While Glendale’s history in the film industry began in the early 1900s, it did not become a base for the animation industry until the 1940s. Glendale’s neighboring city on the west, Burbank, housed the animation headquarters for Walt Disney Studios and Warner Bros., with many of their animators residing in Glendale. During the 1940s, both of these animation studios were responsible for creating anti-Japanese propaganda film such as Warner Bros. Tokio Jokio. Activities in the city of Glendale during this time, further reflected these anti-Japanese views. 

Tokio Jokio entered public domain in 1971 due to Warner Bros. failing to renew the copyright.