The Story of Dobio

The Story of Dobio is an episode of the Christian direct-to-video series VeggieTales.

It is a parody of the Osamu Tezuka manga The Ballad of Tobio and in turn the 1975 film adaptation Toby.

The Story of Dobio
Dobio Asparagus is a young street drifter who hates fighting but does so if necessary, one day he sees an old Grape named Rupert being harassed by a trio of Scallion thugs, at first he tells them to leave the guy alone to no avail, thus resorting to fighting all 3 one on one, he manages to defeat them causing the Scallions to retreat, Rupert, who runs a boxing gym, sees potential in the young asparagus so he invites him to the gym which is also his home and resorts there, he starts training under odd methods like hula hoops, roller skates, etc. eventually leading to his first professional fight with French onion Jean Belmonion, whom he easily beats.

during his training sessions he sees a young girl named Anna Carrrotonie being robbed of her bowtie from one of the Scallions, Dobio beats him and fends him off yet again, Anna soon begins a bond with Dobio, later he takes on his next fight against Big Pickle, through various tricks, outsmarts him and beats him.

Dobio's success soon gets the attention of reporter Clent Kirk for the Daily Pomegranate, whom in turns gets the attention to promoter Don Duke of York whom signs Dobio a deal to take on the undefeated champ Salvagord Havana, unsure about the challenge, Dobio later accepts it, forcing Rupert to endure a long hectic training session lasting a month, meanwhile, Anna talks to Dobio about God and how he'll be on his side no matter if he wins or loses, Dobio soon discovers the true will to take on the challenge, the day of the fight arrives as Dobio gets ready for his fight with Salvagord, when Duke meets him, Dobio says how winning isn't what's important but how you play the game, which infuriates him, threatening to throw the match until Kirk and Rupert tells Duke that the youngster has a point, letting Duke reluctantly allow him, the fight begins with Dobio knocking our Salvagord for the first time, later rounds would have Dobio still keeping up until the 15th and final round, leaving to a split decision where Salvagord keeps his title but appreciates Dobio for his effort and dedication, as Dobio and Anna embrace.

Characters

 * Junior Asparagus (as Dobio Asparagus, main character)
 * Pa Grape (as Rupert, his Trainer and adoptive father)
 * Laura Carrot (as Anna Carrotonie, Dobio's love interest)
 * Larry the Cucumber (as Clent Kirk, newspaper reporter)
 * Mr. Nezzer (as Don Duke of York, boxing promoter)
 * Annie Onion (as Jill Takeshi, Anna's friend)
 * The Scallions (as the Mad Scallion gang, troublesome street thugs)
 * Apollo Gourd (as Salvagord Havana, undefeated champion)
 * Goliath (as Big Pickle, cameo)
 * Bob the Tomato (Countertop only)

Songs

 * VeggieTales Theme Song
 * Rise to the Top (style parody of Going the Distance from Disney's Hercules)
 * Best friend Anna (style parody of Sara by Starship and other soft ballads)
 * What We Have Learned

Moral

 * Never get involved in the wrong crowd, especially in sports

Trivia

 * Carl Andy, director of the 1975 film version makes a voice cameo as a Jazz beatnik.

Real World References

 * Various Tezuka references parodies appear,
 * Tezuka himself appears in Veggiefied form as a passing civilian.
 * Junior/Dobio is seen reading an Astro Carrot comic, this is a parody of Astro Boy.
 * a Veggified version of Black Jack appears.
 * Kimba the White Lion appears as a mascot.
 * Don Duke of York is a parody of Don King and is a pun on the Duke of York title.
 * Clent Kirk is a play on Clark Kent, the alter ego of Superman.