Honestly, most of us remember the green suit before we remember the plot. That iconic, double-breasted blazer. The dapper bowler hat. It’s the visual shorthand for Babar, the elephant who basically invented the "fish out of water" trope decades before it was cool.
But if you actually crack open one of Jean de Brunhoff’s original 1931 books or binge the 1989 Nelvana cartoon, you realize the world is way weirder and more complex than just a well-dressed pachyderm. The Babar the Elephant characters aren't just background noise; they’re a strange mix of French bourgeois values, jungle politics, and surprising emotional depth.
Think about it.
The story starts with a mother being shot by a hunter. It’s heavy. It’s trauma. And yet, Babar handles it by moving to Paris, getting a tutor, and learning how to drive a car.
The Core Family: More Than Just Royalty
At the heart of everything is Babar himself. He’s the King, sure, but he’s also a bit of a philosopher. He’s trying to balance his "civilized" upbringing in the city with his responsibilities to the Great Forest. He isn't some untouchable hero. He gets scared. He has nightmares.
Then there’s Celeste.
She isn't just the Queen. She’s Babar’s cousin (yeah, the family tree is a bit tangled in the early books) and his absolute rock. While Babar is often busy being the visionary, Celeste is usually the one keeping the family—and the kingdom—from falling into total chaos.
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The Kids: Pom, Flora, and Alexander
The children were introduced early on to give the series a domestic feel.
- Pom: The oldest. He’s generally the most responsible, though he’s definitely felt the pressure of being the heir to the throne.
- Flora: She’s spirited. In the later books and TV series, she’s often the one pushing back against the traditional "royal" expectations.
- Alexander: The youngest and most prone to getting into trouble. If someone is falling off a cliff or getting stuck in a hole, it's Alexander.
- Isabelle: The "bonus" child. She appeared much later in the series, specifically in Babar and the Ghost, adding a new dynamic to the household.
The Supporting Cast That Makes Celesteville Work
You can't talk about Babar the Elephant characters without mentioning The Old Lady (Madame). She’s the human who originally took Babar in when he fled to the city. She didn't just give him clothes; she gave him an education. Interestingly, she eventually moves to the jungle to live in Celesteville. Imagine that retirement plan: moving to an elephant city in the middle of Africa because you're best friends with the King.
The Advisors: Cornelius and Pompadour
If Babar is the heart, Cornelius is the brain. He’s the oldest and wisest elephant in the kingdom, easily recognizable by his spectacles and his constant worrying. He’s the guy who remembers the old ways before the elephants started wearing shirts.
In the TV series, we got Pompadour.
He’s the Minister of Protocol. He’s fussy. He’s obsessed with "the proper way" of doing things. The banter between the pragmatic Cornelius and the high-strung Pompadour provides most of the show's comedy. They are the ultimate "odd couple" of the elephant world.
The Chaos Agent: Arthur
Arthur is Babar’s younger cousin. He’s the "cool uncle" type, even though he’s technically closer in age to the kids in many stories. Arthur is usually the catalyst for adventure. He’s reckless, he’s fun, and he often sports a sailor suit. He represents the part of Babar that still wants to just play, even while wearing the crown.
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The Rivalry: Lord Rataxes and the Rhinos
Every good story needs a foil. For the elephants of Celesteville, that foil is the Rhinoceros kingdom, led by Lord Rataxes.
Rataxes is everything Babar isn't. He’s loud, he’s aggressive, and he’s deeply insecure. He wants the prestige that Babar has but doesn't want to do the work of building a "civilized" society. Their rivalry isn't just about territory; it’s a clash of ideologies. Babar wants diplomacy; Rataxes wants to win.
But even Rataxes has layers. His wife, Lady Rataxes, often has more sense than he does. And their son, Victor, is actually friends with Babar’s children. It’s a classic Romeo and Juliet setup without the poison—just kids trying to play together while their dads argue about borders.
Why the Characters Still Resonate in 2026
It’s easy to dismiss Babar as a relic of French colonialism—and plenty of critics, like Ariel Dorfman, have done exactly that. They see the "civilizing" of the elephants as a metaphor for European imperialism. And honestly? They aren't entirely wrong. The subtext is there.
But for most readers, the staying power comes from the emotional reality of the characters.
Jean de Brunhoff wrote these stories while he was dying of tuberculosis. He knew he wouldn't be around to see his own children grow up. When you look at Babar through that lens, the character becomes a surrogate father. Babar is a guide for how to be a "good person" (or elephant) in a world that can be unpredictably cruel.
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The transition from Jean to his son, Laurent de Brunhoff, kept the spark alive. Laurent took over at age 21 and continued the legacy for decades, ensuring the characters evolved. He added more whimsy. He sent Babar to outer space. He even had the elephants doing yoga.
Spotting the Differences: Books vs. TV
If you’re looking for specific Babar the Elephant characters, you’ve gotta know where you’re looking.
- Zephir the Monkey: In the books, he’s Babar’s best friend and even has his own spin-off book. He’s much more mischievous in the original text.
- The Rhino Chef: A TV show staple who adds a bit of flavor (literally) to the conflict between the kingdoms.
- General D'Aumant: Another TV creation, representing the elephant military.
Practical Ways to Revisit the World of Babar
If you're looking to introduce these characters to a new generation, or just scratching a nostalgia itch, don't just grab any random book. Start with The Story of Babar (1931) to see the origins. It’s remarkably short and the illustrations are massive, hand-lettered pieces of art.
If you prefer watching, the HBO/Nelvana series from the late 80s remains the gold standard. It captures the melancholic tone of the books without being too depressing for kids.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Author: Look for Jean de Brunhoff for the classic, slightly darker foundational stories. Look for Laurent de Brunhoff for the more adventurous, modern tales.
- Watch the Pilot: The first few episodes of the animated series ("Babar's First Step") do a great job of explaining the backstories of the Old Lady and Cornelius.
- Compare the Art: Take a look at the original 1930s watercolors compared to the 2010s CGI series (Babar and the Adventures of Badou). The vibe shift is wild.
The world of Celesteville is big. Whether you’re a fan of the wise Cornelius or the bratty Rataxes, these characters offer more than just a lesson in wearing suits. They show us a way to build a community, even when the jungle gets a little too wild.