Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is a cartoon character created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks in 1927. Oswald preceded Mickey Mouse and was the first Disney character to have his own cartoon series. However, in an unexpected twist of fate, Disney lost the rights to Oswald in 1928 due to contractual issues with Universal Studios.
For decades, Oswald remained relatively forgotten, remembered mainly by animation enthusiasts and scholars. However, in a surprising turn of events, in 2006, Disney regained the rights to Oswald through a trade with NBCUniversal, who owned Universal Studios at the time. This marked Oswald's return to the Disney fold.
Despite being forgotten for years, Oswald has experienced a resurgence in the 21st century. He has been given prominent roles in video games, merchandise, and Disney theme parks. His retro charm and status as a lost treasure of animation have contributed to his popularity among Disney fans of all ages. While he may not have the same level of fame as Mickey Mouse, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit has reclaimed his place in the Disney family.