September 3, 2001 (2001-09-03) – September 18, 2002 (2002-09-18)
Pecola (Japanese: ペコラ, Pekora) is an animated children's television series that features cube-shaped anthropomorphic animals in a place named Cube Town. The series is based on a series of children's picture books by Naomi Iwata.[1][2] It was first aired on Teletoon in Canada from September 3, 2001 with the final episode being aired on September 18, 2002. In Japan, the show aired on TV Tokyo, and in the United States, the show aired on Cartoon Network in 2003.[3] Prior to that, a series of Pecola shorts aired on Fuji Television as part of Ponkickies during 1998.[4]
Premise
The show that focuses on Pecola, a curious and hyperactive penguin who tries to help the people of Cube Town but often wreaks havoc instead. Pecola is an orphaned penguin who lives with Pecolius, his grandfather. Cube Town is a small, isolated coastal village which contains an art museum, a beach, a lighthouse and a canal. It is located adjacent to Crescent Bay surrounded by the Rookery Mountains coastal range and serviced by regular ships (including a weekly freighter) which deliver mail, food and other supplies, as well as occasional tourists from a nearby metropolis named Cubic City. The heights above it lead into Glacier Valley which is snowbound even during summer.
Pecola — A penguin who brings excitement to the otherwise dull and boring town. Unlike his fellow penguins, Pecola cannot swim. His catchphrases include "Flapping flippers!" and "Let's get hopping!" Pecola has a special love of pudding and a reputation for pulling pranks. Despite his antics, Pecola is very friendly and caring.
Little Chu/Chewy — A mouse who is the grandson of the great inventor Dr. Chu, and a budding inventor in his own right. He is Pecola's best friend and often unwilling ally in different escapades. He often complains of having a funny feeling in his stomach just before things get out of hand.
Dr. Chu — A mouse who is Little Chu's grandfather. He is Cube Town's greatest inventor and he often invents gadgets that help others on the island. His inventions are often used by Pecola and Chewy in their adventures. He is also friends with Pecola's grandfather, Pecolias. He owns two vehicles one is a submarine and also an airplane called the Mad Mouse which sits on top his laboratory. He also likes to collect comics.
Coco — Another penguin. She is more down to earth than Pecola, and is sometimes frustrated by his antics. She loves to sing; unfortunately, she is terrible at it.
Mr. Saruyama — A monkey who runs a fruit stand in town. He is often the target of Pecola's pranks, often leading to his melons falling over, which is a running gag in the show. However, he cares very much about Pecola, no matter what he does. He also runs the town's newspaper, the "Town Crier". He also cries a lot.
Gao/Rory — A lion who is Cube Town's postman. He is determined and dedicated to his job, he has never missed a day of work which won him the postman of the year award in , though he did get sick in during this episode it was revealed when he was younger he wasn't as good at delivering the post, but learned from his mistakes and created rules to help him with his job.
Pug/Mr. Puggalski — A dog who owns a grocery store. He is a descendant of the personal chef of the former king of Cube Town. He is also said to be the world's greatest hide and seek player (hide and go sleep) though when nobody could find him he was sick at home and still won.
Dr. Hornbender — An old goat astrologist who lives and works at the observatory. His greatest dream is the discovery of new planets, constellations, and aliens. Along with getting a shooting star named after him.
Rabi/Robbie — A nervous rabbit who likes video games.
Mayor Papazoni — An elephant who is the mayor of Cube Town. The mayor who makes long and boring speeches. Papazoni travels in a helicopter that he pilots himself. He hides in secret tunnels under the city and at a Mayoral Retreat to work on his speeches, undisturbed by residents and their questions. Constantly refers to the citizens of Cube Town as "voters". His voice is an imitation of veteran newsman Walter Cronkite.
Steam / Stim / Steamer — A cat train mechanic and engineer. Chewy, Pecola, and Rudy are smitten with her, which is the cause of tensions and arguments among the three. Her train, The Cactus, is intended eventually to provide a direct link with Cubic City via a tunnel being constructed under the Rookery Mountains . She often stops her work on the engine to play soccer with Pecola and his friends.
Aunty Yorkshire — A pig who does the laundry for the town and is often one of the few adults tolerant of Pecola's shenanigans. Whenever Pecolius is away she's the one to often babysit Pecola. She also has a son who lives in Cubic City and often says Pecola reminds her of him.
Mr. and Mrs. Banard/Bernard — Two beagles. They run the town's bakery, though Mr. Bernard often falls asleep on the job and is credited by others for his wife's work.
Jabatt and Bashatt — Two tortoises. They are Cube Town's firemen, although there are never fires in Cube Town. Despite this, they often help out around town, and they often provide comic relief when they bump into each other.
Officer Kumada — A bear. He helps keep the Cube Town safe with his many rules and observations.
Mr. Lonely - A wolf. He is a poet who is actually found writing and reciting sad poetry. He also once rapped. In Coco's concert but is unable to write poetry when in a happy mood.
Gazelle — A vain gazelle who is Hillary's boyfriend. He dreams of being a modern artist. He owns a convertible that he lovingly maintains and often drives about in Cube Town. He also owns a jet ski. In addition to art he loves to collect belt buckles.
Srally/Hillary - A giraffe who is Gazelle's girlfriend. She owns Cube Town Art Museum and is very fashionable. She is also picky about her weight, which is a running gag in the show.
Miss Lucky — A blue cat who reports for Cube Town News. She also helped Pecola make a movie.
Golagola/Gola Gola — A friendly sea creature who saved Pecola from drowning. At first, the town feared him, but they came to accept him. He has helped with different beach activities and is often seen playing with Pecola and his friends at the beach.
Tsunekichi/Rudy — Pecola's fox friend whose catchphrases are "I knew that" and "I was going to say/ask that". He is prone to bragging and showing off his latest toys, not sharing and declaring he is the best at whatever activity he is engaged in.
Bongo — A very strong and athletic gorilla who is kind, but is often clumsy as he either bumps into something or breaks something though apologizes for it with a "sorry". In , it was revealed he collects model cars.
Pecolius — A penguin. Pecola's grandfather who bears a resemblance to Indiana Jones because of his adventures in the name of science and archeology. He appreciates Pecola's unique personality, but at times reminds him to stay out of trouble.
Robo-Pecola — A robot version of Pecola who was built by Dr. Chu to teach Pecola better manners as revealed in his debut in. Though his various glitches lead him to cause more trouble than the real Pecola. But like Pecola, Robo-Pecola is very friendly and caring.
Alligetao/Al Agator — A mysterious alligator. He is seen sneaking around Cube Town, taking pictures.
Brock the Block — A badger who is a reporter in Cubic City who hosts and interviewed the show "Big City Life" where he interviews successful people in Cubic City.
Power Pal — A gorilla superhero on TV that is Pecola's favourite. He looks like Bongo except wearing red superhero tights, cape, and mask. He can fly and has super strength. He inspired Pecola become Power Pecola RobotMania.
Pecola first aired on Teletoon in Canada from September 3, 2001 with the final episode airing on September 18, 2002 with repeats until the mid-2000s. In Japan, the show aired on TV Tokyo at 9 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. on Sundays from October 6, 2002 until March 30, 2003. In 2003, Pecola premiered on Cartoon Network in the U.S., and also aired on the now-defunct Qubo from 2007 to 2017, then started airing again from April 5, 2020 to July 26 of that year. The show also aired on Spacetoon in Indonesia from 2005 until 2013, and on RTÉ2 in Ireland from 2002[6] to 2003.[7]
The show was released to DVD in Japan, Australia, France, and Taiwan. A DVD release of the show in the U.S. has yet to be announced; however it is available on Amazon Video.[8]
Video game
In Japan, an educational game based on the shorts was released for the Sega Pico entitled Pecola no Daibouken Maboroshi no Aisukurīmu wo Sagase! (ペコラのだいぼうけん まぼろしのアイスクリームをさがせ!).
