Who doesn’t know Mickey Mouse? It’s among the few animated characters that connect with people from every generation. Even though it’s hard to remember when we witnessed the first Mickey Mouse, it still has a massive impact on the masses, not only in America but also in global culture.
Mickey Mouse is often labeled as a symbol of positivity, happiness, and joy and can still be found in theme parks, birthdays, and even as official mascots of cultural events. However, the whole internet suddenly is filled with one question – What killed Mickey Mouse?
It’s an ongoing social media trend that started from TikTok. People worldwide are searching for the reasons that killed the iconic Disney character that has ruled our hearts for decades.
Let’s find out why Mickey Mouse’s death is a topic of discussion all of a sudden and what is the truth behind it, if any.
What is the Story Behind ‘What Killed Mickey Mouse’?
There is no accurate reason why, out of nowhere, netizens are fascinated by Mickey Mouse’s demise. However, according to the reports, the curiosity emerged from a website called List of Death Fandom, where hypothetical causes of Mickey Mouse’s deaths are illustrated.
It’s similar to a few years ago when a Ton & Jerry video emerged on social media, claiming that the duo committed suicide in the last episode of the popular cartoon series.
As weird as it sounds, this website explains the deaths of various well-known fictional characters, including our beloved Mickey Mouse. The website lists the shows that feature cartoon violence involving Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, attempting to rationalize the reasons behind their fictional demises.
There is no substance on this website, but the trend quickly caught momentum, and within a week, millions of people started searching for the term ‘What killed Mickey Mouse.’
But don’t worry, Mickey Mouse is alive in Disney World and always will be.
‘What Killed Mickey Mouse’ TikTok Trend Explained:
In no time, TikTok, the birthplace of most bizarre social media trends, became the central hub of the discussions surrounding Mickey Mouse’s alleged demise. It all started with one user who discovered the website and decided to record his reaction while going through the possible cause of the death of Mickey Mouse.
The user’s reactions were hilarious, and soon enough, encouraged other users to do the same, and the term ‘What Killed Mickey Mouse’ went viral. Thousands of TikTok users started posting their reactions on the search results.
However, the website will crack you up as it takes a satirical view of how Mickey Mouse would have died during some incidents. For instance, it claims that Mickey Mouse was killed because his heart exploded.
The website explains some other violent incidents involving popular Disney figures, such as Goofy and Donald Duck, and whether or not they survived it.
Here are some bits from the website that will chuckle you up:
- Flea – Fell to its death off-camera when Mickey tore his leg off.
- Mickey Mouse – Disintegrated when the Beast yelled at him. Revived
- Mickey Mouse – Disintegrated after separating from Minnie. Revived
- Donald Duck – Disintegrated after hitting himself against a giant suitcase. Revived
- Minnie Mouse – Crushed underneath a falling house. Revived
- Goofy – Crushed underneath a falling tower. Revived
- Goofy – Punched into the sky by a robot. Revived
- Daisy Duck – Crushed between giant rollers. Revived
- Donald Duck – Crushed underneath a falling tower. Revived
- Mickey Mouse was killed when his heart exploded.
- Mini Howdini – Erased from existence by Howdini’s magic.
- Donald Duck – Skeleton jumped out of his body. Revived
Is Mickey Mouse Dead?
As the trend got widespread attention, thousands of Mickey Mouse fans rushed to Google to discover whether their childhood affection and enthusiasm icon was dead. Although we know it’s merely a fictional animated character, people’s sentiments toward Mickey are unimaginable.
It doesn’t matter what decade you belong to, the 90s, 80s, or even 50s; Mickey Mouse has always been there in comic books, animated cartoons, TV series, global mascots, movies, and more.
So, if you are worried about Mickey’s existence, I have excellent news.
Mickey Mouse is very much alive in popular culture, animation, and entertainment. Since its origin at Disneyland, Mickey Mouse has become an adorable timeless symbol, making a special place in the hearts of generations.
Mickey Mouse is still exceptionally popular in the culture and entertainment world. The recent Disney+ animated series The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse is a prime testament to its never-ending appeal.
How Old is Mickey Mouse?
Mickey Mouse, among the most globally recognized and acclaimed fictional characters of all time, was created by the duo Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks. The world first witnessed Mickey Mouse in an animated short film in 1928 named Steamboat Willie. Interestingly, it was one of the first cartoon animations with synchronized audio.
Judging by the year of its first appearance, Mickey Mouse has turned 95 this year, which makes it one of the oldest fictional animated characters of all time.
What Happened with Mickey Mouse in 2023?
Mickey Mouse maintains its supremacy in Disney, even after nearly a century. So, you can relax; nothing has happened to the ever-smiling Disney face or will happen in the next 100 years.
The viral TikTok trend prompted people to think about what might have happened to Mickey Mouse. The main reason behind this interest was that people saw thousands of videos surfacing on the platform, titled ‘What Killed Mickey Mouse’ or Mickey Mouse Killed 2023.
Let me clarify that the trend is purely based on the website I mentioned earlier in the article and has nothing to do with the death of Mickey Mouse or any Disney character whatsoever. You can still see him in Disney’s original series, The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse.
Disney still owns the rights to use Mickey Mouse as its creation until 2031. So yes, we will see our cheerful Mickey in his iconic red shorts for many more years.
The Legacy of Mickey:
Although created in the USA, Mickey Mouse has achieved global icon status that many Hollywood stars could only dream of. He’s a humanized version of a mouse, usually portrayed as an underdog, always ready for challenges beyond his physical capacity.
Mickey appears with his on-screen friends, which include his beloved dog Pluto, his sweetheart Minnie Mouse, and his partners-in-crime Donald Duck and Goofy.
Thanks to his trademark red shorts, white gloves, gigantic shoes, and evergreen, blissful smile, he is easily recognizable.
Mickey Mouse’s popularity is also a prime example of creative imagination, storytelling, and technology. It’s no coincidence that a character that is not even real has been ruling the hearts for generations. I mean, how many movie characters from the 1940s do you remember? But Mickey is timeless, and his popularity doesn’t seem to be fading away anytime soon.
Mickey Mouse didn’t only influence the entertainment industry, but his character is a symbol of hope and friendship and someone who takes on every challenge with courage and a smile. No doubt, he served as a ray of hope and joy during difficult times in American history, such as The Great Depression and World War 2.
Mickey Mouse also opened new avenues for artists, animators, merchandise sellers, and theme parks, as it was always able to attract the crowds on its own. This enduring appeal is the main reason his legacy has lasted for nearly a century. Mickey continuously features in cartoon shows, animated films and series, video games, and newspapers, making sure the new generation connects with him and understands his legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
No, it’s not real. It’s just people reacting to a website that posted several events where Mickey Mouse could have died or died.
Two American animators and cartoonists, Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks created Mickey Mouse in 1928. The character first appeared in a short movie called Steamboat Willie.
Some popular Mickey Mouse cartoons include Steamboat Willie, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice from Fantasia, and the modern series Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Mickey Mouse Shorts.
Mickey Mouse is a fictional character created 95 years ago by Walt Disney. It has not died and is an enduring and beloved cartoon character still used today.
Final Word:
So, all you crazy Mickey Mouse fans can relax; nothing has happened to our dear Disney hero. The recent trend was just a result of a TikTok video and must not be taken seriously. The website documents the reasons behind the hypothetical deaths of popular characters from TV series, movies, cartoons, and games.
Only because of this trend the search term ‘What Killed Mickey Mouse’ has been floating around on social media. Nevertheless, you can visit the website where everything started, record your reactions while reading the comical death explanations for Disney characters, and take part in the ongoing viral trend on TikTok.
I am an engineer by education, tech writer by profession, and a motor sport fan by heart.
