Hey, Poptropicans! Today, we’ll be covering the two newest store updates. While there isn’t anything new for the most part, some new costumes were added to both the Pop store and the pet barn. Let’s take a look at what’s in stock!
The current costumes available are Boss Babe, Neon Rocker, Pumpkin Pleasure, Aqua Rebel, Natural Breeze*, Gossip Girl, Coolin’, Rainbow Ride, Friendly Face Masks, Cozy Cocoa, Tie-Dye Hoodie, Cool for School, Cheerleader, Soda Pop, Large Fry, and Southern Belle. All items except Natural Breeze are available to all players.
Poptropicans aren’t the only ones who get to dress up. Stop by the Pet Barn to purchase three new items for your furry or scaly companions: the Fedora, the Blue Mask, and the Fall Scarf.
At the end of their latest post, the Creators teased this year’s upcoming “12 Days of Member Gifts,” which has been a Poptropica tradition since 2018. Starting on December 1st, active members will receive daily gifts over the course of twelve days. The Creators also assured that players who become members later in December (perhaps a holiday gift?) will still be able to receive these one-of-a-kind gifts.
Hey there! Purple Paw back here again, this time with… ah, yes, a closer look at our Poptropican’s insides! Um, excuse me… ahem. That wasn’t a very good introduction. Maybe I should try again.
Nabooti is a strange place. It has viruses and inside-out people.
The question of Poptropicans’ eating habits—and how it ties into their anatomy—was brought up recently on the PHC Discord. It’s something I hadn’t considered much before, but thinking about it now, I wonder why I never did.
Eating is something that every living being does—including Poptropicans. How do I know this? Well, the answer is simple—we see our avatars eating throughout the islands! I can think of a few: Wimpy Wonderland, Escape from Pelican Rock, Survival Ep. 2 (Hook, Line & Sinker) and Survival Ep. 4 (Cabin Fever).
Poptropicans have their share of meals, but not always willingly.
There’s also a big indicator of eating on Virus Hunter Island. As clearly shown on an anatomy chart, Poptropican people have stomachs. And they wouldn’t be there if they didn’t serve a purpose! When you enter Joe Stockman’s stomach, you can even see the chewed-up food he previously ate… yuck.
And it’s clear that Poptropicans must eat plenty of healthy food. How else would they be able to perform the jumping, climbing, swimming, running, flying, and countless other physical activities they’re asked to do in every single island? Food gives energy and strength, and without it, Poptropicans wouldn’t be nearly as quick or strong. In fact, they wouldn’t be there at all without food! (That is, if they can be qualified as normal beings…)
Up, up and away!
So, you’re most likely thinking by this point, “Well, that’s that then. The question is answered; Poptropicans eat.” But alas, there’s a catch. Something that often leaves me stumped about Poptropican anatomy: Poptropican people don’t have necks. This is one of the most noticeable features of a Poptropican, and one that seems to defy, well, science. How is it possible that a Poptropican’s head could float freely above their shoulders, with nothing connecting it to the rest of their body? How can food reach their stomachs without a neck to pass through?
After some sleuthing, I found an important clue on Virus Hunter Island. Anybody who’s managed to fight their way through this tough island will remember traveling up the inside of a neck to reach Joe Stockman’s mouth. Hm, so there is something connecting a Poptropican’s head to the rest of their body… but then how come we never see our Poptropicans’ necks? Is there something making them invisible?
What’s connecting the Poptropican’s head to its body?
And another question arises: would food alone be enough to give Poptropicans the energy to jump off buildings and lift boulders, among other seemingly superhuman feats? Is there something missing?
Maybe the final piece of the puzzle can be found in a theory Tall Cactus recently suggested on the PHC. Her idea is that Poptropicans are not people, but a very advanced species of plant. Plantropicans! And—all previous indicators of Poptropicans consuming food aside—she proposes that Poptropicans photosynthesize; meaning that light passes through their invisible plant-stem necks, resulting in plenty of energy. So instead of eating food to keep active, Poptropicans are constantly soaking up the sun, and are always gathering more energy. It’s certainly an interesting theory.
Though it is slightly absurd, I quite like this idea. It provides an unexpectedly fitting explanation for Poptropicans’ unseen necks as well as their strange and infrequent diets. Yes, I suppose I do think that the reason Poptropicans’ necks are invisible is because they are plants. Wondering what I mean? To fully understand this, let’s take a look at another important clue from Virus Hunter… the size of a Poptropican’s neck.
As Dr. Lange states, when you enter Joe Stockman’s body, you’re nano-sized. In other words, you’re very, very small. And I’m assuming your ship isn’t much bigger. And yet, when you attempt to steer your way up the inside of the neck, your ship tells you that the passage is too narrow; it can’t fit through. Your nano-sized ship is too big. What could this mean? Poptropicans’ necks are miniscule. So small, we can’t even see them!
You may be thinking, “So how does that tie into the theory that Poptropicans are plants?”
That’s just it: I believe that Poptropicans’ necks are so tiny because they’re plant stems. When I first realized how this fits, I actually googled if there was such a thing as an invisible plant stem. Disappointingly, there is not; but there is a type of plant with stems so small, they’re described as “almost invisible.” Since their stem necks are so thin and short, nobody would ever know they were there, unless they looked closely under a magnifying glass. Tall Cactus also adds that this is why Poptropicans’ heads bob up and down: yours would too, if it was supported by just a small stem! This could also be why Poptropicans’ arms and legs are so skinny; they must be stems too, just thicker and stronger. Given all that evidence, it’s becoming less difficult to imagine Poptropicans evolved from plants…
Did Poptropicans evolve from plants?
So, if Poptropicans do photosynthesize, it could mean that they don’t need food; they have more energy than normal people because they’re constantly collecting it from the sun! That explains all the deserted eateries across the islands… but we can’t forget how many times we have seen Poptropicans eating. They must have some method of digesting human food as well as sunlight (aka plant food). But just what those methods are might be slightly too gross to write about here, so perhaps it’s best to save what’s unspoken for another day. But feel free to share any theories you’ve thought up in the comments!
Plants are just one idea, but I’m sure there are many other interesting explanations for Poptropicans’ diets, necks (or lack thereof), and other anatomical features. (There are also probably plenty of loopholes in this theory left unmended…) Will the mystery of the Poptropican anatomy ever truly be solved? We have yet to know…
Heyo, Poptropicans! Big news: the Creators recently announced that Arabian Nights will be coming to Haxe in less than a week! And, unlike many islands before it, it’ll be available to all players—non-members included—right from the release! Pretty awesome, huh?
Arabian Nights was one of the most popular islands.
It’s not clear yet whether the Creators plan to remaster Arabian Nights (like they did with Mythology Island) or if they’re keeping it relatively the same as the Flash version. Most players, myself included, weren’t very happy with the lack of challenge in Haxe’s Mythology; but who knows what’ll happen with Arabian Nights? A new island port is progress in itself, and the most we can do is hope that the new version turns out as awesome as the original Arabian Nights!
In other news, a second Creators’ Blog post appeared not long after the Arabian Nights announcement, this one sharing a Halloween Poptropica fan video by Invisible Ring (inspired by the Zomberry Hero special event)! Though the post is quite late for Halloween, it’s never too late to be zombified. 🧟♀️ Check out the spooktacular video below:
There’s something in the title of the Creators’ post that caught my eye: “Video of the Week.” Hmm… is this another weekly promise? The store rotations that were planned to change every week don’t always live up to the promise, but it would be pretty great for the Creators to recognize their (very creative) fans with weekly videos. Between their showcasing of fan art in place of ads, social media spotlights, and now fan video features, the Creators have definitely been giving the Poptropica fandom lots of recognition lately!
Welp, that’s all for this one! What are your hopes for the new Arabian Nights? Thoughts on the Creators’ fan interactions? Let us know in the comments!
Hey Poptropicans, this is a guest post by Mud Bub, who’ll be taking a look at Poptropica islands from her perspectiveas a college art student.
She shared with the PHB, “Poptropica allowed me to get more in-tune with my passion for art. Similar to other Flash or After Effects products like Wow Wow Wubbzy or this video, I get the most thrill out of flat yet bold and colorful designs, and this has greatly affected my art style.
As a college art student, having an influence such as Poptropica is very much needed for me, both with art and being a general stress reliever… I may be older… but time has given me a better understanding, excitement, and idea-fueled drive for the game. This [guest post] is more than just a Pop 5 list to me, but finally articulating the artistic passion that I’ve had for over a decade. Without the openness of the PHB accepting blog post submissions, I would not have finally gotten to express that.”
Thank you, Mud Bub! And with that wonderful intro, let’s get into the post…
Greetings! I’m Muddy “Mud Bub” Bubbles, an art student at Ephraim University and collector of black-framed glasses. Professor Max McPatrick assigned me to analyze only the finest of Poptropica’s island artistry, and I can only hope that he won’t deduct points for not including his native island, Mocktropica.
Poptropica islands are known for their vast adventures, but their visuals are also notable. I’ve discovered that they are all worthy of praise, but there are a mighty few that stand out in their attention to detail and interactions with art.
This wouldn’t be an article on Poptropican art without mentioning Counterfeit Island! This island arguably offers the most extensive art collection of them all, although the genres are a bit narrow, and seeing less represented forms of art would have been nice. It does beat Early Poptropica’s Pop Art Museum by a mile, though. There may be French stereotypes, but Counterfeit Island’s store logos and calming interior design of the abandoned house make for an authentic island experience. Most of all, it allows for literal hands-on experiences with fine art and learning its value, which makes for a great introduction to art history.
It’s no myth that this island has lovely Greek and Roman art. Although the meandering may be overdone, they make the island more unique and memorable. The fonts and architecture also stay true to ancient form. Hades, Zeus and Poseidon have their own icons that are presented consistently, from the island logo to the Mythology Surfer costume. These are examples of brand design, a modern form of art, that other characters use as well, such as Dr. Hare and his rabbit gimmick. The pictures above show how two forms of art (wall art and iconography + sculpture and iconography) can merge into one to truly showcase the personalities of the gods.
This island is more inventive than just its gadgets! Steamworks Island takes on a truly vintage and trinket-y form that makes it hard not to love. The color palettes perfectly show the dullness of the tools in a somehow bright way. There are banners with gears and stripes on them, as well as buildings covered with beautiful vines. So many bits and bobs to be found that make it easy to understand the intricate stylings of steampunk. Exploring this town can get kind of isolating though.
This island truly deserves recognition for the interactions with art it allows us. From literal bridge-building to bonsai trimming and calligraphy, Red Dragon Island is an authentic celebration of Eastern art. Despite the wild ninja adventures, one can feel relaxed, too, while wearing a beautiful kimono as cherry blossoms fly in the breeze. Seriously, this island could be Black Widow’s next strike. The land of Edo leaves Jack and Annie’s neck of the woods in Frog Creek with a little more to be desired, but that stark contrast may make ancient Japan look all the more unique.
This island is a real gem, and I’m not just talking about its logo! Nabooti Island allows you to explore many environments and rare items of Africa. It’s also a rarity to see how an entire continent can fit in one island, and note how the starting point isn’t even a separate piece of land. Still, there are artful features such as masks, sculptures and animal photography that allow us to see the beauty of the island’s culture. This is also shown in its fashioned natives, shimmering minerals and detailed hieroglyphics. Nabooti Island gives its players a diverse and unforgettable artistic appreciation of Africa.
Honorable mentions
Arabian Nights Island: This island proves that there is beauty to be found everywhere—even in a desert hijacked by forty thieves! The mansion in particular shows bold application of Middle Eastern architecture and design.
PoptropiCon Island: Yes, PoptropiCon, and this is not just because of my love of puns! This place is riddled with costume-makers, comic book writers, and other artists that connect over their craft. PoptropiCon is a testament to the ever-changing mediums of art and its content. That said, they could have shown more of the communities that conventions have to offer.
Big Nate Island: This unique island allows us to jump in a graphic novel. What it lacks in detail it makes up in its dynamic character design and a bright, consistent style. If nothing else, this one wins for the most colorful and characteristic island logo.
This list was so difficult to narrow down. Will you fight for the royal aesthetic of Astro-Knights? Maybe I wimped out on the Wimpy Kid islands and owe Greg Heffley an apology. Or will you be bold and claim the best art comes from your own Home Island? Share your favorite art from Poptropica in the comments!
The Poptropica Help Blog welcomes interesting Poptropica insights from anyone in the Poptropica community with thoughts to share. You can find some tips and guidelines on our page on how to Write for the PHB, and share blog posts on the PHC.
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Hi there, everybody! I’m Purple Paw, and it’s true—I’ve just become the PHB’s newest author!! I’m incredibly proud, very surprised, and most of all, excited to have this opportunity.
Art of my Poptropican (username: PurplePawzz)
Beginning my journey as a writer for this blog, I’ll tell you a bit about how I joined this fandom.
I first started playing Poptropica in 2015, finding the game through Funbrain (as many players do). After playing my first island—Mystery Train—I quickly became engrossed in the game. In mid-2016, I ran into technical difficulties that prevented me from playing for several months. But as soon as everything was fixed and back in working order, I jumped right back into playing!
For quite some time, I wasn’t as interested in Pop, as my attention gradually shifted to other fandoms. Throughout 2017, 18, and 19, I would occasionally log in to check out what was happening, but nothing interested me enough to convince me to stay. That is, until 2020 came…
This past summer, I had a thought to check back on Poptropica. And this time, something did convince me to stay: the return of the old islands. I was thrilled to see that they had come back. I bought a membership so that I could enjoy them once more.
Whilst playing through a difficult island (which one, I can’t remember) I found myself stuck. But I wasn’t worried; I knew there were plenty of helpful walkthroughs out there. So I browsed the Internet for the best one I could find. And then I came across the PHB! I liked the PHB enough to revisit it several times. But I didn’t involve myself in the community at first—that is, until the PHB’s Tribal Tournament began in August. Now, this was something I couldn’t resist. I sent in my submissions, and was very surprised when I was crowned MVP!
I joined the PHC Discord community for the end of tournament party, and decided to stick around. I met several online friends there on the Discord server. In the following months, I started writing guest posts for the PHB and participated in a few other contests. By that point, you could say I’d put myself out there in the Poptropica fandom.
But the most shocking surprise came just this week. I had logged onto Discord, and was typing a message, when I noticed a new DM from Slanted Fish. Curious, I opened it, and it took all my willpower not to scream when I saw the invitation to join the PHB team!
I won’t deny that I had considered becoming a PHB author, but the fact that it was really happening was unbelievable! The down-to-earth side of me tried to convince myself the invite was just a dream, but I knew it wasn’t. Ecstatic, I accepted the offer. And that just about brings us to where we are today. I’m super excited to be part of the PHB staff, and can’t wait to see what happens next!
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