Rick Sanchez makes plenty of unlikely friends throughout Adult Swim’s classic animated seriesRick and Morty. Between Squanchy, Birdperson, Mr. Poopybutthole, Unity, Gear Head, and many more, there are countless stories behind how he formed each of his friendships across the universe.
One person who Rick was immediately a fan of, and went so far as to build him his own personal roller coaster of some sort as a token of his appreciation, was the courageous and under-valued member of the Vindicators, Noob-Noob. Having only appeared in one episode ofRick and Morty, Noob-Noob became an instant fan favorite with an easy-to-remember catchphrase: “Goddamn!”
In his limited appearances on the show, fans have Noob-Noob to thank for a memorable adventure, insight into Rick’s inner struggles with wanting Morty’s approval, and aRick and Mortyexclusive song written and performed by Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist Logic.
Appearances inRick and Morty
“Vindicators 3: The Return of Worldender” (Season 3, Episode 4)
Appearances in OtherRick and MortyMedia
Rick and Morty have come across many people, and groups of people, in their adventuresacross the universe and multiverse. It only makes sense that they at some point encounter a group of galactic heroes who fly around space, saving worlds from evil threats, like the Guardians of the Galaxy or the Starship Enterprise. However, the group that Rick and Morty come in contact with are a bit more dysfunctional than the rest: The Vindicators.
Made up of the heroes Supernova, Vance Maximus, Crocubot, Alan Rails, and Million Ants, theVindicators' greatest enemiesare Worldender and Doom-Nomitron, and they received aid from Rick and Morty in fighting them both. Since they’re so busy with their adventures, the Vindicators need someone on the ship, making sure their workspace stays clean and everyone gets their coffee. And so, the Vindicators hired an intern, and that is Noob-Noob.
Believed to be the same species as Mr. Poopybutthole and Stealy, Noob-Noob is a tiny character with crooked eyes and buck teeth, who wears a mask and a cape. Although there have been times Noob-Noob was almost called to join the team on an adventure, he typically stays behind and is thus considered an unofficial member of the VIndicators (but he’s a member in our hearts).
Noob-Noob makes his first appearance in the episode “Vindicators 3: The Return of Worldender” (season 3, episode 4). Rick and Morty are called by the Vindicators to help take down Worldender, and right away, Rick and Noob-Noob hit it off. Rick, being Rick, is above the whole “galactic superhero squad” gimmick, and he isn’t afraid to express that. While the team discusses their plan,Rick decides to dissect the membersof the group, starting with Crocubot:
Crocubot. So, you’re half cold, unfeeling reptile, half, also cold, equally unfeeling machine? […] So, your origin is what? You fell into a vat of redundancy?
To which Noob-Noob responds:
Goddamn!
Even though their only exchanges are Noob-Noob reacting to his jokes, Rick’s favorite member of the Vindicators is immediately Noob-Noob. However, after a solo drunken night from Rick, instead of joining the Vindicators on their quest, Noob-Noob is forced to stay behind and clean up the mess Rick made.
After the adventure (which was essentially a string of booby traps set up by Rick after he defeated Worldender while drunk), the final puzzle was to put the most valuable part of the Vindicators (according to Rick) on a platform. And while Morty puts himself on the platform and is taken on a small roller coaster where Rick is confessing his appreciation for him, he finds out it was actually intended for Noob-Noob, simply for laughing at his jokes about the Vindicators.
In the end, Rick, Morty, and Supernova are brought to a space party, set up by drunk Rick, with special guest star Logic, who’s rapping a song about Noob-Noob. But Rick not only has no memory of setting up the party, hedoesn’t remember who in the world Noob-Noob is.
How Many Times Has Noob-Noob Appeared on Rick and Morty?
As far as the TV series, Noob-Noob only appears in that one episode (“The Vindicators 3: The Return of Worldender”). He does make a brief cameo in the season 5 opening sequence, where he can be seen receiving CPR from Rick on a spaceship.
Outside the TV series, though Noob-Noob actually has a number of appearances. Most prominently, he was featured in the 10-episode YouTube web series from 2022,Vindicators 2, a prequel to the season 3 episode ofRick and Morty. The short series follows the Vindicators as they assemble to fight Doom-Nomitron and save various planets in the universe. Although Noob-Noob isn’t involved in any of the fighting, he’s in almost every episode. Episode 5, “First Loves” follows him alone with his newfound love interest, Drizz. In the episode, he explains that he actually has a PhD in bRacatus biochemistry and the team never listens to what he has to offer.
Noob-Noob is also featured in a few of theRick and Mortycomic book series, includingRick and Morty Presents: The Vindicators, andRick and Morty Issue 44, both of which follow an adventure with the Vindicators and Noob-Noob. So, amongall theRick and Mortymedia, Noob-Noob makes an appearance for a total of nine times (including the season 5 opening sequence).
Rick and Morty
Rick and Morty is an animated sci-fi comedy that follows the outrageous interplanetary and multidimensional adventures of Rick Sanchez and his grandson, Morty. Airing on Adult Swim, Rick and Morty has become one of the most popular animated shows on television, blending humor, action, and genuine emotion.
