Octarians

Lore & Background

Long before the modern era of Turf Wars, Inklings and Octarians coexisted in a shared history that eventually fractured. As Inkling populations grew and expanded onto land, they inadvertently pushed the Octarian society back into the ocean depths. Isolated and cut off from their ancestral lands, the Octarians developed a unique culture centered around technology and music, viewing the surface dwellers as usurpers of their rightful home.

Under the charismatic but radical leadership of DJ Octavio, the Octarians launched a campaign to reclaim the surface. They utilized stolen Inkling technology to create an army of mechanical beasts and, in some cases, mind-controlled Octolings—a type of Octarian, not Inklings. Their goal was not merely conquest but restoration; they believed that by covering the world in ink again, they could force the Inklings to return to the water or be eradicated entirely, resetting the balance of power.

In Their Own Story

The neon lights of the underground city flickered as the bass from DJ Octavio's speakers thumped through the damp stone walls. A young Octarian adjusted their goggles, staring up at the holographic projection of the surface world—a place they had only heard about in forbidden stories. 'They think we are monsters,' a veteran soldier whispered, checking the ink levels on their blaster. 'But we are just trying to go home.' Above them, the water churned, hiding the massive fleet of submarines waiting for the signal to breach the surface and turn the day into night once more.

Reader's Guide

The history of the Octarians is deeply rooted in the mythological origins of Splatoon's world. According to ancient lore found within the game, Inklings evolved from a species that lived in the sea but migrated to land as their environment changed. This migration created a schism with those who remained underwater: the Octarians.

The conflict escalated into the Great Turf War when DJ Octavio decided that diplomacy was no longer an option. He initiated a series of attacks on Inkling cities, using his 'Octo-ink' to enslave agents and turn them against their own kind. This period marked the height of the Octarian Empire's power, where they controlled vast underground networks and threatened to drown the surface world.

However, the narrative reveals that the war is cyclical. The endless Turf Wars on the surface are often seen as a training ground or a distraction from the deeper conflict between species. The eventual resolution suggests a path toward coexistence rather than total annihilation, hinting that both Inklings and Octarians share a common heritage that transcends their current rivalry.

Did You Know?

• Octarian technology is heavily inspired by retro-futuristic aesthetics, often resembling 1980s arcade machines and synthesizers.
• Some Octolings (a type of Octarian) were mind-controlled by DJ Octavio, but Octarians are a separate species from Inklings.
• The Octarians have a distinct musical culture that blends electronic beats with oceanic sounds, central to their identity.
• Their society is structured around a hierarchy led by DJ Octavio and his lieutenants—none of whom are Mr. Grizz, the leader of Grizzco Industries.