A nostalgic toy that was popular in my childhood
Nostalgic toys we played with as kids—there are a few that come to your mind too, right?
From those that are still popular and on the market to ones you hardly see anymore, there are all kinds of toys.
Some might not come to mind right away, but the moment you see them, you’ll think, “This! I used to play with this all the time!!” and be instantly transported back to childhood.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of nostalgic toys across different eras.
See if your favorite toy makes an appearance.
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Nostalgic Toys That Were Popular in Our Childhood (21–30)
Angel Blue
Angel Blue is a fashion brand by Narumiya International that debuted in 1989.
It exploded in popularity in the 2000s, so even if you don’t know the brand, you’ve probably seen its main character, Nakamu‑ra-kun, at least once.
Its popularity hasn’t waned, and in 2025 a new character, Mimily-chan, joined the lineup! The flagship store, NARUMIYA HAPPY PARK, also opened.
A wide variety of items are available, from accessories to clothing.
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.
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.
Licca-chan doll
When it comes to nostalgic toys, many people probably think of Licca-chan dolls.
Their wide range of outfits for dress-up play was so appealing and really sparked our childhood creativity.
Perhaps the reason they’ve been loved across generations lies in the diversity of their fashion and lifestyles.
Even now as adults, just picking one up gives us a warm, comforting feeling and a sense of fond attachment.
Licca-chan, dressed in her many varied outfits, has continued to capture children’s hearts in every era.
With their playful charm, Licca-chan dolls are sure to make a delightful gift!
Mama Range
Mama Range, a toy for girls released in 1969 (Showa 44).
It was a pretty dangerous toy in retrospect, with a real electric stove that produced heat built into the toy kitchen.
In the video, Seikin takes on the challenge of cooking a real steak on the Mama Range, and the meat sizzles on the frying pan as it cooks.
It made me think that many kids back then probably got burned.
Athletic Land
A toy athletic land with a nostalgic Showa-era vibe.
It’s a toy where you guide a ball to the goal by skillfully operating a stage filled with various tricks.
The way to play is very simple, but many of you probably remember not quite making it to the end, right? Toys like this are sure to be fun even when you play them as an adult!
Yu-Gi-Oh! card
Perhaps the quintessential trading cards that had elementary and middle schoolers going wild were Yu-Gi-Oh! cards.
They were hugely popular thanks to the manga and anime, too! In particular, the early Yu-Gi-Oh! cards with the reddish backs have become quite rare these days…
I’m sure many people would rather not remember how much money they spent collecting them back then (lol).