Ondino

***Ondino*** (*Ripples* in English) is an Italian CGI animated television series, aimed at preschoolers between the ages 2-5 years old, produced by Animabit in co-production with Rai Fiction and Rainbow CGI.

The first series was broadcast on Rai 3 as part of the television show, "È domenica papà". The first episode was aired on July 8th, 2007.

The second series has been on the air since August 9th, 2010 everyday on Rai 3.

## Synopsis

In each episode, adventure, fun and didactic ideas come together from the protagonist's interaction with the elements of both the marine environment and the terrestrial world.

The main characters of the series are four: Ondino, the protagonist, a creature half fish and half child, very smart and who learns quickly; Giasone, a funny and clumsy hermit crab; Polly, a small female octopus, very tender but determined and Icarus, the wise pelican who knows the secrets of the sea.

The stories of the episodes arise from the interaction between these characters, the development of which is closely linked to the characteristics and peculiarities of each of them. Icaro, in general, is the one who starts the research in the early stages of the episode; Ondino, is the most capable of exploiting the information acquired, Giasone and Polly offer ideas for fun and "snatch" laughter from the little spectators. In each adventure, naturally with a happy ending, the importance of friendship and collaboration between the protagonists and the naturalness with which new characters who need help to solve some problem are welcomed into the group.

Each episode follows a narrative scheme that does not limit its development but rather constitutes a path that facilitates the viewer and allows you to build shortcuts or enrichments where the theme presents the need.

The first part of the adventure, after the initial cue that introduces the theme of the episode, takes place in a familiar environment and is characterized by moments of play or discussion, a prelude to the second part, the heart of the real adventure, characterized by from misunderstandings, false leads or misinterpretations of real things. After having faced difficulties of various kinds, the protagonists return to their familiar environments, each time enriched by new acquaintances and aware that only thanks to friendship and relationships with others can one take advantage of even the most complicated situations. — MIPCOM 2006

## Backgrounds

There are four main backgrounds in the series that takes place between the sea and the mainland: the sea, the fishing boat, the beach and the rocks.

### The Sea

It is typically ours, the Mediterranean one, already deep near the coast, with a thin coastal area behind which there is immediately the forest and the mountains. Even the flora and fauna represented are those of our sea even if, in many episodes, the protagonists meet characters who have come from far away. This is the case, for example, of a penguin, a dugong and a seal. Natural element for Ondino, Polly and Giasone, the sea is the most explored environment as it is also the home of several of their friends, squid, oysters, sea urchins, sharks and whales.

### The Fishing Boat

The old fishing boat, half-sunk among the rocks, is Icarus's home, where the pelican loves to return between flights. It is the place where he finds himself with Ondino and his friends and it is often the environment in which every adventure begins and ends. The hull of the fishing boat is populated by various sea creatures, including a grumpy old octopus who would always like silence and tranquility. In the various semi-flooded rooms the protagonists often find useful objects and resources for the development of adventures and sometimes for real narrative ideas. The dream of the four friends is to one day be able to restart the fishing boat to explore more distant places.

### The Beach

Border area between the underwater, terrestrial and sea surface worlds, the beach is the place where Ondino, Polly and Giasone often go to play. It is the place where the three friends, like real children, have fun building sand castles, playing tennis, hide-and-seek. Moreover, tides and storms often leave strange and curious objects that the three friends enjoy discovering.

### The Rocks

They emerge from the sea, like real oases on the sea surface, and are populated by seagulls, albatrosses, crabs and limpets, often witnesses of particular situations and spectators of the protagonists' adventures.

## Characters

### Main Characters

* **Ondino** (Ripples; voiced by Benedetta Ponticelli) is a half human half fish he can survive on land or underwater. He is the main character in the show Ripples. He always solves problems with his friends by thinking hard and coming up with an idea. He has red-orange hair, black eyes, black eyebrows, peach skin and green and gold pants with a shell on his pants. He wants to be a sailor when he grows up in the episode 'The Magic Amphora' and he said he will get the old fishing boat and make it brand new and he said that he will sail the seven seas.
* **Icaro** (Icarus; voiced by Pietro Ubaldi) is a pelican who lives on boats and ships. He is one of Ondino's friends. He doesn't hang around his friends instead he stays on top of ships and boats. When his friends need help he always gives them advice. He has black eyes, white eyebrows, white feathers and he has a golden yellow beak.
* **Giasone** (Jason; voiced by Luca Sandri) is a hermit crab who lives around sandy areas. He is one of Ondino's friends. He also helps his friends solve problems throughout their adventures. He has black eyes, black eyebrows, a red-orange body and he has a shell. Throughout their adventures he stands up for his friends and tries to be brave. He said he wanted to be a skater when he grows up in the episode 'The Magic Amphora' when Icaro asked him he said a skater named Giasone the lightning flash.
* **Polly** (voiced by Lara Parmiani) is an octopus who lives underwater. She is one of Ondino's friends. She always has a smile on her face except for when a problem occurs in her friends way. In the end, Polly is always happy for her friends after an adventure. She has black eyes, blackeyebrows, a magenta body and she has tentacles. She can make herself into anything. She says she wants to be a rock star when she grows up in the episode 'The Magic Amphora' when Icarus asks her and she said a singer that sings rock star music.

### Supporting Characters

* **Lucinda** is a sea turtle who lives in wet lands and underwater. She is one of Ondino's friends. She gives her friends lifts to other destinations so her friends can solve a variety of problems quicker. She has green eyes, brown eyebrows, green body and she has a brown back shell.
* **Lillo** is a snipefish who swims underwater day to night. He is one of Ondino's friends. He hangs out with Ondino and his friends and he plays with them and has much fun. He has three small brothers. His den got pulled away from the storm in the episode "The Rainbow". He has black eyes, a yellow body and he has a mouth tube that can sound like a trumpet.
* **Dido & Dado** are sea breams. They both have the same appearance. When Ondino and his friends are solving problems they get attached but in the end they are back to normal. They both have black eyes, grey body and they both have green stripes on themselves. Their den gets dumped in the episode "A Sea Of... Garbage".

## Episodes

### Season 1 (2007)

1. *The Magic Amphora*
2. *The Missing Pearls*
3. *The Firefly Lamp*
4. *The Urchin Day*
5. *Kiko The Dolphin*
6. *The Chick*
7. *The King Of The Seagulls*
8. *A Sea Of... Garbage*
9. *Carlotta the Oyster*
10. *The Two Turtles*
11. *The Rainbow*
12. *Star Little Star*
13. *Doctor Jason*
14. *Polly The Babysitter*
15. *The Little Bird From Over The Sea*
16. *Autumn In Near*
17. *The Bungling Sardine*
18. *The Penguin*
19. *Journey Into The Depths*
20. *Wild Oscar*
21. *A House For Esmeralda*
22. *Happy Birthday*
23. *A Dolphin Called Jason*
24. *United We Stand, Divided We Fall*
25. *Night Flight*
26. *The Great Jack*

### Season 2 (2010)

1. *When The Snow Falls*
2. *The Little Mermaid*
3. *A Ray Of Flowers*
4. *Hiccups*
5. *The Cloud Catchers*
6. *Lunch Is Served*
7. *The Flag*
8. *The Great Current*
9. *Sweet Dreams*
10. *Return Of Michelangelo*
11. *The Unbeatable Bumbo*
12. *The Eel's Great Journey*
13. *The Fizzy Drink*
14. *A Sea Of Lies*
15. *Best Of Friends*
16. *Uncle Hercules*
17. *The Secret Room*
18. *The Great Spring Clean*
19. *The Enchanted Vessel*
20. *In A Jam*
21. *Jason's Odyssey*
22. *Journey To The Centre Of The Earth*
23. *Mexico And Bluebubbles*
24. *The Puffin's Secret*
25. *A Stroke Of Genius*
26. *Super Jason*