Essential Amphibia Viewing Before Season Three

 By Hope Mullinax

With season three of Amphibia just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to revisit the essential episodes of the first two seasons. I’ve discussed Amphibia before and why it’s one of the best shows on television right now. I’m so excited to see where the series takes us.

For this list, these episodes are the ones that I deemed the most important through the season two finale “True Colors.” This said I have no idea what season three will bring! An earlier episode might seem like the dreaded word “filler,” but it might have significant importance later like “Wally and Anne.”

And I must say that there is no such thing as “filler” with Amphibia. This series is a heavily character-driven and world-building show. Much of season one is about the citizens of Wartwood. The town is the home base for Anne and the Plantars. Anne’s character journey of learning to love this world is the plot. It is the point of the show. So if you’re here to get a refresher course or you’re wanting to know what to watch for the first time, I still say it is best to watch the series in its entirety.

I will try to keep this as spoiler free as possible, but here’s your spoiler warning.

Season One

Anne or Beast/Best Fronds

The opening episode of the series introduces Anne, the Plantars, Wartwood, and sets up the story. It’s a fun introduction that forms the long-lasting relationships of the series. We get our first look at the Calamity Box and how Anne, Sasha, and Marcy came to Amphibia in the first place. There’s also a small peek of where Sasha is while introducing Captain Grime. Anne’s idealistic new home is nothing like the horrors that Sasha is enduring.

Stakeout

Sprig wants Anne and Hop Pop to get along, so he fabricates a stakeout to make them work as a team. This entry is here because there’s some fun foreshadowing for the season two finale. But it also solidifies Anne ad Hop Pop’s relationship too.

Honorable Mention: Dating Season

While not here for the plot, we’re introduced to Sprig’s love interest, Ivy Sundew, who is a big character in Sprig’s story.

Anne Vs. Wild

This is a pretty standard Amphibia adventure of the week episode as the Plantars take Anne camping. She wants to prove she’s tough enough to join them. Of course, hijinks ensue. But where this episode is important is Anne finally shares the Calamity Box with her frog family. And Hop Pop reveals he knows more about the box than he’s letting on.

Family Shrub

I have a sneaking suspicion that “Family Shrub” will end up being important in the long run which is why it’s on this list. Hop Pop shares their family history with the kids which seems boring on the surface. But while he’s away, the kids discover a secret room under the house which reveals they’re a family of scientists and warriors. This episode is screaming to have some kind of big reveal in season three. Especially since in season two, there is a particular pink frog who looks an awful lot like Sprig in a torn painting hidden away in Newtopia’s castle.

Toad Tax/Prison Break

These two episodes together broaden not only the world of Amphibia but also further the story along. We see the toads from Toad Tower and how their role is to rule over the frogs in the valley. Thanks to Mayor Toadstool’s meddling, this relationship breaks down as Anne protects Wartwood from the toad tax collectors, gaining the respect of the frogs.

But we also check back in with Sasha, and we see why she’s such a formidable character. Sasha manipulates her way into the hearts of the toads to gain their trust. The final person she must win over is Captain Grime. When herons attack Toad Tower, Sasha proves her worth and becomes allies with Grime.

Honorable Mention: Hop Pop and Lock

Like “Dating Season,” this episode introduces Hop Pop’s love interest, Sylvia Sundew. Sylvia is such a fun character, and her relationship with Hop Pop is very sweet.

Hop-Popular

Hop Pop decides to run for mayor against Toadstool when he sees how poorly his town is being treated. Toadstool is the only toad in Wartwood. What Hop Pop doesn’t realize is this sets into motion frogs all over the valley pushing back against the toads in charge. This is all set up for the climatic season one finale.

Trip to the Archives

While a pretty straightforward adventure of the week episode and no big reveals that we know of yet, this episode shows us how much time has passed since the first episode. Anne and the Plantars are preparing to leave the valley to find Anne a way home. It’s a good check-in to see where, time-wise, we are in the series.

Wally and Anne

“Wally and Anne” is a perfect example of why it’s important to not label episodes as “filler.” Anne believes she sees the mythical Moss Man, but the Plantars don’t believe her. The only person that does is town vagabond, Wally, who everyone believes is crazy. Together, Wally and Anne set out to find the Moss Man. What seems like a one-off adventure ends up coming back in season two.

This example of why it was so hard for me to make an essential episode list. I have no idea what will come into play in season three. But it is proof not to write off an episode just because it’s not immediately considered “important.” All the episodes are important in one way or another.

Bizarre Bazaar

Anne and Sprig seek out answers on their own about Anne’s mysterious music box that brought her to Amphibia. They discover a mystical bazaar where a particular vendor seems to know more about the Calamity Box than she lets on. This episode introduces Valeriana, who plays a bigger role later in the show. I wouldn’t be surprised to see her come back in season three.

Combat Camp

When Hop Pop leaves the kids in a daycare for the weekend, it turns out to be a specialty camp where they can learn combat. Not only does Anne have to face her prejudices in her past against teachers, but she also learns to wield a sword. This is a vital skill for her going forward.

Anne of the Year

In the penultimate episode of season one, we get to really see how far Anne has come as a character. She’s awarded the “Frog of the Year” award and is in charge of throwing a town-wide party. Despite panicking and messing up, Anne faces her mistakes and owns them. She’s not the self-centered character that she started off as. Anne developed into a strong leader aware of her faults. This episode captures that perfectly. It also sets up the season one finale.

Reunion

“Reunion” is such a strong finale for season one. We delve into Anne and Sasha’s relationship as we see more of the lead-up to how the girls came into possession of the music box in the first place. While she cares for her friends, Sasha is a controlling person and easily manipulates Anne constantly.

But when Sasha’s toad army captures the inhabitants of Wartwood and Hop Pop’s life is on the line, Anne must choose whether to fight Sasha or stand up to protect her new found family. This episode sets into motion many of the character and story beats for season two.

Season Two:

Handy Anne/Fort in the Road

The season two premiere gets the story moving as Anne and the Plantars leave Wartwood for Newtopia. It sets up the stakes for the Plantars as they’re willing to leave their home for Anne. Out on the road, we start seeing there is more to Amphibia than previously thought. Anne and the Plantars come across ancient technology, computers, and accidentally make a robot, Frobo, who will come into play later. It’s a great start to the new season.

Plus, I’m always happy to see Chuck, as he’s a personal favorite character of mine.

Toadcatcher

We check back in with Sasha and Grime, now down on their luck. Their loyalties to each other are tested when Newtopia’s best General, Yunan, comes hunting them (I love Yunan. She's such a delight). What I love about this episode is Grime and Sasha’s relationship develops. They move from being allies to true friends looking out for each other. Grime starts becoming more of a mentor figure to Sasha, which is something I think she desperately needs.

Wax Museum

Any longtime Disney animation fan should watch this simply because it’s a big love letter to Gravity Falls, which Amphibia creator Matt Braly was a director and storyboard artist for. Alex Hirsch reprises two of his iconic roles bringing to life frog versions of Grunkle Stan and Soos.

But the Gravity Falls appeal aside, there are also plot ramifications too. Anne finds a portable CD player in this frog world, something that shouldn’t be there. This is not the first time the human world has interacted with Amphibia raising a ton of new questions.

Marcy at the Gates

This 22-minute episode has a lot of legwork to do, and it absolutely excels at it. Anne and the Plantars arrive at Newtopia. There, they meet Anne’s other human friend Marcy who has been thriving in this world. They band together to fight back a threat against the city.

This episode is so important. Anne and Sasha have been in the show for a season and a half. The creators very quickly have to get Marcy up to speed. And they absolutely succeed by showcasing her relationship with Anne, how Marcy loves the world of Amphibia, and showing Marcy’s strengths and what she brings to the show.

Scavenger Hunt/The Plantars Check In

These two episodes let us see a lot of Newtopia as well as the major players in the show. We meet King Andrias, who is very welcoming to Anne and the Plantars. He’s been working with Marcy and wants to help the girls get home. “Scavenger Hunt” showcases why Anne is a great character as she bonds with the people of Newtopia. I also love “The Plantars Check In” because I adore guest star, Kristen Schaal. She voices Bella, a super relatable character to me, a freelance writer.

I get you, Bella. I get you.

Hopping Mall

There are a lot of little things that happen in this episode that fit into the bigger story. Anne wants a gift for her mom, so she enters a competition with Sprig to win a teapot. It’s a fun action-packed episode. Polly gets her own baby snail, a new character named MicroAngelo, who is now part of the cast.

But the ending of “Hopping Mall” is so powerful. We get our first bit of background of what happened to Sprig and Polly’s parents and why they’re raised by their grandfather. Its simplicity is what makes this scene beautiful and stunning. The music, the voice acting, the animation, the background artwork, the different closing titles all work seamlessly together. It’s truly one of the highlights of season two.

The Sleepover to End All Sleepovers/A Day at the Aquarium

Anne and the Plantars prepare to meet again with King Andrias to find out what he's learned about the Calamity Box. So the night before, Marcy invites her peers over for a sleepover at the castle. The night leads to many secrets being revealed and new questions raised. When they meet with the King, Anne has to make some tough choices about the Plantars and her future.

I don’t want to dive into this episode too much, because there are some BIG story implications and a lot of foreshadowing in these two stories. It’s one of the biggest episodes of the season.

Honorable Mention: Return to Wartwood

Our heroes return to home base once again arriving back in Wartwood. It’s nice to see everyone in town and why we love these characters. Also, the Chicka-lisk is hands down one of the BEST characters of the show.

After the Rain

When the Calamity Box goes missing, the truth comes out as Hop Pop reveals he has been lying to Anne. This episode does a ton in its short run time. The well-crafted pace mixed with stunning flashbacks makes for a very emotional journey. It’s not an easy solution. Hop Pop, while in the wrong, acted from a place of fear and protection. Anne is justified in her anger. The story is messy in a good way because there’s really no simple solution as we see in the next episode.

The First Temple

Marcy arrives in Wartwood. Needing to charge the three stones in the Calamity Box to get the girls back home, our heroes set out for the first of three temples to do so. This temple focuses on intelligence meaning Marcy is put to the test. Like “Marcy at the Gates,” this is the only temple episode that’s 22-minutes, which is needed. Marcy still needs to get caught up story-wise to Anne and Sasha, so it’s another great outing for her.

What’s also handled well is that Anne and Hop Pop are still reeling from the events of “After the Rain.” While Anne might have forgiven him, it doesn’t mean she’s okay yet. It’s great to see that there wasn’t a magical solution last episode. There is still a lot to work through.

Friend of Frobo?

Remember me mentioning a character named Frobo earlier? He’s here now, officially joining the cast! Frobo’s technically been here all season. Since “Fort in the Road,” he’s been following the Plantars to Newtopia and back. He’s a mysterious robot with, up to this point, an unknown past. As he bonds with Polly, we find out he’s just a big, sweet metal baby. This is also a great episode for Polly, taking a big step in her character development.

The Second Temple

Anne, Marcy, and the Plantars seek out the second temple to charge the next gem in the Calamity Box. Valeriana from the Bizarre Bazaar is back, revealing she has a much bigger role to play in this story. This temple is Anne’s challenge, testing her heart. It’s a great episode to show how far she has come in the story.

Barrel’s Warhammer

Sasha and Grime come before the Toad Lords to demand an army. They want to overthrow Kind Andrias in a full rebellion and put themselves in charge of the kingdom. Needing support from the other toad leaders, they’re quested to find the legendary weapon, Barrel’s Warhammer. But Sasha pushes her team too far making her lose some friends along the way.

This, to me, is probably one of Sasha’s most important episodes. She’s starting to see there are consequences to her actions. Despite having the tendency to manipulate those around her, this is the first time Sasha realizes how it hurts others.

Bessie & MicroAngelo

So I debated for some time whether or not to include this episode on the list. While preparing to write about the essential episodes, I wanted to focus on the more plot-driven ones. That said, this episode is exactly what I stated in the opening: there are no filler episodes. Even character stories are important. While this is focused on the loving pet snails, Bessie and MicroAngelo, there is a B-Plot with Marcy trying to help Anne find a new look. Anne eventually settled on a single piece of armor. To quote a tweet from Matt Braly about this episode:

“[Bessie and MicroAngelo has] probably one of the most important scenes in the entire show. Be careful about skipping episodes because you think they look like "filler." You may get to the end and not realize you missed the journey completely.”

The Third Temple

The third temple is Sasha’s trial focusing on strength. She meets up with Anne, Marcy, and the Plantars once again. Because of the events of the season one finale, our heroes (except Marcy) are clearly wary of Sasha and Grime. It’s understandable because they did try to kill Hop Pop. It’s up to Sasha to prove her worth to Anne once again.

The Dinner/Battle of the Bands

These two episodes together focus on the hurt feelings of Sasha and Anne as they try and figure out a new normal between them. Anne wants to believe that Sasha has changed. But Anne has changed in her time in Amphibia too. Sasha likes who she is and struggles with not having control over situations. She fights against learning how to let things go. These two episodes together are very important stories leading into the finale.

Especially “Battle of the Bands.” Anne sings a song called “No Big Deal” which is her musical theme redone. It’s also the music for arguably the most important moment of the finale. More than that, it’s the capstone of Anne’s journey thus far. It might seem like a fun little moment, but there’s a lot of emotional weight behind the lyrics.

True Colors

In my opinion, this is the best written episode of Amphibia. No matter how many times I watch it, it keeps getting better and better. The pacing is so well done that it feels way longer than just 24-minutes.

All the main characters are here. Secrets are revealed. Everything changes in the final five minutes. I don’t want to say more than that in case you’re reading this and you’ve never seen Amphibia. But it’s the best episode of the series, and definitely my personal favorite.

 And that’s it! Those are, in my opinion, the most essential episodes of Amphibia before season three. Like I warned at the top, other episodes might become important later. So, I still advise watching the series as a whole.

I can’t wait for the third season. As I have written before, Amphibia really is one of the best series on television. Grab your favorite frog friend and get caught up on Disney+.

Season three of Amphibia premiers on the Disney Channel on October 2nd, 2021