The Kraken[3][1] is a gigantic aquatic Titan found near the shores of Skull Island. It appears as the main antagonist in the first season of the 2023 MonsterVerse animated series Skull Island.
Name[]
The name "Kraken" originates in Norwegian-Icelandic folklore as a deadly sea monster that terrorized ships and sailors in the seas between Norway and Iceland. Monarch has applied this to various superspecies that are potentially connected to the mythological creature, with this particular specimen labeled as the "Skull Island Kraken" and is stated to best match the monster's traditional depiction.[1]
Series developer Brian Duffield and character designer Jung-Ha Kim call the creature a Kraken,[4][5] as do the official model sheets.[2] The production company later adopted this as its name in following posts,[3] and was identfied as the "Skull Island Kraken" in the Kong: Skull Island Cinematic Adventure creature codex.[1] It is also referred to as such by several characters in the show.
Design[]
Appearance[]
In terms of appearance, the Kraken is a chimera of traits from various different aquatic animals. The monster's upper mass is comprised of a light blue octopus-like body with six suction cup-covered tentacles, which gradually leads into a more fish-like body that ends in a massive tailfin. Four tentacle-like appendages are attached to the Kraken's lower half, each ending in two hooked barbs. At least eight smaller yet extremely lengthy red tentacles appear to extend from underneath a dark blue hood near what could be considered the creature's neck. In contrast to these cephalopod-like features, two massive chitinous pincers are also attached to the Kraken's mid-section. Most notably, the Kraken has a massive, bulbous head with two sets of glowing eyes, a set of antennae partially covered in blue fuzz, a set of gills, and a massive black beak filled with sharp teeth and a purple tongue. The Kraken's eye color is normally pink, though at times could be observed as a more blazing light orange color. The monster's blood is dark blue in coloration.
Roar[]
The roar of the Kraken is shrill and high pitch in tone, accompanied by occasional cackles and clicks.
Personality[]
The Kraken appeared to be destructive and territorial in nature. In every encounter it had with other living beings, the aquatic monster reacted hostilely and attacked completely unprovoked. It was known to attack any ship that sailed too close to Skull Island completely unwarranted, often killing entire human crews by pulling them underwater using its smaller manipulator tentacles. The monster had formed a rivalry with Kong after fatally injuring a young woman who Kong had come to care for. Even with that, neither of them tried attacking each other, aware that the adversary would have the advantage if attacked in their natural habitat. The monster, though, still tried to beckon Kong into a fight by throwing a whale onto Skull Island as a threat. Its relentless urge to fight was unbound; When it came their duel, the creature fought vigorously and endured the ape's brute punches. Even after Kong incapacitated it, the monster's ferocity willed itself to rise for one last surprise attack on Kong in spite of the critical state it was in, which led to Kong tearing it apart and finally killing it.
Origins[]
The Kraken's main body is crescent-shaped with the ends pointing upwards, with a long fish-like tail at one end and the head at the other. The head somewhat resembles an Octopus, though it has six suckered arms rather than eight, two antennae-like growths, and a prominent toothed beak. There are two pairs of compound eyes near the mouth.
Along with the tail, the body has both dorsal and anterior bony fins used for swimming. Four flexible arms, each as long as the creature's torso, grow from the underside of its body. Each arm tapers to a point with three bladed claws. Forward of the arms, two massively muscled arms with crab-like pincers, each capable of cutting a large ship in half, extend forward from the upper torso. From beneath the mantle of its head, the creature can extend or retract six long, slender tentacles ending in flexible suckered 58 pads. The Kraken's overall coloration is blue and white, but its tentacles are a distinct crimson color. Its body is also capable of selective bioluminescence and emits an eerie bright blue light.
The Skull Island Kraken appears capable of both aquatic and terrestrial movement but is clearly more mobile in an aquatic setting. Due to its enormous size, it prefers deeper waters and appears to be well-adapted to extreme depths. Beyond its beak, teeth, claws, and tentacles, the Kraken's tentacles can deliver both a powerful electric shock and an infectious compound through the suckered pads. It also has an unknown sensory ability that allows it to effectively sense its environment through its arms and tentacles both in and out of the water. How this works is purely a matter of speculation.
Eye-witness accounts describe the Kraken as intelligent and malicious. It actively taunts and intimidates its targets, and attacks creatures with no intention of feeding on them. It has been known to attack both ships and helicopters that come within its reach, and on one occasion used a whale as a projectile.
Monarch has confirmed Kong's destruction of the Skull Island Kraken and has managed to locate remains of the fallen Titan. The Kraken appears to have been actively challenging Kong for some time, attacking humans in an effort to aggravate and lure Kong into the ocean where the Kraken would have a significant advantage. Whether this particular Kraken was entirely unique or part of an existing population has not yet been determined, though no subsequent sightings have yet been confirmed.
History[]
Skull Island[]
At some point before the main events of the Skull Island series, the Kraken was residing in the waters surrounding Skull Island. One day, awakened by Kong's blood, the Kraken attacked a community of shipwrecked humans who had formed a settlement by the coast, and wiped out the entire village. Kong, who had grown close to the small community, and especially to a young woman that lived there, arrived to the scene and witnessed the aquatic Titan menacingly slap the water with its tentacles, seemingly claiming responsibility for the attack and challenging Kong to fight. Kong managed to recover the young woman and instead retreated to his temple deeper inland. The young woman eventually died during the night due to venomous wounds sustained during the Kraken's attack, and was subsequently buried at the top of a mountain by Kong. After finishing the burial, Kong roared out to the ocean, where the Kraken still resided and was watching from afar.
Some time later, the Kraken launched an attack on two vessels that were sailing close by to Skull Island. After first destroying the larger vessel, which contained a small army of mercenaries hired by a botanist named Ilene, the Kraken attacked and submerged the second nearby vessel, which contained teenagers Charlie, Mike, and Annie, their parents, and the ship's crew. Not long after, the shipwrecked mercenaries would attempt to call in a helicopter to extract them off the island, but it was grabbed and destroyed by the Kraken while on approach to the island. As the two shipwrecked groups continued to venture across the island, both witnessed the Kraken launch a fully-grown whale across the island and into the courtyard of Kong's temple as a threat display.
Eventually, the two groups came together and devised a plan. Realizing that they could not leave the island as long as the Kraken patrolled its coastal waters, Charlie suggested luring Kong to the water where he could fight and kill the Kraken by stealing an amulet that he kept in his temple. After successfully pulling off the heist of Kong's amulet and leading him to the shores of Skull Island, the Kraken appeared and begun to drag Kong into the water with its tentacles. Though Kong broke free and briefly exchanged blows with the Kraken, he was once again grabbed and pulled underwater. After hitting the ocean floor, Kong utilized a shipwreck to bludgeon the Kraken in the eyes, which allowed him to break free and surface for air as the Kraken briefly retreated. After surfacing, Kong stopped briefly to help Annie rescue Dog, who was being pulled out to sea due to a riptide caused by the fighting. Taking advantage, the Kraken ambushed Kong and dragged him back to deeper waters. After another brief yet vicious brawl, Kong body-slammed the Kraken onto a large rock formation and proceeded to vigorously pummel it to the brink of death with his fists. After letting out a victorious roar, Kong was once again ambushed by the Kraken. Enraged, Kong lifted the beast over his head and ripped it in half, spraying dark blue blood for miles. With the Kraken finally defeated, Kong threw its lifeless bisected corpse near the shoreline of Skull Island, with the resulting seismic waves swallowing Annie and Dog, who were still nearby.
Abilities[]
Aquatic lifestyle[]
As a fully aquatic monster, the Kraken is able to stay fully submerged underwater indefinitely. It possessed gills, a massive tailfin, and several smaller fins and sails across its body that allowed it to thrive underwater.
Bioluminescence[]
The Kraken has the remarkable ability to emit a vibrant blue bioluminescent light, illuminating the dark depths of the ocean.
Speed[]
The Kraken displayed feats of terrifying speed, able to dodge Kong's attacks and travel in water at break-neck pace.
Durability[]
The Kraken displayed feats of significant durability in its fight against Kong, such as having several tentacles ripped off by the ape without falter, having a set of its eyes bludgeoned out of its head with a shipwreck, and surviving dozens of blows to the head and body by Kong's fists.
Strength and combat[]
The Kraken exhibited formidable combat capabilities as it engaged in a titanic confrontation with large Titans like Kong, delivering multiple severe injuries to the simian Titan and engaging him in a protracted battle. Its arsenal comprised numerous tentacles, which it skillfully employed to grapple adversaries, and its colossal chitinous forelimbs, which executed piercing and crushing attacks. Characterized by a serrated beak adorned with numerous sharp teeth, the Kraken possessed a fearsome bite. Furthermore, it demonstrated remarkable physical strength, exemplified by its ability to hurl a fully grown whale as a menacing gesture towards Kong's domain. Notably, with one pincer-like appendage, the Kraken seized Kong, and effortlessly hurled him a considerable distance. These attributes collectively established the Kraken as a formidably equipped combatant, capable of inflicting significant damage and overpowering formidable opponents.
Electric venom[]
The Kraken possesses a formidable offensive capability through its tentacles, which are capable of delivering potent and lethal electric shocks to its victims. The shocks, when administered, pose a significant threat to the victim's well-being. If the victim manages to survive the initial shock, the Kraken's venom, which is deposited during the shocking attack, takes effect. This venom is particularly detrimental to humans and gradually weakens the victim over time, eventually leading to their demise.
Enhanced senses[]
The Kraken possesses an unidentified sense that allows it to detect prey on the shore without being visually seen. This extraordinary sense operates underwater and enables it to perceive the presence of potential prey through a combination of sensory cues, such as hydroacoustic sensing or other unknown mechanisms. With this unique ability, the monster can accurately locate and capture victims by extending its red limbs, all while remaining hidden beneath the water's surface. This enigmatic sense adds to the monster's stealth and makes it a formidable predator in its underwater environment.
Weaknesses[]
Blunt-force trauma[]
Despite its considerable size, the Kraken's structural integrity falls short in terms of withstanding sustained blunt-force trauma. Lacking sufficient protective armor or durability, it proved susceptible to the forceful blows delivered by Kong. Initially enduring several punches, the Kraken was overwhelmed by Kong's relentless assault, as he incapacitates it and proceeds to administer a series of forceful blows with his fists. Although this greatly weakened the creature, it was ultimately its bifurcation by Kong's hands that it met its end.
Gallery[]
Concept art[]
Screenshots[]
Miscellaneous[]
Trivia[]
- The Kraken shares similarities to Na Kika, another cephalopod Titan that initially went by the name "Kraken", although the two were created as separate entities.[6]
- Curiously, despite being a confirmed Titan[1], the Kraken lacks a Titanus designation. It is one of the few Titans that has this discrepancy, along with the Snarehunter Ant Queen.
List of appearances[]
Television[]
- Skull Island (First appearance)
Games[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Kong: Skull Island — Creature Codex. Evil Genius Games. ISBN: 979-8-9881882-6-1.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Powerhouse Animation (July 1, 2023). "Kong & Kraken Monster Design sheets". Twitter.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Powerhouse Animation (July 16, 2023). "This intense underwater sequence was a turning point in our final epic battle between Kong and the Kraken!". Twitter.
- ↑ Duffield, Brian (June 22, 2023). "I called it kraken, because the in-show characters call it that (among other things).".
- ↑ Kim, Jung-Ha (July 1, 2023). "There's my guy!! I had so much fun designing the "Kraken!" I hope someday I can talk about the other iterations I did (because there are many)! I think my favorite design note I got for this was "Make it PUNCHABLE."". Twitter.
- ↑ Duffield, Brian (June 21, 2023). "This is the first I'm learning of Na Kika haha. We stayed away from Godzilla lore because of their upcoming show so there maybe some overlap and similarities but def meant to be unique.". Twitter.
- ↑ Booher, David M.. "Tiamat". MonsterVerse Declassified. Legendary Comics. May 13, 2025. ISBN: 978-1-68116-130-3. Retrieved on May 13, 2025.
