Snoopy, Miffy & Moomin. The Nostalgic Characters We Can't Get Enough Of
Everyone seems to be obsessed with nostalgia, childhood characters are taking over fashion collaborations and people are competing to have the biggest soft toy collections... who are these whimsy-preserving mascots and why can't people get enough of them?
Who is Snoopy?
It’s safe to say that Snoopy has probably been one of the world’s most famous dogs since he first appeared in 1950. The American newspaper comic strip Peanuts, created by Charles M. Schulz, is where Snoopy made his debut as the dog and best friend of Charlie Brown - the endearing main character.
Almost 75 years later, the world’s love of Peanuts is still strong today, but particularly Snoopy has become a world-renowned character, loved for his whimsy, wisdom and daydreaming. To this day Snoopy is the official mascot for NASA, there are multiple attractions themed after him, big brand clothing collaborations, movies/TV shows… the list goes on.
It could be that people adore Snoopy simply for his cuteness or maybe the feeling of nostalgia and escapism is what created the hyper-fixation, either way, people of all ages are able to connect via their love of the famous beagle.
Where is Miffy from?
The sweet little bunny rabbit Miffy known for her big white ears and primary colour palette was created by Dutch artist/author Dick Bruna in 1955. Although Miffy is often mistaken for Japanese she is actually from Utrecht in the Netherlands.
Created originally as a character in bedtime stories for Dick Bruna’s son, Miffy has featured in over 100 children’s books written and illustrated by Bruna, various TV shows and even a feature-length film.
The Miffy and Friends books are children’s stories for under 8 years, the stories feature situations children may face related to school, family etc. and are written in short rhymes with simple drawings in bright colours. Dick Bruna’s chosen colour palette makes Miffy distinctive and recognisable worldwide.
Miffy’s resurgence has definitely been noticeable across social media platforms in line with trends like the ‘Weird Girl’ aesthetic and Gen-Z’s general love for non-conformity and appreciation of all things cutesy and whimsical.
What is a Moomin?
The lovable, white, hippo-like character Moomin came into existence in 1940s Finland, first appearing on the covers of Finnish satire magazine Garm. He is actually a round, gentle white troll creature!
Moomin and his comrades were created by Finnish illustrator and author Tove Jansson, whose first book “Moomin and the Great Flood” was published in 1945. First gaining popularity in Finland and Sweden, the Moomin stories represent Scandinavian culture and traditions, with themes of nature and simple living highlighted throughout the series. In 1950 the first English translation of one of Jansson's Moomin books debuted which snowballed into Moomin's indefinite worldwide fame.
Fast-forward to today and Moomin's fandom spans all over the world, with theme parks, cafes and shops in many different countries! Perhaps trends like ‘cottage-core’ and the desire for slow living in today’s modern world make Moomin still so popular, plus despite his confusing appearance, he is just a cute lil guy.
Considering they've been around for over 70 years, why does Gen-Z love Snoopy, Miffy & Moomin so much?
The trio were all designed in the mid-20th century, a time before mass production and consumerism, making each of their designs rich with authenticity and the aura of a simpler time. Gen-Z particularly seems to have an appreciation for retro and vintage trends in clothes, movies & tv, accessories etc perhaps because they've never lived in a world not overrun by the immediate satisfaction of online shopping, streaming services and fast fashion.
Another connection could be related to the rise of social media, particularly TikTok has seen videos of old cartoon clips, merchandise unboxings and room tours featuring the aforementioned characters. Gen-Z are often competitive with hauls and collections, wanting to be trendsetters and have the most impressive video to post. And there's the whole 'Run don't walk' mentality when there's a new drop of merchandise or a new collab in stores. With collectable items selling out almost instantly because everyone saw it on TikTok and everyone wants it!
A definite commonality between Snoopy, Miffy and Moomin has to be the nostalgia surrounding each of them and their respective universes. For older generations who grew up with these timeless characters and younger ones discovering them for the first time, they allow people of all ages to connect via the feelings of escapism and comfort.
In a world which to some feels dystopian at times, it makes sense that people want to cling to their inner child and keep space for whimsical pockets of joy and nostalgia — enter Snoopy, Miffy and Moomin and you have the perfect immortalisation of childhood.
Explore our Nostalgic Gifts collection featuring Snoopy, Miffy, Moomin and more here!
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