1934 Japanese Propaganda Cartoon Casts Mickey Mouse as American Imperialist Threat
In 1934, Japanese animator Komatsuzawa Hajime created a propaganda animation titled "Toybox Series 3: Picture Book 1936," which critiques American imperialism through the character of Mickey Mouse. The storyline features a confrontation where Mickey, accompanied by weaponized reptiles, poses a threat to innocent animals reminiscent of Felix the Cat. To counter this menace, the animals enlist the help of legendary figures from Japanese lore, including Momotaro and Kintaro. Set in 1936, the film metaphorically addresses the end of a naval treaty and concludes with a triumph over Mickey achieved through magical elements and humor.
Key facts
- The 1934 Japanese animated propaganda film was directed by Komatsuzawa Hajime.
- Its full title is "Omochabako series dai san wa: Ehon senkya-hyakusanja-rokunen (Toybox Series 3: Picture Book 1936)."
- The plot features an island of cute critters attacked by an army of Mickey Mouses riding bats, assisted by crocodiles and snakes acting as machine guns.
- Japanese folk heroes Momotaro, Kintaro, Issun-boshi, and Benkei are called upon to defeat Mickey.
- The film is set in 1936, possibly tied to the expiration of a naval treaty between the United States and Japan.
- The cartoon uses the storybook characters-come-alive trope later seen in Warner Bros. cartoons.
- Mickey is ultimately defeated by magic and derisive laughter, not violence, with a Rip Van Winkle character involved.
- An earlier version of the Open Culture post appeared in 2016.
Entities
Artists
- Komatsuzawa Hajime
- Ted Mills
Institutions
- Open Culture
- Warner Bros.
- Disney
Locations
- Japan
- United States
- Asia
- South Pacific
- Pearl Harbor