Ah, to be a toy otter...

Ah to be in school and go on field trips to that place every year... man I miss that.

I tried to go there but it was too expensive.

Narrator: Richard Kiley

We've spared no expense.

This is the kinda stuff my kid brother does.

that philippe's an awesome kid. the ideal.

In fairness, it's a really good tour.

he is only 5.

At this point I think he's still intended to be retarded, which changes the tone of the humor in this strip pretty drastically.

Philippe was never intended to be retarded! Granted, all 5 year olds are kind of retarded, though it might actually be better if they were fully retarded because at least retards don't cry or have sense enough to ask you for stuff.

I have to disagree. If you look at the original description, it describes him as a retarded otter, and I think you can tell that's what Onstad had in mind for the first run of strips. It's never explicit, but the most obvious one is when it's gross when he opens his mouth. After a handful of strips the characterization shifts and he seems much more like a little kid. I think Onstad changed his mind about what he wanted to do with the character.

I think you have a good point here. The truly funny/sad thing is that if you Google "Achewood," the site's description is still "A cartoon of modern life as lived by a retarded otter, an alcoholic tiger, and two bears."

Philippe just wanted to extend Shark Week.

I don't blame him. It's worth it.

That Aquarium is my favorite aquarium. I admire the little dude's taste.

He's listening to a tour of a place he's not in.

Yes...Hence, the irony.

Poor deprived Philippe...

it looks like philippe has too many arms

He's an otter.

That would be because of the wire connecting the headphones to the tape player.

yes i know but it still looks like he has too many!

I know, right?

man, I haven't been to the Monterey Bay Aquarium in years.

this is highly underrated

Is it sad that I'd kill to have that tape?

Whats's awesome is that the otters are my favorite part of that whole damn place. awesome.

I just noticed that the bears ears are back to the older style. Perhaps it was awhile before Chris stabilized his drawing technique?