Representational space of Mickey Mouse under Japanese wartime

―Is Mickey Mouse a friend or foe―

Abstract

The Disney animated character Mickey Mouse is so famous that virtually everyone in the world knows about it.This year marks the 100th anniversary of Disney. Mickey Mouse made his debut in the 1928 movie 'Steamboat Willie.' Then, just six years later, an original animated film featuring a character similar to Mickey Mouse was being produced in Japan. At that time, Mickey Mouse, a typical Disney character, was also popular among children in Japan, and the character was used in cartoons, advertisements, and children's toys. Nevertheless, in this animation, a character resembling Mickey Mouse appears as the 'villain.' Was Mickey Mouse considered an enemy or an ally during the war? In this study, I explore the representational space of Mickey Mouse during the wartime era, considering the character's certain degree of popularity despite being associated with an enemy country.