The Real Inspiration And Evolution Of The Betty Boop Cartoon

Big In Japan

Betty Boop became very popular in Japan right away. This is partially because Fleischer Studios used the same distributor as Walt Disney Productions, so Betty Boop films reached an audience already eager for cartoons. In 1935, the studio released “A Language All My Own,” an episode intended to thank Japanese fans for their support. In this short cartoon, Betty flies to Japan and sings the title song in English. Then she changes into a kimono and performs the same song in Japanese. Fleischerstudios.com says the episode “is more than a wonderful cartoon; it’s an amazing story of ambassadorship as well! This carefully crafted love letter to the Japanese people solidified Betty’s already growing popularity [overseas].”