When the Season 5 premiere of Rick and Morty dropped, fans were expecting another high-concept sci-fi rigmarole. Instead, we got a guy in a speedo thrusting his pelvis at the screen.
Mister Nimbus is a weird character. Honestly, he's basically a walking satire of Marvel’s Namor or DC’s Aquaman, but with way more sexual energy and a baffling amount of authority over local law enforcement. For a long time, the "nemesis" of Rick Sanchez was usually some galactic federation or a council of alternate Ricks. Then, suddenly, this "king of the ocean" shows up, and Rick is genuinely stressed about it.
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It’s hilarious. But also, if you look closer, he’s one of the few characters who actually gets under Rick’s skin.
Who Exactly Is Mister Nimbus?
Mister Nimbus made his grand debut in the episode "Mort Dinner Rick Andre." He’s the King of the Ocean, the Ruler of Atlantis, and a self-proclaimed "ice-cold dick killer."
He doesn't just swim fast. He has a trident, he can summon massive tidal waves, and—most importantly—he controls the police. It’s never explained why or how. Rick even mentions that people always ask that, but it’s just a fact of life in this universe. If Nimbus says "fight," the cops start brawling. If he says "love," well, the scene gets a lot more R-rated.
What’s wild is that Dan Harmon, the show’s co-creator, actually voiced him.
Why the Police Power Matters
Most of Rick’s enemies try to fight him with lasers or portal tech. Nimbus just uses the legal system. Sorta. By controlling the police, he hits a nerve that Rick usually avoids. Rick hates bureaucracy. He hates rules. Having a nemesis who controls the very people who enforce those rules is a perfect foil.
The Diane Connection: Why Rick Is Actually Scared
You’ve probably noticed that Rick is usually the smartest guy in the room and he knows it. He treats most villains like annoying bugs. But with Mister Nimbus, he’s different. He’s polite. He tries to host a formal dinner. He’s... desperate for Nimbus to like the wine?
The reason is deep lore.
During their dinner, Nimbus drops a bombshell. He mentions Diane. For those who aren't deep into the Rick and Morty wiki, Diane is Rick’s deceased wife. Before this episode, her existence was mostly a mystery or a "fabricated" memory. Nimbus mentions her by name, asking Rick what she would think of him now.
"If Diane were alive today, what would she think?"
Rick’s reaction is immediate. He snaps. He tells Nimbus not to establish "canonical backstory." It’s a meta-joke, sure, but it proves Nimbus knew Rick before he became the jaded, dimension-hopping drunk we know. They were friends. Real friends.
The Power Level Nobody Talks About
We see Rick take down gods. He’s destroyed entire civilizations because he was bored. So why doesn't he just vaporize Nimbus?
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- He’s surprisingly durable: In the episode, Nimbus survives things that would kill a normal human.
- The Shell Factor: Summer eventually finds a "sacred shell" that is the source of his power. When she blows it, Nimbus becomes even stronger, easily beating Rick in a physical fight.
- Atlantis Tech: The show implies that Atlantis is actually an advanced civilization that existed long before Rick’s modern gadgets.
Basically, Nimbus is one of the few people on Earth who can actually hold his own against a Rick Sanchez who isn't prepared. Plus, they have a "sacred treaty." Rick might be a criminal, but he seems to respect the weird, old-school rules of the sea.
The Relationship With the Smiths
One of the funniest parts of the Mister Nimbus saga is how he interacts with the rest of the family. While Rick is terrified of him, Jerry and Beth are... intrigued.
By the end of the episode, the couple ends up in a "sex-positive" headspace that leads them straight to Nimbus’s doorstep. It’s one of those classic Rick and Morty subplots that reminds you the show is as much about family dysfunction as it is about space travel. Nimbus doesn't just challenge Rick’s intellect; he challenges his role as the "alpha" of the household.
Why He’s More Than Just a Gag
It’s easy to dismiss Nimbus as a joke. I mean, look at him. He’s a fish man in a speedo who talks about himself in the third person.
But he represents a version of Rick’s past that Rick wants to forget. He’s a reminder of a time when Rick had "truest friends" and a wife. Every time Nimbus calls him "Richard"—the only character to ever do so—it strips away the "Rick C-137" persona and reminds him he’s just a man who lost everything.
What We Can Learn From the "King of the Ocean"
If you're trying to understand the deeper themes of the show, Nimbus is a goldmine. He shows that:
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- Rick’s past isn't as "fabricated" as he claims.
- Magic and "weird" powers still exist in a world of high-tech science.
- The police are apparently a universal constant that even the smartest man alive has to deal with.
Moving Forward With the Lore
So, what should you do with all this? If you’re a fan, keep an eye on any mentions of "Kyle." During the episode, Nimbus mentions a former sidekick of Rick's named Kyle. It’s a throwaway line, but in this show, throwaway lines usually become major plot points three seasons later.
Also, re-watch "Analyze Piss" in Season 6. You’ll see Nimbus make another appearance, proving he’s not just a one-off character. He’s a permanent fixture of Rick’s Earthly life.
To really appreciate the character, look at how he contrasts with the newer, more serious villains like Rick Prime. Nimbus is a reminder that even in a multiverse of infinite tragedy, there’s always room for a horny fish man who can make the cops dance on command.
Pay attention to the background details in the Smith house next time an ocean-themed episode pops up; the show loves to hide clues about Rick’s "treaty" in plain sight.