Frogs and toads feature rather heavily in literature, from the works of the Brothers Grimm, to popular children’s TV shows. They are protagonists and antagonists, primary characters and secondary characters. They are feared enemies and loved icons even though in popular culture ‘frog’ and ‘toad’ can be insults. Here is a list of ten of the most noteworthy frog characters from a variety of media.

1. Kermit

The most famous frog character of all, Kermit was part of The Muppet Show since its inception (and he began life in Sesame Street), though in his earliest appearances he was actually a lizard-type creature until the production team settled on a frog. He is a gentle and noble character and has been the protagonist in many of their film projects (including playing Bob Cratchit in the Muppets Christmas Carol). He is iconic as the character who introduces the Muppet Show. In the 2012 film, he attempted to assemble the old crew in order to save their old set.

2. Robin

The nephew of Kermit, he appeared in most of the Muppets’ run. He is a young boy frog and his best friend is the ogre character Sweetums. Robin is best known for singing the smash hit song ‘Halfway down the stairs’. Most notably he was Tiny Tim in the Christmas Carol movie, therefore playing Kermit’s son and not his nephew. Amusingly, in the Muppet Babies animated series, Robin appears as a tadpole (as all the characters play younger versions of themselves).

3. Frogger

The earliest video game to feature a frog character as its protagonist was this highly popular video game from the 1980s. The aim of the game was to get Frogger through a variety of obstacles include a road with fast-moving cars, across a stream with various traps (such as alligators, snakes and otters) and racing against the clock. The game is still incredibly popular today with updated versions, freeware and shareware spin offs. It is said that by the mid 2000s it had sold 20 million copies in all its guises!

4. Trevor

In Harry Potter, each student has a magical pet. Harry has an owl, Hermione has a cat and Ron has a rat that turns out not to be what it seems. Trevor is the toad pet of their bungling friend and supporting character Neville Longbottom. A running gag through the books is that Neville keeps losing Trevor. Poor Trevor is the subject to many experiments by the teachers. Professor Snape wanted Neville to test a potion on his toad and Professor Flitwick demonstrates a levitation charm on the creature.

5. Prince Charming

The story of The Frog Prince is one of the most identifiable fairy tales from The Brothers Grimm. It tells the story of a spoilt princess who drops a magic ball into a pond which turns the titular frog into a handsome prince. In modern retellings (and something that has passed into the modern understanding), he is transformed when she kisses him. All modern versions and spinoffs have used this plot device. The story has been spoofed and reimagined for every generation because of its timeless story of finding true love.

6. Pan’s Labyrinth Unnamed Creature

The dark fantasy Pan’s Labyrinth from director Guillermo Del Toro is set in Civil War era Spain. Young Ofelia relocates to rural Spain following the death of her father. Her new stepfather is a brutal Captain of General Franco. While there she discovers a strange insect which she believes to be a fairy. The fairy leads her to a labyrinth where she is given a set of tasks by a faun. One of these tasks is to feed three stones to a giant toad which lives in a dying tree in order to retrieve a key which is in its stomach. Not only does she retrieve the key, but the death of the creature permits the tree to blossom again.

7. Mister Toad

Mister Toad of Toad Hall features in the popular children’s book The Wind in the Willows. He is the local land owner and a bit of an untrustworthy character, incredibly narcissistic and looks down on most of the other characters. He is a dangerous character and would these days might be classified as a sociopath. He is in some ways a lovable rogue because he is aware of his narcissism and sometimes feels guilty for it. He is the most iconic frog/toad character in literature.

8. Hypnotoad

Futurama is a much-celebrated animated science fiction series with a cult following all over the world. It often spoofs many well-known science fiction stories. Hypnotoad is a large creature that can hypnotise anyone to do anything. It has large, pulsating eyes and emits a high-pitched noise. It first appeared in the episode ‘The Day the Earth Stood Stupid’ and begins its plan to take over the world by winning a pet show.

9. Toad

The Animals of Farthing Wood began its franchise as a highly successful book series in the 1970s. Originally released as two books, subsequent publications condensed the volumes into one book. The Toad character acts as a guide for the others. He is boisterous and rather loud, and discovered the park in which the books are set after he was caught in a jam jar. He is nearly killed several times but escapes only to be killed much later by Bully ‘ the leader of the rats.

10. Baron Silas Greenback

He is the primary villain in the highly successful children’s comedy thriller series Danger Mouse. Kind of spoofing James Bond, Baron Greenback has a pet white, fluffy caterpillar called Nero which he strokes maniacally. In some episodes it is suggested that Nero is the brains behind the villainy. It is never clear whether Greenback is a toad or a frog, he is referred to as both throughout the series. He suffered a trauma as a child when bullies stole his bicycle and let his tyres down. This was the catalyst that led to his life of crime.

Conclusion

With a mix of heroes and villains, iconic and lesser-known characters, frogs and toads feature heavily in literature, television and in film. The above list represents some of the best examples of the amphibians in popular fiction.