It happened in 2004. The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie hit theaters, and amidst the high-stakes journey to Shell City and the existential dread of being a "goofy goober," one brief interaction became permanent internet shorthand for corporate greed. You know the one. An interviewer asks Eugene H. Krabs why he decided to build a second Krusty Krab right next to the original one. He doesn't give a PR-friendly answer about "serving the community" or "market expansion." He just looks into the camera, blinking those long stalks, and says, "Hello, I like money!"
It’s hilarious. It’s honest. It’s basically the foundational text of the Mr. Krabs I Like Money meme economy.
But why does this specific moment resonate decades later? It isn’t just because it’s a funny clip from a kids' show. It’s because the creator of the series, the late Stephen Hillenburg, understood something fundamental about character archetypes that many modern writers miss. Hillenburg, who was a marine biologist before he was an animator, didn't make Mr. Krabs a villain. He made him a crab. And crabs are scavengers. They cling. They hold on to things with a literal vice grip.
The Anatomy of a Five-Second Viral Loop
The "I like money" clip is the ultimate "low-effort, high-reward" reaction image. If you scroll through X (formerly Twitter) or Reddit during a corporate merger, a dubious NFT drop, or a celebrity's questionable brand deal, you will see it. It is the universal signal for "we know why you're really doing this."
What makes it work is the delivery by Clancy Brown. Brown is a veteran actor who has played everything from the terrifying Kurgan in Highlander to Lex Luthor in the DC Animated Universe. He brings a gravelly, seafaring weight to Mr. Krabs. When he says those words, there is zero shame. It’s pure, unadulterated honesty. Most of us spend our lives pretending our primary motivation isn't financial security or gain. Mr. Krabs? He’s the id of capitalism.
The meme usually takes three forms. First, there’s the direct video clip used to mock companies that ignore their fans in favor of profit. Then, there’s the distorted "deep-fried" version, where the colors are oversaturated and the audio is blown out to emphasize chaos. Finally, you have the redraws. Artists replace Mr. Krabs with other characters—Nintendo executives, tech moguls, or even politicians—to highlight their perceived greed.
Is Mr. Krabs Actually the Villain of Bikini Bottom?
People debate this a lot in the "SpongeBob" fandom. On one hand, he’s a mentor to SpongeBob. On the other, he once sold SpongeBob’s soul to the Flying Dutchman for sixty-two cents.
Sixty-two cents.
SpongeBob was actually offended—not that he was sold, but that Krabs didn't get a better price. This highlights the weirdly symbiotic, almost cult-like relationship at the Krusty Krab. Mr. Krabs represents the "Old World" of business. He started with a single penny. He built his empire from the ground up after his service in the Navy (the SS Gauvy). This backstory gives him a layer of "pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps" legitimacy that makes his greed feel earned, rather than inherited.
But let's look at the "I like money" moment again. The context is the opening of "The Krusty Krab 2." It’s an unnecessary expansion. It’s the definition of "too much is never enough." When we use the Mr. Krabs I Like Money meme today, we aren't just laughing at a crab. We’re acknowledging the absurdity of infinite growth in a world with finite resources. It’s a tiny bit of accidental Marxist critique wrapped in a Nickelodeon shell.
Why This Meme Refuses to Die
Trends move fast. Most memes have the shelf life of an open tuna can in the sun. Yet, this one sticks. Why?
Part of it is the visual language of the show. The early seasons of SpongeBob SquarePants relied heavily on "gross-up" close-ups and expressive, almost grotesque facial movements. When Mr. Krabs says his famous line, his eyes do this weird rhythmic blink. It’s hypnotic. It feels like he’s glitching under the weight of his own desire.
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Also, it’s a perfect "calling out" tool.
- A video game company adds more microtransactions? Mr. Krabs I Like Money.
- A streaming service raises prices while removing content? Mr. Krabs I Like Money.
- A politician shifts their platform after a massive donation? Mr. Krabs I Like Money.
It’s the simplest way to say "the motive is transparent" without writing a paragraph. In an era of "corporate speak" and "brand synergy," the bluntness of the meme is refreshing. It cuts through the noise.
The Financial Ethics of Eugene Krabs
If you actually analyze the Krusty Krab as a business entity, it’s a nightmare. We’re talking about a man who charged his employees for standing, breathing, and even existing. In the episode "Squid on Strike," he tries to bill SpongeBob and Squidward for "chewing" and "wearing a uniform."
This goes beyond being a "cheapskate." It’s a satirical take on the extremes of labor exploitation. But because it’s a cartoon, we find it charming. We forgive Krabs because he’s often the victim of his own avarice. Like Midas, his love for gold usually leads to his downfall—whether it’s being chased by a giant clam or losing his shell in a bet.
The Mr. Krabs I Like Money philosophy is self-destructive. It isn't about building wealth to spend it; it’s about the hoarding itself. He doesn't buy mansions. He lives in an anchor. He doesn't wear designer clothes. He wears the same blue shirt. He just wants the number to go up.
Real-World Impact: When Brands Embrace the Meme
Believe it or not, the official SpongeBob social media accounts have leaned into this. They know the meme exists. They’ve posted screenshots and gifs of it. This is a common tactic now—"meme-jacking"—where a brand tries to prove it’s "in on the joke."
Sometimes it works. Sometimes it feels like Steve Buscemi holding the skateboards. But with Mr. Krabs, it works because the character is fundamentally honest about his flaws. You can’t "cancel" Mr. Krabs for being greedy because that is his entire personality. He is the original "no thoughts, just vibes" character, except the vibes are exclusively currency-related.
Actionable Insights for Content Creators and Fans
If you’re looking to use this meme or understand why it works for your own content, keep these things in mind.
First, timing is everything. The "I like money" meme is most effective when there is a clear discrepancy between what someone says they are doing and what they are actually doing. It’s a tool for exposing hypocrisy.
Second, don't overcomplicate it. The beauty of the original clip is its brevity. If you’re making a parody, keep the dialogue sparse. Let the facial expression do the heavy lifting.
Finally, recognize the nostalgia factor. For Gen Z and Millennials, SpongeBob is a cultural touchstone. Using this meme isn't just about the joke; it's about tapping into a shared childhood language.
When you see that red crab blinking on your screen, you aren't just looking at a frame of animation. You're looking at a piece of internet history that perfectly captures the cynical, hilarious reality of the modern world. Eugene Krabs might be a fictional crustacean living in a pineapple-adjacent anchor, but his spirit lives on every time a corporation makes a transparently greedy move.
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The next time you’re faced with a blatant cash grab, don't get angry. Just remember those four words. They explain everything.
To really lean into the meme's utility:
- Use the GIF version for quick replies on social media to shut down corporate PR.
- Save the "distorted" image for moments of high-level absurdity or "greed gone wrong."
- Reference the line in discussions about business ethics to lighten the mood while still making a sharp point.
Mr. Krabs isn't going anywhere. As long as there's a dollar to be made, he'll be there, blinking his eyes and telling us exactly what he likes.