This is actually incredibly tame compared to other anti-Japanese WWII episodes from other cartoons. Really the Japanese shown in this weren't horrible racist insults like a lot of their wartime depictions. They were shown to be competent and intelligent. The only real bad message from this episode is that Japanese citizens could be deadly spies for Japan. Which was a real fear that the population had at the time. Doesn't excuse that fear but it was a fear none the less.
@iovandrake In all fairness, there were Japanese infiltrators that mapped out the position of the ships at Pearl Harbor. So it did happen. But that's why Americans of Japanese decent were interned, to keep them from spying and to keep them safe from the panicy public.
Complainers: This is WARTIME PROPAGANDA. If any animators had the balls , we'd have "The Justice League VS. Al Queda", but we're too Sensitive these days, even to those who Did And/Or Would Kill Us If They Could. It's also A CARTOON, the last time I checked.
@Tprinces That's what I love about these cartoons man! The music was a little cheesy, but Superman would always say that line in a laid back tone, and not in a corny way that one would expect.
This show would rarely come on back in the day on Cartoon Network. Damn I miss watching these..
@ ntqwtpc This isn't racism. Most Americans had limited exposure to Asians at this time; their image being strongly influenced by such icons as Charlie Chan. In fact the antagonist looks exactly like the Charlie Chan from the movies. The intention clearly wasn't to dehumanize Japanese people, but rather make the antagonists easily recognizable.
what racist icon are you referring to? the superman? originally the superman/overman comes from Nietzsche, which isn't a racist icon in any way.
Superman the comic character isn't racist per se - this cartoon is no more racist than the time period in American history. That doesn't excuse it, but it goes someway to explaining it, and doesn't mean we should reject it out right. There's plenty to enjoy here if you're open minded enough.
OK little man......
gunterdak 2 weeks ago
I REMEMBER THIS EPISODE.
ZandroidProductions 5 months ago
This obviously isn't Bud Collyer supplying the voice of Superman; any idea who it is? Because he's terrible.
AdamNedeff 6 months ago
Thanks for the video. It was amazing.
ClassicToonFan64 8 months ago
This is actually incredibly tame compared to other anti-Japanese WWII episodes from other cartoons. Really the Japanese shown in this weren't horrible racist insults like a lot of their wartime depictions. They were shown to be competent and intelligent. The only real bad message from this episode is that Japanese citizens could be deadly spies for Japan. Which was a real fear that the population had at the time. Doesn't excuse that fear but it was a fear none the less.
iovandrake 8 months ago
@iovandrake In all fairness, there were Japanese infiltrators that mapped out the position of the ships at Pearl Harbor. So it did happen. But that's why Americans of Japanese decent were interned, to keep them from spying and to keep them safe from the panicy public.
AssHat313 3 months ago
Complainers: This is WARTIME PROPAGANDA. If any animators had the balls , we'd have "The Justice League VS. Al Queda", but we're too Sensitive these days, even to those who Did And/Or Would Kill Us If They Could. It's also A CARTOON, the last time I checked.
prgvidiot 9 months ago 2
Go get em. Kal !
blackartdemon 9 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Everyday superman still save people, and never fails.
Lanier1982 10 months ago
Everyday superman still save people, and never fails
Lanier1982 10 months ago
This was the first episode produced by Famous Studios.
neoprankster 10 months ago
does anyone else notice just how aloof he is when he says "this looks like a job for Superman"?
Tprinces 1 year ago
@Tprinces That's what I love about these cartoons man! The music was a little cheesy, but Superman would always say that line in a laid back tone, and not in a corny way that one would expect.
This show would rarely come on back in the day on Cartoon Network. Damn I miss watching these..
dcollegeboy 1 year ago
@ ntqwtpc This isn't racism. Most Americans had limited exposure to Asians at this time; their image being strongly influenced by such icons as Charlie Chan. In fact the antagonist looks exactly like the Charlie Chan from the movies. The intention clearly wasn't to dehumanize Japanese people, but rather make the antagonists easily recognizable.
jarkoer 1 year ago
Being influence by a racist icon dosen't make it any less racist.
Seriously...
plaparen 1 year ago
@plaparen
what racist icon are you referring to? the superman? originally the superman/overman comes from Nietzsche, which isn't a racist icon in any way.
Superman the comic character isn't racist per se - this cartoon is no more racist than the time period in American history. That doesn't excuse it, but it goes someway to explaining it, and doesn't mean we should reject it out right. There's plenty to enjoy here if you're open minded enough.
lestersands76 11 months ago
@lestersands76 this cartoon is a product of its time and was probably made sometime in world war 2 after pearl harbor
hackensac 9 months ago
Notice how they changed it to soaring from leaping. I hate that. I liked the leaping.
TheZacula 1 year ago
I guess its the fact that Lois said "Japs."
19seandel78 1 year ago
I love cartoons made during World War II
oheao 1 year ago
I fail to see racism here
Konnerdad 1 year ago
This is all very silly and racist...but damn cartoons were boring back in the day.
ntqwtpc 1 year ago
I like how they start the plan without making sure all the passengers are a safe distance away.
Josh3455 1 year ago