Sebastian the Musical Crab from The Little Mermaid Film

Sebastian the Crab in The Little Mermaid

In the beloved Disney animated film The Little Mermaid, one of the standout characters is the eccentric red Jamaican crab named Sebastian. Though supporting, Sebastian left a big impression on audiences with his catchy musical numbers, humorous personality, and role as confidant to main character Ariel.

Sebastian's Appearance and Personality

With his bright red shell, elongated pinchers, and thick Jamaican accent, Sebastian has an iconic and memorable look and sound. He has a relatively small stature compared to main characters like Ariel and Prince Eric, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in larger-than-life personality.

Sebastian is portrayed as worrying, overly anxious, and constantly stressed. As the composer and conductor for King Triton's underwater concerts, he feels immense pressure to perform flawlessly. The smallest thing can send Sebastian into a panic, from a sour musical note to Ariel missing a concert rehearsal. His neurotic personality provides ample comedy throughout the film.

Sebastian's Musical Talents

Though high-strung, Sebastian does have legitimate reason to worry - he is in charge of organizing elaborate musical shows that King Triton expects to go off smoothly. An adept composer and conductor, Sebastian shows off his musical abilities in several iconic scenes.

He leads glowing jellyfish in a rendition of "Under the Sea" while trying to convince Ariel that life under the ocean is better than on dry land. His tuning fork and exasperated direction of the chaotic "Under the Sea" number is comedy gold. Later, Sebastian attempts to distract Prince Eric by diverting his attention to newly-human Ariel through the song "Kiss the Girl."

Relationship with Ariel

In his role as King Triton's attaché, Sebastian is assigned to watch over the king's youngest daughter, Ariel. He must follow her around and report her activities back to Triton, essentially acting as her chaperone.

Sebastian struggles to control the adventurous, rebellious mermaid, who has little regard for the rules of Atlantica. Their relationship starts off quite turbulent, with Sebastian frustrated by Ariel ignoring his authority over her. Eventually they reach an understanding and even develop a strong friendship.

Sebastian in the Live Action Little Mermaid

In Disney's 2023 live action adaptation of The Little Mermaid starring Halle Bailey, Sebastian is voiced by comedian Daveed Diggs. Though physically similar in appearance to his animated counterpart, this version of Sebastian speaks with an updated mix of Jamaican and East London Cockney accents.

The character retains his status as distinguished composer for King Triton, as well as his humorous, neurotic personality. Early reactions indicate Diggs' performance as Sebastian elicits just as many laughs as his 1989 predecessor.

Why Sebastian Stands Out

Though The Little Mermaid has its fair share of endearing characters, Sebastian consistently stands out as a fan favorite even among more major players. So why does this worry-prone crustacean leave such an impression?

Ultimately, Sebastian's captivating musical presence, humorous personality quirks, and unlikely friendship with Ariel make him very memorable. He represents both comedic relief from the romance plot between Ariel and Eric, as well as serving as the metaphorical voice of reason warning Ariel away from danger. This well-balanced and well-written supporting role has cemented Sebastian as an iconic Disney sidekick.

FAQs

What type of sea creature is Sebastian?

Sebastian is a red Jamaican crab.

What is Sebastian's job in The Little Mermaid?

Sebastian works as the distinguished court composer and conductor for King Triton. He is in charge of organizing musical performances and shows.

Why is Sebastian tasked with watching over Ariel?

As King Triton's attaché, Sebastian is assigned to keep an eye on the king's adventurous daughter Ariel and report back on her activities, essentially acting as her chaperone.

Who voices Sebastian in the live-action Little Mermaid movie?

In the 2023 live-action adaptation, comedian Daveed Diggs voices Sebastian the crab.