SpongeBob SquarePants Presents The Tidal Zone


SpongeBob SquarePants Presents The Tidal Zone, referred to more simply as SpongeBob and the Tidal Zone,, is an American animated anthology television special based on the Nickelodeon animated series SpongeBob SquarePants and its corresponding franchise, branded as the SpongeBob Universe. A parody and homage to horror anthology television programs, mainly The Twilight Zone, the special comprises five episodes, being the 12th episode of the thirteenth season of SpongeBob SquarePants, the first half of the fourteenth episode of the first season of The Patrick Star Show, and the second half of the twenty-first episode of the first season of Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years. The special was announced on July 22, 2022, at Nickelodeon's San Diego Comic-Con panel, and premiered on January 13, 2023.

Premise

The Tidal Zone is a collection of stories set in the SpongeBob SquarePants universe, unified by themes of absurdity and surrealism. Each segment is introduced and concluded by the iconic French Narrator. Threaded through the special is a subplot involving GrandPat Star, who uses a time-traveling closet in an attempt to return home, making occasional appearances across the different segments.

Cast

  • Tom Kenny as SpongeBob, French Narrator, Ouchie, Slappy, Audience, Mummies, Virtual Pedestrians, SpongeBot, Mirror SpongeBot, RoboGary, Pedestrian Robots, Boy Camper #1, Campers, Kid, Old Klopnodian Man, Customers
  • Bill Fagerbakke as Patrick Star, Pat-Tron, Clown, Virtual Pedestrians, Pedestrian Robots, Campers, Anchovies, Cowboy #1
  • Rodger Bumpass as Squidward, Captain Doug Quasar, Daddy Dartfish, Audience, Mummies, Virtual Pedestrians, SquidBot, SquidBot Twin, Pedestrian Robots, Elwood, Campers, Mysterious Voice, Demon, Townsfolk #1, Customers
  • Clancy Brown as Mr. Krabs, RoboKrabs, Pedestrian Robots, Customers
  • Carolyn Lawrence as Sandy Cheeks, Girl, Sandroid, Pedestrian Robots, Girl Camper, Campers
  • Mr. Lawrence as Plankton, Rubedor, Teensy Tom, PlankBot, RoboLarry, RoboRube, Pedestrian Robots, Skateboard Camper, Boy Camper #2, Campers, Anchovies, Cowboy #2
  • Jill Talley as Karen, Squidina Star, Mommy Dartfish, Audience, Mummies, Virtual Pedestrians, Pedestrian Robots, Campers
  • Lori Alan as Pearl
  • Dana Snyder as GrandPat Star, Audience Member, Audience, Mummies, Virtual Pedestrians, Hot Dog Vendor, Pedestrian Robots, Campers, Customers
  • Cree Summer as Bunny Star, Sister Dartfish, Virtual Pedestrians
  • Thomas F. Wilson as Cecil Star, Audience, Mummies, Virtual Pedestrians
  • Dee Bradley Baker as Tinkle, Bubble Bass, Kevin C. Cucumber, Anchovies
  • Patrick Pinney as Painty the Pirate
  • Dashiell McGaha-Schletter as Kids
  • Zoe McGaha-Schletter as Kids

Release

The special was announced at Nickelodeon's San Diego Comic Con panel on July 22, 2022. It was originally scheduled to air on November 25, 2022, but it was delayed for unknown reasons. Instead, that slot was taken by the television premiere of The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run. On December 13, 2022, the special was rescheduled to January 13, 2023. It was later included on the SpongeBob SquarePants: The Complete Thirteenth Season DVD as well as the Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years - Season 1, Volume 2 and The Patrick Star Show: Season 1, Volume 2 DVD sets.

Reception

David King of BubbleBlabber.com called the special decent, saying that "It's hard to believe a long-running franchise like this hasn't had anything like this that isn't a Halloween special. I give it points for creativity at least for 'out-weirding' itself, and given the popularity that SpongeBob has obtained for decades, I have the feeling we might get more of these in the future."