Eugene H. Krabs, the resilient owner of the Krusty Krab, represents a lasting emblem of ambition and, occasionally, unbridled greed.
Eugene H. Krabs, the hard-shelled proprietor of the Krusty Krab, stands as an enduring symbol of ambition and, at times, unchecked greed.
Mr. Krabs – The Business Mogul π¦
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Mr. Krabs obsesses over money and often prioritizes his wealth over his daughter Pearl Krabs and his employees. The Chum Bucket, operated by Sheldon Plankton and his wife Karen, is the only competition for Mr. Krabs’ business.
Meanwhile, Plankton and Karen constantly plot to snatch the Krabby Patty secret formula, the key to the Krusty Krab’s success.
Employees
- Squidward Tentacles
- SpongeBob SquarePants
- Patrick Star (occasionally)
- Jim (formerly)
- Not SpongeBob (formerly)
- Various one-time employees
A Father Figure with a Flair for Frugality π°π
Beyond the cash register and the vault filled with riches, there’s another side to Mr. Krabs: the doting father. His relationship with his teenage whale daughter, Pearl, showcases a softer side.
He might be reluctant to open his wallet for her latest desires, but his actions frequently reveal a genuine concern for her wellbeing.
Navigating the choppy waters of parenthood, especially with a daughter as distinct as Pearl, is no small feat. Yet, Mr. Krabs balances his business aspirations with his paternal responsibilities, providing a nuanced view of his character.
The Krusty Krab π°
The Krusty Krab is more than just the home of the legendary Krabby Patty. It’s a testament to Mr. Krabs’ business acumen.
Mr. Krabs turned a simple establishment into Bikini Bottom’s most frequented eatery through sheer determination and maybe a dash of secret formula.
Competitors, most notably his arch-nemesis Plankton, have tried repeatedly to replicate his success, yet they’ve always fallen short. There’s a magic to the Krusty Krab, much of it stemming from Mr. Krabs’ passionate drive to be the best.
Mr. Krabs Development
Mr. Krabs is one of the iconic cartoon characters that made it into the 2000s.
In designing the “SpongeBob SquarePants” characters, Stephen Hillenburg aimed for diverse animals. He crafted Pearl as a whale and her father, Mr. Krabs, as a small crab, finding humor in their size difference.
Clancy Brown, who voices Mr. Krabs, noted the poignant metaphor in this vast size disparity reflecting parent-child dynamics.
Hillenburg based Mr. Krabs on a past boss from a seafood restaurant. The boss’s red hair, muscular build, and history as an army cook influenced Krabs’ design, with the red color symbolizing hair.
His distinct Maine accent, reminiscent of a pirate, shaped Krabs’ speech. However, while the real-life inspiration wasn’t greedy, Hillenburg added this trait to enhance Mr. Krabs’ character depth.
Clancy Brown The Voice of Mr. Krabs
Clancy Brown lends his voice to Mr. Krabs, bringing a “piratey” tone infused with “a little Scottish brogue.”
Brown effortlessly crafted this voice during his audition. He relishes the role, reminding the New York Post in 2015, “I could do this voice forever.
There’s no equivalent in live-action TV or film to being an ocean-bottom crab with such a personality.” Brown also stands up for Mr. Krabs, viewing him not as a villain but akin to a typical businessman, adding, “He truly loves Pearl!”
Appearance π¦
Mr. Krabs is easily recognizable with his vivid red coloration, sturdy physique, elongated eyestalks, a unique red-brown wrinkled nose, prominent claws, and short legs.
Spikes adorn his neck from his shell. He’s often seen in a pale blue shirt, coupled with purple trousers and a black belt. Embodying a sailor or pirate vibe, sea-shanty tunes often herald Mr. Krabs’ arrival.
In episodes like “Shell of a Man,” “Shell Shocked,” and “Company Picnic,” he occasionally sheds his shell, showing off a pink, veiny physique, at times without his nose. Spinoffs introduce subtle changes to his look.
For instance, in “Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years,” he takes on a camp counselor role, wearing a blue shirt, brown trousers, and a red bandanaβhis standard look in the spinoff. Interestingly, his nose in this series is a brighter red compared to its customary shade.
Before He Established The Restaurant
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Before venturing into the restaurant scene, he attempted to start a venture with his once-close friend, Plankton. Unfortunately, their burger poisoned their inaugural customer, Old Man Jenkins.
This mishap ignited a feud between Plankton and Krabs over the burger’s recipe. In the skirmish, some ingredients accidentally mixed into the meat, birthing the iconic Krabby Patty. Eventually, Plankton only secured one ingredient: Chum. Krabs also served as a Navy cadet before pivoting back to entrepreneurship.
He acquired a retirement facility called the Rusty Krab, transforming it into the renowned Krusty Krab restaurant. At present, he oversees two employees: one diligent and dedicated, and the other lackadaisical, often found napping on duty.
He occasionally hires additional staff to bolster success, but usually fares better without them. On rare occasions, he has been an employee or pursued other ventures.
Personality
Dive deep into the world of Bikini Bottom, and you’ll find Mr. Krabs, a crab with an insatiable appetite for cash! Driven by his overpowering love for money, he sometimes stretches the boundaries of ethics, even giving the scheming Plankton a run in the malevolence department.
He’s the boss who sees dollar signs when customers walk in and doesn’t hesitate to say things like, “That’s my money walking out the door!” or “The money is always right.”
And if you’re SpongeBob or any employee on his payroll, be careful! Upset him, and you might hear, “This is coming out of your paycheck.” Although he passionately denies it, Mr. Krabs’ money obsession is hilariously clear when he lovingly tucks his cash into bed.
And though he’s always had a comedic flair for dramatizing his love for money, fans have noticed his penny-pinching tendencies intensifying, especially by the ninth season.
Dive in and decide for yourself: is it a love for money or a full-blown obsession? π¦π°π
π¦ Friends and Relationships
Mr. Krabs, like other characters in SpongeBob SquarePants, has a variety of relationships ranging from familial love to rivalry. These interactions help create the series’ rich tapestry of stories and comedy.
Pearl Krabs: Pearl is Mr. Krabs’ teenage whale daughter. Their relationship often revolves around typical father-daughter dynamics, with Pearl being embarrassed by her father’s penny-pinching ways and Mr. Krabs struggling to understand Pearl’s teenage whims.
SpongeBob SquarePants: SpongeBob is Mr. Krabs’ most loyal employee and close friend. While Mr. Krabs often exploits SpongeBob’s work ethic to make more money, he genuinely cares about him and has shown on numerous occasions that he values SpongeBob’s well-being and happiness.
Squidward Tentacles: Squidward is another employee at the Krusty Krab. He is often at odds with Mr. Krabs due to his disdain for his job and his cynicism, but they share a long history, and there’s an understanding between them despite their differences.
Plankton: Sheldon J. Plankton is Mr. Krabs’ business rival and nemesis. Owner of the Chum Bucket, Plankton is constantly attempting to steal the Krabby Patty secret formula. Their rivalry dates back to their childhood and is a central plot point in many episodes.
Mrs. Puff: She is the boating school teacher in Bikini Bottom, and Mr. Krabs has had a romantic interest in her throughout the series. The two have gone on various dates, and it’s clear that Mr. Krabs has strong feelings for her.
Sandy Cheeks: While Mr. Krabs and Sandy don’t have as profound a relationship as some of the other characters, they occasionally interact, usually in episodes where multiple main characters are involved in an adventure or situation.
Patrick Star: As with Sandy, Mr. Krabs doesn’t have a deep connection with Patrick, but they have shared screen time in various episodes. Their interactions are often comical due to Patrick’s lack of intelligence and Mr. Krabs’ exasperation.
Bikini Bottomites: These are the general residents of Bikini Bottom. Mr. Krabs interacts with them primarily in his role as the owner of the Krusty Krab, always eager to have them spend their money at his restaurant.
Obsession With Money and Wealth
Mr. Krabs has an intense, often over-the-top, passion for his money, going to extreme measures for even the smallest coin. This was evident in episodes like “Penny Foolish,” where he intruded into SpongeBob’s home over a single penny, and “Imitation Krabs,” where he pursued a penny across great distances.
SpongeBob and Squidward sometimes bear the brunt of their greed-driven decisions at work. Episodes like “Graveyard Shift” and “Fear of a Krabby Patty” see them slaving away for 24 hours, later reduced to 23.
In “Clams,” he doesn’t hesitate to use them as bait to reclaim his millionth dollar. “The Cent of Money” has Mr. Krabs manipulating SpongeBob and Gary, forcing the snail to pilfer change.
He’s even reversed the pay dynamics in “Squid on Strike,” making them pay him. This episode also sees them fired, and when rehired, they find themselves in lifelong servitude due to damages at the Krusty Krab. In “Krabs Γ la Mode,” his cost-saving measure plunges the temperature to 62 degrees, leaving the duo shivering as they work.
In the Symphony of Bikini Bottom
Within the vibrant marine tapestry of “SpongeBob SquarePants,” each character brings a unique melody. Mr. Krabs’ tune is a blend of jingling coins, heartfelt laughter, and the occasional sigh of exasperation.
While he might be critiqued for his obsessive tendencies, he embodies dreams, struggles, successes, and failures that resonate with many.
Through him, the show subtly imparts life lessons about ambition, relationships, and personal growth, making Mr. Krabs a character that transcends the screen, leaving an indelible mark on viewers’ hearts.
Mr. Krabs’ GREEDIEST Moments Ever! π¦π°
Quick Facts
- Origin Inspiration: Stephen Hillenburg, the show’s creator, based Mr. Krabs on his former boss at a seafood restaurant.
- First Name Reveal: His full name is Eugene Harold Krabs.
- Military Background: Mr. Krabs served in the Navy, which might explain his strong affinity for all things nautical and his pirate-like demeanor.
- Musical Talent: He can play the world’s tiniest violin, often showcased when he’s sarcastically sympathetic.
- Crab Anatomy Accuracy: Unlike many cartoon characters, Mr. Krabs’ design closely mirrors the anatomy of an actual crab with eyestalks, a hard shell, and pointy legs.
- Daughter’s Species: Interestingly, his daughter, Pearl, is a whale, which has been a playful and enduring mystery in the series.
- Rivalry with Plankton: His business rivalry with Plankton dates back to their childhood, and they once were best friends.
- Secret Formula: The Krabby Patty secret formula is one of the best-guarded secrets in Bikini Bottom, and Mr. Krabs goes to great lengths to protect it from Plankton’s prying eyes.
- Voice Actor: Clancy Brown provides the iconic voice for Mr. Krabs and has mentioned that he uses a mix of “piratey” with a touch of Scottish brogue.
- Unconventional Alarm: He has an alarm that specifically alerts him when money is being wasted, known as the “money-wasting alarm.”
- Date of Birth: Mr. Krabs was born on November 30th, as mentioned in “Sleepy Time.”
- Hat Collection: He has an extensive collection of worn-out and damaged hats from his employees, as seen in “The Krusty Sponge.”
- Protective of his Money: In the episode “The Lost Mattress,” it’s revealed that Mr. Krabs keeps all his money in a massive, guarded underground vault, similar to a certain wealthy duck from another series!
In Other Media
Mr. Krabs graces various merchandise, from plush toys and video games to comics and trading cards. The iconic Krabs family eatery, the Krusty Krab, inspired a Lego set and numerous theme park replicas.
Sea World even showcased a float resembling the Krusty Krab in its “SpongeBob ParadePants” parade, complete with a Pearl mascot for visitors and an animatronic Mr. Krabs. In 2014, Ramallah, Palestine, unveiled a life-sized Krusty Krab replica.
However, in 2016, Viacom, Nickelodeon’s parent company, sued the developers of a similar “Krusty Krab” venture in Texas. By January 2017, a Texas federal judge declared the Texas project infringed on Viacom’s SpongeBob rights, effectively stopping its development.