Flipper & Lopaka is an Australian animated series produced by the Yoram Gross companies: Yoram Gross-Village Roadshow (in Season 1) and Yoram Gross-EM.TV (in Seasons 2 and 3). It has previously aired on Australia's Seven Network at various times and has also aired on the country’s ABC3, a channel dedicated to children's television programs.
Setting The series takes place on the Millhouse island of Iloka. The islanders survive without the use of modern technology, building huts out of bamboo and fern and eating various fruits found on the island floor. Beneath the surrounding ocean lies Quetzo, a sunken Millhouse island now home to many sea creatures, which unlike Iloka, has many modern influences. The series follows Lopaka, a young Polynesian boy who has the mysterious power to communicate with sea creatures and hold his breath for long periods underwater. He is accompanied alongside his adventures with his many sea-faring friends, including the witty and friendly dolphin, Flipper. Lopaka, Flipper and their friends must work together to thwart the plans of the nefarious Dexter, an octopus wanting to claim Quetzo as his own, and keep peace amongst the underwater domain.
Characters All seasons Lopaka (voiced by Jamie Oxenbould) – an 11-year-old Polynesian boy, referred to in the show as a menehune, who has the power to converse with sea creatures and to hold his breath underwater longer than possible. He was rescued from drowning as a child by Flipper, and they've been best friends ever since. The islanders of Iloka often wonder where Lopaka disappears to every episode, but he usually manages to avoid speaking the truth (up until Season 3). He wears a red skirt, and an arm band (which all the males wear on Iloka). Lopaka is a very loyal friend, to sea creatures and islanders alike and has shown a strong sense of courage time and time again. He has fluffy brown hair that reaches below his ears, and black eyes.
Flipper (voiced by Keith Scott) – Lopaka's best friend, Flipper is a quick-witted, agile, loyal and friendly bottlenose dolphin, whose parents are the rulers of Quetzo. When trouble arises in the underwater domain, the sea-creature citizens turn to Flipper as their leader. Flipper has a light blue underbelly, with a darker blue back. He is known as the most trusted sea creature in Quetzo, and does his best to help everybody he can.
Ottie, Ray and Puffy – Ottie, a sea otter, Ray, a stingray and Puffy, a blowfish, are Flipper's good friends, and they usually accompany him and Lopaka in keeping Quetzo safe. Ottie is the only one of the three who can go on land, making him a valuable asset when Lopaka isn't around to help, as well as the only one who lacks gills (though this doesn't seem to affect him in any way) and who's non-native (real sea otters don't live in the same places as the Polynesians). Ray is kindhearted, and acts as a central motivator of the group, and Puffy, albeit insecure about himself, uses his ability to puff himself out to his advantage.
Dexter – a giant, purple octopus whose main goal is to rule Quetzo. He is deceiving, manipulative, pompous and acts as the main antagonist to the series. Underneath his nefarious outlook, when faced with danger he becomes very scared and cowardly. No matter how many times Flipper saves his life, Dexter will always make up a new plan to try and destroy him. He likes to praise himself for his "excellence", but he isn't the brightest sea creature around.
Serge – a sea snake who acts as the "brains" to Dexter's motivation. He is bright green, with a devious and sharp mind. Even though Serge is to credit for the ideas that are made to destroy Flipper, whenever they go wrong, Dexter puts the blame on him for everything.
Finn, Nip, and Bubbles – three bull sharks who work for Dexter as brainless minions.
Dolores – Dexter's sister who dislikes him, as she thinks of him as very selfish, and she is the only one Dexter truly fears. She occasionally has him babysit her daughter, Inky. She becomes friendly with Flipper and his friends and eventually becomes a famous superstar in Seadom.
Inky – Dolore's daughter and Dexter's niece. Unlike her uncle Inky is nice and is a friend of Flipper's (which he disapproves).
Nola – a young Polynesian girl who wears a simple Yellow dress and a leg bracelet around her right foot. It's also suggested she might be an orphan (though she does mention to have a mother in one episode).
Professor Kerava – Chief Kapuna's friend and is one of the eldest citizens of Iloka that lived here. He remembers almost everything about Iloka by sharing stories with the chief. Kerava is usually known to tell stories to the citizens of Iloka. Kerava turns into a sea turtle every time when Flipper and his allies meet him. However, his name is changed as "Calabash". He is also helpful to other characters. Later in the series he becomes Flipper and Lopaka's spirit guide.
Bomana – Lopaka's father, Bomana is very strict, alongside Chief Kapuna and his wife. He cares for Lopaka about what he is supposed to do and always tells him to follow him.
Bolo – a young fat Polynesian boy who is the Chief's son and likes to mess around with Lopaka. He wears a blue skirt.
Chief Kapuna – the chief of the village and Bolo's father.
Mia – the Chief's wife and Bolo's mother. She's very strict with her husband and son.
Season 2 Professor Troy, Spike and Goose – Professor Troy is a talented scientist who wants to find out the history of Quetzo and Iloka, and the reason that it sank. She is good hearted and her son, Spike, is friends with Lopaka and is surprised the Menehune can get along without 20th century essentials. He tries teaching them about it by playing along with them. Goose, Troy's off-beat assistant is a young man of few words; every time he speaks, he does so with an accent. For example, if he were to say "Help me!", he would say it slowly, in a low voice. He wears an aqua vest and jeans.
Season 3 Captain Barnibus Crab, Kim, Simon – Captain Crab is a short, modern-day pirate who has come to the waters of Iloka to search for Neptune's Statue and Neptune's Trident. His barefoot niece, 18 or so year-old Kim has come to assist him, and also gain pirating experience. Kim is an eager pirate, and is the technical wiz of the ship. Simon on the other hand, is a large deck hand/chef. He is accident prone, and will commit piracy, but he is really a gentle giant.
Ultra – a pink dolphin, who was taken from her parents as a baby. She grew up in a science lab, and was stolen by the pirates to search the ocean floor. After a few incidents, Ultra proves herself a true, worthy companion, and Flipper gladly takes her into the group. Later in the series, Ultra finds her parents, along with a little sister, Delta.
List of episodes Season 1 (1999) #TitleSummaryAir date1The Lost City Lopaka's presence in the sea brings him on trial before Dexter but Lopaka and Flipper rescue everyone from a Fishing Ship Drift Net. 10 September 19992The Secrets of Quetzo Dexter plots to take over both the undersea city and Iloka while Lopaka is tasked to take a sacred stone to the Quetzo temple. 11 September 19993The Volcano Dexter is attracting nasty folk into Quetzo and is about to activate the Iloka volcano. 12 September 19994The White Whale Flipper meets a white whale and her calf who are hiding from an exploration ship. Flipper saves the whales, who then save the exploration scientist. 13 September 19995Lopaka's Gift While Lopaka is looking for a gift for Nola's birthday, he goes with Flipper to liberate pearls that Dexter stole. 16 September 19996The Showdown The killer whale Orci returns to Quetzo to settle a score with Flipper, but the dolphin is able to negotiate a peace with him. 17 September 19997The Good Shark Some sawtooth sharks and their big partner Fang invade Quetzo, until Flipper convinces Fang his partners are not his friends. 18 September 19998The Sea Serpent Dexter's garbage causes pain to a giant serpent. Lopaka is able to help the serpent and overcome his fear of serpents as well. 19 September 19999The Drought Dexter plans to freeze Iloka with an iceberg, but instead it saves the island from drought. 20 September 199910Lights, Camera, Dexter! Dexter takes the opportunity to star in a movie by kidnapping the director, but Lopaka and Flipper come to his rescue. 21 September 199911King for a Minute Dexter's crown switcheroo causes the Iloka Chief to lose his title and put the village at stake, but Flipper and Lopaka restore the Chief's place. 22 September 199912The Castaway Presumably the Chief's lost brother Bunty has returned, but it turns out to be Bunty's pet parrot. However Bunty is around on another island. 23 September 199913The Little Blue Fish A fish called Jojo feels out of his depth, but he proves his worth as Dexter's saviour. 8 October 199914The Oil Spill Oil pollution is affecting the people of Iloka. Help from the manatee Charlie reveals it's just one leaky barrel. 11 October 199915The Circus Inspired by the Ilokans' new year circus, Dexter starts his own, leaving Lopaka and Flipper to recover from him the Iloka equipment he stole. 12 October 199916The Sting of the Stonefish Some stonefish are ostracised in Quetzo and one of them accidentally poisons Nola. Lopaka provides the cure and the stonefish earn their place. 13 October 199917The Secret Weapon Dexter steals a book from Calabash and uses its secrets to build a cannon, yet Lopaka manages to prevent Dexter from using it. 14 October 199918Dexter's Wedding Dexter starts his own campaign to run for mayor of Quetzo, but needs a wife to accomplish it, but Flipper saves Dexter from marrying a beguiling jellyfish. 19 October 199919High Tide A rising tide is threatening Iloka and the Menehouni build a sea wall. Dexter takes advantage of this to declare himself king of Iloka, but Flipper and Lopaka wash him with the flood out of the village. 20 October 199920Dexter's Delinquents Dexter recruits some bully boys to join him, while Flipper teaches young fish games of Finball. Dexter challenges Flipper's team to a Finball match. Despite Dexter's cheating, Flipper's team narrowly wins. 21 October 199921Girl Power Nola trains hard for an island race, while Dexter's niece Inky joins the Ocean Explorers, both determined to prove that girls have what it takes. Inky outwits Dexter, while Lopaka and Nola both win the race. 25 October 199922Bolo the Runaway Tired from his chores, Bolo decides to make a run for it. After uniting a lost seal pup with his mother, Lopaka rushes to Bolo's rescue before the ocean current can drag him away. 1 November 199923Surf's Up! Lopaka introduces surfing to his people. Dexter tries to put a stop to the surfing, an incoming waterspout puts Iloka in danger. The Menehouni make it to safety, but Dexter gets caught in the waterspout. 5 November 199924The Trap Hoping to earn a reputation, Dexter traps Lopaka to stage a rescue. Bolo saves Flipper from being washed ashore, while Dexter's plan doesn't work the way he wanted it. 11 November 199925The Monster from Quetzo Dexter traps Flipper in the ruins of a dolphin city and uses a diving suit to invade the island, while his sharks attack the fleeing Ilokanians. 12 November 199926The Homecoming Dexter finds the Quetzo Crown. Flipper rescues Lopaka's father from a storm and Flipper's parents return and prevent Dexter's coronation. 13 November 1999
Season 2 (2000)