Latest news with #Monchhichi
DW
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- DW
Before Labubu: Meet Tiemi, the East German Monchhichi – DW – 07/29/2025
The fury Labubu toy craze was predated by the cuddly Monchhichi decades before, a time when communist East Germany created its own version of the popular figure — the Tiemi. Berlin's new Pop Mart store drew massive crowds following its opening weekend. The mania has been fueled by celebrities such as Blackpink's Lisa, Rihanna, Dua Lipa and David Beckham. At the heels of the viral Labubu craze, influencers have also been hyping another collectible furry toy that could be seen as the "ancestor" of the trendy plush monster: The Monchhichi. Popular worldwide in the 1980s, the plastic-faced monkey doll was created by Japanese designer Yoshiharu Washino for the Sekiguchi Corporation. Released in 1974, the doll's first exposure to the international market came a year later at the Nuremberg Toy Fair, allowing the Japanese company to launch the toys in German-speaking countries. They were a huge success in Europe. By the late 1970s, more Monchhichi dolls were sold in Germany than in Japan. Global fame followed when US toy company Mattel started marketing the fluffy dolls in 1980. A cartoon series called "Monchhichis," produced by Hanna-Barbera, was released worldwide to promote them. But five years later, Mattel felt the sales weren't strong enough, and dropped the line. Still, the Monchhichis were relaunched in the US in 2004 to mark the 30th anniversary of the toy. With the dolls now sold in stores like Urban Outfitters, Monchhichi marketers are no longer targeting children, but rather young adults drawn to quirky-nostalgic trends. Labubu collectors who search for rare models online need to figure out if they are about to buy an authentic toy monster elf, created by Hong Kong-Dutch designer Kasing Lung, or rather a fake "Lafufu" — as the counterfeit dolls are colloquially referred to. The internet is filled with tips allowing fans to spot the differences between the two. The copycats are obviously less refined than the designer models. Kids are being teased by their friends if they show up with a figure that has 10 or eight teeth instead of nine — the ultimate sign that it's not the real thing. Similarly, copies of the Monchhichi can be found all over the world. But the version of the doll sold in former East Germany,or the German Democratic Republic (GDR), bypassed the authenticity issue by taking on a different name: the Tiemi. While the Monchhichi's popularity boomed in West Germany, it was not available in the communist East, which banned the import and the sale of capitalist consumer items. The Tiemi, whose namesak was toy designer Susanne Tieme, was produced in the small town of Sonneberg that was already a toy-producing hub at the beginning of 20th century. When Sonneberg landed in the Soviet-controlled eastern part of Germany after World War II, the region's numerous family businesses were nationalized into so-called people-owned enterprises. One such state business in Sonnerberg manufactured the Tiemi, which became very popular and was exported throughout Eastern Bloc countries. But following German reunifcation in 1990, the plant was sold and privatized and production ceased Today, plush figures made in Sonneberg have become collectors' items. An internet search for "Sonni DDR" toys leads to a wide variety of dolls that some might find even creepier than Labubus.
Irish Independent
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
The Labubu craze: What are the little monsters, why are they causing fights and should I have one hanging from my handbag?
For those of you not familiar, Sonny Angels originate from Japan. They have cute rosy cheeks, some form of hat and are usually trouser-less. Very odd when written out, but to look at they're adorable. Part of the appeal of these 'blind box' collectibles is that you can't see into the box that they come in, so you don't know which specific one you're going to get from the general theme you've chosen. I complimented Isobel's bag charm, and then joked about how many she had: her house is covered in them. They're not only keychains, people also stick them on shelves, laptops – any surface really. She informed me she had got an ultra-rare one which she bought for €15.90, but can be sold for around €150 online. Apparently bag charms are big business! If naked baby charms aren't your, ahem, bag, there's many more options. Jellycat stuffed animals – meant for kids but beloved by adults – have also hopped on the bag charm bandwagon, offering a wide range priced from €23-€30. Maybe you need a grumpy cloud to adorn your Birkin? Or you could keep it classic with a fluffy bunny. Or perhaps a monkey that sucks his thumb? In that case, look no further than a Monchhichi, the cute primate doll that first launched in 1974 whose latest incarnation is in keychains that start at around €20. Monchhichi hails from Japan, which is also the home to Sanrio, the company that created characters like Hello Kitty (also born in 1974) and Cinnamoroll, which are both popular for bag charms. However, today's most in-demand charms come from China. Labubus were created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung in 2015 but only recently sprung into mainstream popularity after Rihanna and K-Pop star Lisa, from band Blackpink, paired them with their designer bags. Little monsters inspired by Nordic fairy tales, these guys look like they're up to no good! You can buy a Labubu surprise box on for €19.20 – if you're lucky enough to find them in stock. The retailer recently halted selling the toys in its UK stores due to reports of fights between customers when new stock dropped. If you can't find the real deal, there's always 'Lafufu' – the name by which fake Labubus have become known. Yes, these little guys are in such high demand they're being counterfeited. Curious, I bought one from a store on Dublin's Moore Street. Just like a counterfeit handbag, it had all the tags included: a Pop Mart logo, a Kasing logo stamped on the foot and branding sewn onto the keychain strap. One major difference was that mine came in a clear box, so it wasn't a surprise. Probably for the best: I recently saw a TikTok of two girls unboxing their 'Lafufu' in the city centre. It looked nothing like the pictures listed on the box, one eye was bigger than the other and its feet were twisted in opposite directions… ouch. I'm undecided about this trend. On one hand, these charms are a symptom of late-stage capitalism. We're collecting items that are essentially worthless once they've been opened, and we're encouraged to buy them in mass – the more hanging off your purse the better. On the other hand, I think people are just trying to have fun. In a world that feels increasingly dark, why not have a silly little monster attached to your bag? Plus, there's always a cheaper Lafufu. I can't guarantee his eyes, or even his limbs, will even be facing in the right direction… but doesn't that add to the charm?
