Snoopy Is Now Being Hailed As A Gen Z Icon
Illustration 291039367 © Stockeeco | Dreamstime.com
While Gen X and millennials resonated with Garfield and his adoration of lasagna and loathe of Mondays, Gen Z is letting the dog out as their spirit animal. Snoopy, the lovable beagle from Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip, is having a moment with the TikTok-loving generation.
The once nostalgic icon is now a mainstay on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, with old comic strips and television clips circulating among young audiences. The whimsical anthropomorphic dog has been propelled into becoming an unexpected trendsetter, as noted by NPR and The Atlantic.
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“Snoopy the only mood ever,” a viral Instagram post reads.
@snoopy It’s time to suit up in your puffiest coat and explore the great outdoors! Or curl up and watch The Snoopy Show on @Apple TV
♬ original sound - Snoopy
At the center of the buzz, it seems, is a plush version of Snoopy decked out in a puffer jacket, a look he first donned back in 1984. This adorable soft toy has stirred up such a frenzy that its price has soared in the resale market, fetching up to US$100 from a modest US$15 retail tag. Not only that, videos of fans on the hunt for this elusive item are scoring big views and shares, too.
@jon.klipp saw him on tiktok and i was in the store an hour later #snoopy #snoopypufferjacket #christmas
♬ O Tannenbaum - Vince Guaraldi Trio
snoopy image of the day pic.twitter.com/f9m1tjArp0
— ÙŽ (@gir1genius) December 13, 2023
What pulls Gen Z-ers to Snoopy isn’t just his adorable looks. It’s the character's imaginative escapades and numerous alter egos that strike a chord with the youth, who are themselves navigating the waters of identity and self-expression.
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The 50th anniversary of the Beagle Scouts might also have given Snoopy a push back into the limelight, as has the multifaceted Apple Watch imagining the beagle in all sorts of randomized antics throughout the day.
snoopy image of the day pic.twitter.com/09M4mvbx2G
— ÙŽ (@gir1genius) December 14, 2023
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Beyond being a passing fad, the character has always danced on the edge of cultural and philosophical musings, making him a figure that transcends mere childhood amusement. This depth, coupled with a dose of nostalgia, resonates with today's young adults, who find themselves reflected in the world of Peanuts.
which snoopy are you? â˜ï¸âœ¨ pic.twitter.com/kLbBEOG8pt
— Baelerie 🌿🸠(@froginasweater) December 18, 2023
baby snoopy in his puffer coat pic.twitter.com/h7sNKugV1J
— emmy (@pixieeeshop) November 16, 2023
puffer snoopy you have to stop. ur jacket too puffy, your icing lines too clean, your beanie too cozy. they’ll eat you https://t.co/lXikHHk0jO
— House âš”ï¸ gf haver (@mrmatthouse) December 14, 2023
[via NPR and The Atlantic, images via various sources]
