TikTok is not only a place for bizarre trends but also for curious minds. Lately, one such trend called, “What Killed Mickey Mouse” has been taking over the minds of TikTokers as users filmed their reactions after searching the phrase on Google. So what is this trend all about as the videos garnered millions of likes and views? Read on to explore more.
About ‘What Killed Mickey Mouse?’ Trend
TikTok is a place for curious minds! Every now and then, various trends keep catching the attention of TikTok users. One such trend, “What Killed” Mickey Mouse?” has been taking over the video-sharing platform. This trend forms part of previous Google searches on how certain characters like Dora or Barney the Dinosaur “died” and film their “horrified” reactions.
In the “What Killed Mickey Mouse?” trend, TikTok users are searching for the said phrase on Google and filming their reactions to the results. The trend gained pace after several TikTokers pointed to a page from the “List of Deaths” wiki, which provides a database for the deaths of popular Disney characters.
Now, if you search “What Killed Mickey Mouse?” on Google, one of the horrifying results includes the fact that Mickey Mouse died from a “heart explosion”. Soon, people began to film their reactions, and these videos garnered millions of likes and views.
How Are Fans Reacting?
Well, if you haven’t watched the entire Mickey Mouse, it’s easy to fall prey to such Google results. Some of the shocking reactions from people who made videos on “What Killed Mickey Mouse”, include: “mg that hurts so bad childhood memories,” and “I regret searching.” “I searched it up and I’m now crying,’ said one more. Actually traumatized me.”
Even though these videos have spread like wildfire, please note that the cartoon character’s makers haven’t declared anything about the character’s death or the cause behind it. Such information available in fandom pages on these viral TikTok videos remain unverified. This means that the results such as, “Mickey Mouse died from a heart explosion” or “disintegrated when the Beast yelled at him”, seem to be a hoax.
Did Mickey Mouse Really Die?
If you’re a Disney fan, you may be aware that Mickey Mouse was created to replace the prior Disney character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. The animated cartoon character, co-created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, first appeared in the short Plane Crazy, debuting publicly in the short film Steamboat Willie (1928), one of the first sound cartoons.
The longtime mascot, Mickey wears red shorts, large yellow shoes and gloves and often appears alongside its dog, Pluto, girlfriend, Minnie Mouse, and friends, Donald Duck and Goofy. In 1978, Mickey became the first cartoon character to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
That being said, let us explore if Mickey Mouse is actually dead. You’d be relieved to hear that the cartoon character is not dead. However, such rumors originated from a Fandom site’s “List of Deaths” Wiki, which provides a database of death in series, movies and games.
According to this page, Mickey encountered several death scenarios in the Disney+ animated series “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse. Per this page, some of the reasons behind Mickey’s death include:
- Disintegrated when the Beast yelled at him (Revived)
- Disintegrated after separating from Minnie (Revived)
- Mickey’s Sentient Heart – Exploded.
- Crushed underneath a falling car (Revived)
- Crushed underneath a falling tower (Revived)
Other websites claim that the villain from “The Little Mermaid”, Ursula, was blown up by Mickey, Minnie, and Mickey’s friends: Goofy, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck with their magic powers. Coming back to Mickey Mouse, the character may be alive as the information available on these fandom pages remain unverified.
Some believe that Mickey is married to Minnie Mouse, a theory that became even more solid after Wayne Allwine, the voice of Mickey Mouse, married Russie Taylor, the voice of Minnie Mouse in 1991. As for the death theories, none of the sources is credible.
In a 2022 interview, Disney legend Floyd Norman, who appears in “Mickey: The Story of a Mouse,” a Disney+ film about the iconic character, discussed his first exposure to Mickey Mouse and his favourite of Mickey’s appearances over his near-century of the screen, stage, in personal appearances, and as every possible consumer product.
As for the character, Norman stated: “Mickey Mouse is a total optimist. Walt Disney was incredibly resourceful. And boy, Mickey is resourceful. And Mickey is also somewhat cheeky. There’s a mischievous side to Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney as well. Walt’s family has often spoken to me about what a prankster Walt could be, and Mickey is a prankster, too. So, there’s so much of Walt Disney in Mickey Mouse, and so much Mickey Mouse in Walt Disney.”
When asked if we would see more hand-drawn animation in future, Norman replied: “But to bring Mickey to life, to truly bring him to life, you have to pick up a pencil and you have to draw on paper. And as long as we have talented men and women who can express these marvellous images on paper, Mickey will always have life because of the animators.
“It doesn’t matter what generation. They will always be able to give Mickey Mouse life and Mickey will always be with us,” he added. The latest Mickey Mouse series include Wonderful World of Mickey” (2020-present) and “Mickey Mouse Funhouse (2021–present). Fun fact, Mickey wears those white gloves to help viewers distinguish his hands from the rest of his body. Now, that’s credible information!
