Sebastian is one of Disney’s most beloved characters. As King Triton’s composer in The Little Mermaid, this Caribbean crustacean sings and sasses his way into our hearts. But fans have long debated – is Sebastian actually a crab or a lobster? Official Disney merchandise has fueled the confusion by labeling him both ways over the years. Let’s dive underwater and get into the details to finally settle this debate once and for all.
Evidence That Sebastian is a Crab
While Sebastian’s cartoonish design makes it hard to definitively identify his species, there is compelling evidence that he is, in fact, a crab:
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In The Little Mermaid film, Chef Louis clearly refers to Sebastian as a “crab” when trying to cook him. As a seafood expert, Louis should know.
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Concept art and early sketches from animators consistently show Sebastian as a crab.
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Crabs better represent Sebastian’s personality – small anxious and always sidling sideways.
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The lyrics to “Under the Sea” reference sideways movement like a crab.
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In The Little Mermaid on Broadway Sebastian is portrayed as a crab puppet.
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The live-action remake visually designs Sebastian as a ghost crab species.
Overall, both official materials and common sense suggest Sebastian was intended to be a crab from the start.
Clues That Point to Lobster
However, over the years some Disney products have labeled Sebastian a lobster, muddying the waters. Possible lobster clues include:
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His teeth resemble a lobster’s more than a crab’s.
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His nose is similar in shape to a lobster’s anatomy.
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The antennae on his head are straight rather than bent.
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His legs are segmented more like a lobster.
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He lives deeper underwater than real crabs typically do.
Still, these subtle cues are not definitive proof. Sebastian matches a crab’s biology and mannerisms much more closely overall.
Disney Merchandise Causes Confusion
Curiously, Disney itself has contributed to the confusion through merchandise. The Disney wiki lists Sebastian as a crab, yet:
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Several toys label him “Sebastian the Lobster.”
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He’s called a lobster in some storybooks like “Sebastian’s Caribbean Jamboree.”
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Clothing with Sebastian refers to him both ways.
Since Disney rarely makes official statements on character details, fans are left to debate. Unfortunately, Disney’s inconsistent branding keeps the question open when Sebastian’s species seems clear.
Why Fans Care So Much
This may seem a trivial detail, but Disney fans care deeply about staying true to beloved characters. Details matter, and changing them feels like distorting the “real” Sebastian. Other factors include:
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Nostalgia – Fans want characters preserved as they first appeared.
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Authenticity – Viewers value faithfulness to the original film they love.
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Lore – Disney characters have complex histories fans feel invested in.
While it ultimately doesn’t affect Sebastian’s role in the story, his species plays into his personality and background that viewers feel they know intimately after years of watching him.
The Live-Action Little Mermaid Clarifies Things
After years of uncertainty, Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid finally cements Sebastian’s true identity. Animators designed the character to resemble a tropical ghost crab species. This attention to realism leaves no doubt that Sebastian is a crab.
Actor Daveed Diggs, who voices him in the remake, even researched Caribbean culture and speech patterns to honor Sebastian’s origins. The live-action film may be controversial to some fans, but at least itPicked a side in the crab versus lobster debate!
Why the Distinction Matters
Some may still think Sebastian’s species is an inconsequential detail, but here is why the crab versus lobster distinction carries weight:
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It affects visual consistency in merchandise and art.
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It establishes meaningful context for Sebastian like where he lives and how he moves.
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It proves respect for the original character’s conception.
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It resolves distracting debates so all fans accept him as a crab.
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It reaffirms Disney lore has logic, not random changes for marketing.
Overall, clear resolution on Sebastian being a crab streamlines his place in The Little Mermaid universe.
Was He Always Meant to Be a Crab?
Given the evidence within the film itself, Sebastian likely was envisioned as a crab from the start. Somewhere along the line wires got crossed, and Disney began associating him with lobsters too.
Why call him a lobster at all then? Here are some plausible theories:
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His design strikes a balance between crab and lobster features.
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Early scripts may have alternate references.
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Marketing teams got creative for products.
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He lives deeper than real crabs do.
While the reasons for the mixed messaging are unclear, the verdict seems tilted toward Sebastian being a crab as originally intended.
The case is now closed – Sebastian is definitively a crab! The live-action Little Mermaid settles any remaining debate. This also preserves his initial character concept. Regardless of past inconsistencies in Disney merchandise, Sebastian is a tropical crab through and through. Fans can celebrate the validation of this detail and appreciate why it matters. Sebastian’s true nature as a crab is fundamental to The Little Mermaid canon. Under the sea, order is restored once more!
FAQ About Sebastian’s Species
Here are some frequently asked questions to eliminate any lingering confusion:
Is Sebastian a crab or a lobster?
Sebastian is confirmed to be a crab in The Little Mermaid films, despite some merchandise calling him a lobster over the years.
What evidence suggests Sebastian is a crab?
Chef Louis calls him a crab, animation sketches depict him as a crab, his movements match a crab’s, and the lyrics reference crab movement.
Why did Disney ever call him a lobster?
His design has some lobster-like elements, which likely led to unofficial lobster references. Marketing teams may have ran with it.
Why does it matter so much to fans?
Fans feel changing small character details undermines the larger integrity and history of Disney movies.
How did the live-action remake confirm he’s a crab?
The realistic CGI animated Sebastian as a ghost crab species, cementing him as a crab.
Sebastian’s true nature as a Caribbean crab is validated at last, clearing up decades of unnecessary confusion. Under the sea, all is harmonious once more!
The Little Mermaid television series[]
Sebastian is in all episodes of the prequel TV show, which follows Ariel’s adventures when she is still a mermaid. In the series, Sebastians occupation is King Tritons assistant, adviser and confidant. Sebastian is shown to be friendly with Ariel, Flounder, and Urchin, a new character that is only in this TV show. At times, he is strict and criticizes Ariel for being too daring, but he often goes on them with her.
In the adventure called “Island of Fear,” he goes with Ariel as she tries to find the source of a pollutant that is making the fish sick. He makes friends with a human boy named Daniel and helps him get away from the bad scientist Mr. Daniel has to work for. This is one of the few times in the series that a character talks to a real person.
Throughout the series, Sebastians character is further developed via dialogue and entire episodes dedicated to him. In the series, Sebastian is said to have come from a large Jamaican family. It looks like Sebastian was born in Jamaica and went to the Music Academy in Trinidad before becoming King Triton’s assistant. “Tank You for Dat, Ariel” reveals that he is somewhat insecure regarding his size.
World of Color[]
Sebastian appears in Disneyland Resorts World of Color in Disneys California Adventure. Sebastian appears following Ariels sequence singing Under the Sea.