Was Sebastian a Crab or a Lobster? Settling The Little Mermaid Debate

The Little Mermaid is one of Disney’s most beloved animated films, featuring the adventures of the mermaid Ariel as she longs to become human. Along with memorable characters like Prince Eric and Ursula, the film also introduced the world to Sebastian, the singing Caribbean crab. Or was he a lobster? For over 30 years, Disney fans have been locked in a heated debate on Sebastian’s true species. With confusing merchandise and conflicting descriptions, settling this question has confounded even diehard fans. But thanks to Disney’s upcoming live-action remake, we may finally have a definitive answer.

The Case for Crab

In the original 1989 animated classic, Sebastian is repeatedly identified as a crab. He’s acknowledged as such by Ariel, Triton, and the other undersea characters. Additionally, his overall design resembles a stylized crab more than a lobster. Sebastian’s small size, missing tail, lack of antennae, and forward-facing eyes all point to crab The evidence in the film makes a strong case that Disney intended him to be a crab

Mixed Messages Lead to Confusion

So if Sebastian is clearly a crab in the movie, how did this debate start in the first place? Much of the confusion can be traced back to Disney merchandise and marketing after the film’s release. Plush toys were sold labeling Sebastian as a lobster. His character was described only as a “crustacean companion” instead of specifically a crab. And his bright red color seemed more in line with cooked lobster than real-life crab species. This ambiguous branding led many fans to question whether Sebastian was actually a lobster, despite his crab depiction in the original film.

Spinoffs Add Fuel to the Fire

As The Little Mermaid expanded into a franchise with sequel films, a TV series, and eventually Broadway musical, the crab/lobster question only grew muddier. Sebastian’s species seems to flip flop throughout various spinoffs In The Little Mermaid TV series, he’s consistently called a crab But in the 2008 prequel Ariel’s Beginning, the credits list him as a lobster. And in some stage shows, he’s referred to interchangeably as both! For fans following the entire Mermaid universe, the mixed messages made the debate rage on.

Live-Action Design Provides Clarity

After years of uncertainty, Disney’s upcoming live-action remake may finally provide a definitive answer. Newly revealed photos of the CGI Sebastian depict him with a realistic crab design rather than the cartoonish original. The live-action Sebastian takes visual inspiration from real Caribbean crab species like the red ghost crab. While creative liberties were still taken for Sebastian to exist underwater, this updated approach aims to honor his original crab species.

Why This Silly Debate Matters

Some may wonder why Sebastian’s species is worth debating at all. He’s a singing crustacean, so does it really matter if he’s specifically a crab or lobster? For Disney fans invested in the character, it does matter. Having Sebastian randomly change species across sequels and remakes damages a sense of cohesive world-building and storytelling logic. Respecting his original crab design adds authenticity and consistency to the franchise. Most importantly, it honors the creators who brought this beloved character to life over 30 years ago as a Caribbean crab, not a lobster.

For three decades, the crab vs. lobster debate has plagued even hardcore Little Mermaid fans. But with Sebastian’s updated crab design in the live-action remake, it appears Disney is officially settling this question. Regardless of any merchandise confusion or spinoff inconsistencies, Sebastian was conceived as a crab for the 1989 film. By depicting him as such moving forward, Disney affirms that crab is Sebastian’s true species after all. While this lighthearted debate has sparked fun discussions among fans, having a definitive answer provides satisfying closure. We can finally say with confidence that yes, Sebastian was, is, and always will be a crab!