First airing in mid-2019, Matt Braly's Amphibia quickly became a smash hit thanks to its quick-witted dialogue, humor, animation, and storytelling. Largely following the adventures of 13-year-old Anne Boonchuy after she and her friends, Sasha Waybright and Marcy Wu, were pulled into the alternate world of Amphibia, the series finds her befriending the many humanoid and sentient frogs who live there, namely the Plantar Family.

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Throughout Anne's journey, she and her companions, allies, and enemies all go through self-evaluations, life lessons, and even trauma. There's no shortage of strong character development in the series, which became an integral part of the show's appeal.

10 Anne Learns Bessie's History

Bessie happily screeching as Anne encourages her

Despite being in a new world filled with dangerous unknowns, Anne often acts brashly when she's confident in herself. It's one of her most defining traits, but it doesn't always pay off. The Plantar family largely travels with the use and help of Bessie, a snail Hop Pop has had for many years. Hop Pop is fine with Anne 'driving,' Bessie, but only after reading through the entirety of her story—which he wrote himself.

Anne is impatient and bored with the story at first, taking Bessie out for a joyride with Sprig, though Bessie stops moving and slips inside her shell. While Sprig tries to go for help, Anne reluctantly continues to read Bessie's story and is unable to put it down. Finding newfound respect for Bessie, Anne is able to make her cooperate just in time to save them both from wild and monstrous hedgehogs. It sets Anne up to continue to learn and grow throughout the series.

9 Hop Pop Sacrifices His Money To Keep His Integrity

Hop Pop holding the first version of Plantar's Potion

Hop Pop's finances often come up during episodes, and despite his hard work as a farmer, he feels that he's unable to provide enough for his family. He would often sell vegetables at a stall in Wartwood, until the episode "Plantar's Last Stand," when the taxes on his stall were unfairly heightened to the point where he couldn't afford to keep it open. He started to sell 'Plantar's Potion,' a fruit juice that he and Anne promote as "health-improving" as well as a myriad of other fantastical side-effects, such as living forever.

The success starts to go to Hop Pop's head and he almost resorted to selling literal garbage before his most loyal customer, Sadie Croaker, reminded him that his honesty had always been the most important thing to her and her family. Unable to keep up the façade, Hop Pop reveals the truth, gives all the money he earned back to his customers, and loses his stall.

8 Anne Makes A Stand Against Sasha

Anne and Sasha Clashing Swords For The First Time

Because Anne, Sasha, and Marcy were separated when they were pulled into Amphibia, most of what the audience gathers about their dynamic happens in flashbacks. While at first subtly built, it becomes pretty clear that Sasha had a tendency to manipulate Anne and Marcy in order to get her way. Everything comes to a head when Anne and Sasha are reunited in the final two episodes of Season 1.

Sashawho had become the 1st lieutenant of the Toad Army and second-in-command to Captain Grime—aids Grime in deceiving Anne and the frogs of Wartwood into coming to a banquet at Toad Tower, where Grime intends to execute Hop Pop for enticing rebellions against the Toads in Frog Valley. Sasha nearly succeeds in manipulating Anne to allow it to happen, but with help from Sprig, Anne finally stands up to Sasha and fights back.

7 Andrias Betrays Marcy & The Group

King Andrias with his sword standing above Anne and the Plantars

As king of Amphibia, Andrias rules from the city of Newtopia, and outwardly appears as a kind and benevolent monarch. Still, from his introduction, there were hints that he had a hidden agenda involving Sasha, Anne, and Marcy, and there were moments where his more casual and fun-loving side would take a backseat and he would present himself as calm and calculating.

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When Sasha and Grime's rebellion is squashed and Andrias reclaims the Music Box once more, he reveals that his stories about his past as a great explorer were false and that he'd actually been a conqueror. He tells Anne, Sasha, and Marcy that he can't allow them to return home, as they'd warn everyone about his incoming invasion. It's rather chilling to see him fully reveal himself, and successfully set himself up to be the main antagonist of Season 3.

6 Hop Pop & Anne Build Their Friendship

Hop Pop looking unamused and Anne looking giddy

There's not a specific incident where this particular event occurred and was instead something that built over time through the first season. Hop Pop (and for a small amount of time, Polly) is fearful/distrustful of Anne despite Sprig's almost immediate friendship with her. Even after Anne proves herself, she and Hop Pop tended to bicker and disagree on almost disagree on everything.

However, as the two get to know each other, they realize how similar they are to one another, and the two eventually reach a much more respectful and caring relationship. It's a good way to establish tension between the protagonists and help each grow as their own individual person.

5 Marcy Breaks Down Over Her Actions

Anne and Sasha learn the truth from Marcy in Disney's Amphibia

Following Andrias' revelations and betrayal, Anne and Sasha immediately begin to look at Marcy in a different light. It turns out that Marcy knew that the music box could have sent the three into Amphibia, and secretly hoped it would happen so she wouldn't have to move away from Sasha and Anne.

It's hard to watch as Marcy's voice begins to crack and she goes into hysterics, tears flowing down her face as she pleads for Anne to understand her point of view. Marcy solemnly states that she did everything so that she "wouldn't be alone," which is exactly how she ended up. It's a powerful and heart-wrenching scene that fully exposes Marcy's inner thoughts and true intentions.

4 Anne, Sasha, & Marcy Re-Establish Their Friendship

Sasha and the Sharps performing onstage

As the series progressed, it became clear that Anne, Sasha, and Marcy didn't have the healthiest dynamic as a friend group. Sasha—and to some extent, Marcy—would often manipulate Anne to do things like skipping school or stealing. There doesn't seem to be any malicious intent behind Sasha and Marcy's actions before they came to Amphibia, and it's a very real situation for teenagers to find themselves in. They're simply inexperienced with relationships.

After Sasha and Grime reappear in the episode "The Third Temple," it takes some time for Anne to accept them. Anne, Marcy, and Sasha confront the dynamics of their relationship through "The Third Temple," and the subsequent episodes "The Dinner," and "Battle of the Bands." Though there were some minor hiccups, Sasha eventually realizes that if she allows those she cares about to be in control of themselves, she's able to show her affection through her support.

3 Hop Pop Admits Anne Is Part Of His Family

Hop Pop trying to apologize to Anne

When Hop Pop was first introduced, it was established that he was very overprotective of his grandchildren—especially since their parents were killed. He is initially distrustful and fearful of Anne because of her recklessness and because she's human, as Hop Pop didn't quite understand what humans were capable of. Over time, however, Hop Pop came to fully respect and trust Anne.

Their relationship hit a bit of a snag when Anne discovered that Hop Pop hid and lied about the Calamity Box, prompting Anne to leave the Plantar Farm. Hop Pop eventually sets out to find Anne in order to explain himself. He tells her that he was only trying to protect his family and that he hid the Box because he knew it was dangerous and didn't want Sprig and Polly to get hurt. However, he goes on to state that Anne had become part of his family as well, and that he hurt her by lying to her. It's a full-circle moment for the cast of protagonists and cements the loving relationship between Anne and The Plantars.

2 Sasha Realizes How Badly She's Treated Anne (& Marcy)

Sasha realizing her mistakes

After Anne bests Sasha in combat, Grime goes back on his word and fully intends to feed Hop Pop to a giant venus flytrap. Wally Ribbiton—a friend and ally of Anne—had planted boomshrooms throughout the structure of Grime's fortress. The resulting explosion caused the entire building to start collapsing. Anne managed to grab Sasha's hand before she fell completely off the edge, and Sprig, Polly, and Hop Pop jumped in to pull the two girls up.

Seeing Anne and the Plantars risk their lives to save her, Sasha realized that she was going to get them killed if she continued to hold on. She solemnly states that "maybe you're [Anne] better off without me." With watering eyes, Sasha let go of Anne's hand and fell. Though she was saved from her death by Grime, Sasha's realization and subsequent resolution opened up the possibility for a redemption arc.

1 Sprig & Anne Bond Over Their Relationships With Their Mothers

Anne comforting Sprig as he's about to cry

Ever since Anne and Sprig met, their friendship became one of the core elements of the series. Their shared curiosity and energy sent them on countless adventures together, and their relationship became one of loving brother and sister. While there are plenty of times that their bond with each other is showcased, nothing beats the ending of the episode "Hopping Mall."

The two had entered a competition to win a teapot for Anne's mother, and though they won, Anne ultimately gave the teapot to its creator's daughter. Later that night in their hotel, Sprig finds Anne solemnly looking over the balcony. Anne reveals she misses seeing her mother, wanting to hear her sing again. Sprig talks about how he never knew his mom, and wonders if he can truly miss someone he never knew. Anne hugs him and the two begin to cry, and it serves as both a fitting end to the episode and the perfect showcase of their friendship.

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