Willy Fog

**Willy Fog** is the title protagonist of the animated series *Around the World with Willy Fog*. He is based off Phileas Fogg, who is the main character of the original novel *Around the World in 80 Days*.

## Overview

Willy Fog is a polite, cultured and renowned English gentleman who is loyal to his friends and always true to his word. He leads his machinery-precise life, something afforded him by his long-term bachelor lifestyle. He resides in London and although he is well known for his wealth, the precise source of his money is unknown as his occupation is never elaborated on. Ever the gentleman, he eschews violence of any form whenever possible, but is never without his cane, which is all he needs to defend himself and others. Willy Fog is a member of the Reform Club in London and is challenged to travel around the world in 80 days; prior to this, he had not travelled for several years.

## History

Willy Fog lives in a house on Savile Row in London. He is rich, but how he acquired the wealth remains a mystery. Fog's lifestyle is very secluded; he has no family or children. He spends almost all his time at the Reform Club, an elite society of wealthy gentlemen.

The story begins with Fog waking up early in the morning, having completely forgotten that he had recently fired his servant. He gets up, makes his bed and does his morning routine, like exercising and preparing breakfast.

After some time, he awaits the arrival of a new servant and despite the fact that Rigodon is two minutes late, Fog still accepts him. The new servant begins to timidly ask about his master’s attitude towards travel, to which he replied that he prefers a calm and measured life. After this, at 11AM, Willy Fog leaves his estate and goes to the Reform Club. While waiting for the other members, he reads the newspaper and learns about the robbery of an English bank and discusses it with the arriving Lord Guinness. Later, when Farrel, Johnson and Wesson joined, they played pool and Willy Fog, as usual, came out on top, which Farrell was very unhappy about.

When Sullivan finally arrives, he tries to remain calm despite his bank being robbed and invites Fog to play a game with him. During this, club members make guesses about what happened and where the criminal might be now. Guinness thought that the robber was not in London now and others, except Willy, thought it was nonsense and ridiculed the old man. However, Guinness still stood his ground and said that now, thanks to new technologies, it is possible to cross the world in just three months. He supported his guess with an article in the newspaper written by Ralph.

Sullivan, not believing this, suggested that Guinness do it himself, but he refused, arguing that he was too old for it and was again ridiculed. And then Willy Fog, who had been listening carefully to the old goat all this time, decided to intervene and said that he wanted to try to do it himself and that it could be done even in eighty days. Other club members were surprised, but still made a bet with him for 20,000 pounds; the lion, despite the large amount, remained unperturbed and accepted these conditions.

That same evening, Willy Fog, returning home, announces to Rigodon that they are leaving on a trip around the world right now. He put the money from the safe into the suitcase and they both went by carriage to the train station to say goodbye to the members of the Reform Club and begin the journey. He does not even suspect that throughout his journey he will be followed by Inspector Dix and Constable Bully because they believe he is guilty of a bank robbery, and he will also be hunted by the mercenary Transfer, hired by Sullivan to prevent Fog from winning the bet.

## Trivia

* It was mentioned in the book that the original character in the novel was forty years old. It is likely that Willy Fog is also forty years old, although this was never explicitly stated in the series.
* In the series, his red tie is colored with black polka dots, but in many of his official art, the polka dots are colored white.