
A square yellow sponge named SpongeBob SquarePants lives in a pineapple with his pet snail, Gary, in the city of Bikini Bottom on the floor of the Pacific Ocean. He works as a fry cook at the Krusty Krab. During his time off, SpongeBob has a knack for attracting trouble with his starfish best friend, Patrick. Arrogant octopus Squidward Tentacles, SpongeBob's neighbor, dislikes SpongeBob because of his childlike behavior.

Mr. Krabs has an accident and leaves SpongeBob in charge of the Krusty Krab; Patrick takes a job at the Goofy Goober when he finds out the employees get free ice cream.

Mr. Krabs discovers that Plankton is afraid of whales; Gary falls in love with a snail named Mary.

SpongeBob finds a sea urchin living in the Krusty Krab; Squidward convinces SpongeBob and Sandy to teach him karate.

When Squidward sets out to prove that anyone can write a comic book, his work garners an obsessed fan base; an actor shadows SpongeBob in preparation for his next big movie, but his dedication to the role becomes a headache for SpongeBob.