The announcement that Spongebob Squarepants and friends are getting another movie has produced a range of tribute art, yet this collection from XiaozuoZ, an artist in Hubei Province, China, is perhaps one of the most exciting. It re-imagines the silly sea creatures in human form, something children have probably wondered about at one point or another. Taking on an anime sort of style, Spongebob Squarepants and friends still maintain certain characteristics that made them such a hit to begin with.
For instance, the titular character himself is dressed in the usual white shirt and red tie whereas Patrick Star sports pink hair and a Hawaiian getup. Although Spongebob Squarepants and friends look much more sophisticated and, strangely enough, very sexy, it is interesting to see another person's take on the franchise.
Humanized Sea Creature Cartoons
Spongebob Squarepants and Friends Get a Realistic Makeover
Trend Themes
1. Humanized Cartoon Characters - The trend of re-imagining popular cartoon characters in a more realistic and human-like form presents a unique opportunity for artists and animators to create fresh content and merchandise.
2. Anime-inspired Art - The popularity of anime-style art in re-imagining cartoon characters presents a disruptive opportunity for artists to create new iterations of beloved characters while also expanding the art form itself.
3. Nostalgia Reimagined - The trend of giving nostalgic characters a modernized makeover has the potential to not only reintroduce classic characters to a new generation but also create new revenue streams for established franchises.
Industry Implications
1. Entertainment Industry - Cartoon reboots and iterations provide opportunities for the entertainment industry to refresh existing franchises and expand their target audience through licensing and merchandise.
2. Art Industry - The rise in popularity of cartoon character art provides opportunities for artists to create unique and new merchandise and commissions for fans.
3. Animation Industry - The trend of re-imagining popular cartoons provides opportunities for animators to create fresh content for online streaming platforms and potentially generate new franchises.