Honestly, if you grew up in the early 2000s, you probably spent a significant amount of time trying to draw Stitch on the back of your notebook. There’s something about that little blue chaos agent that just stuck. But when you look back at the franchise now—between the original 2002 film, the four sequels, and the sprawling TV series—the list of characters is actually massive. It's not just a girl and her "dog." It’s an entire galaxy of genetic experiments, social workers with secret pasts, and a stressed-out older sister just trying to keep the electricity on.
Most people can name the main duo, but things get fuzzy once you start talking about Experiment 625 or the exact name of the Grand Councilwoman. Whether you're prep-ping for the live-action remake or just hitting a wave of nostalgia, here is the real deal on the Lilo and Stitch characters names and pictures (mental or digital) that defined the series.
The Core Ohana: Who Started It All
The heart of the story isn't the space travel; it’s a small, slightly broken house in Kauai.
Lilo Pelekai
Lilo is, quite frankly, a weird kid. And that’s why we love her. She’s obsessed with Elvis Presley, takes photos of "plump" tourists for her scrapbooks, and feeds Pudge the Fish peanut butter sandwiches because she believes he controls the weather. Her name actually means "lost" in Hawaiian, which hits pretty hard when you realize she’s just a grieving kid trying to find a friend who won't ditch her.
Stitch (Experiment 626)
Before he was Lilo's "puppy," he was a biological weapon designed by Dr. Jumba Jookiba. Stitch is basically a tank in a koala suit. He can lift 3,000 times his own weight, thinks faster than a supercomputer, and is virtually indestructible. His character arc from a destructive monster to a creature who understands that "Ohana means family" is still one of Disney's best.
Nani Pelekai
Can we talk about how Nani is the real hero? She’s nineteen years old, her parents are gone, and she’s fighting a legal battle to keep her sister while working dead-end jobs. She is the literal definition of "stressed but well-meaning." Nani’s relationship with David Kawena—the surfer who is patient enough to wait for her to have a free minute—is probably the most realistic depiction of dating in any Disney movie.
The Aliens Living in the Attic
Once the first movie ended, the house got a lot more crowded. Jumba and Pleakley didn't just go back to space; they moved into the upstairs bedroom and started wearing laundry on their heads.
Dr. Jumba Jookiba
A self-proclaimed "Evil Genius" from the planet Quelte Quan. Jumba is the creator of Stitch and all 625 "cousins" that came before him. He’s got four eyes, a thick accent, and a surprisingly soft heart for Lilo.
Agent Wendy Pleakley
Pleakley is a Plorgonarian who is obsessed with Earth "ecology" (mostly mosquitoes and wigs). He spends most of the series dressed in Nani's clothes to blend in as a "human woman," which is a level of commitment we have to respect. He’s the nervous, high-strung foil to Jumba’s chaotic energy.
Captain Gantu
The big guy. Gantu is a giant, whale-like alien who was once the captain of the Galactic Armada. After he failed to catch Stitch, he got fired and ended up working for the series villain, Dr. Hämsterviel. Gantu is mostly a joke in the TV show, but in the original movie, he was actually terrifying.
The 626 Cousins: Notable Genetic Experiments
The Lilo & Stitch TV series introduced the idea that Stitch has 625 "cousins" scattered across Hawaii in dehydrated pods. Every episode was a race to find them before Gantu did. While we can't list all 625 here, a few stand out as fan favorites.
- Angel (Experiment 624): Stitch’s girlfriend. She’s pink, cute, and has a siren song that turns good experiments evil. She’s basically the pop star of the experiment world.
- Reuben (Experiment 625): He has all the powers of Stitch but is incredibly lazy. He literally just wants to make sandwiches. Honestly, same.
- Sparky (Experiment 221): The first cousin Lilo and Stitch ever "activated." He’s a high-voltage electrical prankster who eventually finds his "one true place" powering the Kilauea Lighthouse.
- Felix (Experiment 010): An experiment obsessed with cleaning. He’s like a living Roomba but with a much higher risk of accidentally vacuuming up your pets.
- Leroy (Experiment 629): The villainous "brother" created in the final movie, Leroy & Stitch. He’s basically an evil, red version of Stitch with even more aggression.
The Humans Who Make It Complicated
Cobra Bubbles
You probably remember him as the man in the suit who looks like he could crush a bowling ball with one hand. Cobra Bubbles is a social worker, but he used to be a CIA agent. Rumor has it he was involved in the Roswell incident, which is why he’s so calm when blue aliens start wrecking the neighborhood.
Mertle Edmonds
The "Alpha Bitch" of the hula class. Mertle is mean, spoiled, and constantly calls Lilo a "weirdo." She’s the primary antagonist for Lilo on Earth, proving that sometimes middle-schoolers are scarier than intergalactic bounty hunters. She actually ends up with an experiment of her own—Gigi (Experiment 007)—which looks exactly like a Shih Tzu.
David Kawena
David is the gold standard for boyfriends. He’s supportive, he’s a fire dancer, and he handles the fact that his girlfriend’s "dog" is an alien remarkably well.
Why the Live-Action Remake Names Matter
With the 2025/2026 live-action remake on the horizon, the Lilo and Stitch characters names and pictures are being updated for a new generation. We know Maia Kealoha is playing Lilo, and Sydney Agudong is taking on the role of Nani. Chris Sanders is returning to voice Stitch, which is a huge relief because nobody else can do that iconic growl.
The biggest change? Cobra Bubbles is being played by Courtney B. Vance, and Zach Galifianakis is stepping into the shoes (or four eyes) of Jumba. Seeing how these characters translate from 2D animation to "photorealistic" CGI is going to be a trip.
Your Actionable Ohana Checklist
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of Lilo and Stitch, don't just stop at the first movie. Here is how to actually experience the full story:
- Watch "Stitch! The Movie": This is essentially the pilot for the TV series and introduces the concept of the 625 experiments.
- The TV Series Marathon: Look for specific episodes featuring Angel or 627 to see the best character development for Stitch.
- Finish with "Leroy & Stitch": This wraps up the entire series and gives a "one true place" to almost every single experiment.
- Identify the "Cousins": If you find a toy or picture of a weird-looking alien that isn't Stitch, check the ears. Most experiments have a specific number designated by Jumba.
The world of Kauai is a lot bigger than it looks on a map. Between the 626 experiments and the humans trying to survive the chaos, the character list is a testament to the idea that family isn't just who you're born with—it's who you're willing to go to space for.