Frogs have always held a special place in our hearts. Beyond their calm, happy-looking faces and appealingly round statues, perhaps it’s their amphibious, versatile natures that also make them such staples across pop culture.
In fact, some of our very favorite characters from film, TV, video games and toy franchises are frogs, all embodying different aspects of what makes them so beloved. If you have an all-time favorite pop culture frog, keep scrolling to discover where they land on this list.
9. Slippy Toad
When we think of frogs in video games, Slippy Toad from Nintendo’s Star Fox series is one of the first characters to come to mind. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have the best reputation in the world. Despite being a genius mechanic who can fix just about anything and also analyze enemies to spot their weaknesses, he’s best known for getting himself into trouble. It seems he’s always in a pinch in battle, requiring rescue from Fox, and we even know people who just let Slippy get taken out just so they don’t have to hear him whining.
(Super Smash Bros. for Wii U via Nintendo)
8. Hypnotoad
Hypnotoad, a creature from the Futuruma series, is recognizable for its strange, ever-changing and mutating eyes and droning croak, with the power to make others do its will. Over the years, it’s become a recognizable character, but we’re not falling prey to Hypnotoad’s hypnotic powers and ranking it any higher than this!
(Futurama via Fox)
7. Sprig Plantar
Disney Channel’s Amphibia was on the air for three seasons, showcasing the adventures of a human girl named Anne Boonchuy who gets transported to the magical amphibious world of Amphibia and meets her new best friend, a frog called Sprig Plantar. Sprig is energetic, curious and fun-loving, but his quest for adventure and impulsiveness frequently gets him in trouble. He yearns to do the right thing, even if that’s not always easy for him, and while he rubs some fans the wrong way, we’ll always adore him.
(Amphibia via The Disney Channel)
Also read about: 11 Punny Instagram Captions for All of Your Adorable Frog and Toad Pics
6. Greninja
Greninja is far from the only frog-like Pokémon, but it’s certainly become one of the most famous, both thanks to the games and the anime series and films based on them. It’s even iconic enough to be a playable character in the Super Smash Bros. franchise. Ash’s Greninja, in particular, has its own signature look and a was one of his most loyal companions for a good part of his adventure, even if it didn’t stand out much personality-wise.
(Pokémon the Series: XY via TV Tokyo)
5. Jason Funderburker
Jason Funderburker the frog manages to be one of the most memorable characters of Over the Garden Wall, in big part because of how much Gregory loves him. Adding to the appeal, he’s also the narrator of the story, sometimes breaking out into song—and even playing the piano. More than 10 years after its airing in 2014, he’s one of the first things we think of when we imagine the cult classic series.
(Over the Garden Wall via Cartoon Network)
4. Frog
The Frog and Toad book series dates back to 1970, so we’ve been familiar with the classic titular duo for our entire lives. Now that it’s also a series on Apple TV+, we’ve managed to fall in love with it even more. Frog, the green one of the duo, is the extroverted one, always looking for the next adventure and the chance to have some fun. He’s an optimist who finds joy in the little things in life, and he’s extremely loyal to Toad.
(Frog and Toad via Apple TV+)
Also read about: These Very Wise Kermit the Frog Quotes Also Make Great Instagram Captions
3. Keroppi
Sanrio’s famous frog, Keroppi, is another character who’s been prevalent all our lives. Like Hello Kitty, this sweet, sporty and sensitive green frog never seems to go out of style, and you’re bound to find plenty of cute green Keroppi merch at any Sanrio store or other marketplace specializing in cute characters from Japan. Even if you don’t know Keroppi by name, chances are that you recognize him from his design.
(Kero Kero Keroppi no Daibouken via Character Soft)
2. Princess Tiana
There’s no denying that The Princess and the Frog‘s Princess Tiana is an icon, whether she’s in human or frog form. She’s brilliant, talented and hard-working, with extremely high standards for herself, and precisely the ambitions she needs to reach her wildest dreams. Ironically, we’d consider ranking her higher if she spent a little less time as a frog, because it’s incredible seeing powerful women of color in the role of a Disney princess.
(The Princess and the Frog via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
1. Kermit the Frog
And finally, if there’s one pop culture frog that reigns supreme—and has done so since his first introduction in 1955—it’s Kermit the Frog of The Muppets. Despite being shy and not loving the spotlight, he’s a natural-born leader who always knows how to steer the other Muppets in the right direction. He’s generally patient and polite, as well as extremely kind, and when he does blow a fuse, it’s always well-deserved. He’s also a musician whose performances rarely fail to bring a tear to our eyes.
(The Muppet Movie via Universal Pictures)
Obsessed with all things amphibious? If frogs are your favorite animals, we bet you’ll be able to relate to THESE things.
