Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death and animal death.

The aquanaut is the novel’s protagonist, a figure made up of four sea creatures and a diving suit. While there are four unique animals inside, they work as a team and present as a united front. Each member of the team has a unique role to play, working together for a common goal. Sodapop the crab is the captain and helps guide the group through their actions. Carlos, the dumbo octopus, is the engineer responsible for ensuring the suit’s effective functionalities. Jobim, the sea turtle, is the navigator, controlling its movements. Antonio, the blanket octopus, is simply good company, offering emotional support to the others. Each animal’s personality works together, and they manage to maneuver the suit onto land to find Aqualand. A desire to be safe motivates Sodapop, as he watched a giant squid kill his father in the ocean. The others want to be safe as well, and since they always stick together, they support Sodapop in his plan. The aquanaut befriends Sophia and wears her dad’s suit. In a sense, the aquanaut is a connection to her father.