SpongeBob SquarePants – Characters & Collectibles
Its creator was a marine biologist. And that explains more than you might imagine.
Techbox, Thessaloniki
The marine biologist who made the cartoon
Stephen Hillenburg did not begin as an animator. He was a marine biologist, and he taught.
To make his lessons more engaging, he drew comics featuring sea creatures. SpongeBob emerged from those sketches.
That is why Bikini Bottom is populated by real marine animals: a sponge, a starfish, an octopus, a crab, a snail, plankton.
Even the most absurd joke rests on genuine biology.
The series began in 1999. Hillenburg died in 2018, but the world he built carries on.
Who is who
The yellow sponge in square trousers. He cooks at the Krusty Krab.
The pink starfish. His best friend – and the most guileless.
The turquoise octopus with the long nose. Permanently exasperated.
The red crab, SpongeBob's boss. Devoted to money.
The squirrel in a diving suit. A scientist from Texas.
The tiny green villain, and the snail who meows like a cat.
If you do not know what to choose: SpongeBob is always safe. But Patrick sells almost as well – and the two are often bought together.
The new film
In December 2025 the fourth theatrical film arrived – The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.
It took $169 million against a $64 million budget – clearly profitable.
Mark Hamill – Luke Skywalker himself – voices the Flying Dutchman.
The story: SpongeBob sets out to prove he is brave, following a legendary ghost pirate into the deepest reaches of the ocean.
It has been available on Paramount+ since February 2026.
Why it sells to adults too
SpongeBob is a children's cartoon. But it has something very few children's cartoons have: its memes became a global language.
Surprised Patrick. Mocking SpongeBob with the alternating capitals. The imagination rainbow. Millions of people use these daily who have not watched an episode in twenty years.
In practice for the shop: this is why adult t-shirts and mugs sell so well here. The buyer is not buying "a children's thing" – they are buying a joke everyone understands.
What to choose
- Plush: SpongeBob and Patrick – often bought together.
- Figures & Funko POP: the whole Bikini Bottom cast.
- T-shirts: with the classic memes – these work on adults.
- Mugs & desk items: among the most popular categories here.
- School gear: backpacks, pencil cases, water bottles.
See also Ninja Turtles and the Minions – the same humour, the same audience.
Frequently asked questions
- Who created SpongeBob?
- Stephen Hillenburg, who was a marine biologist before becoming an animator. He drew comics featuring sea creatures for his students, and the character grew out of those.
- Which character is the pink starfish?
- Patrick, SpongeBob's best friend. The turquoise octopus is Squidward, the red crab is Mr. Krabs, and the snail that meows is Gary.
- Was there a new film?
- Yes, in December 2025. It took $169 million, and Mark Hamill voices the Flying Dutchman. It has been on Paramount+ since February 2026.
- Is it only for children?
- No. The SpongeBob memes – surprised Patrick, the imagination rainbow – are used daily by adults. T-shirts and mugs sell strongly to older buyers.
- Where can I find SpongeBob products in Thessaloniki?
- At the Techbox store (Al. Papanastasiou 100) and online at techbox.com.gr. You can order online and collect from the store with no shipping cost.
