Why Can't Disney be "Cool?"

Ghoulish Delight · 06-15-2005, 11:32 AM

There's a large disconnect between Japonese coolness and American coolness. NA's current sig is an excellent demonstration. Kawaii=cute. And cute is eminently cool in Japan. It's both common and cool for guys to carry cute stuffed animals. Disney fits right in with that. In the US, cute is most definitely not cool. It's "girly" and "childish". It's a difficult task for Disney to bridge that gap.

€uroMeinke · 06-15-2005, 12:01 PM

You know there is that Disney=cute thing going on in Japan, but there is much more. Music-wise, which is what prompted my post - there's definately some cool (and not necessarily cute) things going on.

Also characterwise, there were some cool, non-traditional images being used - Mickey smashing a guitar, was a popular one (Did we take a picture of that?). Nightemare before Christmas merchandise was also ridiculously popular, along with other Tim Burton creations.

I also saw Stich is promoted a popular "bad boy" character - perhaps that's what Disney needs. Afterall, Mickey did start out as a rather rakish mouse, then Donald took over the bad boy role.

Maybe amidst the Manga and Cos-play, the notion of "wholesome" cartoon characters isn't as prevalent allowing for both cute and cool.

06-15-2005, 11:32 AM	#1
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	There's a large disconnect between Japonese coolness and American coolness. NA's current sig is an excellent demonstration. Kawaii=cute. And cute is eminently cool in Japan. It's both common and cool for guys to carry cute stuffed animals. Disney fits right in with that. In the US, cute is most definitely not cool. It's "girly" and "childish". It's a difficult task for Disney to bridge that gap. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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06-15-2005, 12:01 PM	#2
€uroMeinke L'Hédoniste Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A.S.C.O.T. Posts: 8,671	You know there is that Disney=cute thing going on in Japan, but there is much more. Music-wise, which is what prompted my post - there's definately some cool (and not necessarily cute) things going on. Also characterwise, there were some cool, non-traditional images being used - Mickey smashing a guitar, was a popular one (Did we take a picture of that?). Nightemare before Christmas merchandise was also ridiculously popular, along with other Tim Burton creations. I also saw Stich is promoted a popular "bad boy" character - perhaps that's what Disney needs. Afterall, Mickey did start out as a rather rakish mouse, then Donald took over the bad boy role. Maybe amidst the Manga and Cos-play, the notion of "wholesome" cartoon characters isn't as prevalent allowing for both cute and cool. __________________ I would believe only in a God that knows how to Dance. Friedrich Nietzsche
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