The True Name of the Frog in “The Night Riders” Revealed: ‘Mystery’
Matt Furie’s debut publication, The Night Riders, introduces readers to a surreal, wordless world inhabited by four distinct characters: a frog, a rat, a dragon, and a bat- or rat-like creature. Through enchanting illustrations, these creatures embark on a dreamlike journey, yet their names are left unspoken, leaving readers to speculate about their identities. However, recent evidence points to an intriguing revelation — the frog’s true name is, in fact, “Mystery.”
Uncovering the Frog’s True Name
Without words to confirm the characters’ identities, fans have long debated their names. But a breakthrough comes from a subtle yet significant clue found on the endnotes page of The Night Riders. Here, Furie dedicates the book to several names: “In memory of Wat, Thanks, Aiyana, Fox, Mystery, Toki, and Hoodrat.” Upon investigation, we can identify some of these figures:
• Wat and Fox were Matt Furie’s beloved pet rats.
• Aiyana is Furie’s partner.
• Mystery, Toki, and Hoodrat stand out as mysterious names associated with the four characters in The Night Riders.
Given these details, it’s reasonable to infer that the remaining three names correspond to the book’s four main characters: the frog, the rat (inspired by Wat), the dragon, and the bat/rat-like creature.
Deciphering the Identities
Let’s begin by matching what we know. The rat character is almost certainly based on Furie’s pet rat, Wat. “Toki,” a name that, in Japanese, can be associated with dragons, likely corresponds to the dragon in The Night Riders. This leaves two names — Mystery and Hoodrat — and two remaining characters: the frog and the bat-like creature.
A logical deduction suggests that “Mystery” is the name of the frog. The alternative, that the frog would be named “Hoodrat,” is unlikely, especially considering the bat/rat-like creature’s rodent-like appearance, which aligns more naturally with the name “Hoodrat.”
Subtle Visual Cues
Furie’s own connection to the frog character strengthens this interpretation. In a video segment where he discusses The Night Riders, he narrates over images of the frog and rat riding a bike — a scene that transitions to footage of Furie and his daughter cycling through their neighborhood. This visual parallel hints at a personal identification between Furie and the frog, further supporting the idea that the frog embodies a figure close to him, possibly even an alter-ego.
The Case for “Mystery” as Furie’s Alter-Ego
Furie’s connection to the name “Mystery” isn’t limited to The Night Riders. In his HEDZ NFT collection, Furie introduces a character named Mystery, portrayed in an orange hood. This character, an enigmatic figure, seems to represent an extension of Furie himself. Naming the frog in The Night Riders “Mystery” not only aligns with Furie’s artistic persona but adds layers of meaning to the frog as a reflective and central figure in his creative universe.
Final Evidence: The Dedication Order
The dedication order offers a final clue, mirroring the order in which the characters appear in the book: “Wat, Mystery, Toki, and Hoodrat.” This sequence directly aligns with the four main characters, suggesting the following associations:
• Wat: The rat
• Mystery: The frog
• Toki: The dragon
• Hoodrat: The bat/rat-like creature
Conclusion
Through a blend of visual storytelling, personal connections, and subtle hints, Matt Furie leaves breadcrumbs leading us to believe that the frog in The Night Riders is, indeed, named “Mystery.” Not only does this name capture the enigmatic nature of the character, but it also reveals a deeper connection to Furie himself, adding a layer of intrigue to this dreamlike tale. With all signs pointing toward “Mystery,” it’s hard to see the frog as anything else.
