SpongeBob SquarePants has been the subject of many theories, some darker than others, and there’s one that has caught the attention of fans for its complexity and its conclusion: the skin theory, which might change the perspective of some viewers. Nickelodeon has seen various animated TV shows that have become very popular with viewers of all ages, but none has had the same impact as SpongeBob SquarePants. Created by Stephen Hillenburg, SpongeBob SquarePants made its debut in 1999 and has since become one of the longest-running animated series, with over 10 seasons and counting, and that has also made way for a bunch of theories and different interpretations on the show and its characters.

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SpongeBob SquarePants takes viewers to the bottom of the ocean to visit the underwater city of Bikini Bottom, where the title character and many other colorful characters (both allies and enemies) live and get involved in all types of trouble. SpongeBob is often accompanied through his many adventures by his best friends Patrick Star and Sandy Cheeks, his neighbor and coworker Squidward Tentacles, and his greedy boss Mr. Krabs, as well as his pet snail Gary, who joins the fun from time to time. Bikini Bottom has a bit of everything, and it has also seen some strange moments, though these are often justified by the show being an animated one, but that isn’t a good enough explanation for some viewers.

Cartoons are often at the front and center of many theories, and SpongeBob SquarePants hasn’t been safe from them. The latest in the vault of SpongeBob theories is that of “the skin theory”, which originated from a (very long and detailed) YouTube video and has been discussed in social media and online forums, becoming viral. The theory basically focuses on all those instances where characters in SpongeBob SquarePants ripped their skins off, wore costumes of other fish or characters, inserted themselves in the bodies of other characters (like that one time SpongeBob took over Mr. Krabs’ shell), transplanted body parts, etc, all of which happened more often in the first four seasons, which were written and overseen by Hillenburg himself.

The author of the theory suggests three theories on why SpongeBob SquarePants does all these skin-related things, and the first one is “The Ritual Aspect”. This theory suggests a parallel between why humans wear masks and the characters in SpongeBob, focusing on the act of wearing masks to represent and channel deities and spirits and also drive out demons, so the characters could be wearing costumes and other skins with that purpose, especially when it comes to getting rid of the Flying Dutchman, the closest there is to a supernatural entity in Bikini Bottom. Next is the “Mass Psychosis Element” theory, which is all about how people go insane at the same time in the same way and with no real physical explanation, which gives a simple reason to the skin theory: all characters in SpongeBob SquarePants are insane.

Last but not least, is “The Costumed Human Hypothesis”, which basically says that all characters in SpongeBob SquarePants aren’t sea creatures: they are just humans in disguise, meaning that Bikini Bottom isn’t real, and this also explains all those instances in the show that defy logic, such as the characters using fire, drinking water, etc. “Skin Theory” has drawn a lot of attention, and while it’s a fun theory, it does feel like a stretch to try to find a reason for something that is just meant to make the audience laugh and is intended to be nonsensical – but, like in almost all theories, fans of SpongeBob SquarePants are the ones who will decide if the theory makes sense or not.

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Adrienne Tyler
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Adrienne Tyler is a features writer for Screen Rant. She is an Audiovisual Communication graduate who wanted to be a filmmaker, but life had other plans (and it turned out great). Prior to Screen Rant, she wrote for Pop Wrapped, 4 Your Excitement (4YE), and D20Crit, where she was also a regular guest at Netfreaks podcast. She was also a contributor for FanSided’s BamSmackPow and 1428 Elm. Adrienne is very into films and she enjoys a bit of everything: from superhero films to heartbreaking dramas, to low-budget horror films. Every time she manages to commit to a TV show without getting bored, an angel gets its wings.

When she’s not writing, you can find her trying to learn a new language, watching hockey (go Avs!), or wondering what life would have been like had Pushing Daisies, Firefly, and Limitless not been cancelled. Breakfast food is life and coffee is what makes the world go round.

Guillermo del Toro said “hi” to her once. It was great.

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