Mickey Mouse, the beloved mascot of Disney and one of the most iconic cartoon characters of all time, has been the subject of a bizarre and disturbing trend on TikTok. Users have been googling “what killed Mickey Mouse” and sharing their reactions to the results, which suggest that the mouse met a tragic and violent end. But is there any truth behind this trend? And what does it mean for the legacy and future of Mickey Mouse? Here is everything you need to know.
The TikTok Trend Explained
Googling “What Killed Mickey Mouse”
The trend started when some TikTok users noticed that the Wikipedia page for “List of Mickey Mouse films and appearances” had a section titled “Once Upon an Apple”, which was supposedly an episode of “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse”, a series that premiered on Disney+ in 2020. The section claimed that in this episode, Mickey’s heart exploded after eating a poisoned apple, resulting in his death. The source for this information was a fake website that looked like an official Disney press release.
Some users decided to google “what killed Mickey Mouse” to see if they could find more details about this alleged episode. However, instead of finding any credible information, they stumbled upon various disturbing and absurd results, such as:
- A theory that Wednesday Addams, the gothic heroine of the Netflix series “The Addams Family”, killed Mickey Mouse as part of her revenge plot against Disney for canceling her show.
- A fan art depicting Mickey Mouse being caught by a giant mouse trap, with blood and gore splattered all over the place.
- A video claiming to be a “lost episode” of a classic black-and-white Mickey Mouse cartoon, in which Mickey commits suicide by shooting himself in the head.
These results shocked and horrified many users, who posted their reactions on TikTok using the hashtag #whatkilledmickeymouse. The trend quickly went viral, with millions of views and comments.
The Truth Behind the Trend
However, as it turns out, the trend was based on nothing but lies and hoaxes. There was no such episode as “Once Upon an Apple”, and the Wikipedia page was vandalized by someone who wanted to prank or troll the fans. The fake website that claimed to be a Disney press release was also created by a prankster, who used a domain name that looked similar to Disney’s official website.
The other results that users found were also either fabricated or taken out of context. The theory about Wednesday Addams killing Mickey Mouse was a joke made by a fan account on Twitter, which was later deleted. The fan art of Mickey Mouse being trapped was a parody of a famous painting by René Magritte, called “The Treachery of Images”. The video of the “lost episode” was actually a fan-made animation that used clips from existing Mickey Mouse cartoons and edited them to make them look creepy and violent.
In other words, there was no evidence or confirmation that Mickey Mouse had died or been killed by anyone or anything. The trend was based on false information and rumors that were spread by pranksters, trolls, or fans with dark humor.
No, Mickey Mouse is Not Dead
Clarifying the Confusion
To clear up the confusion and calm down the fans, Disney issued a statement on its official social media accounts, stating that Mickey Mouse was alive and well, and that the trend was a hoax. Disney also updated the Wikipedia page for “List of Mickey Mouse films and appearances” and removed the fake section about “Once Upon an Apple”. Disney also asked its fans to report any suspicious or malicious websites or content that claimed to be related to Mickey Mouse or Disney.
Disney also released a short video on Disney+, featuring Mickey Mouse himself, who assured his fans that he was fine and thanked them for their love and support. He also joked that he would never eat an apple again, and invited his fans to watch his new adventures on “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse”.
The Mascot Character’s Continued Success
Despite the trend, or perhaps because of it, Mickey Mouse remained one of the most popular and successful characters in the world. His series “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse” received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, and was renewed for a third season. His merchandise sales also increased, as fans showed their affection for him by buying his products.
Mickey Mouse also continued to appear in other media, such as video games, comic books, theme parks, and live shows. He also starred in several special events and celebrations, such as his 95th birthday in 2023, which was marked by a global campaign called “Mickey’s Magical Moments”. He also made cameo appearances in other Disney properties, such as Marvel’s “What If…?” and Pixar’s “Luca”.
The Legacy of Mickey Mouse
Impact on Pop Culture
Mickey Mouse has been a cultural icon since his creation in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks. He was the first cartoon character to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and one of the first to have his own fan club. He has also been recognized as a symbol of hope, optimism, and creativity, especially during times of hardship, such as the Great Depression and World War II.
Mickey Mouse has influenced many artists, celebrities, and leaders, who have expressed their admiration and respect for him. He has also inspired many other characters, such as Bugs Bunny, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Naruto. He has also been referenced or parodied in countless movies, TV shows, songs, books, and memes.
Mickey Mouse has also been a source of controversy and criticism, as some have accused him of being a corporate mascot, a cultural imperialist, or a political tool. He has also been involved in legal disputes over his ownership and trademark rights, which have led to changes in the copyright laws.
Iconic Status within Disney
Mickey Mouse is not only the mascot of Disney, but also the embodiment of its values and vision. He represents the spirit of innovation, imagination, and storytelling that Disney is known for. He is also the leader of the Disney characters, who are often seen as his friends and family. He is also the host of many Disney shows and attractions, such as “The Mickey Mouse Club”, “Fantasmic!”, and “Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway”.
Mickey Mouse is also the personal creation of Walt Disney himself, who voiced him for many years and considered him as his alter ego. Walt Disney once said: “I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing — that it was all started by a mouse.” Mickey Mouse is also seen as a legacy that Walt Disney left behind for his successors and fans.
The Future of Mickey Mouse
Upcoming Projects and Appearances
Mickey Mouse has no plans to retire or fade away anytime soon. He has many projects and appearances lined up for the future, such as:
- The third season of “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse”, which will feature four extended-length specials themed to each season: winter, spring, summer, and autumn.
- The opening of “Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway” at Disneyland Park in California in 2023, which will be a clone of the attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida.
- The debut of “Mickey’s PhilharMagic” at Shanghai Disneyland in 2023, which will be a 4D musical show featuring Mickey Mouse as the conductor of an orchestra.
- The release of “Mickey: The Story of a Mouse” on Disney+ in 2023, which will be a documentary film celebrating the 100th anniversary of Disney and the 95th anniversary of Mickey Mouse.
- The launch of “Mickey’s Mix Magic” at Disneyland Paris in 2024, which will be a nighttime spectacular featuring projections, lasers, fireworks, and music inspired by Mickey Mouse.
Evolution of the Character over Time
Mickey Mouse has evolved over time, both in his appearance and personality. He started out as a mischievous and rebellious character who often got into trouble with authority figures or antagonists. He later became more friendly and heroic, who often helped others in need or fought against evil. He also became more expressive and emotional, showing a wider range of feelings and moods.
Mickey Mouse has also changed his look over the years, from his original black-and-white design to his current colorful and modern one. He has also experimented with different styles and outfits, such as his sorcerer’s robe in “Fantasia”, his tuxedo in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”, or his space suit in “Epic Mickey”. He has also adapted to different technologies and formats, such as sound, color, 3D animation, CGI animation, video games, and streaming services.
Conclusion
Mickey Mouse is more than just a cartoon character; he is a phenomenon that has transcended time and culture. He has been the subject of many trends and controversies, but he has also been the source of many joys and inspirations. He has been a part of our lives for almost a century, and he will continue to be so for many more. As he himself said: “See ya real soon!”
