What do Americans generally think of Snoopy?
Posted by kuma44bear@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 25 comments
A while back, a Japanese company acquired the rights to Snoopy (the famous dog character from *Peanuts*), yet despite this being a valuable asset of soft power, there was no significant backlash from the United States.
I’m surprised by the contrast with the backlash that occurred when a Japanese company attempted to acquire U.S. Steel. Does it have anything to do with whether Disney is involved?
What do Americans generally think of Snoopy?
I would like to thank everyone in advance for their responses.
miketugboat@reddit
I don't think of snoopy. I like his antics with the red baron, I think that's fun. But he's a minor character from a comic strip from 70 years ago.
turdferguson3891@reddit
There were a fair amount of animated shows too. I guess I'm old but they were still making snoopy stuff in the 80s.
More_Bluejay9938@reddit
RIP Camp Snoopy (MOA, MN). After Charles Schultz’s death (1998 maybe?) they designed various character statues and placed them all around the Twin Cities. They had different characters and themes. Snoopy, Charlie, Linus, Lucy. I think it may have been over a few years?
turdferguson3891@reddit
Knotts Berry Farm still has the original one opened in the early 80s.
joeyx22lm@reddit
"a valuable asset of soft power"
...Snoopy? The cartoon character from like the 1960s?
LOL
turdferguson3891@reddit
I mean the Christmas and Halloween cartoons are still kind of a tradition and camp Snoopy is still a thing at theme parks. They were still making peanuts cartons when I was a kid well after the 60s.
gardengrowsgreen@reddit
Right?
superhex12345@reddit
Snoopy's cool. No hard feelings. Hope you enjoy him.
turdferguson3891@reddit
No you're thinking of Joe Cool
IconoclastExplosive@reddit
I cannot understand why you think a cartoon dog is equal to a large piece of a major industry.
You call it a display of soft power. Snoopy is not a major cultural icon, we don't have a holiday for him or anything. People know him, some people quite like him, but he's just a drawing of a dog.
It's not like a foreign company obtaining discrete rights to Uncle Sam or the likeness of a US president. It's just a dog from an old comic and cartoon. In no earthly way is Snoopy comparable to US Steel.
neoslith@reddit
OP, you do understand the difference between a cartoon dog and a steel manufacturer, right?
MarkyGalore@reddit
A beloved character who also appeared in life insurance ads
gardengrowsgreen@reddit
Boo, the funniest question always get deleted
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BulkyTiger8706@reddit
Snoopy is just a beloved cartoon dog, not some national strategic asset, so nobody’s losing sleep over who owns the rights. Americans grew up with him, so it’s more nostalgia than pride, totally different from something like U.S. Steel where money and jobs are on the line.
Darryl_Lict@reddit
I'm guessing Charles Schultz's estate had trademark rights over Snoopy and they are free to do so as they please.
deweydecimal87@reddit
Why is no one typing how the adults talk? Hmmmm?
Missmunkeypants95@reddit
huazzy@reddit
To be fair, it's owned by Sony which yes is Japanese but most would just see it as a conglomerate/corporation moreso than some cultural Japanese entity that would cause a stir.
Prize_Consequence568@reddit
"What do Americans generally think of Snoopy?"
Depends on the particular person OP.
MrShake4@reddit
What makes you think the snoopy and US Steel situations are remotely similar?
One is a major employer producing a critical good.
The other is a cartoon.
KC-Anathema@reddit
I love Snoopy and hope a lot of cool things come from this. Japan does cute so well! I want cute stationery and plushies at the very least.
TaquitoLaw@reddit
A Japanese restaurant by my house had a licensing deal and I got a Snoopy blanket, it is soft and fantastic. A Japanese store in the same shopping center also sells Popeye and Tom and Jerry stuff, and I think it's great to see the old characters still out there.
QueenShewolf@reddit
We will probably be more pissed off if Disney acquired Snoopy than some Japanese company.
OpeningChipmunk1700@reddit
Snoopy is beloved by many, myself and my dad included.
Peanuts (the comic Snoopy is in) remains popular. Apple TV has released new Snoopy and Peanuts animated shows/movies in the last few years.