A roundup of nostalgic toys for people born in the ’90s [Trends]
Weren’t birthdays and Christmas special when we were kids?
They were those rare days when you could finally get the toy you wanted.
Of course, some people looked forward to things other than toys, but I’m sure you can still relate.
You wanted the same things your classmates had, or you begged for the latest gadgets everyone was talking about.
So this time, I’ve put together a list of toys that sparked nationwide crazes—ones that people born in the ’90s will find nostalgic!
How about we take a little trip back to our childhood?
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A roundup of nostalgic toys for people born in the ’90s [Trends] (11–20)
Sylvanian Families
Sylvanian Families are anthropomorphized animal dolls released by Epoch in 1983.
They gradually grew in popularity and were even sold in the United States and Europe in the 1990s.
Their greatest appeal is that you can buy small houses, furniture, and clothes to play with alongside the figures.
Many of the products released in recent years include mechanisms and features that didn’t exist back then, so if you pick them up again you might discover something new.
They were also adapted into a TV anime, so now’s a great time to check them out.
Flower Rock
A sound-responsive toy released by Takara in 1988.
These days it doesn’t feel particularly special as a regular toy, but back then it was a massive hit, reportedly selling a total of 8.5 million units worldwide.
If you include similar and derivative toys, I’m sure many more were played with.
The famous one was the funky sunflower planted in a pot, wearing sunglasses and holding a guitar.
It would wiggle in response to sound, making it look like it was dancing.
It was a pioneer among toys that react to light and sound.
So nostalgic!
Timeless! Mini 4WD
Mini 4WD has been a popular pastime for over 40 years.
Some say the fourth boom has arrived—no, it’s the fifth!—and everyone seems to have their own favorite car tied to personal memories.
I’ve even seen news about fathers of today’s generation enjoying Mini 4WD together with their kids.
One of the charms of Mini 4WD is that you don’t just run what you bought out of the box; you can combine parts, sometimes make your own, and there’s plenty of room for creativity and ingenuity.
There are even videos that showcase every Mini 4WD machine ever made.
I hope people who were obsessed with it back in the Heisei era will give them a watch.
Reprint editions are popular too! Tamagotchi
Tamagotchi, released by Bandai in 1996, sparked a massive boom that became a social phenomenon—many people at the time found it hard to get their hands on one! Tamagotchi remains popular today, and unlike in the past, it now has a color screen, zoom, and communication features, continuing to evolve.
When it first launched, the ways to raise your Tamagotchi were limited and the game was something you played on your own, but once communication features were added, you could interact with other people’s Tamagotchi, expanding the ways to play.
There are also many character collaboration editions, making it a product you can’t help wanting more of.
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.
SWIMMER Swimmer
SWIMMER, the cute accessory brand that was hugely popular in the Heisei era, is known for its colorful, pop designs.
It’s full of items that are fun just to look at—stationery, accessories, small cases, and more.
Since the start of the Reiwa era, it’s been in the spotlight again for its nostalgic charm and cuteness, appealing to a wide range of ages from kids to adults.
For example, pens and pouches adorned with cake and fruit motifs are items that make you smile every time you use them.
SWIMMER is perfect for anyone who wants to add a little fun to everyday life—a treasure box of delights for lovers of all things cute.
It brings back Heisei memories while fitting perfectly into life today.
Be sure to check it out!
A roundup of nostalgic toys for people born in the ’90s [Trends] (21–30)
Profile book
@maichannn #PR#AdobeAcrobatI tried drawing a nostalgic Heisei-era profile page 💫#Profile BookHeisei#PDFAdobe
♬ Tempo classic used in athletic meet – Kohrogi
If you were a girl who spent her childhood in the Heisei era, you almost certainly know the “profile book.” Depending on the product, it had all sorts of sections—name, nickname, hobbies, favorite color, and more.
It felt like everyone had one back then.
If you had lots of friends, you probably had to fill out tons of pages, which was tough, but it was a tool for getting to know people and becoming closer.
The handwritten aspect felt warm, and when someone wrote something unexpected, it led to new discoveries and sparked more conversations with friends.
In conclusion
We’ve introduced a lot—were there things you had back then, or things you wanted but couldn’t buy? The Tamagotchi craze was really incredible, wasn’t it! Some of these products have made a comeback in recent years, so this might be a good chance to take a look!