A roundup of nostalgic toys for people born in the 2000s [Trends]
What toys were popular among your friends or at school when you were a kid?
Card games everyone gathered to play, cute animal character figures that were fun to display—maybe there are even some you “played like crazy but totally forgot the name of.”
In this article, we’ve rounded up toys that will feel nostalgic to those born in the 2000s—items that were all the rage back then.
It’s perfect for a trip down memory lane, or for rediscovering old favorites now that you’re an adult!
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A roundup of nostalgic toys for people born in the 2000s [Trends] (11–20)
baseball board gameNEW!
The tabletop “Baseball Board” game you can easily enjoy indoors is something just about everyone has played at least once.
The rules are just like real baseball, so split into pitcher and batter and take turns on offense and defense.
As the batter, aim to land the ball in the “1BH,” “2BH,” “3BH,” or “HR” slots on the board.
Hitting into a fielder or an “OUT” slot won’t score any runs.
As the pitcher, vary your pitches from the available types to get the batter out.
You might want to limit the number of times a magic pitch can be used.
My Little Pony
My Little Pony is the franchise that won the hearts of girls with its colorful and adorable characters.
Created by Hasbro Studios in the United States in 1981, it features ponies, unicorns, pegasi, and more.
It was adapted into an animated series in the U.S.
starting in 1982, and by 2021 the fifth generation had aired, making it a long-loved property.
In Japan, it became popular around 2013 when merchandise sales were launched in tandem with the TV anime broadcast.
Shinkalion
Shinkansen Transforming Robot Shinkalion was created through a joint project by three companies: JR East Marketing & Communications, ShoPro (Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions), and Takara Tomy.
It’s a toy line in which Shinkansen trains—such as the E5 Series Hayabusa and the E6 Series Komachi—transform into giant robots, first released in 2015.
Before transforming, they can also be played with as Plarail trains, so many people likely remember playing with them in elementary school.
An anime adaptation began in 2018, turning it into a classic that gained many adult fans who watched it together with their children.
Koeda-chanNEW!
Koeda-chan is a toy series aimed at girls.
Launched around 1977 by Takara Tomy, it featured a charming, fairy-tale world themed around nature, with a tree as the house, and it was hugely popular.
There were many characters, making it perfect for group doll play! This one is a Koeda-chan toy that lets you enjoy doing laundry.
The fact that it’s a twin-tub washer, with a wash tub and a spin-dry tub, really gives you a sense of the era.
But the amazing thing is that you could actually do laundry with it using detergent and water.
It was an excellent product that helped kids practice helping out and supported learning.
GunplaNEW!
Even as adults, countless people find themselves completely hooked! Some enjoy painting them, combining different parts, or customizing them as they go.
Commonly abbreviated as “Gunpla,” these Gundam plastic model kits let you build the mobile suits that appear in the anime Mobile Suit Gundam.
First released in 1980, they gradually gained popularity and are now loved overseas as well.
With so many different types available, they really stoke your desire to collect.
Their appeal isn’t just for skilled model builders—products are also thoughtfully designed for beginners.
Tetris MiniNEW!
You all know Tetris, the original puzzle game, right? This Tetris Mini plays the same way, but it was released as a portable version you can enjoy anytime, anywhere.
Its hallmark is how easy it is to carry around as a keychain.
Many of you might have spent your childhoods clipping it to your bag, taking it off when you had a free moment, and playing…
A revival edition was released in 2020 and became a hot topic, and it remains popular today as a game everyone can enjoy, regardless of generation.
TransformerNEW!
When it comes to irresistible robot toys for boys, isn’t “Transformers” the first that comes to mind? In Japan, the anime began airing in 1985.
Later, the live-action film series that debuted in 2007 became a huge hit! Many people may have discovered Transformers through those movies.
As depicted in both the anime and the films, the greatest appeal of these toys is their ability to transform.
Just the thought of a car turning into a robot is enough to get you excited, right?
troll dollNEW!
Troll dolls became an explosive craze, especially among high school girls who grew up in the Heisei era.
They weren’t exactly the kind of cute look that girls typically adore, but it was said that stroking a troll’s hair would grant wishes, so many people carried them as lucky charms.
There are countless variations, but their hallmark features are the big, round eyes and vividly colored, straight-up hair in primary hues.
Even in the Reiwa era, they’re known as one of the iconic items of Heisei retro culture.
MonchhichiNEW!
It was a toy that felt a bit strange even back then: a plush body with a doll-like face.
It was born in 1974, starting with Monchhichi in the form of a baby wearing a bib.
Later, Monchhichi’s friends and the twin siblings Mychhichi appeared, and the character grew into a long-loved favorite.
In 2024 it celebrates its 50th anniversary, and it’s still so popular that new merchandise is being released today.
It’s a heavyweight you can’t ignore when talking about Showa-era retro!
Drawing board
The “drawing board,” which lets you draw letters and pictures using a special pen and board, has long been loved as an educational toy for children.
It uses black iron powder and magnets, making it easy to erase and redraw what you’ve drawn—one reason for its popularity.
It also keeps hands clean, which is a nice bonus.
The most famous example is ‘Sensei,’ released by Takara Tomy in 1977, and in 2020 Monpoke, Pokémon’s first official baby brand, launched its own series of drawing boards.