Orko is a character from the animated TV series, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. He was not part of the original toy collection the show was based on; rather, he was created by the show's writers to serve as a comedy relief. Eventually a toy figure of him was made. Orko also appeared in the 2002 remake of the series.

Orko is a 'Trolan', a race from Trola, a world in another dimension. Trolans wear red robes, red hats, and hide their faces behind scarves. (Apparently, in Trolan society, showing your face to each other is considered an intimate act, similar to humans sharing a kiss.) Trolans appear to be blue-skinned humanoids with pointy ears. However, their feet have never been shown- the robes either hide them, or they just don't have any. Trolans have natural magical abilities, including levitation, which they always use instead of walking. Still, some Trolans have greater magical power than others; Orko's uncle, for example, was a famous magician.

Orko himself has always had trouble with his magical powers. It's an old joke in the series that, almost every time, when he tries to use magic, it would backfire in some amusing way. The reason for this isn't clear; in one episode, it was suggested that Trola operates with natural laws that are the opposite of Eternia's, and that in Trola, Orko WAS a good magician. However, in later episodes this was contradicted, and Orko was shown to be equally incompetent even in Trola. Another episode indicated that Orko used a magical pendant that allowed him to use magic correctly, but that he later lost it.

Orko came to the world of Eternia when a 'cosmic storm' accidentally transported him there. He appeared in the Tar Swamps, where he found a young Prince Adam (and his pet, Cringer, at the time a tiger cub) and saved them both from dying in the tar. However, he lost his pendant in the process.

Stuck in Eternia, Orko was made Royal Buffoon by the King of Eternia in gratitude for having saved his son. Orko became one of Adam's closest friends; in fact, Orko knows that Adam is secretly He-Man (although it has never been revealed how he found out.) Orko has proven to be a good friend and a valuable ally, despite his unpredictable powers and the fact he's more than a little clueless. Sometimes Orko wonders how useful he is to He-Man, but despite his apparent cowardliness, he never fails to help those in need.

Orko has returned to Trola (with the help of others) on a number of occasions. The first time, he helped He-Man save the life of several Trolans captured by a humanoid dragon called The Dragoon, and began a romance with a Trolan girl. However, he decided that his place was now in Eternia, and so he returned there. However, he still occasionally visits his friends and relatives in Trola.

External Link: Masters of the Universe.com/Orko