For over 30 years, Disney fans have been embroiled in a heated debate – is Sebastian, the singing crustacean from The Little Mermaid, actually a crab or a lobster? This question has sparked arguments across playgrounds and internet forums alike While Sebastian’s species seems straightforward in the original animated film, confusing merchandise and vague descriptions in spinoff materials have muddied the waters But with Disney’s new live-action remake, we finally have definitive proof of Sebastian’s true nature. Let’s dive under the sea and settle this age-old question once and for all!
The Case for Crab
In the 1989 animated classic, Sebastian is repeatedly identified on screen as a crab. King Triton’s adviser is acknowledged as such by other characters, and his overall design resembles a stylized crab more than a lobster. The evidence seems clear – Sebastian is a crab through and through in the original movie.
But mixed messaging on Disney merchandise has led to the lingering question. Plush toys labeled “Sebastian the Lobster” and vague descriptions using terms like “crustacean companion” have fueled the debate for years. When you add in Sebastian’s Bob’s Big Boy-esque red color, some fans assumed he must be a lobster. Still, the film itself is unambiguous – Sebastian is a crab.
Spinoffs Add Confusion
After the huge success of the original, Disney expanded The Little Mermaid into a multimedia franchise with a prequel film, sequel film, TV series, and eventually Broadway musical. Interestingly, Sebastian’s species seems to flip flop throughout various spinoffs. While some stay consistent with the crab designation, others refer to him as a lobster.
The 2008 prequel film The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning lists Sebastian as a lobster in the credits. And in some stage adaptations, he’s referred to as both a crab and a lobster interchangeably! For diehard fans following the expanded Ariel universe, the conflicting messages only made the debate rage hotter over the years.
Live-Action Design Settles the Issue
When Disney announced a live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, fans wondered how the updated visual effects would depict Sebastian’s appearance. While the animated Sebastian was bright red and cartoonish, a more realistic design might provide clues to his true species.
In 2022, the first official images of Sebastian were revealed – and he is undeniably a crab. The CGI animation takes inspiration from real-life tropical ghost crabs. While ghost crabs can’t survive underwater, it confirms that in the live-action universe, Sebastian is 100% crab.
Disney legend Jodi Benson, the original voice of Ariel, has affirmed that the debate is over. “The live-action film is correcting what happened in some of the other incarnations where Sebastian started to develop a New England accent and became a lobster.” She praised the 2023 film for honoring the original character as a crab.
Why the Confusion Existed
Several factors contributed to the lingering uncertainty over Sebastian’s species over the years:
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Unclear merchandise – Plushies and figurines labeling Sebastian a lobster muddied the discourse, despite his depiction as a crab in the films.
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Inconsistent spinoffs – Varying descriptions between movies, TV, and theater led to mixed messages on Sebastian’s character.
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Stylized animation – The hand-drawn animated Sebastian didn’t resemble an actual crab, fueling theories he was actually a lobster.
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Caribbean accent – Sebastian spoke with a Caribbean dialect more associated with lobsters than crabs.
While these factors created understandable debate, the live-action settles any doubt – Sebastian is definitively a crab.
Why This Debate Matters
Some may wonder why Sebastian’s species matters. He’s a talking, singing crustacean – does it make a difference whether he’s a crab or lobster? For fans invested in the character, it does matter. Details contribute to a sense of cohesive world-building and internal logic. Having Sebastian shift randomly between crab and lobster depending on the spinoff breaks continuity.
It also matters because Caribbean viewers connected with seeing their culture represented in Sebastian. His dialect is a nod to the region The Little Mermaid takes place in. Clarifying Sebastian as a crab adds authenticity.
Most importantly, acknowledging Sebastian’s crab identity honors the original film that created him as a beloved character. By cementing Sebastian as a crab, the live-action remake respects The Little Mermaid’s legacy.
In Summary
For over 30 years, one burning question has plagued the fandom – is Sebastian a crab or a lobster? While the animated film made his crab status clear, mixed messages in spinoff materials and merchandise created confusion and debate. But now that Disney’s live-action remake has depicted Sebastian as a realistic CGI crab, we finally have our answer. Sebastian was, and always will be, a crab. The debate has at last been laid to rest. Going forward, all fans can embrace Sebastian for what he truly is – a talented “Under the Sea” singer and King Triton’s most trusted crab advisor.
The Little Mermaid appearances[]
The movie starts with Sebastian being introduced as the “royal court composer.” He then leads a concert where King Triton’s seven daughters are supposed to perform. The oldest daughter, Ariel, doesn’t show up to the concert, and later Sebastian and King Triton both scold her, saying she made him look bad. King Triton, worried about Ariel, tasks Sebastian with following Ariel and keeping her out of trouble.
He tries to do his job, but he is horrified when Ariel saves a human life and falls in love with them. Sebastian accidentally lets this information slip to King Triton, who confronts Ariel. Sebastian feels bad that he “betrayed” Ariel, so he follows her when she goes to Ursula the Sea Witch for help. He later helps her on her quest to win Prince Eric’s love. He also makes an enemy out of Chef Louis.
Sebastian’s first role in the movie is as Ariel’s parent and guardian. As the movie goes on, he becomes her close friend.
Fantasmic![]
Sebastian makes a cameo appearance in the bubble sequence dancing to Under the Sea.
Is Sebastian a crab or lobster?
FAQ
Is Sebastian a crab or lobster in the original movie?
What kind of fish was Sebastian?
What animal is Sebastian in The Little Mermaid?
Does Sebastian say he is a crab?
Is Sebastian a crab or a lobster?
Sebastian is a crab and not a lobster because his physical features like missing lobster tail and antennae, his small size and his red color make it impossible that he is a lobster. He, among others, even calls himself a crab in The Little Mermaid movie. There are actually a lot of indications that support the claim that Sebastian is a crab.
Is the Little Mermaid’s crustacean Sebastian a crab or a lobster?
Yep, everyone has seen the 1989 Disney classic but it’s a question we’ve all wondered since childhood and have never really answered – is The Little Mermaid ‘s crustacean Sebastian a crab or a lobster? Well, Disney says he’s a crab but we say lobster. Let’s look at the facts First of all, Sebastian looks more like a lobster than a crab.
Does Sebastian look like a crab?
First of all, Sebastian looks more like a lobster than a crab. Now, we’re no David Attenborough but have you ever seen a crab with MASSIVE pincers like that? Didn’t think so. Not to mention the fact that lobsters have heads distinct from their bodies. Crabs don’t – they just have little eyes sticking out from their shells.
Is Sebastian a king crab?
The Caribbean king crab, which is also called Caribbean spider crab, has legs that are way too long and the red land crab looks too dark. Another red terrestrial crab is the Caribbean hermit crab. Some people believe Sebastian could be one but there is a problem.