Fleischer Studios is renowned for its creation of several iconic characters, with Betty Boop and Popeye being among the most significant. Betty Boop, introduced in the 1920s, became a symbol of the flapper era and is celebrated for her distinctive, playful personality and animation style. Popeye, the spinach-eating sailor, debuted in the 1930s and quickly became popular for his adventures and moral lessons, as well as his catchphrase "I yam what I yam." Both characters have had a lasting impact on animation and pop culture, establishing Fleischer Studios as a major player in the early animation industry.
In contrast, the other choices reference characters that belong to different studios. Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck are creations of Walt Disney Studios, while Snoopy and Charlie Brown are iconic characters associated with Charles M. Schulz's "Peanuts" series, which has its roots in comic strips rather than animation studios. Shrek and Donkey are characters from DreamWorks Animation, which debuted much later and are unrelated to the contributions of Fleischer Studios. This distinction helps highlight the impact of Fleischer Studios in the history of animation, particularly during its early years.