CACOFONIX • Character Chronicles

[@patrickbaillargeon1933]

8:25 Yes, exactly. Most of the humor in Asterix comics was based on the absurd anachronisms of making references to the popular culture of the time the comics are made, with cameos from famous people, quotes from popular books and plays, and of course, lyrics for Cacophonix's songs. Since there's no actual sound in comic books, it was largely assumed in cinematic adaptations that his music was just really off, like Harmony Smurf, but the whole point of the joke is that the music he sings really doesn't belong to his time, and is treated like any other experimental music at any given time. I'm glad you caught it.

[@eleanorhogan8643]

Bards were also really good singers but Caconifix is a very bad singer even worse than Eminem and Caconifix means a racket.

[@marydeyoung7501]

@@eleanorhogan8643 You've heard there are singers whose singing brings tears to your eyes, Cacofonix brings tears to your ears. Actually, the term is "cacophonics" from whence our beloved Gaulish bard got his moniker.

[@eleanorhogan8643]

@@marydeyoung7501 Yes.

[@ottagol1985]

Glad to see Cacofinix getting the spotlight here. Him trying to sing and getting pummeled for it is hilarious. Not to mention that it's hilarious to see what he can do with the Magic Potion. Also, since my grandpa was a Frank Sinatra fan, he might've gotten a kick out the name "Franksinatrix".

[@AlkisenSuper]

Didn't expect that Yoko Ono clip at the end, haha.

[@ottagol1985]

I was laughing my ass off at that.

[@anton1990]

Thanks for another great chronicle, Mr. Kitsch! I love your videos on Asterix!! When I was a kid, I remember I sometimes felt sorry for Cacofonix. The poor guy gets so much abuse, that it would be tragic if it wasn’t so hilarious!

[@Goodiesfanful]

I feel sorry for Cacofonix, being tied up and gagged at the celebratory feasts at the end of the stories. I like it when he is allowed to join in for once.

[@SuperCosmicMutantSquid]

Aaah, Jess! I was lucky to meet him at PopCon Indy a while back and he's an awesome guy and I had NO IDEA he voiced Cacofonix!

[@EngPheniks]

the people of the Gaulish village by the northwestern coast of France don't understand people like Cacifonix. he's a very valuable member of the village though. His role was important in the episode of The Magic Carpet and The secret weapon. He always appeared among the 5 most special people of the village at the start of the book. Chief Vitalstatistix, Getafix, Asterix, Obelix and him.

[@Sad_Teaf]

Finally, someone said that Cacofonix is a significant person who everyone hates until his help is needed. I hope one day he gets the love and recognition he deserves

[@kiwwat4139]

I like the use of “The Bard’s Song” in the intro.

[@DoctorInk20]

I enjoy this format. A nice, relaxed romp through a character's history. 😁 As a huge Asterix fan, Cacofonix never fails to make me laugh, so this was a like a compilation of my favourite moments in the comics. I must hunt down CGI films. They're about the only ones I haven't seen yet. Cracking stuff, mate!

[@superzachworld]

So glad to see another Character Chronicles video!

[@LePenguin]

Honestly, Cacofonix kind of reminds me of a more humble version of Squidward

[@Fuzz82]

What is funny is that Cacofonix is historically one of the most accurately potrayed characters in terms of looks. Both his outfit and hairstyle are rather accurate. Celts were known to use cow lye as some kind of bleaching hairgel. So Cacofonix' hairstyle would be a populair one among Celts.

[@Xerxes2005]

In French, the names were (usually) not chosen to fit with the characters but to sound funny. I mean Astérix comes from "astérisque" which is *. That character has no link with the character... The druid is called Panoramix (panoramic), the chieftain is Abraracourcix (À bras raccourcis= with shortened arms, an idiom meaning "to attack with all your might"), the fishmonger is Ordralfabétix (ordre alphabétique= alphabetical order) and his wife is Iélosubmarine (Yellow Submarine). One could say though that Assurancetourix (insurance against all risks) is quite fitting for a character who gets bruised so often.

[@Ceaaa22]

Poor fella... Even when he does something heroic or at least heroic-ish in the story, he still either gets knocked out or unable to enjoy the celebratory victory feast due to being bound and gagged !

[@eleanorhogan8643]

Though there are a couple of stories where he does not get gagged and tied up.

[@Ceaaa22]

@@eleanorhogan8643 They were rare indeed. There was even one issue, " Asterix the Gladiator " where the poor fellow is bound and gagged on three different occasions during the story to prevent him singing !

[@eleanorhogan8643]

@@Ceaaa22 I have that one.

[@Ceaaa22]

@@eleanorhogan8643 1. He's gagged, bound and kidnapped by Legionnaires early in the story 2. He's gagged and mummified in chains from his shoulders to his ankles when he attempts to sing for the Roman ship crew and 3. After the triumphant return of our heroes, he's bound and gagged on the balcony of his treehouse to prevent him singing the victory ode.

[@eleanorhogan8643]

@@Ceaaa22 Yes.

[@Goodiesfanful]

Cacofonix has a curious part in "Asterix in the Cauldron". He is on the village council table when they banish Asterix for his failure, suggesting he has some sort of authority there for some reason. He looks very stern, nose high in the air, but after sentence is pronounced he bursts into tears.

[@Xerxes2005]

Bards were part of the celtic clergy with the druids and the vates (soothsayers). They were the lore keepers of the Gauls. And when I say "lore" I mean myths, legends, history, genealogy, laws, etc. They occupied a very important position in Celtic society and were not mere minstrels and poets. It is not for nothing that the three characters wearing a red cloak in the village are the chieftain Vitalstatistix, the druid Getafix and the bard Cacofonix.

[@veryheavyalan]

Asterix and Obelix XXL might be my favorite version of Cacofonix outside of the comics due to how that lyre sounds, no wonder they all fear his music. There's also some sympathy towards him when he asks if they don't like his music. You can't help but feel for the guy.

[@Zarok759]

Brilliant. I've been waiting for a Character Chronicles for a long time. ❤️😊 Interesting to see you chose Cacofonix.

[@Rgoid]

In “Asterix and the Secret Weapon”, Cacofonix finally got to beat up Fulliautomatix.

[@YOYODUDE24]

I feel kinda bad for Cacofonix. He just wants to sing. But the thing is.... It’s very terrible and no one else understands him. The Gauls always take their aggression out on him even though he never said a word.

[@eleanorhogan8643]

Well as long as he does not speak, let alone sing, everyone really likes him.

[@jenneacubero1036]

15:34-16:35 Don't worry, Bard, they're just a bunch of karens.

[@wolf2912]

It is always funny when caconifix sing and it is hit 😂😂

[@ravenf6]

11:15 was basically Cacophonix's "Black Handkerchief of Happiness" moment, except a lot more physchological warfare.

[@goodolgranite8247]

Renaming Cacofonix to Franksinatrix is certainly the most American change they made in the US Dub of Asterix and the Big Fight.

[@johnkoshtariajk8888]

He Is Also Called Miraculix In German Dub Of Asterix And The Big Fight

[@Charjune]

@@johnkoshtariajk8888 Really? That's funny... Miraculix is the name of the druid in Swedish dub.

[@trashpanda2175]

Glad to see you back Jeffery Love this video especially talking about my favourite French comic book character along side Lucky Luke and Tintin

[@kyliethelittlespider-mangirl94]

This was a great vid talking about Cacofonix. Also I didn’t know there is an English dub of Asterix in The Olympic Games.

[@soundblaster1987reviews]

Jess Harnell also voiced the evil scientist Dr Jumba Jookiba in the English dub of the Japanese Lilo and Stitch spinoff anime series.

[@stefanloncar6868]

That one dislike is from Blacksmith that whacks Cacofonix with hammer

[@skybite]

Fulliautomatix

[@eggmannega6895]

Welcome back, Character Chronicles!

[@Goodiesfanful]

One character who is curiously unaffected by Cacofonix is Brutus in the circus scene in “Asterix the Gladiator”. Throughout the whole thing he just sits there looking bored and oblivious while everyone else, including the lions, can’t stand it.

[@georgespencer8429]

I think the most memorable thing about the XXL game is Asterix having an extremely pronounced Welsh accent.

[@diddymuck]

the American (opposed to British) translations of the series calls him Malacoustix

[@marlonsemedo4270]

I think there are some panels in the soothsayer comic where Cacofonix can be seen fighting with the other gauls

[@booyaahhtime5190]

I'm glad they shut him up somehow when he starts singing. Hahahahahaha!

[@davidjohansson113]

In Swedish he is named Trubadix.

[@nelsama0881]

Same as in german.

[@thomasandharry5199]

Ohhhhh BOYYYYYYY it's back!!

[@Nicolas-we1ji]

Great work! Will there be a Kitsch Critiques about the CGI films? I really enjoyed these video, because your humor gets me everytime 😆

[@JeffreyKitsch]

I don't have desire to write comedic reviews at the moment, which is why most of my videos the past two years have been more factual than funny. I loved Mansions of the Gods and thought Secret of the Magic Potion was ok. Asterix and the Big Fight stands out because it's direction was rather bizarre so there was plenty to make fun of, and I disliked the 3rd and 4th live action films so really wanted to voice my criticisms. A "Kitsch Critiques" of Getafix Retires the movie might happen. Never say Never :)

[@andrewbesso4257]

In the English translation, Justforkix shouts, "The Rolling Menhirs!" In the original French, he shouts, "Le Monkix!" I wish the English version had been "Jimihendrix!"

[@gothnerd887]

It would be interesting to play Cacofonix in Dungeons and Dragons

[@KororaPenguin]

"Presenting my first-level bard, Justinbiebrix!"

[@eleanorhogan8643]

And his weapons would be really bad singing and lyre bash.

[@eleanorhogan8643]

@@KororaPenguin I just spat out my double chocolate mocha reading this.

[@IngimundurAO]

another great video👍

[@Shadowkey392]

Would love to know what you think of the two most recent asterix movies.

[@JeffreyKitsch]

I think Mansions of the Gods is great and Secret of the Magic Potion is good.

[@ParcAstérix-Fan]

3:20 they predicted the lingangulguli meme

[@primrosevale1995]

Speaking of 12:01, can we look forward to film reviews of Mansions of the Gods or Secrets of the Magic Potion?

[@becca545]

It's a crime that we don't have an English translation of Le Menhir d'Or yet.

[@Goodiesfanful]

Cacofonix gets shirty in “Asterix and Son” when a nursemaid (a disguised Roman spy) sings the John Doe baby lullabies. “Only bards have the right to sing!”

[@suitman]

Im surprised that the first Asterix c.c is on my favorite Asterix character. Ps in never knew Peter perfect and Richie voiced him.

[@alanaguilar1756]

You mean Rik Mayall

[@ignatiusklepto5136]

Which books does Cacofonix eat at the banquet at the end of each book?

[@Goodiesfanful]

I am surprised Cacofonix could play the fiddle well in the first book and provide music to a folk dance.

[@mr.trouble827]

21:39 Jesus Christ!

[@cockycookie1]

In German he's called Troubadix

[@toon..]

Cool

[@rustymint]

cacofonix

[@HeadphonesUK]

I always found it jarring how Caco was the only one in the UK dub of Mansions of the Gods who still had his US dub Then again that dub also says that Dick and Dom voiced Fullyautomatix and Unhygenix, and no matter how many times I've watched it, it doesn't sound like them in the slightest

[@JeffreyKitsch]

He isn’t the only non-British voice in the English dub of Mansions of the Gods. Getafix, Geriatrix, the architect, the main slave and several minor characters are dubbed by Canadians. Personally I prefer the full Canadian version. I think the voices matched most of the characters better plus many times it sounded like the British comedians were rushing their lines or not saying them clearly enough for me to comprehend. It's funny you say even you couldn't recognize Dick & Dom despite being a big fan of their work. I also wouldn't have known it was them if they hadn't been credited.

[@HeadphonesUK]

@@JeffreyKitsch I totally get what you mean by rushing their lines, it makes it hard to tell what they're saying most of the time, but they had to synch it up with the animation, hence why they talk so fast I'm not sure if it's actually them, nothing about the voices sounds like how they sound, either that or we've really underestimated their skill with voice work

[@HeadphonesUK]

@@JeffreyKitsch Some of the cast did well though, Matt Berry was good as Vitalstatistix, Nick Frost was good as Obelix, and Jim Broadbent was good as Ceaser

[@ottagol1985]

@@JeffreyKitsch And here's the thing: Alan Marriott is a Canadian actor who got his start in the UK and then came back to Canada. Think on that for a moment.

[@Dataism]

11:18 now they are just messing with the english fans

[@SuperTeddy-fm5gw]

Can't stop being hit in the head

[@eggmannega6895]

Willie Rushton was one of his voices? Like the Willie Rushton?

[@becca545]

Yes! He read quite a few audiobooks: Asterix the Gaul, Gladiator, Cleopatra, In Britain, Magic Carpet, and Black Gold. (Secret Weapon was read by Andrew Sachs) Some- if not all were apparently adapted for audio by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge- the original translators- so that's pretty neat. They were a massive part of my Asterix- loving childhood- especially In Britian. Willie Rushton gave them so much charm- seek them out if you can!

[@greatwesternproductions2857]

Do you think you may review Porterhouse Blue some day?

[@kyliethelittlespider-mangirl94]

Where did you find the English dub of Asterix at The Olympic Games? Is it available on dvd? Edit: I found it on Amazon Edit 2: I bought it along with the forth movie

[@JeffreyKitsch]

Yes, it is available on DVD 🙂

[@kyliethelittlespider-mangirl94]

That’s good, cuz I’m missing that and the forth movie for my collection

[@Ngfilmz901]

The person who disliked this video was cacophonix

[@cityman-mv6st]

The names are as funny in English as they are in French lol .

[@skybite]

I was watching this Asterix “rip-off” Kayko and Kokosh, and they even have a Cacofonix “rip-off” who is a mercenary.

[@alanaguilar1756]

Not only that but Squidward from SpongeBob SquarePants is also a rip-off to this character.

[@stefanloncar6868]

So basically Cacofonix is ancestor of Justin Bieber

[@kingemerald4622]

Hey Jeffrey

[@victorrivera9042]

Somehow this guy has it worst then Squidward

[@doodelli]

In this house we respect gay bards