From October 1999 to July 2003, otterpops.com was the home of a band website (though this isn't The OtterPops, a 1988 Sacramento band--folks just like the name!).

From August 2003 to February 2017 the Otter Pops official website was stylised as a home of the “Otter*Popstars” with lots of cute extras on the page. In March 2017 the site changed to reflect the new 100% fruit juice option, introducing new characters (as part of a commitment to bring gender equality to character mascots) and revamping all bios. There was another design change in February 2020, bringing the site to where it is now.

The bios for the characters from both primary versions of the site have had no typos corrected.

Otter Pop Members

Original Otter*Popstars

Poncho

August 2003-February 2017

Full Name: Poncho Punch

Instrument: Guitar/Vocals

Poncho has been delighting audiences with his guitar-playing and Latin charm since his first guest appearance on the Mexican soap opera, Fruta De Pasíon. He became a world-wide sensation when his debut solo album went platinum virtually overnight. Poncho continued his rise to super-stardom after forming the Otter PopStars, and is now the object of admiration for millions of fans both young and old. Besides his commitments in the music world, Poncho is the spokesman for several charities and is currently developing a line of comfortable sleep-wear.

  • Favorites Things:
    • Answering his fan mail
    • Sun-bathing by the pool
    • Signing autographs
  • Pet Peeves:
    • Broken guitar strings
    • Artificial plants
    • When they're out of sardines in the green room

March 2017-Present

Poncho Punch is a brilliant song writer and musician on a quest to discover the world’s most unusual musical instruments. And there are a ton of them! He prefers acoustical instruments but doesn’t shy away from the occasional electronic oddity. Being a global music ambassador who celebrates diversity and the rhythm of fun is important to him.

When not strumming his guitar at Kook’s dinner parties, or accompanying Lil, Poncho hits the road for adventure, visiting cultures far and wide and making great friends everywhere he goes. “Hola, amigo!” Being multi-lingual helps on his quest. He speaks fluent English and Spanish, and sometimes uses both in the same sentence. In other words, Poncho speaks Spanglish. ¡Hay música en todas partes!

As Poncho dives into every culture on Earth, he explores their customs, their dances, and their traditional-wear aka how they fiesta! As Poncho plays their wonderful instruments in jam sessions galore, he records his beats and brings them home to DJ Tropicool who mixes them into hit dance songs.

Lil

August 2003- February 2017

Full Name: Little Orphan Orange

Instrument: Vocals

Lil grew up in an orphanage in the backwaters of Lake Erie. Literally. There she learned the importance of self-reliance and a positive attitude when facing life's hardships. Lil's big break came when her outstanding voice and plucky, street-smart spirit made her the winner of the Otter PopStars' nationwide Talent Search. "I'm just happy to be one of life's little creatures," says Lil, "The chance to share my joy with the world is more than I ever dreamed of." Talk about being Otternally grateful.

  • Favorite Things:
    • Her dog Melon Collie
    • Roller Skating
    • Talking with friends on the phone
  • Pet Peeves:
    • Complainers
    • Litterbugs
    • Long lines at the ice cream parlor

March 2017-Present

Little Orphan Orange likes to be called Lil and she wants you to know that she’s not frowning, that’s just how she smiles! With Melon Collie by her side, she smiles a lot. Especially when she paints his toenails pink. It tickles, and Melon Collie’s laugh is infectious. These two are quite a pair. They crack each other up and always see the good in others.

A true lover of all animals, Lil may be small but her heart is as big as an elephant. She spends her days helping animals in need, and spends her nights singing them to sleep. She has a lovely voice, and likes to accompany Poncho Punch on his guitar.

Innocent and kind, Lil sees the world through pure kid logic. With her adorable chalky-sounding voice, she asks the questions that all kids want answered. Does the tooth fairy visit a shark a thousand times? How do you give a fish a bath? Do fancy cats use glitter boxes? Her friend and mentor, Strawberry Short Kook, says, “Yes, fancy cats do use glitter boxes.” And Kook should know. She works in ottertainment.

Louie

August 2003-February 2017

Full Name: Louie-Bloo Raspberry

Instrument: Upright Bass

Louie is a Jazz poet whose book of verse The Sweet Raspberry of Yesterday and Other Poems has been translated into twelve languages including Beaver and Cockatiel. Originally from New Otterleans, Louie met the Otter PopStars when they were just a band of street musicians playing for clams and rocks outside "Café Le Bloo" - the spot where Louie does his best writing. Their music touched him so deeply that he put down his pen, grabbed his upright bass and immediately joined in the fun. A friend to nature and all it's creatures, Louie can often be found cultivating his window box garden of purple snap dragons and bandaging up the bite marks on his fingers.

  • Favorites Things:
    • Watching the waves crashing upon the shore
    • Estuaries
    • A warm café olé in the morning
  • Pet Peeves:
    • Confrontation
    • Oil spills
    • People who don't know what an estuary is.

March 2017-Present

Louie-Bloo Raspberry is a gentle soul, with a lilting French accent who says, “Follow your heart because there’s art in it.” He’s a creative genius with his own web channel where he shows us how to make everything from cool T-shirt designs, to glow-in-the-dark bikes, and hand-crafted sweet nothings.

This guy is a true innovator who sees art everywhere and shows us that there’s more than one way to look at the world. The only thing Louie-Bloo likes more than art is Strawberry Short Kook. He doesn’t let a day go by without giving her a flower.

“Louie-Bloo Sees the Artist in You” is the title of his theme song which was written by Poncho Punch, and performed by DJ Tropicool.

Alexander

August 2003- February 2017

Full Name: Alexander the Grape

Instrument: Triangle

Alexander is the beloved host of the public television program Great Moments in Otter History. Alexander is an expert at trivia, speaks over nine hundred languages and knows the origin of every figure of speech currently in use. When the Otter PopStars appeared on his show, Alexander was convinced their music was "history in the making" and was overjoyed when he was given the opportunity to join the group as their triangle player.

  • Favorites Things:
    • Tours of ancient ruins
    • Museums
    • Olympic Sports
  • Pet Peeves:
    • Computerized gadgets with too many buttons
    • Alarm clocks
    • Bad puns

March 2017-Present

Alexander the Grape is a whimsical “odder” and wanna-be time traveler who is absolutely fascinated and overjoyed by the origin of everything. From the history of ketsup to the origin of the high-five, this toga-clad history buff knows it all! And shares it all with wide-eyed enthusiasm!

A lovebale eccentric, he wears a toga because it’s comfy and he wears a laurel wreath on his head because he won it in a trivia game where he knew that fireworks began as a cooking accident in ancient China. Wacky and wonderful, Alexander is an amazing storyteller whom the other otters love to bits. Especially Lil, DJ, and Cosmic. They love him like a favorite uncle and are glued to every word of his magical tales of yesteryear.

Anita was blown away to learn that the high-five was created by a women’s volleyball team in 1961. “Cool that!” Louie Bloo was amazed to learn that Leon-otter DaVinci created scissors. “How cutting edge!” And Major Mango absolutely adores Alexander’s voluminous tales of the Otterman Empire. “Who wouldn’t?”

Isaac

August 2003- February 2017

Full Name: Sir Isaac Lime

Instrument: Piano

Sir Isaac is a renowned British scientist and visiting professor at the prestigious Otterdam Institute. He became the keyboardist for the Otter PopStars after joining the other otters for an impromptu after-hours jam session at the Whisker A Go-Go. Sir Isaac is a seasoned concert pianist who has been "tickling the ivories" since the age of four. "I believe that music is an expression of the harmonic vibrations of the cosmos," says Sir Isaac, "And those who think otherwise are just silly."

  • Favorite Things:
    • Supernovas.
    • Sub-atomic particles.
    • The sound of his own voice.
  • Pet Peeves:
    • Fast food.
    • Mathematical innacuracies.
    • People who neglect to place a napkin on their lap during meals.

March 2017-Present

Sir Isaac Lime is a brilliant otter-space scientist and he has the British accent to prove it. A jovial supergenius who loves a good joke, Sir Isaac can unlock the mysteries of the universe but he can’t find his car keys. He’s a whimsical whiz kid in a quirky grandpa’s body with his own catchphrase, “Look for the stars in the eyes of others.”

A lifelong researcher, Sir Isaac encourages kids to keep their imaginations alive and ask every question under the sun because “life would be boring if we ran out of questions.”

With his trusty telescope, Sir Isaac brings the wonders of the cosmos into view and shares them with us through pictures. He loves making guest appearances at planetariums, and is an ardent supporter of solar power.

Brilliant, benevolent, and beloved by all, Sir Isaac is Cosmic Coconut’s #1 hero! And the feeling is mutual. Sir Isaac sees a special spark in Cosmic. He shares his research with her, and in return she shares her dreams.

Kook

August 2003- February 2017

Full Name: Strawberry Short Kook

Instrument: Drums/Vocals

For her eighth birthday, Kook received a toy drum set from her parents, who were looking for a way to keep her from wrecking the pots and pans and their last nerve. When the neighbors complained about the noise, Kook took her drums to the beach and played on the boardwalk. She was such an amazing drummer that soon everyone in town was asking, "Have you seen that crazy Kook?" "Si," said Poncho Punch, and together they formed the Otter PopStars. Despite her demure appearance, Kook is in peak physical condition, practicing both Tai Chi and non-fat frozen Yoga.

  • Favorites Things:
    • Painting, sculpture, photography
    • Fixing Desserts
    • Spelunking
  • Pet Peeves:
    • Bullies
    • Car alarms
    • Party-poopers

March 2017-Present

Strawberry Short Kook is an Otter-winning actor turned movie mogul. Now, she makes her own movies and calls the shots at her own major studio, Otternational Pictures. Kook specializes in working with strong female writers and directors, giving them a spotlight to shine.

As a child, Kook dreamed of being an actress but her road to success wasn’t an easy one. While in school, she felt left out and had low self-esteem because she was so short. But she never lost sight of her dream, and after years of waiting tables, her big break came when she landed a supporting role in a movie franchise that got huge both in the sea and on land. And the rest, as Alexander the Grape says, is history.

When Kook isn’t in the boardroom making multi-picture deals, or on the red carpet making star-studded appearances, she supports Lil’s animal rescue work, enjoys yoga classes, and loves having everyone over for dinner. But she doesn’t like to cook. She lets Louie Bloo do that. He loves to cook and he’s the best chef around.

New Otter*Pop Members

Major Mango

March 2017-Present

Major Mango heard the call of duty when she was still a pup and said, “Roger that!”

A strong female otter from the Chicago River, Major Mango has dedicated her life to helping otters in need. Respected for her tremendous bravery and her kind heart, she’s a Search and Rescue specialist – a First Responder who uses her precision parachuting skills to jump into the heart of danger and bring others to safety.

Born on the 4th of July, her favorite movies are any action flicks starring Kook and her favorite color is camouflage. She’s a lover of tradition and a modern woman rolled into one. With her high-level access to cool gadgets and a fleet of awesome high-tech vehicles, Major Mango is a kid-favorite. Partly because she’s a hero who teaches them cool secret codes, and partly because she’s a popular e-sports champ with her own gaming channel where she dominates the competition!

Cosmic Coconut

March 2017-Present

Cosmic Coconut is an enthusiastic tweenager who is ready for blast off, but hasn’t finished her training yet. Like many kids her age, Cosmic is overly-eager, and rarin’ to go, but not yet quite prepared. She’s an ordinary kid with an extraordinary dream. She aspires to be the greatest astronaut ever… to go where no otter has gone before… to find cool, new worlds that have water because otters love water.

As a quick-witted junior astronaut with a take-charge attitude, Cosmic touts her own catchphrase, “Why not?” She believes anything is possible, especially with all latest breakthroughs in science because they seem like science fiction and she loves that! A fan of sci-fi comics, space movies, and music, Cosmic downloads her favorite media directly into the control panel on her space suit. She has all of DJ Tropicool’s hits on her playlist, and rocks to them on repeat.

The only thing Cosmic loves more than space is her friends. She looks up to DJ, who’s a few years older than her, and she loves Little Orphan Orange like a kid sister.

Anita Fruit Punch

March 2017-Present

Anita Fruit Punch is a pro beach volleyball champ who is known for her amazing speed, her invincible spikes, and her rousing catchphrase, “Anita fruit punch and I need it now!”

Upbeat and confident, Anita has tons of fans, both young and old, and she always takes the time to chat with them and sign ottergraphs after matches.

A fresh water otter who hails from the mangrove swamps of South East Asia, Anita is a firm believer in achievement through practice, good sportsmanship, and the unbelievably transformative power of scrunchies…. Which, according to Alexander the Grape, were first invented in 1987 by a woman who named the invention after her pet poodle.

When Anita’s not competing for accolades, she likes to chill on the beach where she surfs, and organizes beach clean-ups, because according to her, “Happiness comes in waves.”

DJ Tropicool

March 2017-Present

DJ Tropicool is an animal on-stage. Literally! One of the top up-and-coming DJs on the scene, he’s a prodigy turntablist and MC with a baseline and light show that turns anytime and anywhere into a dance party.

Smart, charming, and entrepreneurial, DJ’s success lies in his off the charts musical abilities and his amazing coding skills. He’s an artistic pioneer, a new breed of maestro known as a live-coder who writes code for AI that mixes music into irresistible new beats for a whole new generation. This is some next-level stuff!

This cool otter pup is a good, all-around, open-source kinda guy who gladly shares his coding and mixing skills with digital natives everywhere. He’s the new creative voice in digital dance music! Just ask Anita Fruit Punch. DJ Tropicool performs at all of her volleyball tournaments, always giving her the upper edge.

[fun fact!! the dog on Tropicool's shirt is the same dog that was seen DJ'ing on the original Otter Pop(stars) site!]

Otters No Longer With Us

Rip Van Lemon

One of the original characters and was discontinued in the late 1970s to be replaced by Poncho Punch. (unsourced TV Tropes link)

Biography

Taken from a promotional item found on Pinterest: “A Real sleeper! This tart little Otter Pop is most content hibernating in freezers. Brrrrr! Or tummies, wow!

Scarlett 'O Cherry

Introduced as a drink mix flavour of Otter Ade (Gone But Not Forgotten Groceries) and then discontinued in the mid 1990s, as part of a protest against her replacing Sir Issac Lime (wikipedia link)

Otter Ages

The ages of the Otter*Pop characters are, of course, approximate and inferred from their modern character descriptions.They can be roughly separated into five age groups.

Old

  • Sir Isaac Lime

Adult

  • Alexander The Grape
  • Anita Fruit Punch
  • Louie-Bloo Raspberry
  • Major Mango
  • Poncho Punch
  • Strawberry Short Kook

Tween or Teen

  • Cosmic Coconut
  • DJ Tropicool

Child

  • Little Orphan Orange

Otter Relationships

These connections are based on the more robust character descriptions post-2017.