The 2016 Disney animated film Moana featured a colorful cast of characters but one of the most memorable is Tamatoa, the glitzy giant crab. With his sparkling shell and over-the-top personality Tamatoa quickly became a fan favorite. But who is Tamatoa really, and how did he earn a role in one of Disney’s most popular movies?
In this article, we’ll explore the origins, backstory, and role of Tamatoa to understand what makes this crustacean so iconic. From his name meaning to his signature song “Shiny,” we’ll cover everything you need to know about the fabulous decapod from Lalotai.
The Origins of Tamatoa
Tamatoa hails from Lalotai, the realm of monsters in Moana. He is a giant coconut crab that inhabits an enormous seashell in the depths of this mystical undersea world.
In the initial stages of the film, Tamatoa was envisioned not as a crab, but as a legendary headless warrior from Polynesian mythology. The filmmakers eventually decided on a more playful approach by making him a singing, treasure-loving crab.
The name “Tamatoa” comes from the Maori language, spoken by the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. It means “Big and Dangerous,” hinting at Tamatoa’s enormous size and formidable nature.
Real-life coconut crabs partly inspired Tamatoa’s design and characterization. Also known as robber crabs or palm thieves, these large land crabs have a reputation for stealing shiny objects, mirroring Tamatoa’s obsession.
Tamatoa’s Vibrant Design
Standing at 50 feet wide Tamatoa cuts an imposing figure. His shell is embellished with a glittering hoard of treasures, predominantly gold jewels, and trinkets. This dazzling collection gives Tamatoa an instantly eye-catching design.
When in complete darkness, Tamatoa’s shell emits a bioluminescent neon blue glow, while his body becomes jet black. This stunning transformation occurs in real deep-sea creatures and makes Tamatoa appear even more captivating.
Intricately patterned tattoos adorn Tamatoa’s claws, reflecting the rich artistic styles seen throughout the film. No detail was overlooked in bringing this monster crab to life.
Tamatoa’s Outsized Personality
Tamatoa’s personality is as flashy as his appearance. He is arrogant, theatrical, materialistic, and above all, obsessed with all things glimmering and shiny.
He constantly drawls about his own greatness and relishes being the center of attention. Tamatoa breaks into song at the drop of a hat to boast of his bejeweled shell and preen over his perceived beauty.
Underneath this over-inflated ego lies deep insecurity. Tamatoa overcompensates for his low social status as a “bottom feeder” by covering himself in treasures to appear worthy and significant.
Despite his narcissism, Tamatoa has a twistedly comical charm. He banters with Moana and Maui with snarky quips and dark humor.
Tamatoa’s Role in Moana
In Moana, Tamatoa’s greed for power motivates him to steal the heart of Te Fiti, a coveted treasure with the ability to create life itself.
Centuries later, Moana and Maui voyage to recover this heart in order to restore the dying island of Motunui. Their journey leads them to Tamatoa’s lair, where they trick him into revealing the location of Maui’s magical fish hook.
Tamatoa tries to devour Moana and Maui but is outsmarted by Moana and becomes trapped on his shell. Unable to move, he remains stranded on the ocean floor as Moana continues her quest.
Despite his limited screen time, Tamatoa leaves a big impression through his show-stopping musical number “Shiny.” This energetic glam rock song encapsulates Tamatoa’s obsession with treasures and himself.
Why Tamatoa Became a Fan Favorite
Tamatoa emerged as one of Moana’s most popular characters thanks to his striking design, over-the-top vocals, and humorously narcissistic attitude. He drew inspiration from musical legends like David Bowie to create a truly original Disney villain.
Unlike more sinister Disney antagonists, Tamatoa charms viewers with his flamboyance and comedic flair. His diva-esque mannerisms and bossy personality feel more fun than threatening.
Tamatoa also helped expand LGBTQ+ representation in Disney films. His glitzy appearance and exaggerated mannerisms exhibit traits commonly associated with queer-coding and gender fluidity.
Ultimately, Tamatoa transcended expectations. His unapologetic extravagance, confidence, and villain song for the ages cemented him as an iconic Disney character. Though his time on screen is short, Tamatoa shines bright among Moana’s lineup.
So now you know the fascinating story behind the decapod’s rise to fame. Whether you love his sparkle, sass, or catchy tune, Tamatoa brought something special to Moana. Next time you watch the movie, keep an eye out for this treasure-loving crustacean. The name is Tamatoa—but you can call him the amazing shining crab!
Official description[]
Grasping and greedy Tomatoa is a sinister scavenger who collects everything he finds. Once Tomatoa has his claws on something, this giant crab-monster is not about to let it go!.
Powers and abilities[]
- Immense Strength: Because he is so big and heavy, Tamatoa has an incredible strength that is stronger than the raw strength of a god. It was easy for Tamatoa to attack Maui viciously after taking away his fish hooks power. Because he is a coconut crab, his claws are also very strong, but no one has yet found out how much damage they can do.
- Bioluminescence: When it is completely dark, the Tamatoa changes physically. This change is caused by a trait called bioluminescence. This is something that real deep-sea animals have, like some crustaceans. It lets Tamatoa’s body and the shiny things that are stuck on his shell give off a neon, glowing light. His pupils, iris, and sclerae can change color by going back and forth between bright and scary pinks and blues.
- Tamatoa can perfectly hide himself by using the gold hoard on his shell to make it look like an inanimate mountain of treasures until he decides to show himself. He mostly uses his shiny shell to hunt, luring fish and other animals from the ocean right into his mouth without them knowing it. Tamatoa can do counter-illumination when he is bioluminescent. This means he can change his body’s neon light to match the darkness of his lair, making his shape completely invisible. You can only see the tamatoa’s teeth and eyes in this shape when it smiles and when its eyes are open.
- Tamatoa is more than a thousand years old at the end of the movie because he knew Maui before he was sent away. There are no signs of aging on his face, and he looks great.
- Fourth Wall Awareness: Tamatoa seems to be aware that he lives in a made-up world, which could be because of how he is feeling. As he beats Maui, he tells the crowd to look up what a “decapod” is, and then he asks for help while saying that he’s like Sebastian from “The Little Mermaid.”
Jemaine Clement – Shiny (from Moana) (Official Video)
Why does Moana ask the crab to talk about his greatness?
To keep Tamatoa’s attention away from Maui, Moana indirectly asks the crab to talk about his supposed greatness, which he gladly obliges to through the song “Shiny”. Tamatoa explains that he was once a “drab little crab”, unhappy with who he was, until he began covering himself in all things shiny.
What is Tamatoa in Moana?
Tamatoa is the secondary antagonist of Disney’s 2016 animated feature film Moana. He is a villainous giant crab that covets all things shiny and valuable. In an effort to exude beauty and superiority, Tamatoa displays his collected treasures atop his golden shell. Tamatoa is a gargantuan coconut
Who plays Tamatoa in Moana?
Jermaine Clement, whom you may recognize from the excellent comedy show Flight of the Conchords, provides the voice of Tamatoa, a giant hermit crab that plays a role in Disney’s next animated adventure comedy – Moana. Tamatoa is a collector of shiny things and known as the biggest baddie from the realm of monsters.
Why is Tamatoa a good villain in ‘Moana’?
Tamatoa’s obsession with material wealth and power serves as a reminder that true value lies in one’s character and not in external possessions. Tamatoa’s memorable role as a < villain > in “Moana” showcases < Disney >‘s creativity in crafting unique characters.