Is Sebastian in The Little Mermaid a lobster or a crab? How did Disney get this wrong? The Little Mermaid is based on the same-named Hans Christian Andersen story, but the original was darker than Disney’s version. The story is about Ariel, a princess mermaid who wants to leave her underwater kingdom and become human. She rebels against her overprotective father, King Triton, and makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula to be able to walk on land. The Little Mermaid was released to instant acclaim for its fantastic animation, great musical numbers, and entertaining story. It would also win two Academy Awards, including Best Original Score for composer Alan Menken.
The live-action Little Mermaid from 2023 is a spiritual continuation of the original. The Little Mermaid had many great musical numbers, including the catchy “Under the Sea,” which won the movie its second Oscar. This is performed by Sebastian, Tritons advisor, and court composer. While Sebastian is one of Disney’s most entertaining sidekicks, the question of whether he is a crab or a lobster has caused a lot of confusion over the years. Some people had trouble figuring out what kind of crustacean Sebastian is in the original The Little Mermaid because the sea life was drawn in a very cartoonish way. So, is Sebastian a lobster or a crab?.
Now there is a live-action version of The Little Mermaid. How does Disney’s version compare to Hans Christian Andersen’s? We break down the story.
In Disney’s classic animated film The Little Mermaid Sebastian is portrayed as a crab who serves as King Triton’s advisor and court composer. His showstopping musical number “Under the Sea” is one of the film’s most iconic moments. But why did the filmmakers choose specifically to make Sebastian a crab rather than another ocean creature? There are actually some solid reasons behind this important creative decision.
I’ve thoroughly researched authoritative sources like ScreenRant to provide clarity on the thought process behind making Sebastian a crab. By exploring factors like visual design, casting, and personality, we can gain insight into why a crab was the perfect fit for this beloved character.
The Caribbean Connection
The Little Mermaid draws creative inspiration from the culture and marine life of the Caribbean. Sebastian speaks with a distinctive Caribbean accent, courtesy of voice actor Samuel E. Wright. His vocal inflections and dialect root the character in that region.
Making Sebastian a crab syncs up with the Caribbean motif. Tropical crab species like ghost crabs, fiddler crabs, and red crabs are common in areas like Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Puerto Rico. So Sebastian’s crustacean form fits the regional flair.
Vibrant Visual Design
On a visual level, crabs pop on screen. Their vivid colors, claws, and unique movement stand out. Animators can play with crab mannerisms and quirky sideways scuttling for comic effect.
A red Caribbean crab offers rich design potential. Against bright undersea hues, Sebastian is eye-catching and lively. A crab gave opportunities for energetic animation that matched the film’s vibrant style.
Casting Inspiration
Samuel E. Wright’s vocal talents were a perfect match for a crab. His pitch and timbre lent themselves flawlessly to conveying a crab’s personality. It’s hard to imagine those clicking crab noises and Trinidadian inflections coming from anything but a crustacean’s mouth.
So when the filmmakers cast Wright, it made perfect sense to craft a crab character tailored precisely to his vocal strengths. The two were made for each other.
Crab Personality
Crabs have a distinctive personality that meshes well with Sebastian’s character. Their sideways scuttle gives them an amusing gait. Pincers allow for expressive gesturing. Their eyes can convey big emotions on a small face.
These traits lent themselves well to realizing Sebastian as a worrywart and showman. Animating anxious side-to-side pacing, enthusiastic conducting, and emotive facial expressions worked seamlessly for a neurotic crab.
Artistic Liberties
While crabs matched Sebastian’s personality, taking artistic license allowed him to sing and be more anthropomorphic. Real crabs don’t have the vocal cords for Caribbean accented singing. And Sebastian’s exaggerated mouth and limbs stretch realism.
But that creativity let filmmakers maximize humor and appeal. Kids love an animal that acts almost human. And the crab form remains recognizable despite stylized enhancements.
Iconic Character Design
Disney has a storied history of iconic animal sidekicks, from Jiminy Cricket to Abu the monkey. Likewise, Sebastian struck a perfect balance between animal distinctiveness and human relatability. He stood out as an appealing, vivid character who complemented Ariel on her adventures.
Making Sebastian a crab proved one of the film’s smartest creative choices. That vibrant crimson crustacean remains indelible as one of Disney’s most beloved and memorable animal characters. Over 30 years later, Sebastian remains an iconic symbol of The Little Mermaid.
So for visual flair, regional flair, casting fit, comedic potential, and personality match, the filmmakers struck gold when conceiving Sebastian as a Caribbean crab. His crustacean essence has made Sebastian one of Disney’s most legendary and best loved characters. When Ariel needed a friend from her world below, a crab was the perfect choice to sing and scuttle alongside her.
Sebastian Is A Crab
Some of Sebastian’s features look like those of a lobster, but he is definitely a crab, as is said several times in The Little Mermaid. This includes the scene where Chef Louis, who is crazy about Sebastian, calls him a crab. As a professional, he should know better. Nonetheless, Disney merchandise has muddied the waters of the debate. Many have mislabeled Sebastian, such as an official plush toy referring to the character as “Sebastian the Lobster. “.
Sebastian also came back for the 2000 sequel Return to the Sea and the 2008 prequel The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning. The Little Mermaid changed Disney forever. He also had a brief cameo in Aladdin and has shown up in the Kingdom Hearts games. The late Samuel E. In the 1989 movie and most of his subsequent appearances, Wright voiced the crab. However, Hamilton star Daveed Diggs will take over the role for Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid. Halle Bailey, who plays Ariel on Grown-ish, was directed by Rob Marshall. Javier Bardem voiced King Triton, and Awkwafina voiced Scuttle. In every single one of these The Little Mermaid movies Sebastian is a crab.
The Little Mermaid is a classic Disney Princess movie. Found amidst the romance and magic, here are some of the films most inspirational quotes.
Sebastian the 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 Sebastian a crab in the Little Mermaid?
While some of Sebastian’s features resemble a lobster, Sebastian is definitely a crab, as is stated in The Little Mermaid itself a few times. This includes the scene where the obsessed Chef Louis refers to Sebastian as a crab, and since he’s a professional, he really should know. Nonetheless, Disney merchandise has muddied the waters of the debate.
Where did Sebastian come from in ‘king crab’?
In the series, Sebastian is said to have come from a large Jamaican family. In “King Crab” his parents visit him, and it is revealed that he had lied and told them he was the King of Atlantica. In the episode “Tail of Two Crabs”, Sebastian has a rivalry with another prawn named Zeus, and they both try to one-up the other.
What does Sebastian do in the Little Mermaid?
Sebastian is a major character in Disney’s 1989 animated feature film The Little Mermaid. He is a red, Jamaican-accented crab who serves as King Triton’s advisor and “distinguished” court composer. Despite his esteemed position, Sebastian is regularly tasked with watching over Triton’s youngest