, or ''VPN'', is a Japanese late-night variety and comedy skit TV show that mixes animated and live-action segments (often parodying TV series) in a fashion similar to ''
SCTV''. The series is best known for its recurring segment, ''
The Fuccons
''The Fuccons'' (), known as in Japan, is a Japanese sketch comedy series created by Yoshimasa Ishibashi. It features the Fuccons, a family of American expatriates living in Japan, with characters played by mannequins filmed at various location ...
'', which spun off its own series. In America, the series aired on
Anime Network
Anime Network is an American video on demand (VOD) network dedicated to anime owned by AMC Networks.
History
The network was launched in North America in late 2002 and is marketed to multi system operators (MSOs) as both a free and subscript ...
.
Recurring skits
* revolves around the adventures of an American family (portrayed by
mannequin
A mannequin (also called a dummy, lay figure, or dress form) is a doll, often articulated, used by artists, tailors, dressmakers, window dressers and others, especially to display or fit clothing and show off different fabrics and textiles. Pr ...
s), and was eventually spun off into its own show called ''
Oh! Mikey
''The Fuccons'' (), known as in Japan, is a Japanese sketch comedy series created by Yoshimasa Ishibashi. It features the Fuccons, a family of American expatriates living in Japan, with characters played by mannequins filmed at various location ...
'' (broadcast and released to DVD in North America as ''The Fuccons'').
* "Cathy's House" features four women in clothing, sets, and situations evocative of
Barbie doll
Barbie is a fashion doll manufactured by American toy company Mattel, Inc. and launched on March 9, 1959. American businesswoman Ruth Handler is credited with the creation of the doll using a German doll called Bild Lilli as her inspiration.
...
s.
* "Resident Starship" is about an apartment complex style starship, complete with crazy residents.
* "Midnight Cooking" parodies cooking shows, set apart by random singing and self-inflicted torture.
* "One Point English Lesson," a parody of language learning shows, features an ''
oiran
is a collective term for the highest-ranking courtesans in Japanese history, who were considered to be above common prostitution, prostitutes (known as ) for their more refined entertainment skills and training in the traditional arts. Divided ...
'' teaching risqué pick-up lines in English.
* "Juvenile Delinquent Takako," excerpts from the life of Takako, a rebellious schoolgirl living in a world of mannequins, similar to the Fuccon Family except that Takako is the only live human.
* Each episode also included at least one musical performance by a core group of female singers and musicians.
DVD release
Five compilation
DVD
The DVD (common abbreviation for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any kin ...
s of skits from Vermilion Pleasure Night were released in Japan. In addition, a feature-length compilation film titled ''"THE COLOR OF LIFE"'' was released in theaters and recycled much of the same content and also contained some bonus material as an incentive for collectors.
The US releases (published by
ADV Films
A.D. Vision Holdings, Inc. (known simply as ADV and also referred to as ADV Films) was an American multimedia entertainment distributor headquartered in Houston, Texas, and founded in 1992 by video game fan John Ledford and anime fans Matt Gre ...
) paired up these DVDs into three volumes:
* Vermilion Pleasure Night Vol.1: OpticErotica (''"GOLD"'' + Japan volume 2)
* Vermilion Pleasure Night Vol.2: VoxStimuli (Japan volumes 3 & 4)
* Vermilion Pleasure Night Vol.3: Créme de la Créme (Japan volume 5 + ''"THE COLOR OF LIFE"'')
Each ADV DVD also contains an optional English dub. In the beginning of 2009, a Complete Collection was released.
A DVD of the ''Fuccon Family'' sketches was released on January 24, 2004, including the sketches that were not included in the other volumes.
CD soundtrack release
''"RISE - Vermilion Pleasure Night"'', the official
soundtrack
A soundtrack is recorded music accompanying and synchronised to the images of a motion picture, drama, book, television program, radio program, or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack o ...
CD containing full versions of another of the show's theme songs as well as audio versions of some of the recurring skits, was released on April 18, 2001 on the
Zetima
is a Japanese holding company for various entertainment companies. Its subsidiaries include the talent agency Up-Front Promotion and Up-Front Works, a music production and sales company that manages such record labels as Zetima, Piccolo Town, ...
label. The limited-edition first pressing came accompanied with a
photobook
A photo book or photobook is a book in which photographs make a significant contribution to the overall content. A photo book is related to and also often used as a coffee table book.
Early
Early photo books are characterized by their use of ...
.
Further reading
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References
{{Reflist
Japanese comedy television series
ADV Films
2000 Japanese television series debuts
2000 Japanese television series endings