The New Adventures of Figaro Pho is a delightful follow-up to the original series, featuring a quirky young boy who struggles with nearly every fear imaginable. Created by Luke Jurevicius and produced in Australia, this animated series brings Figaro Pho out of his spooky mansion and into a broader and sometimes stranger world. The show relies on expressive animation, music, and sound effects rather than dialogue, delivering humor and heart in every episode. Over roughly 78 minutes per installment, viewers dive into Figaro’s fears, adventures, and the amusing ways he courageously confronts the unknown.
Overview of the Series
Origins and Production Background
Developed as a second season airing from 2015 to 2016, The New Adventures of Figaro Pho follows the initial run called The Adventures of Figaro Pho (20092012). The show is produced by Chocolate Liberation Front in partnership with Screen Australia, ABC Australia, and Luma Toons (a branch of Luma Pictures), and represents the first long-form collaboration for Luma. Figaro’s creator, Luke Jurevicius, also voices the character and contributes music, drawing from his own experience with fear and phobias.
Visual Storytelling Without Dialogue
One hallmark of the show is its absence of spoken language. Figaro’s world is conveyed entirely through vibrant animation, expressive character movement, musical cues, and sound effects. This creative choice allows the storytelling to transcend language barriers and connect with a global audience through universal emotions and physical comedy.
Main Characters and Supporting Cast
Figaro Pho and Rivet
Figaro Pho is a warm-hearted nine-year-old with nearly every phobia one could imagine. He lives in a gothic mansion atop a mountain in Cogsville, usually staying indoors to avoid terrifying stimuli. His only companion is Rivet, his loyal mechanical dog who often helps him overcome fear and mischief alike.
Cogsville Locals
- Juliet Figaro’s friendly neighbor and occasional partner in courage
- Rudy a skateboarding daredevil with a fear-defying spirit
- Prudence an energetic girl obsessed with Figaro and his antics
- Cornelius the accident-prone mailman who frequently clashes with Figaro
- Dotty, Boris, Ronald, Uncle Ernesto, Leon colorful residents of Cogsville who appear in various episodes
Episode Themes and Format
Adventure Titles and Topics
Season 2 The New Adventures of Figaro Pho features imaginative episodes such as ‘Figaro on Ice’, ‘Kung Fu Pho’, ‘Zombie Pho’, ‘Time Traveller’, ‘Mailman Mania’, and ‘Grim Reaper’. These stories place Figaro and Rivet in humorous situations that challenge their phobias in creative ways.
Facing Fears Through Play
Each adventure presents a new fear or obstacle sometimes fantastical, sometimes everyday and Figaro must muster courage in absurd and playful solutions. Whether dealing with stage fright, magically haunted objects, or runaway teeth, the narrative always tilts toward imaginative resolution.
Art Style and Tone
Visual Design and Atmosphere
The series blends gothic and whimsical animation, creating a tone that feels slightly eerie yet playful. The mansion and Cogsville streets showcase rich textures, exaggerated shapes, and moody color palettes, giving the show a distinctive aesthetic often compared to Tim Burton-inspired style.
Music, Sound, and Physical Comedy
With no dialogue to rely on, The New Adventures of Figaro Pho leans heavily on music and sound effects to convey mood and comedic timing. Figaro’s physical reactions bouncing, shaking, tiptoeing are central to the humor. Rivet contributes sound effects and mechanical movement that help animate the comedy and friendship.
Educational and Emotional Themes
Empowering Viewers to Face Fear
Though surreal and comedic, the series serves as a gentle guide to tackle fears. For young audiences, it communicates that being afraid is normal, ridiculous scenarios can help overcome fear, and courage often begins with small, funny steps forward.
Empathy Through Visual Expression
Because the show depends on visual expression, viewers learn to interpret emotion through posture, timing, and reaction. This enhances emotional literacy and nurtures empathy without saying a single word.
Awards and Global Reach
Critical Recognition
The initial series won multiple awards, including Best Children’s Program at the Asian Television Awards, Kidscreen Awards, and Australian Academy Awards for animation and design.
International Availability
Episodes of both series have aired in more than 100 countries and platforms like Hulu, Netflix, BBC Canada, Cartoon Network Latin America, and iTunes ð. In Canada, the show appeared on Family Channel and CHRGD.
Why the Series Stands Out
Dialogue-Free Storytelling
Few children’s shows are entirely dialoguefree. This creative risk allows it to be universal, engaging audiences across language barriers and age groups.
Unique Animation Style
The blend of gothic visuals, comedic timing, and unusual characters offers a quirky charm. Critics and parents alike have praised its distinctiveness and emotional warmth.
Leaning into Universality and Humor
Figaro’s phobias range from ordinary (clowns, heights) to bizarre (foul odors, ghosts), making the show appealing through both relatable fear and imaginative fun. Episodes often pack multiple short scenarios tied together in a tight comedic pace.
Season 2 Summary at a Glance
- Aired from 2015 to 2016 as The New Adventures of Figaro Pho
- Each episode runs about 78 minutes
- Features no dialogue relying on animation, music, and sound
- Centers around facing phobias in imaginative adventures
- Produced in Australia by Chocolate Liberation Front, Screen Australia, ABC, and Luma Toons
- Awardwinning and distributed globally on platforms like Netflix and Hulu
The New Adventures of Figaro Pho builds on the charm of its original series with bold creative vision, imaginative stories, and no spoken words. Figaro’s quirky phobia-driven escapades and the loyal presence of his robotic dog Rivet offer both comedy and heart. The show excels through visual storytelling, universal appeal, and genuine empathy for fear. Whether you’re watching for tearsoflaughter, spooky whimsy, or simple bravery, Figaro Pho’s world remains unforgettable for audiences of all ages.