a color story: spongebob and patrick
iconic duo with their own official colors
I found this 2019 article.
Nickelodeon's collaborated with Pantone and released two colors, SpongeBob Yellow and Patrick Star Pink.
What does it take for fictional characters to have their own colors? Why was Patrick Star in the mix?
The show was legendary; I could still hear the intro's melody.
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?
Spongebob Squarepants!
......
The network, Nickelodeon had some great cartoons like Hey Arnold, Rugrats, Fairly Odd Parents, and Jimmy Neutron. But, SpongeBob SquarePants was in a lane of its own. I remembered watching a Korean dubbed version when I visited my cousins in South Korea; it was an international hit.
For those poor viewers who never entered the world of SpongeBob SquarePants, it's about a sponge who lived in a pineapple under the sea at the town, Bikini Bottom. Instead of a pet cat, he had a pet snail, Gary. SpongeBob worked as a fry cook at the Krusty Krab with his boss Mr. Krabs (money money money money).
Despite SpongeBob's average joe lifestyle, he lived an interesting life. He never passed a test at his local driving school. His neighbor and colleague, Squidward was annoyed by our main protagonist's upbeat life attitude. One of his friends was a squirrel with an astronaut suit and she lived in a dome.
It was, however, SpongeBob's relationship with Patrick Star that stole the show.
Patrick was rarely employed, overweight, but highly supportive of SpongeBob. Patrick lived under a rock beside his best friend. The show's creator, Hillenburg studied marine biology and based Patrick's behavior off in real life. Like a sea star, Patrick did not have a brain but a complex nervous system.
The two together were hilarious. Patrick would often give terrible advice to SpongeBob and they would often get into fights. Furthermore, the two would go on various adventures together. Their epic adventure featured as the debut movie; Patrick "helps" SpongeBob clear the Mr. Krabs' name for stealing King Neptune's crown of ocean. I remembered throwing up after watching the movie; I had too many slices of pizza.
Like all deep friendships, the honeymoon stage ends and all we see is the fighting and bickering. It is, however, the loyalty that is left. I like to call it Best Friend Forever territory or short for BFF. SpongeBob and Patrick embodies the BFF spirit (in their own ways of course).
Young viewers and adults related to the silly antics between SpongeBob and Patrick. The universal appeal to the show was based off the two, not just SpongeBob. We all have a soft spot for the two together.
Like the universal appeal towards colors, the dynamic between SpongeBob and Patrick could be understood by both young and older viewers. The collaboration between Nickelodeon and Pantone made sense.
An image of yellow sea sponge and a pink star appeared in the Smithsonian Magazine's article. It felt staged but I couldn't help myself and asked. "What are these two up to now?".
I imagined a familiar tune.
Are you ready, kids?
Aye, aye, Captain!
I can't hear you!
Aye, aye, captain!
Oh!
"Who lives in a Pineapple under the sea"
SpongeBob SquarePants! (And Patrick)