Octonauts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Octonauts |
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Left to right: Kwazii, Barnacles, and Peso
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| Genre | Children Animation Action Adventure |
| Created by | Meomi: Vicki Wong & Michael C. Murphy |
| Written by | Gabe Pulliam Carin Greenberg Allan C Neuwirth |
| Directed by | Darragh O'Connell Henry Lenardin-Madden (uncredited) |
| Creative director(s) | Stephen Robinson |
| Voices of | Simon Greenall Rob Rackstraw Paul Panting Keith Wickham Jo Wyatt Teresa Gallagher Michael C. Murphy |
| Theme music composer | Darren Hendley |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom Ireland |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 4 |
| No. of episodes | 116 + 12 specials (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Kurt Mueller Stephanie Simpson Cathal Gaffney Darragh O'Connell Jackie Edwards (CBeebies) |
| Producer(s) | Adam Idelson Karen Ialacci Gillian Higgins Theresa Mayer Julie Abecassis Andrew Peters Brian Gilmore |
| Running time | 11 minutes 23 – 72 minutes (specials) |
| Production company(s) | Chorion (2010–2012) Silvergate Media (2012–2021) Brown Bag Films (2010–2018) Mainframe Studios (2020–2021) |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBeebies |
| Original release | 4 October 2010 – 30 March 2021 |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | Octonauts: Above & Beyond |
Octonauts is a popular children's television series that takes viewers on exciting underwater adventures. It was created by Vicki Wong and Michael C. Murphy, based on their children's books. The show is about a team of eight brave animal adventurers who live in an amazing undersea base called the Octopod.
From their Octopod home, the Octonauts explore the ocean and rescue sea creatures in trouble. They use a fleet of cool aquatic vehicles to help them. Even though their technology is fictional, the animals and places they visit are based on real marine life and their natural homes. The show is known for mixing action and adventure with learning about the ocean, much like Star Trek meets Jacques Cousteau.
The first four series of Octonauts were animated in Ireland by Brown Bag Films. Later, Mainframe Studios in Canada took over the animation for the fifth series. A new spin-off show, Octonauts: Above & Beyond, was released on Netflix in 2021. In this new series, the Octonauts explore land-based habitats, not just the ocean.
Contents
Meet the Octonauts: Main Characters
The Octonauts are the main team of adventurers who live and work on the Octopod.
| Name | Role | Animal | Voice Actor | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnacles | Captain | Polar bear | Simon Greenall (speaking) Ross Breen (singing) |
Captain Barnacles is the brave leader of the Octonauts. He can drive any vehicle and is super strong. Even though he's brave, he doesn't like small, enclosed spaces. His famous lines include "Octonauts, let's do this!" and "Sound the Octo-Alert!" |
| Kwazii | Lieutenant and Creature Expert | Cat | Rob Rackstraw | Kwazii is a daring cat with a mysterious pirate past. He believes in many sea monsters and loves driving the Gup-B super fast. He sometimes says, "Shiver me whiskers!" |
| Peso | Medic | Penguin | Paul Panting (UK) Wayne Grayson (US) |
Peso is the kind medic of the Octonauts. He might get scared easily, but he becomes very brave when someone needs help. He has a younger brother named Pinto. His catchphrase is "Flappity flippers!" |
| Inkling (Prof.) | Oceanographer and Founder | Dumbo octopus | Keith Wickham | Professor Inkling is a smart octopus who brought the Octonauts together. He wanted them to explore the oceans and have adventures. He often says, "Fascinating!" |
| Shellington (Dr) | Biologist | Sea otter | Keith Wickham | Dr. Shellington is a sea otter and a biologist. He helps the Octonauts learn about sea creatures. He's not the best driver, but he's very knowledgeable. He often exclaims, "Jumping jellyfish!" |
| Tweak | Engineer | Rabbit | Jo Wyatt Jaimie Kelton (US, season 1) |
Tweak is a clever rabbit who works in the launch bay. She invents amazing vehicles and gadgets like the GUP-X and GUP-S. She often calls Captain Barnacles "Cap." |
| Dashi (Previously Sauci) | Computer programmer and photographer | Dog (Dachshund) | Teresa Gallagher (UK) Mary Murphy (US, seasons 1–4) Jenny Yokobori (US, "The Caves of Sac Actun"-present) |
Dashi is the Octonauts' photographer and computer expert. She takes care of all the tech on the Octopod. She's also a skilled surfer. |
| Tunip | Chef and Gardener | Vegimal | Michael C. Murphy | Tunip is a special creature called a Vegimal. He's half-tuna, half-turnip! He loves making kelp cakes and working in the greenhouse. Tunip is innocent and always eager to help. He speaks "Vegimalese." |
Meet the Vegimals
Vegimals are unique creatures that are part animal and part vegetable. Dr. Shellington found them as eggs on the side of the Octopod. He brought them into his lab, and they hatched a few days later. They quickly became an important part of the Octonauts crew.
Vegimals mostly speak their own language, "Vegimalese," which sounds like chirps and warbles. They can also speak a little English. Shellington is the only Octonaut who understands Vegimalese well.
| Name | Mix of | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Albachoy | half-bok choy and half-albacore | |
| Barrot | half-bass, half-carrot. | He can go super fast when there's an emergency. |
| Carprika | half-paprika and half-carp | |
| Charchard | half-chard and half-char | |
| Codish | half-cod, half-radish. | He can be a bit clumsy and sometimes causes accidents. |
| Grouber | half-grouper, half-tuber. | He is big and can eat almost anything. |
| Halibeet | half-beet and half-halibut | |
| Maccoli | half-broccoli and half-mackerel | |
| Perchkin | half-pumpkin and half-perch | |
| Pikato | half-tomato and half-pike | |
| Tominnow | half-minnow, half-tomato. | She is the smallest Vegimal but is also very daring. |
| Tunip | half-tuna, half-turnip. | He is one of the main characters and the Octonauts' chef. |
| Salepeño | half-jalapeño and half-salmon | |
| Sharchini | half-zucchini, half-shark | |
| VegiBot | a vegimal robot | |
| Wallabaga | half-rutabaga and half-walleye | |
| Yamchovy | half-anchovy and half-yam |
Other Characters You Might See
The Octonauts also meet many other interesting characters during their adventures.
| Name | Animal | Relationship to Octonauts |
Description | First Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calico Jack | Cat | Kwazii's grandfather | A famous pirate whose stories are often told. He later makes an appearance in the show. | Special 3 |
| Pinto | Penguin | Peso's little brother | A young penguin who visits the Octopod. He first wanted to be a pirate but then decided to be a medic like Peso. | Season 1 – Episode 24 (24) |
| Sandy | Sea turtle | Friend | A good friend of Tweak. Sandy is known for swimming long distances. | |
| Boris | Narwhal | Friend | A friend of Captain Barnacles from when he was young. Boris lives in the Arctic. | |
| Pearl | sea otter | Shellington's married sister | Pearl recently had a baby named "Periwinkle." | The Urchin Invasion |
| Bianca | polar bear | Captain Barnacles' twin sister | Special 7 | |
| Orson and Ursa | polar bear | Bianca's cubs. Captain Barnacles' niece and nephew | Special 7 and season 4 – episode 7 (99) | |
| Professor Natquik | Arctic fox | Captain Barnacles's old friend | A polar explorer who loves to explore rivers under the ice. | Special 8 |
| Tracker | Polar Bear | Special 8 | ||
| Ranger Marsh | Rabbit | Tweak's father | A park ranger who explores swamps. | Episode 9 |
| Koshi | Dog (Dachshund) | Dashi's little sister | Season 4 – Episode 17 (109) | |
| Squirt | Dumbo Octopus | Professor Inkling's Nephew | Squirt lives in an underwater mountain called a 'sea mount'. | Season 1 - Episode 52 |
Amazing Octonauts Vehicles
The Octonauts use many cool vehicles, called GUPs, to explore the ocean and help creatures. Each GUP has a special purpose and is designed for different missions.
| Vehicle | Purpose | Looks Like | First Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Octopod | The Octonauts' main home base. It's the biggest vehicle and can travel almost anywhere. | Giant octopus | "The Whale Shark" (Season 1, episode 1) |
| GUP-A | A propeller-powered vehicle, Captain Barnacles' favorite. It can be made faster or given extra lights. | Anglerfish | "The Whale Shark" (Season 1, episode 1) |
| GUP-B | Kwazii's favorite and the fastest GUP. It's a turbo sub that can even jump out of the water! | Tiger shark | Intro Credits, but fully in "The Undersea Storm" (Season 1, episode 2) |
| GUP-C | A strong vehicle with a towline. It can pull heavy things like an elephant seal or even the Octopod itself. It can also break ice. | Blue whale | Intro Credits, but fully in "The Undersea Storm" (Season 1, episode 2) |
| GUP-D | Tweak's favorite multi-purpose vehicle. It has claws, drills, and six legs for different tasks. | Manta ray (or a crab when legged) | Intro Credits, but fully in "The Crab and Urchin" (Series 1, episode 3) |
| GUP-E | The green ambulance GUP. It has a tank to carry water for creatures with gills. | Guppy | Intro Credits, but fully in "The Orcas" (Season 1, episode 7) |
| GUP-F | The very first GUP prototype, powered by pedals. It was later turned into an artificial reef. | Clownfish | The Speedy Sailfish (Series 1, episode 10). |
| GUP-G | A vehicle that can travel in water and on land, just like a salamander. It has strong legs and a tank for carrying large sea creatures. | Salamander | In the book "The Octonauts & the Growing Goldfish" and in The Caves of Sac Actun (10th special). |
| GUP-H | A helicopter used to fly above the sea and watch animals. | Dragonfly | The Poison Dart Frogs (Series 4, episode 1) and The Caves of Sac Actun (10th special). |
| GUP-I | A tough vehicle and polar exploration station, great for icy areas. | Water bear | Operation Deep Freeze (8th special). |
| GUP-J | A small, super-fast hovercraft. | Tree frog | Only in the toys made for the series. |
| GUP-K | A vehicle that is half-air-boat and half-tank. It can float on the surface and was used to save Tweak's hometown. | Crocodile or alligator | The Great Swamp Search (9th Special) |
| GUP-L | A seaplane that can fly and land on water. | Flying fish | Only in the toys made for the series. |
| GUP-M | A rugged three-wheeled buggy with a sidecar. It's designed for exploring muddy swamps. | Mudskipper | The Caves of Sac Actun (10th special) |
| GUP-O | A jet ski that moves like an orca whale, with a moving tail. | Orca whale | Only in the Season 4 end credits & the toys made for the series. |
| GUP-P | A first-response emergency vehicle and medical station. It has an X-Ray machine and a special hatch for rescuing creatures. | Parrotfish | Octonauts and the Great Barrier Reef (11th Special) |
| GUP-Q | An undersea exploration vehicle for search and rescue, especially in dark caves. It has a flat head with searchlights. | Hammerhead shark | The Caves of Sac Actun (10th special) |
| GUP-R | Designed for rescue missions both in and out of water. It has a dorsal fin and wings. | Sailfish | Only in the toys made for the series. |
| GUP-S | An amphibious vehicle for exploring the Antarctic. It can split into two parts: an underwater Octo-Shuttle and a snowmobile called the Octo-Sled. | Swordfish or narwhal | The Over Under Adventure (6th Special) |
| GUP-T | A rescue rover that travels on the seafloor with rotating wheels. It has cannons that shoot sanitizing slime to clean up pollution. | Sea pig | Only in the toys made for the series. |
| GUP-U | An agile vehicle that can travel fast and stand tall for a better view. | Frogfish | Only in the toys made for the series. |
| GUP-V | A vehicle designed by the Vegimals using recycled materials. | Train | A Very Vegimal Christmas (5th Special) |
| GUP-W | A mobile medical center designed to help endangered coral reefs. It has a ramp that can also launch other GUPs. | Whale shark | Octonauts and the Great Barrier Reef (11th Special) |
| GUP-X | A strong, armored tracked vehicle. It can split into three sections: a glider, an 'Octo-Ski', and its main section. | Horseshoe crab | The Great Christmas Rescue (Series 1, episode 52) |
| GUP-Y | A deep-sea excavation vehicle with long arms for lifting and scooping materials. | Yeti crab | Only in the toys made for the series. |
| Mega GUP-Z | A special vehicle for volcanic areas, made from five smaller Z-GUPs. It can even turn into a robot! | Vent shrimp Mantis shrimp (robot form) |
The Octonauts Movie: The Ring of Fire |
| Deep Sea Octolab | A movable base for studying the deepest parts of the ocean. It's dome-shaped and stands on springy legs. | N/A | The Mariana Trench Adventure (4th Special) |
| Octo Servicing Station | A scaffold built on the seabed to fix up the Octopod and build new GUPs. | N/A | Season 4 and The Great Arctic Adventure (7th Special) |
The Octonauts Books
The Octonauts TV show is based on a series of children's books. These original books were written and illustrated by Meomi (Vicki Wong and Michael C. Murphy). They were first published in the US in 2006.
Some of the original book titles include:
- The Octonauts & the Only Lonely Monster, about a Giant Squid.
- The Octonauts & the Sea of Shade, where everyone's shadows go missing.
- The Octonauts & the Frown Fish, about a sad-looking catfish.
- The Octonauts & the Great Ghost Reef, which teaches about coral bleaching.
- The Octonauts Explore the Great Big Ocean, about finding Tunip the Vegimal's home.
- The Octonauts & the Growing Goldfish, about a giant goldfish named Dunkie.
There are also shorter books based on individual TV episodes. These books have "As seen on TV" on their covers and are not by Meomi.
The Octonauts TV Series
The Octonauts TV show first aired in the UK on October 4, 2010, on the BBC channel CBeebies. It was made using CGI animation. Each episode is about 11 minutes long.
In the US, The Octonauts started airing on the Disney Channel in January 2012. Some character voices were changed for the American version. For example, Peso and Pinto got Spanish accents.
The show became very popular around the world. By season 4, it was shown in over 100 countries! This includes Ireland, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, China, and Russia. The series has also been translated into many languages like French, Spanish, Finnish, Welsh, and Slovakian.
Marine biologists Dr. Lara A. Ferry-Graham and Dr. Michael H. Graham helped make the series accurate. They also worked on the movie Finding Nemo.
Episodes and Adventures
Each 11-minute episode of The Octonauts features the team meeting a real sea creature. They explore amazing underwater places. Often, they need to learn something important about the creature to help it or themselves. Captain Barnacles, Kwazii, and Peso are usually the main characters in these stories.
The show's opening theme song ends with the Octonauts' motto: "Explore! – Rescue! – Protect!"
List of The Octonauts episodes
Creature Reports: Learning with Music
At the end of many episodes, there's a "Creature Report." These are short, musical songs that recap the facts learned about the sea creature from that episode. In the UK, these reports were shown separately. However, in the American version, they were included right after each episode.
These catchy Creature Reports are thought to be good for kids. They help children feel a sense of predictability and happiness. For adults, the songs can get stuck in their heads in a fun way!
Where to Watch Octonauts
You can watch seasons of The Octonauts on various streaming services.
Streaming Services
| Service provider | Where it's available | What you can watch |
|---|---|---|
| ABC iView | Australia |
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| Netflix | Worldwide |
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| Stan | Australia |
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Awards and Recognition
Octonauts has won several awards for being a great children's show.
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | British Academy Children's Awards | Pre-School Animation | Octonauts | Nominated |
| 2013 | International Emmy Award | Kids-Preschool | Nominated | |
| 11th Irish Film & Television Awards | Children's/Youth Programme | Won | ||
| British Academy Children's Awards | Pre-School Animation | Nominated | ||
| 2017 | 45th Annie Awards | Best Animated Television Production | "Operation: Deep Freeze" | Won |
| 2018 | British Academy Children's Awards | Pre-School Animation | Octonauts | Nominated |
Octonauts Movies
The Octonauts also have their own movies!
- In 2020, The Octonauts Movie: The Caves of Sac Actun was released on Netflix. It takes place in underwater caves in Mexico.
- Also in 2020, The Octonauts & the Great Barrier Reef was released. This one is a musical!
- In 2021, The Octonauts Movie: The Ring of Fire came out on Netflix in the United States.
Spin-off Adventures
The world of the Octonauts has expanded beyond the TV show and books.
- There's an Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure at the Alton Towers theme park in the UK.
- You can also find Octonauts themed bedrooms at the CBeebies Land Hotel.
- A live show called Octonauts Live has toured in the U.S. and other countries.
- An Octonauts app was launched for iOS devices in 2016.
A new spin-off series, Octonauts: Above and Beyond, started in September 2021. In this show, the Octonauts explore and help animals in land habitats like forests and deserts, not just the ocean!
Images for kids
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Left to right: Kwazii, Barnacles, and Peso
See also
In Spanish: Octonautas para niños
