TV-Series
Description
Odate-Buta, the Flattered Pig, debuted in Episode 60 of the original anime series. This mechanical pig robot typically climbs out from the control panel of the Doronbo Gang's mecha, scaling a palm tree or occasionally a railroad pylon whenever Boyacky receives praise from Doronjo. It delivers the Japanese proverb "Buta mo odaterya ki ni noboru," translated as "Even pigs will climb trees if you flatter them" or "Even a flattered pig can climb a tree." The phrase acts as sarcastic commentary on Boyacky's capabilities when complimented, implying unlikely achievements become possible with encouragement, though it functions primarily as an insult within the villains' interactions.
Later series introduced variations. The *Yattodetaman* iteration, unofficially called Kakusu Buta, featured a significantly different design: a smaller, curvier pig wearing a red dress and a green hat with a nose veil. Instead of climbing, it popped out of a barrel and performed a jig. It modified a different proverb, changing "Nou aru taka wa tsume wo kakusu" ("The cunning hawk hides its claws") to "Nou aru buta wa hana kakusu" ("The cunning pig hides its nose"), immediately contradicting itself by blowing its nose. This variant served as a snarky warning to antagonists against premature actions during battles.
The 2009 live-action film presented a more mechanical Odate-Buta with a higher-pitched voice ending sentences with "bu" ("oink"). It appeared three times, often tied to Boyacky's lecherous tendencies: covering him when pantsless, delivering an innuendo-laden version of the tree-climbing proverb during a mecha battle after Doronjo praised Boyacky (linking the palm tree imagery to suggestive metaphors for Boyacky's arousal), and lamenting the Doronbo Gang's breakup, echoing the original series' finale.
Beyond specific series, Odate-Buta became the mascot of the *Time Bokan* franchise, eclipsing earlier gag robots like the Dochirake Skeleton. Its popularity led to dedicated theme songs like "Sora Kara Buta ga Futtekuru," compiling pig-related proverbs. Spin-offs, merchandise, and collaborations like NFTs in the *JobTribes* game cemented its iconic status, referencing its tree-climbing ability as a gameplay mechanic.
Thematically, Odate-Buta consistently subverts proverbs to deliver dry, ironic commentary on the villains' overconfidence or failures. Its design and context adapt per iteration—through visual changes like the veil in *Yattodetaman* or behavioral shifts like the lament in the live-action film—while its core function as a mechanical mouthpiece for satire remains unchanged. No canonical background or origin story exists beyond its role as a recurring comedic device within the Doronbo Gang's mecha systems.
Later series introduced variations. The *Yattodetaman* iteration, unofficially called Kakusu Buta, featured a significantly different design: a smaller, curvier pig wearing a red dress and a green hat with a nose veil. Instead of climbing, it popped out of a barrel and performed a jig. It modified a different proverb, changing "Nou aru taka wa tsume wo kakusu" ("The cunning hawk hides its claws") to "Nou aru buta wa hana kakusu" ("The cunning pig hides its nose"), immediately contradicting itself by blowing its nose. This variant served as a snarky warning to antagonists against premature actions during battles.
The 2009 live-action film presented a more mechanical Odate-Buta with a higher-pitched voice ending sentences with "bu" ("oink"). It appeared three times, often tied to Boyacky's lecherous tendencies: covering him when pantsless, delivering an innuendo-laden version of the tree-climbing proverb during a mecha battle after Doronjo praised Boyacky (linking the palm tree imagery to suggestive metaphors for Boyacky's arousal), and lamenting the Doronbo Gang's breakup, echoing the original series' finale.
Beyond specific series, Odate-Buta became the mascot of the *Time Bokan* franchise, eclipsing earlier gag robots like the Dochirake Skeleton. Its popularity led to dedicated theme songs like "Sora Kara Buta ga Futtekuru," compiling pig-related proverbs. Spin-offs, merchandise, and collaborations like NFTs in the *JobTribes* game cemented its iconic status, referencing its tree-climbing ability as a gameplay mechanic.
Thematically, Odate-Buta consistently subverts proverbs to deliver dry, ironic commentary on the villains' overconfidence or failures. Its design and context adapt per iteration—through visual changes like the veil in *Yattodetaman* or behavioral shifts like the lament in the live-action film—while its core function as a mechanical mouthpiece for satire remains unchanged. No canonical background or origin story exists beyond its role as a recurring comedic device within the Doronbo Gang's mecha systems.