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{{Infobox
{{Infobox
|above = '''Johan Sebastiaan Kwak'''
|above = '''Johan Sebastiaan Kwak'''  
|abovestyle  = background: #9fd8f9;
|subheader = Character
|subheader = Character
|image = [[Image:Johan Sebastiaan Kwak.jpg|200px|alt="Johan Sebastiaan Kwak"]]
|image = [[Image:Johan Sebastiaan Kwak.jpg|200px|alt="Johan Sebastiaan Kwak"]]
| header1 = Johan in [[Alfred J. Kwak Episode 1|Episode 1]]
| header1 = Johan in [[Alfred J. Kwak Episode 1|Episode 1]]
| label2        = Species
| label2        = Species
| data2        = Duck
| data2        = [[:Category:Duck_Character|Duck]]
| label3        = Birthplace
| label3        = Birthplace
| data3        = [[Breed Rietland]]
| data3        = [[Breed Rietland]]
Line 15: Line 16:
| data6        = Johan Kwak
| data6        = Johan Kwak
| header11 = <hr /> Name in different languages
| header11 = <hr /> Name in different languages
| label12        = Dutch Name
| label12        = Dutch name
| data12        = Johan Sebastiaan Kwak
| data12        = Johan Sebastiaan Kwak
| label13        = Japanese Name
| label13        = Japanese name
| data13        = ヨハン・クワック (Yohan Kuwakku)
| data13        = ヨハン・クワック (Yohan Kuwakku)
| label14        = German Name
| label14        = German name
| data14        = Johann Kwak
| data14        = Johann Kwak
| label15        = English
| label15        = English name
| data15        = Johan Quack
| data15        = Johan Quack
}}
}}


Born in [[Groot Waterland]], '''Johan Sebastiaan<ref group="note">His middle name was revealed in the book [[De wonderlijke avonturen van de eend Alfred Jodocus Kwak: Goedemorgen]]. This is likely in reference to [[wikipedia:Johann Sebastian Bach|Johann Sebastian Bach]].</ref> Kwak''', son of '''Robert Kwak''' and '''Marjolein Kwak''', is the father of the main protagonist of the series, '''[[Alfred Jodocus Kwak]]''' as well as [[Alfred's brothers and sisters|six other ducklings]]. He's married to '''[[Anna van de Polder]]''' and close friends with '''[[Henk de Mol]]'''.<ref name="Ep1">{{CiteAJKep|1}}</ref> Johan, his wife, and six of his children get run over by '''[[A. Rokodil]]''' and '''[[Olaf Nijlpaard]]''' while crossing a road on their way to [[Groot Waterland]]<ref name="Ep2">{{CiteAJKep|2}}</ref>.  
'''Johan Sebastiaan<ref group="note">His middle name was revealed in the book [[De wonderlijke avonturen van de eend Alfred Jodocus Kwak: Goedemorgen]]. This is likely in reference to [[wikipedia:Johann Sebastian Bach|Johann Sebastian Bach]].</ref> Kwak''', son of '''Robert Kwak''' and '''Marjolein Kwak''', is the father of the main protagonist of the series, '''[[Alfred Jodocus Kwak]]''' as well as [[Alfred's brothers and sisters|six other ducklings]]. Born in [[Breed Rietland]], he's married to '''[[Anna van de Polder]]''' and close friends with '''[[Henk de Mol]]'''.<ref name="Ep1">{{CiteAJKep|1}}</ref> Johan, his wife, and six of his children get run over by '''[[Alfons Rokodil]]''' and '''[[Olaf Nijlpaard]]''' while crossing a road on their way to [[Groot Waterland]]<ref name="Ep2">{{CiteAJKep|2}}</ref>.  


==Appearance==
==Appearance==
Line 33: Line 34:


==Personality==
==Personality==
Johan is initially portrayed as a scatterbrained daydreamer who enjoys leading an uneventful life. Described as a free spirit, Johan is characterized by his loyalty to his friends, which is demonstrated by the importance he places on fulfilling his promise to [[Henk de Mol]] to meet in spring. Upon meeting [[Anna van de Polder]], Johan becomes nervous and anxious, immediately developing a crush on her. Shortly thereafter, he exhibits a hint of vanity, ensuring that he looks and smells fresh before attempting to court Anna again.
Johan is initially portrayed as a scatterbrained daydreamer who enjoys leading an uneventful life. Described as a free spirit, Johan is characterized by his loyalty to his friends, which is demonstrated by the importance he places on fulfilling his promise to [[Henk de Mol]] to meet in spring. Upon meeting [[Anna van de Polder]], Johan becomes nervous and anxious, immediately developing a crush on her. Shortly thereafter, he exhibits a hint of vanity, ensuring that he looks and smells fresh before attempting to court Anna again.<ref name="Ep1">{{CiteAJKep|1}}</ref>


Johan's loyalty to his family is illustrated by the determination he displays in recovering the egg that has fallen from the nest. He becomes angry on two occasions: first at [[Henri Dropshot]] and [[Johnny Hollyday]] for attempting to court Anna, and later when their pasture is threatened with destruction by the [[Beton Maatschappij]].
Johan's loyalty to his family is illustrated by the determination he displays in recovering the egg that has fallen from the nest. He becomes angry on three occasions: first at [[Henri Dropshot]] and [[Johnny Hollyday]] for attempting to court Anna, when [[Schor de Kraai]] berates Anna and his eggs, and later when their pasture is threatened with destruction by the [[Beton Maatschappij]]. With Schor de Kraai he holds a longstanding mutual-grudge. [[Schor de Kraai]] considers the color of Johan's feathers repulsive and views Johan's friendship with [[Henk de Mol]] as an aberration. Fortunately, Johan's moments of anger are balanced by the joy he experiences in his relationship with [[Anna van de Polder]] and the love and protectiveness he feels for his children<ref name="Ep1">{{CiteAJKep|1}}</ref><ref>{{CiteBook|DRO}}''Page89''</ref>.
 
Johan can apparently play the [[wikipedia:contrabass|contrabass]]<ref>{{CiteBook|MUZ18}} ''He's seen playing the [[wikipedia:contrabass|]] on the cover of this book''</ref>.


==Storyline==
==Storyline==
As spring has reached [[Breed Rietland]] and the [[Plaspoelpolder]] where Johan Sebastiaan Kwak lives, he meets up with his long time friend [[Henk de Mol]] as they had promised. When the topic comes up on marrying he says that he's definitely not ready for things like that. Then he hears the sound of [[Anna van de Polder]] singing. Henk introduces him and Johan falls in love. He's anxious and stumbles over his words and before Anna could really get to meet him, he runs off.<ref>{{CiteBook|DRO}} ''Page 79''</ref>  
As spring arrives in [[Breed Rietland]] and the [[Plaspoelpolder]] where Johan Sebastiaan Kwak resides, he meets his long-time friend [[Henk de Mol]] as they had promised. When the topic of marriage arises, Johan states that he is definitely not ready for such commitments. Shortly after, he hears the sound of [[Anna van de Polder]] singing. Henk introduces them, and Johan falls in love. Nervously stumbling over his words, Johan becomes overwhelmed and runs off before Anna has a chance to get to know him.<ref>{{CiteBook|DRO}} ''Page 79''</ref>
[[File:Mpvsnap 2024-10-27 0002 EDIT.png|thumb|right|300px|Johan hands [[Anna van der Polder]] a bouquet on their wedding day.]]
[[File:Mpvsnap 2024-10-27 0002 EDIT.png|thumb|right|300px|Johan hands [[Anna van de Polder]] a bouquet on their wedding day.]]
The next day he hears her singing again and quickly freshens up before finding [[Henri Dropshop]] and [[Johnny Hollyday]] trying to court Anna. Johan gets angry, but before he can do anything Henri and Johnny get into a fight and Anna is open. He brings her some flowers, some of which she was seen carrying before, and he gets a little kiss as a reward.<ref>{{CiteAJKep|1}}</ref>
 
The following day, he hears Anna singing again and quickly freshens up before approaching her. He finds [[Henri Dropshot]] and [[Johnny Hollyday]] attempting to court Anna. Johan becomes angry, but before he can intervene, Henri and Johnny start fighting, leaving Anna open to talk. Johan brings her some flowers, including ones he had previously seen her carrying. Anna rewards him with a small kiss.<ref>{{CiteAJKep|1}}</ref> 
 
Soon after, Johan and Anna become a couple and eventually marry. Their small wedding includes Henk as Johan's witness and the great-great-great-grandmother of [[Amanda de Vlinder]] as Anna's witness.<ref>{{CiteBook|WW1}} ''Page 18''</ref><ref>{{CiteBook|DRO}} ''Page 86''</ref> 
 
The couple produces seven eggs. Johan grows extremely nervous about becoming a father, nearly having a heart attack when Henk de Mol visits to check on them. After Henk leaves and Anna steps away, Johan is left alone with the eggs. During this time, [[Schor de Kraai]] and [[Miriam Merel]] arrive to judge the eggs. Johan and Schor share a long-standing mutual disdain. [[Rap de Kiekendief]] uses this distraction to steal one of the eggs. Johan chases him, but Rap trips over Henk, causing the egg to fall into water atop [[Snel de Snoek]]. Snel swallows the egg, but Johan retrieves it from his mouth before it is digested. 


Not long after the two get together and even end up marrying. They have a small wedding, which includes Henk as Johan's witness and the great-great-great-grandmother of [[Amanda de vlinder]] as Anna's witness.<ref>{{CiteBook|WW1}} ''Page 18''</ref><ref>{{CiteBook|DRO}} ''Page 86''</ref>
The egg hatches into Johan and Anna's first-born, [[Alfred Jodocus Kwak]]. The remaining six eggs hatch into [[Alfred's brothers and sisters|Josefien, Clara, Marjolein, Hans, Jan, and Robbie]]. Johan almost loses Alfred again when the duckling becomes distracted and leaves the clog, but Henk saves him. 
[[File:Mpvsnap 2024-10-23 0018 EDIT.png|thumb|right|300px|In a state of excitement, Johan kisses [[Henri Dropshot]] (left) and [[Johnny Hollyday]] (right) after [[Anna van de Polder]] gives him a kiss.]] 


The two make seven eggs. Johan is extremely nervous about becoming a father as he almost has a heart-attack when Henk de Mol arrives to check in on them. When Henk leaves and Anna has to go to the bathroom, Johan is left with the eggs. First [[Schor de Kraai]] and [[Miriam Merel]] arrived to judge their eggs. Johan and Schor go back a long time not being able to tolorate eachother.[[Rap de Kiekendief]] takes this time of distraction to steal one of Johan's eggs. He chases him, but Rap trips over Henk and the egg drops into water on top of [[Snel de Snoek]]. Snel eats the egg, but before he can digest it, Johan drags him out of the water and retrieves the egg from his mouth.  
At that moment, the entire polder shakes as construction workers begin destroying the meadow where Johan and his family live. Frustrated, Johan tries to reason with [[Olaf Nijlpaard]], who is overseeing the construction of a large theme park called [[Groot Speelgoed Land]]. Johan's pleas are unsuccessful, and when he learns that Olaf and the [[Beton Maatschappij]] have a permit to build there, he realizes there is nothing he can do.<ref name="Ep1">{{CiteAJKep|1}}</ref>


The egg hatches into Anna and his first-born, [[Alfred Jodocus Kwak]]. The other six eggs hatch into [[Alfred's brothers and sisters|Josefien, Clara, Marjolein, Hans, Jan and Robbie]]. Johan almost loses Alfred again when Alfred is distracted and leaves the clog, but luckily he was saved by Henk.
Henk convinces Johan to leave their home and emigrate to [[Groot Waterland]] to live in the miner's house of Henk's grandfather, [[Alfred de Mol]]. The entire family departs the Plaspoelpolder en route to [[Polderstad]]. Alfred becomes distracted, prompting Henk to chase after him. Meanwhile, Johan, Anna, and their six other children cross the road and are struck by a car carrying Olaf Nijlpaard and his investor [[Alfons Rokodil]].<ref group="note">In some continuities, referring to certain books or stage plays, they are hit by a truck instead. Additionally, in versions where a car carrying [[Olaf Nijlpaard]] is involved, it may sometimes carry [[Kaspar Rokodil]] instead of [[Alfons Rokodil]] likely due to an error.</ref><ref name="Ep2">{{CiteAJKep|2}}</ref>
[[File:Mpvsnap 2024-10-23 0018 EDIT.png|thumb|right|300px|In a state of excitement Johan kisses [[Henri Dropshot]] (left) and [[Johnny Hollyday]] (right) after [[Anna van der Polder]] has given him a kiss.]]
At that moment the whole polder shakes and construction workers start destroying the meadow that Johan and his family was living in. Frustrated, Johan tries to start a discussion with [[Olaf Nijlpaard]] who is the organizer of the building of a big themed park called [[Sprookjesland]]. Johan doesn't get through to him and when it turns out Olaf and the [[Beton Maatschappij]] have a permit to build here, Johan realizes there is nothing he can do<ref name="Ep1">{{CiteAJKep|1}}</ref>.
Henk convinces Johan to leave his home and emigrate to [[Groot Waterland]] and the miner's house of Henk's grandfather, [[Alfred de Mol]]. The whole family leaves the Plaspoelpolder on their way to [[Polderstad]]. Alfred gets distracted again and Henk chases after him. Just as that happens Johan, Anna and their six other children cross the road and are run over by a car carrying Olaf Nijlpaard and his investor [[Alfons Rokodil]]<ref group="note">In some continuities, referring to some books or stageplays, they are run over by a truck instead. Also, in some continuities where it is a car carrying [[Olaf Nijlpaard]] it sometimes carries [[Kaspar Rokodil]], [[Alfons Rokodil]]'s son instead, but that is likely an error.</ref><ref name="Ep2">{{CiteAJKep|2}}</ref>.


Years later, after Henk de Mol has adopted Alfred, he tells the duck about his parents<ref>{{CiteBook|DRO}}''Page 78''</ref>.
Years later, after adopting Alfred, Henk de Mol recounts the story of Johan and Anna to the young duck.<ref>{{CiteBook|DRO}} ''Page 78''</ref>


==Family Tree==
==Family Tree==
{{Alfred family tree}}
<br>


==Voice actors==
==Voice actors==
Line 110: Line 117:
File:20051025 Johan2.jpg|Johan Kwak Character Sheet.
File:20051025 Johan2.jpg|Johan Kwak Character Sheet.
</gallery>
</gallery>
Johan’s appearance was modeled after series creator [[Herman van Veen]], who also provided his voice in both the Dutch and German versions of the series. [[Marlous Fluitsma]], Van Veen’s wife, voiced [[Anna van der Polder]] in the Dutch and German versions, making Alfred’s parents portrayed by a real-life couple. Some of the lines and sounds from [[Herman van Veen]]'s Dutch portrayel were kept in the different international versions. For example in the English version of episode 1, just after Johan is kissed by Anna van de Polder the sounds he makes while he jumps up and kisses the other two ducks are taken from the Dutch version.
Johan’s appearance was modeled after series creator [[Herman van Veen]], who also provided his voice in both the Dutch and German versions of the series. [[Marlous Fluitsma]], Van Veen’s wife, voiced [[Anna van de Polder]] in the Dutch and German versions, making Alfred’s parents portrayed by a real-life couple. Some of the lines and sounds from [[Herman van Veen]]'s Dutch portrayel were kept in the different international versions. For example in the English version of episode 1, just after Johan is kissed by Anna van de Polder the sounds he makes while he jumps up and kisses the other two ducks are taken from the Dutch version.


As Herman van Veen voiced Johan Kwak using his natural voice, unlike the character voices he used for [[Krabnagel de Kater]] and [[Professor Paljas]], the songs performed by Johan in the Dutch and German versions can be interpreted as Johan’s wisdom imparted to his son, [[Alfred Jodocus Kwak]], through song.
As Herman van Veen voiced Johan Kwak using his natural voice, unlike the character voices he used for [[Krabnagel de Kater]] and [[Professor Paljas]], the songs performed by Johan in the Dutch and German versions can be interpreted as Johan’s wisdom imparted to his son, [[Alfred Jodocus Kwak]], through song.


During the initial storyboard and writing phase of the first few episodes, [[Hiroshi Saitō]], the series director, needed to be personally convinced by [[Harald Siepermann]] of the legitimacy of the reasons behind Johan and his family's immigration to a different country. Such actions were considered treasonous in Japanese culture<ref name="Blog1">{{cite web|url=https://alfredjkwak.blogspot.com/2005/10/alfred-jodocus-kwak-guten.html|title=The first spread of Guten Morgen in Pierrot|website=alfredjkwak.blogspot.com|author=Harald Siepermann|language=en|date=15 October 2005}}</ref>.
During the initial storyboard and writing phase of the first few episodes, [[Hiroshi Saitō]], the series director, needed to be personally convinced by [[Harald Siepermann]] of the legitimacy of the reasons behind Johan and his family's immigration to a different country. Such actions were considered treasonous in Japanese culture<ref name="Blog1">{{cite web|url=https://alfredjkwak.blogspot.com/2005/10/alfred-jodocus-kwak-guten.html|title=The first spread of Guten Morgen in Pierrot|website=alfredjkwak.blogspot.com|author=Harald Siepermann|language=en|date=15 October 2005}}</ref>.
In 2002, while receiving the award for [[Alfred Jodocus Kwak]] being named honorary duck of IJsselstein, Herman van Veen humorously revealed that during his youth, he would travel from Utrecht to IJsselstein to visit Johan Kwak, who was purportedly living there<ref name="Ijssel">{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date= 8 July 2002|title= Alfred J.Kwak ere-eend van IJsselstein| trans-title  = Alfred J.Kwak honorary-duck of Ijsselstein|language= nl|url= https://www.veenpers.nl/080702un.htm|url-status= live |work= Utrechts Nieuwsblad|location= Utrecht}}</ref>.
A comment made in an interview for AT, conducted when Herman van Veen received the Cuxhaven Joachim Ringelnatzpreis for poetry in 2021, might provide the inspiration for Johan's middle name. When asked which famous person he would most like to meet, Van Veen replied, "[[wikipedia:Johann Sebastian Bach|Johann Sebastian Bach]]," adding, "He is everything to me," though he acknowledged that such a meeting would be impossible<ref name="AT">{{cite news |last= Potschka |first= Jens Jürgen|date= 21 June 2021|title= „Schau, hör, schnupper..."| trans-title  = "Look, listen, sniff..."|url= https://veenpers.nl/210621at.htm|url-status= live |work= AT|location= Cuxhaven|language= de}}</ref>.


==Notes==
==Notes==
Line 125: Line 136:
[[Category:Character]]
[[Category:Character]]
[[Category:Series Character]]
[[Category:Series Character]]
[[Category:Duck Character]]

Latest revision as of 11:55, 20 June 2025

Johan Sebastiaan Kwak
Character
"Johan Sebastiaan Kwak"
Johan in Episode 1
SpeciesDuck
BirthplaceBreed Rietland
First appearanceEpisode 1
Character Model Sheet number4/1[1]
Character Model Sheet nameJohan Kwak

Name in different languages
Dutch nameJohan Sebastiaan Kwak
Japanese nameヨハン・クワック (Yohan Kuwakku)
German nameJohann Kwak
English nameJohan Quack

Johan Sebastiaan[note 1] Kwak, son of Robert Kwak and Marjolein Kwak, is the father of the main protagonist of the series, Alfred Jodocus Kwak as well as six other ducklings. Born in Breed Rietland, he's married to Anna van de Polder and close friends with Henk de Mol.[2] Johan, his wife, and six of his children get run over by Alfons Rokodil and Olaf Nijlpaard while crossing a road on their way to Groot Waterland[3].

Appearance

Johan Kwak is a yellow duck with orange beak and flippers. He usually wears a blue scarf and a blue peaked cap with a soft crown. The appearance of his scarf is slightly different on the cover of De wonderlijke avonturen van de eend Alfred Jodocus Kwak: Goedemorgen where the scarf is striped with a darker blue color, similar to Alfred Jodocus Kwak's scarf. In the Guten Morgen comic his scarf tends more towards light grey.

On both sides of his head he has three hairs. His appearance is modeled after series creator Herman van Veen. This is emphasized by the fact that in the Dutch and German versions of the series he was voiced by Herman van Veen.

Personality

Johan is initially portrayed as a scatterbrained daydreamer who enjoys leading an uneventful life. Described as a free spirit, Johan is characterized by his loyalty to his friends, which is demonstrated by the importance he places on fulfilling his promise to Henk de Mol to meet in spring. Upon meeting Anna van de Polder, Johan becomes nervous and anxious, immediately developing a crush on her. Shortly thereafter, he exhibits a hint of vanity, ensuring that he looks and smells fresh before attempting to court Anna again.[2]

Johan's loyalty to his family is illustrated by the determination he displays in recovering the egg that has fallen from the nest. He becomes angry on three occasions: first at Henri Dropshot and Johnny Hollyday for attempting to court Anna, when Schor de Kraai berates Anna and his eggs, and later when their pasture is threatened with destruction by the Beton Maatschappij. With Schor de Kraai he holds a longstanding mutual-grudge. Schor de Kraai considers the color of Johan's feathers repulsive and views Johan's friendship with Henk de Mol as an aberration. Fortunately, Johan's moments of anger are balanced by the joy he experiences in his relationship with Anna van de Polder and the love and protectiveness he feels for his children[2][4].

Johan can apparently play the contrabass[5].

Storyline

As spring arrives in Breed Rietland and the Plaspoelpolder where Johan Sebastiaan Kwak resides, he meets his long-time friend Henk de Mol as they had promised. When the topic of marriage arises, Johan states that he is definitely not ready for such commitments. Shortly after, he hears the sound of Anna van de Polder singing. Henk introduces them, and Johan falls in love. Nervously stumbling over his words, Johan becomes overwhelmed and runs off before Anna has a chance to get to know him.[6]

Johan hands Anna van de Polder a bouquet on their wedding day.

The following day, he hears Anna singing again and quickly freshens up before approaching her. He finds Henri Dropshot and Johnny Hollyday attempting to court Anna. Johan becomes angry, but before he can intervene, Henri and Johnny start fighting, leaving Anna open to talk. Johan brings her some flowers, including ones he had previously seen her carrying. Anna rewards him with a small kiss.[7]

Soon after, Johan and Anna become a couple and eventually marry. Their small wedding includes Henk as Johan's witness and the great-great-great-grandmother of Amanda de Vlinder as Anna's witness.[8][9]

The couple produces seven eggs. Johan grows extremely nervous about becoming a father, nearly having a heart attack when Henk de Mol visits to check on them. After Henk leaves and Anna steps away, Johan is left alone with the eggs. During this time, Schor de Kraai and Miriam Merel arrive to judge the eggs. Johan and Schor share a long-standing mutual disdain. Rap de Kiekendief uses this distraction to steal one of the eggs. Johan chases him, but Rap trips over Henk, causing the egg to fall into water atop Snel de Snoek. Snel swallows the egg, but Johan retrieves it from his mouth before it is digested.

The egg hatches into Johan and Anna's first-born, Alfred Jodocus Kwak. The remaining six eggs hatch into Josefien, Clara, Marjolein, Hans, Jan, and Robbie. Johan almost loses Alfred again when the duckling becomes distracted and leaves the clog, but Henk saves him.

In a state of excitement, Johan kisses Henri Dropshot (left) and Johnny Hollyday (right) after Anna van de Polder gives him a kiss.

At that moment, the entire polder shakes as construction workers begin destroying the meadow where Johan and his family live. Frustrated, Johan tries to reason with Olaf Nijlpaard, who is overseeing the construction of a large theme park called Groot Speelgoed Land. Johan's pleas are unsuccessful, and when he learns that Olaf and the Beton Maatschappij have a permit to build there, he realizes there is nothing he can do.[2]

Henk convinces Johan to leave their home and emigrate to Groot Waterland to live in the miner's house of Henk's grandfather, Alfred de Mol. The entire family departs the Plaspoelpolder en route to Polderstad. Alfred becomes distracted, prompting Henk to chase after him. Meanwhile, Johan, Anna, and their six other children cross the road and are struck by a car carrying Olaf Nijlpaard and his investor Alfons Rokodil.[note 2][3]

Years later, after adopting Alfred, Henk de Mol recounts the story of Johan and Anna to the young duck.[10]

Family Tree

Kwak/van de Polder/Wana/de Mol family tree


Alfred de MolMarjolein de Mol
Robert KwakMarjolein KwakJan "Woerd" van de PolderJosefien van de PolderHenk's parent
Johan Sebastiaan KwakAnna van de PolderJan van de Polder JuniorHenk de MolKwa WanaBlanche Wana
Clara KwakHans KwakJan KwakJosefien KwakMarjolein KwakRobert "Robbie" KwakAlfred Jodocus KwakWinnie Mandoline WanaTom Wana


Voice actors

Japanese ¦ 吉村 よう (Yō Yoshimura) ¦ ヨハン・クワック (Yohan Kuwakku)
Dutch ¦ Herman van Veen ¦ Johan Sebastiaan Kwak
German ¦ Herman van Veen ¦ Johann Kwak
English ¦ ??? ¦ Johan Quack

Appearances

TV Series

Audio

Books

Production background

Johan Kwak appears on sheet 4 of the Character- and Color-Designs for Alfred J. Kwak book, which was made in March of 1988. As per the outline Herman van Veen wrote, Johan was only set to appear in Episode 1 according to his character sheet[11], but as the incident that killed him was moved to the first half of Episode 2 he also appeared there.

Johan’s appearance was modeled after series creator Herman van Veen, who also provided his voice in both the Dutch and German versions of the series. Marlous Fluitsma, Van Veen’s wife, voiced Anna van de Polder in the Dutch and German versions, making Alfred’s parents portrayed by a real-life couple. Some of the lines and sounds from Herman van Veen's Dutch portrayel were kept in the different international versions. For example in the English version of episode 1, just after Johan is kissed by Anna van de Polder the sounds he makes while he jumps up and kisses the other two ducks are taken from the Dutch version.

As Herman van Veen voiced Johan Kwak using his natural voice, unlike the character voices he used for Krabnagel de Kater and Professor Paljas, the songs performed by Johan in the Dutch and German versions can be interpreted as Johan’s wisdom imparted to his son, Alfred Jodocus Kwak, through song.

During the initial storyboard and writing phase of the first few episodes, Hiroshi Saitō, the series director, needed to be personally convinced by Harald Siepermann of the legitimacy of the reasons behind Johan and his family's immigration to a different country. Such actions were considered treasonous in Japanese culture[12].

In 2002, while receiving the award for Alfred Jodocus Kwak being named honorary duck of IJsselstein, Herman van Veen humorously revealed that during his youth, he would travel from Utrecht to IJsselstein to visit Johan Kwak, who was purportedly living there[13].

A comment made in an interview for AT, conducted when Herman van Veen received the Cuxhaven Joachim Ringelnatzpreis for poetry in 2021, might provide the inspiration for Johan's middle name. When asked which famous person he would most like to meet, Van Veen replied, "Johann Sebastian Bach," adding, "He is everything to me," though he acknowledged that such a meeting would be impossible[14].

Notes

  1. His middle name was revealed in the book De wonderlijke avonturen van de eend Alfred Jodocus Kwak: Goedemorgen. This is likely in reference to Johann Sebastian Bach.
  2. In some continuities, referring to certain books or stage plays, they are hit by a truck instead. Additionally, in versions where a car carrying Olaf Nijlpaard is involved, it may sometimes carry Kaspar Rokodil instead of Alfons Rokodil likely due to an error.

References

  1. Siepermann, Harald; Bacher, Hans (1988). Character- and Color-Designs for Alfred J. Kwak. Duesseldorf - West-Germany.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "De eieren". Alfred J. Kwak. Season 1. Episode 1. April 3, 1989. TV Tokyo.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Het verjaardagsfeestje". Alfred J. Kwak. Season 1. Episode 2. April 10, 1989. TV Tokyo.
  4. van Veen, Herman; Holzhaus, Hanneke (1991). De Droom van Alfred Jodocus Kwak [The Dream of Alfred Jodocus Kwak] (in Nederlands). Soest, the Netherlands: Harlekijn, Westbroek. ISBN 9063860862. Page89
  5. van Veen, Herman (1990). De Kwak-liedjes: de leukste liedjes uit de eerste 12 delen (van de TV serie) Alfred J. Kwak [The quack songs: the funnest songs from the first 12 parts (of the TV series) Alfred J. Kwak] (in Nederlands). Soest: Harlekijn, Westbroek. ISBN 9789063860837. He's seen playing the [[wikipedia:contrabass|]] on the cover of this book
  6. van Veen, Herman; Holzhaus, Hanneke (1991). De Droom van Alfred Jodocus Kwak [The Dream of Alfred Jodocus Kwak] (in Nederlands). Soest, the Netherlands: Harlekijn, Westbroek. ISBN 9063860862. Page 79
  7. "De eieren". Alfred J. Kwak. Season 1. Episode 1. April 3, 1989. TV Tokyo.
  8. van Veen, Herman (1989). De wonderlijke avonturen van de eend Alfred Jodocus Kwak: Goedemorgen. Artwork by Harald Siepermann & Hans Bacher. Soest: Harlekijn Uitgeverij. ISBN 9063860706. Page 18
  9. van Veen, Herman; Holzhaus, Hanneke (1991). De Droom van Alfred Jodocus Kwak [The Dream of Alfred Jodocus Kwak] (in Nederlands). Soest, the Netherlands: Harlekijn, Westbroek. ISBN 9063860862. Page 86
  10. van Veen, Herman; Holzhaus, Hanneke (1991). De Droom van Alfred Jodocus Kwak [The Dream of Alfred Jodocus Kwak] (in Nederlands). Soest, the Netherlands: Harlekijn, Westbroek. ISBN 9063860862. Page 78
  11. Harald Siepermann (16 October 2005). "The original treatment of the first TV-episode". alfredjkwak.blogspot.com.
  12. Harald Siepermann (15 October 2005). "The first spread of Guten Morgen in Pierrot". alfredjkwak.blogspot.com.
  13. "Alfred J.Kwak ere-eend van IJsselstein" [Alfred J.Kwak honorary-duck of Ijsselstein]. Utrechts Nieuwsblad (in Nederlands). Utrecht. 8 July 2002.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. Potschka, Jens Jürgen (21 June 2021). "„Schau, hör, schnupper..."" ["Look, listen, sniff..."]. AT (in Deutsch). Cuxhaven.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)