'' called "Mikey's Cafe" to celebrate the franchise's 10th anniversary,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-12-11 |title=「オー！マイキー」キャラが大集合、あの笑い声が聞こえてきそうな「マイキーズ・カフェ」に行ってきました |language=ja |trans-title=I went to "Mikey's Cafe", where all the characters from ''Oh! Mikey'' can be heard with their laughter |work=Gigazine |url=https://gigazine.net/news/20101211_oh_mikey_cafe/ |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920002627/https://gigazine.net/news/20101211_oh_mikey_cafe/ |archive-date=September 20, 2020}}</ref> with comedian [[Shingo Tano]] making a one-day appearance.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-12-03 |title=楽しんご、意中の消防士とX'masに「プレゼント交換したい!」 |language=ja |work=[[Oricon]] |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/82667/full/ |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810065629/http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/82667/full/ |archive-date=August 10, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-12-03 |title=楽しんご♥が初メイド服でマイキーの誕生日をお祝い |language=ja |trans-title=Shingo Tano wears a maid uniform to celebrate Mikey's birthday |work=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |url=https://natalie.mu/owarai/news/41507 |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204071704/http://natalie.mu/owarai/news/41507 |archive-date=December 4, 2010}}</ref>

An art exhibit titled ''Mikey's Attack!'' took place at Kirin Plaza Osaka from December 11, 2004, to January 30, 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |title=マイキー史上最大のイベント『マイキーズ・アタック！』大盛況の中終了いたしました!! |trans-title=''Mikey's Attack!'', the biggest event in the history of Mikey, ended with great success!! |url=http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/oh-mikey/news01.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807023406/http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/oh-mikey/news01.html |archive-date=August 7, 2009 |access-date=2020-08-19 |website=[[TV Tokyo]] |language=ja}}</ref> Footage from the event was later released as an episode on ''Oh! Mikey Extra'' on August 25, 2006. Another art exhibit titled ''Oh! Mikey Romance: 10 Years of Oh! Mikey'' was displayed at the [[Kyoto International Manga Museum]] from December 2010 to February 2011 to celebrate the series' 10th anniversary.<ref>{{Cite web |title=OH! Mikey Romance: 10 Years of OH! Mikey |url=http://www.kyotomm.jp/HP2016/english/event/exh/mikey2010.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214535/http://www.kyotomm.jp/HP2016/english/event/exh/mikey2010.html |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |access-date=2020-08-19 |website=[[Kyoto International Manga Museum]]}}</ref> ''Oh! Mikey: Special Edition 2002'' was screened at Parasophia: Kyoto International Festival of Contemporary Culture 2015 at the [[Museum of Kyoto]] as part of Ishibashi's general art exhibit.<ref>{{Cite web |title=[Cinema Program] Participating Artists Showcase: Yoshimasa Ishibashi |url=http://www.parasophia.jp/events/en/2015_cinema_yoshimasa_ishibashi/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030035228/http://www.parasophia.jp/events/en/2015_cinema_yoshimasa_ishibashi/index.html |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |access-date=2020-08-19 |website=Parasophia}}</ref>

''The Fuccons'' have also appeared in commercials for [[Vodafone]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=2004-12-15 |title=テレビ東京、「オー！マイキー」をVodafone live! BBで配信 |language=ja |trans-title=TV Tokyo, to release ''Oh! Mikey'' digitally through Vodafone Live! BB |work=K-tai Watch |url=https://k-tai.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/article/news_toppage/21863.html |url-status=live |access-date=2020-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214535/https://k-tai.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/article/news_toppage/21863.html |archive-date=January 27, 2021}}</ref> [[LG Telecom]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=2007-05-28 |title=「オー！マイキー」海を渡る――韓「LG Telecom」の広告に登場 |language=ja |trans-title=''Oh! Mikey'' goes overseas, appears in promotions for the LG Telecom in South Korea |work=ITMedia |url=https://www.itmedia.co.jp/mobile/articles/0705/28/news061.html |url-status=live |access-date=2020-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001230744/https://www.itmedia.co.jp/mobile/articles/0705/28/news061.html |archive-date=October 1, 2020}}</ref> Furniture Dome,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-08-09 |title=新CM放送スタート！ |language=ja |trans-title=New CM starts broadcast! |work=[[Yoshimoto Kogyo]] |url=http://www.fuccon-family.com/sp/news/201208.html |access-date=2020-08-22}}</ref> Ettusais,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-05-18 |title=「オー！マイキー」×「エテュセ」の限定無料コンテンツ配信！携帯サイト「オー！マイキー」×エテュセキャンペーン開始！ |language=ja |work=[[TV Tokyo]] |url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000031.000002734.html |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214539/https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000031.000002734.html |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |via=PR Times}}</ref> [[NTT Docomo]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-11-16 |title=人気キャラクター「SNOOPY」と「オー！マイキー」の「しゃべってキャラ(TM)」をNTTドコモスマートフォン向けに配信開始！！ |language=ja |work=[[CNET|CNET Japan]] |url=https://japan.cnet.com/release/30031079/ |url-status=live |access-date=2020-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214603/https://japan.cnet.com/release/30031079/ |archive-date=January 27, 2021}}</ref> [[Sapporo Breweries|Sapporo Beer]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-10-08 |title=熱烈夫婦円満の素！？「濃いめのレモンサワーの素」いよいよ発売 |language=ja |work=[[The Sankei News]] |url=https://www.sankei.com/economy/news/191008/prl1910080369-n1.html |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214602/https://www.sankei.com/economy/news/191008/prl1910080369-n1.html |archive-date=January 27, 2021}}</ref> and Mouse Computer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nakayama |first=Yūichirō |date=2020-03-25 |title=Matt「オー！マイキー」とCMでコラボ！ |language=ja |trans-title=Matt collaborates with ''Oh! Mikey'' for a commercial! |work=Cinema Today |url=https://www.cinematoday.jp/news/N0114898 |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410070111/https://www.cinematoday.jp/news/N0114898 |archive-date=April 10, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-03-25 |title=Matt、『オー!マイキー』と初コラボ 違和感なさに「パパと並ぶよりファミリー感ある!」 |language=ja |work=[[Oricon]] |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2158223/full/ |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726113812/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2158223/full/ |archive-date=July 26, 2020}}</ref> Model [[Matt Kuwata]] starred in the collaboration episodes with Mouse Computer as Mikey's older brother, with eight episodes released online.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-06-17 |title=桑田真澄氏&Matt、CMで『オー!マイキー』とコラボ 独特な世界観でも堂々演技、関西弁も披露 |language=ja |work=[[Oricon]] |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2164672/ |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810102508/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2164672/ |archive-date=August 10, 2020}}</ref> The characters were also used as promotional models for [[Parco (retailer)|Parco]] and [[Daihatsu]].<ref name="cn 2010-06" /> A pictorial photoshoot featuring the characters was shot for ''[[Vogue Hommes|Vogue Hommes International]]''.<ref name="cn 2010-06" />
{{clear}}

==Reception==

===Critical response===
In North America, ''The Fuccons'' received a mixed reception. Many critics compared the visual styling of ''The Fuccons'' to 1950s [[sitcom]]s such as ''[[Leave It to Beaver]]'' and ''[[It's a Wonderful Life]]''.<ref name="somethingawful 2004-01-07" /><ref name="solomon 2005" /><ref name="them 2005" /><ref name="filmthreat 2005-12-08" /> Other comparisons were drawn to ''[[The Simpsons]]'' for originating from a sketch comedy series and later receiving its own show.<ref name="dvdtalk 2006-04-29" /><ref name="filmthreat 2005-12-08" /> ''The Fuccons'' were also compared to "Summer Holidays", a series of photos of mannequins created by photographer [[Bernard Faucon]] in 1978.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-05-18 |title=[단독]"BTS 소속사, 포콩 사진서 영감 받은 사실 인정 안 한다면 그땐…" |language=ko |work=[[Kyunghyang Shinmun]] |url=http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?art_id=201905090600001 |url-status=live |access-date=2020-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214542/http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?art_id=201905090600001 |archive-date=January 27, 2021}}</ref> Several critics explored the possibility of ''The Fuccons'' as being a Japanese commentary on Americans and their stereotypes in Japan, though the majority expressed otherwise.<ref name="dvdtalk 2006-04-29" /><ref name="solomon 2005" /><ref name="dvdtalk 2006-01-02" /> In spite of the speculation, Ishibashi himself has stated that ''The Fuccons'' was not intended to be a cross-cultural commentary and that it was meant to be "art."<ref name="artforum 2001" />

Jake L. Godek from ''THEM Anime Reviews'' gave the series a 1-star rating, claiming that the episodes have no "continuous ideas."<ref name="them 2005">{{Cite news |last=Godek |first=Jake L. |title=The Fuccons |work=THEM Anime Reviews |url=https://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=925 |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808090403/http://themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=925 |archive-date=August 8, 2020}}</ref> Similarly, Chris Tibbey from ''[[DVD Talk]]'' did not find the series funny but praised [[ADV Films]] for taking a risk and licensing live-action series.<ref name="dvdtalk 2005-11-24">{{Cite news |last=Tibbey |first=Chris |date=2005-11-24 |title=Boxed sets galore and The Fuccons |work=[[DVD Talk]] |url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/anime/2005/11/boxed_sets_galo.html |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140128221955/http://www.dvdtalk.com/anime/2005/11/boxed_sets_galo.html |archive-date=January 28, 2014}}</ref> At the same time, Don Houston from ''DVD Talk'' described the series as a "wacky, weird ride" but warned that "not everyone thinks this is funny or creative."<ref name="dvdtalk 2006-01-02">{{Cite news |last=HoustonTibbey |first=Don |date=2006-01-02 |title=The Fuccons: Meet the Fuccons |work=[[DVD Talk]] |url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/19538/fuccons-meet-the-fuccons-the/ |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100801032101/http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/19538/fuccons-meet-the-fuccons-the/ |archive-date=August 1, 2010}}</ref> Bamboo Dong from ''[[Anime News Network]]'' called the humor "quirky", but also noted that viewers who were not ready to overlook the mannequin concept were less likely to enjoy the series.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dong |first=Bamboo |date=2005-12-12 |title=Shelf Life: Pass the Sauce |work=[[Anime News Network]] |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/shelf-life/2005-12-12 |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001041950/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/shelf-life/2005-12-12 |archive-date=October 1, 2020}}</ref> Writing for [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]'s editorial, [[Charles Solomon (critic)|Charles Solomon]] described the vocal performance as "over-the-top", claiming that while the show may bring up discussions about Japanese attitudes towards Americans and the series' "we're-so-dumb-we're-hip charms", he considered it a "pointless waste of time."<ref name="solomon 2005">{{Cite news |last=Solomon |first=Charles |title=The Fuccons: Meet the Fuccons Vol. 0 |work=[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CCCNDI |url-status=live |access-date=2020-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214550/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CCCNDI |archive-date=January 27, 2021}}</ref>

On the other hand, Kaori Shoji from ''[[The New York Times International Edition|The New York Times' International Herald Tribune]]'' credited Ishibashi's art style to his Kyoto upbringing, and described ''The Fuccon Family'' segments as "darkly funny" with an "over-the-top caricatured view."<ref name="nytimes 2002-04-17">{{Cite news |last=Shoji |first=Kaori |date=2002-04-17 |title=A Kyoto maverick shakes up Japanese film |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/17/style/IHT-a-kyoto-maverick-shakes-up-japanese-film.html |url-status=live |access-date=2020-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001221711/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/17/style/IHT-a-kyoto-maverick-shakes-up-japanese-film.html |archive-date=October 1, 2020}}</ref> Gail Nakada from ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' describes the series as "perverse and riotous", with "adultery, childhood antics, and a mother's perfectionism."<ref name="wired 2004-02-01">{{Cite magazine |last=Nakada |first=Gail |date=2004-02-01 |title=Dummy Knows Best |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |url=https://www.wired.com/2004/02/dummy-knows-best/ |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222195822/https://www.wired.com/2004/02/dummy-knows-best/ |archive-date=December 22, 2016}}</ref> The ''[[Austin Chronicle]]'' describes ''The Fuccons'' as having "witty" dialogue that was "filled with non-sequiturs and static humor", praising the series for parodying the sitcom genre with its "absurdity."<ref name="austinchronicle 2005-01-28">{{Cite news |date=2005-01-28 |title=OH! Mikey: Volumes 1-6 |work=[[Austin Chronicle]] |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/screens/2005-01-28/oh-mikey-volumes-1-6/ |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214544/https://www.austinchronicle.com/screens/2005-01-28/oh-mikey-volumes-1-6/ |archive-date=January 27, 2021}}</ref>  Zack Parsons from ''[[Something Awful]]'' gave the first season a score of 41/50, citing its strengths to be its characters and surreal humor.<ref name="somethingawful 2004-01-07">{{Cite news |last=Parsons |first=Zack |date=2004-01-07 |title=The Madness of OH! Mikey (Part One) |work=[[Something Awful]] |url=https://www.somethingawful.com/feature-articles/madness-oh-mikey/1/ |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214613/https://www.somethingawful.com/feature-articles/madness-oh-mikey/1/ |archive-date=January 27, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Parsons |first=Zack |date=2004-01-14 |title=The Madness of OH! Mikey (Part Two) |work=[[Something Awful]] |url=https://www.somethingawful.com/feature-articles/madness-oh-mikey-2/ |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001131602/https://www.somethingawful.com/feature-articles/madness-oh-mikey-2/ |archive-date=October 1, 2020}}</ref> In his review of the second season, Parsons gave the same score, praising the first half of the season while stating the second half of the season was where the series went to "uncharted territories."<ref name="somethingawful 2005-10-06">{{Cite news |last=Parsons |first=Zack |date=2005-10-06 |title=The Return of OH! Mikey (Part 1) |work=[[Something Awful]] |url=https://www.somethingawful.com/feature-articles/return-oh-mikey/ |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127091414/https://www.somethingawful.com/feature-articles/return-oh-mikey/ |archive-date=November 27, 2020}}</ref><ref name="somethingawful 2005-10-13">{{Cite news |last=Parsons |first=Zack |date=2005-10-13 |title=The Return of OH! Mikey (Part 2) |work=[[Something Awful]] |url=https://www.somethingawful.com/feature-articles/return-oh-mikey-2/ |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024214231/https://www.somethingawful.com/feature-articles/return-oh-mikey-2/ |archive-date=October 24, 2020}}</ref> Jamie S. Rich from ''[[DVD Talk]]'' stated that the humor of the series is better accepted through its absurdity and not through its depiction of stereotypes, expressing that, while the introductory episodes fell flat, the increasingly outlandish situations the Fuccons are placed in draw hilarity.<ref name="dvdtalk 2006-04-29">{{Cite news |last=Rich |first=Jamie S. |date=2006-04-29 |title=The Fuccons Vol. 1: Oh Mikey! |work=[[DVD Talk]] |url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/21412/fuccons-vol-1-oh-mikey-the/ |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707163137/http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/21412/fuccons-vol-1-oh-mikey-the/ |archive-date=July 7, 2014}}</ref> ''[[Film Threat]]'' expressed that in spite of ''The Fuccons'' having an "unusual format and hallucinatory subject matter", it provides as many "good laughs" as confusing moments.<ref name="filmthreat 2005-12-08">{{Cite news |date=2005-12-08 |title=THE FUCCONS: MEET THE FUCCONS |work=[[Film Threat]] |url=https://filmthreat.com/uncategorized/the-fuccons-meet-the-fuccons/ |url-status=live |access-date=2020-09-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214618/https://filmthreat.com/uncategorized/the-fuccons-meet-the-fuccons/ |archive-date=January 27, 2021}}</ref>

===Awards and accolades===

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Year
!Award
!Category
!Nominated Work
!Result
!{{Abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2001
| [[Fantasia International Film Festival]]
| Ground-Breaker Award
| rowspan="2 | ''The Fuccon Family''
| {{Won}}
|<ref name="parasophia 2014">{{Cite web |date=2014-04-04 |title=Parasophia: Kyoto International Festival of Contemporary Culture: Participating Artists |url=http://www.parasophia.jp/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/09/parasophiapr20140404supplementen.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415222820/http://www.parasophia.jp/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/09/parasophiapr20140404supplementen.pdf |archive-date=April 15, 2015 |access-date=2020-08-19 |website=Kyoto International Festival of Contemporary Culture |page=3}}</ref>
|-
| International D Cinema Festival
| Best Series
| {{Won}}
|<ref name="kcua">{{Cite web |title=石橋義正 |trans-title=Yoshimasa Ishibashi |url=https://www.kcua.ac.jp/professors/ishibashi-yoshimasa/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805163702/http://www.kcua.ac.jp/professors/ishibashi-yoshimasa/ |archive-date=August 5, 2020 |access-date=2020-09-20 |website=[[Kyoto City University of Arts]]}}</ref>
|-
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Further reading===
* {{Cite magazine |last=Takeuchi Cullen |first=Lisa |date=2001 |title=The Fuccon Family |url=https://www.artforum.com/print/200106/the-fuccon-family-1048 |url-status=live |magazine=[[Artforum]] |location=United States |publisher=Artforum International Magazine |volume=39 |issue=10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916125934/https://www.artforum.com/print/200106/the-fuccon-family-1048 |archive-date=September 16, 2020 |access-date=2020-09-15 |url-access=subscription}}
* {{Cite news |last=Shoji |first=Kaori |date=2002-04-17 |title=A Kyoto maverick shakes up Japanese film |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/17/style/IHT-a-kyoto-maverick-shakes-up-japanese-film.html |url-status=live |access-date=2020-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001221711/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/17/style/IHT-a-kyoto-maverick-shakes-up-japanese-film.html |archive-date=October 1, 2020}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|http://www.fuccon-family.com/}} {{in lang|ja}}
*{{Official website|https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/oh-mikey/}} ([[TV Tokyo]]) {{in lang|ja}}
*{{Official website|https://www.sentaifilmworks.com/catalog/the-fuccons}} ([[Sentai Filmworks]])
*{{Anime News Network|anime|6137}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fuccons, The}}
[[Category:Japanese comedy television series]]
[[Category:2000s Japanese television series]]
[[Category:TV Tokyo original programming]]
[[Category:ADV Films]]
[[Category:Sentai Filmworks]]