Spongebob Squarepants is Nickelodeon’s longest running series. Since 1999, that yellow sponge has brought smiles to kids all around the world, some of whom are now adults. The series has earned 19 total Kids’ Choice Awards, 13 of which have been consecutive in the Best Cartoon category.

In addition to critical success, the series also has a total of 248 episodes in the original series, which is still on the air. However, the recent success of Kamp Koral: Spongebob’s Under Years, a spin-off of the original series, has sparked a new wave of under the sea entertainment. A second spin-off series, entitled The Patrick Star Show has also been released. In addition, three new spin-offs are in the works for Paramount+ (including a Sandy Cheeks movie) and another theatrical film.

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However, the question arises why this particular franchise continues to grow in popularity. How is this character and series as a whole so beloved and relevant more than two decades later?

Streaming

With the streaming world becoming so popular, SpongeBob SquarePants can be re-watched and binged over and over again. Paramount+ houses all of Nickelodeon’s cartoon content, most notably everything in or around Bikini Bottom. With every episode available at the touch of a button, fans can relive the series, or see it for the first time. The streaming market allows for an easily ascertainable input of content to view at any time. With that, the viewership numbers continue to climb. Nevertheless, with the streaming world and outcry for more and more, it comes as no surprise that the expansion of the world under the sea has been released and continues to grow.

The Wacky, Whimsical World

The world inside and outside of Bikini Bottom is filled with fun, yet strange, twists and turns. The animation team has created color pallets and character designs that are highly recognizable, but also aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The vibrant colors attract the viewer as one would be attracted to a painting.

In addition to the visuals, the soundtrack is also unique to the series, combining Calypso with indie music and sea shanties. With these elements melded together in collaboration, the world of SpongeBob SquarePants is one of a kind. However, a world is nothing without its inhabitants… and they are truly original.

The Characters

     Paramount Home Media Distribution

The characters in Spongebob Squarepants are some of the most iconoclastic and unique in television history. Spongebob is and has always been a great representation of childlike innocence. The shining optimism and ear to ear smiles brings the heart and soul to the series. Tom Kenny has been the voice of this lovable sponge since the series debut, delivering that iconic laugh that fans could recognize without seeing an animated frame.

What this series truly benefits from is a contrast of characters. With Spongebob’s youthful whimsy comes Squidward’s ill temperament and pretentious ego, along with Mr. Krabs’ obsession with capitalism and competition. These characters clash with one another to create constant conflict, and conflict is what makes a series flourish.

The series is filled with contrasting characters. Take Patrick Star and Sandy Cheeks, a lovable oaf of a starfish in a room with a brilliant scientist. The series amusingly brings these characters in scenes together one on one, making for some of the most notable quotes in the series history:

Sandy - “Don’t you have to be stupid somewhere else?”

Patrick - “Not until four.”

Stephen Hillenburg

The late creator of SpongeBob SquarePants deserves enormous accolades for his contribution to animated television. Stephen Hillenburg wanted to bring his passion for marine life to the small screen, to which he eventually did in stride. With a background in marine biology, he had quite the repertoire and credibility to helm a series about underwater life. Not only proficient in science, he was also a brilliant animator.

Making animated films allowed the door to open, leading to Nickelodeon. Crossing paths with the network at the peak of 90s animation, Hillenburg was able to direct episodes of Rocko’s Modern Life, a popular animated series at the time. His prominent success there was the catalyst for the journey that led Hillenburg to bring his passions together and to the eyes of millions. His passion is what made the show so special from the very beginning. The key to a series success is to have a showrunner who truly cares about the material. His legacy continues after his death in 2018.

New and Old Audiences

What makes SpongeBob SquarePants such a special series is that its long-lasting run continuously brings forth new audiences. Viewers who grew up with early seasons can show their children the series, which has become even easier in the streaming world. Those audiences utilize social media (memes, gifs, etc.) in a way related to the series. The show is aging with its original audience, who are becoming more and more ingrained into the digital world, where SpongeBob memes and references are massively popular. Nevertheless, SpongeBob SquarePants continues to thrive thanks to the continued admiration from millennial fans.

Consistency

     Nickelodeon Animation Studios

The series has maintained a consistency, meaning it has always been there. From 1999 onward, there has never been a time when SpongeBob SquarePants has not been around in some way, and, while every show has hits and misses, the overall quality of SpongeBob has never dropped far. With theme Parks, merchandise, children’s books, and even clothing, the series maintains a tremendous amount of relevance to our society. Notable scenes and lines of dialogue can be seen on popular apps like TikTok and Instagram. It grows with the rest of the world in a natural, symbiotic way which no other children’s series has before.