The Wager

Willy Fog hires Rigodon, a former circus performer, to replace the butler he dismissed the previous day and, unknowingly, hires Rigodon's friend Tico at the same time. Later, Fog tells his fellows at London's Reform Club that he has read an article which suggests one can travel around the world in eighty days. To prove to his skeptical colleagues that this is possible, he wagers half his £40,000 fortune that he can make the journey.

Willy Fogg, Sullivan, Transfer, Lord Guinness, Romy, Tico, Rigadon

The story, which is set in 1872, starts in a gentleman's club- "The Reform Club", in London where Willy Fog- the perfect English gentleman- is discussing the possibility of traveling around the world in just eighty days. Only Lord Guinness, an elderly, wheelchair-bound goat, and Fog believe that it can be done. Lord Guinness is most frustrated that he cannot practically prove the others wrong and actually make the journey, so Fog says that he instead will do it, much to the amusement of the others. Fog challenges Sullivan- the most against the idea- to a £10,000 bet. Five others also bet £10,000 against Fog, who accepts. Thus the scene is set for the series.

This TV series was a companion piece to Nippon Animation's "Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds."

The Japanese version of this series was not aired until 1987. Even then, it omitted Episodes 14, 18, 21 and 22. Paradoxically, one of the missing episodes was "En Route to Yokohama."

In the early 1990s, the characters returned in a 30-episode sequel which adapted both Jules Verne's "Journey to the Center of the Earth" and "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea".