Monchichi is a Japanese animated series that originated from dolls with a monkey-like appearance. The dolls were designed by Koichi Sekiguchi and mass-produced by the Sekiguchi Corporation. The popularity of the dolls led to a one-year series in America in the early 1980s. The Monchichi creatures are comparable to other woodland creatures produced at the time, but they didn’t inspire as much popularity. The series attracted a cult following, stronger in Japan than in the United States. The dolls are still produced with new editions, and Japan launched another series in 2005.
Monchichi refers to a Japanese animated series that had one season in the early 1980s in the United States. The name may also refer to dolls with a monkey-like appearance that first inspired these series. The original Monchichi dolls were designed by Koichi Sekiguchi in the early 1970s and then mass-produced by the Tokyo-based Sekiguchi Corporation. The popularity of the dolls led Mattel® to license them for production in the United States and elsewhere, and they eventually also resulted in TV series in Japan and other countries.
The first Monchichi cartoons ran in Japan in 1980, and successful licensing and production of the dolls led to a one-year series from 1983 to 1984 in America, produced by Hanna-Barbera. The Monchichi creatures are somewhat comparable to other strange woodland creatures produced at the time, including the Smurfs, but they didn’t inspire as much popularity.
When the Monchichi cartoons aired in America, there was a full cast of Monchichis. They were ruled by the Wizzer, in a house above the clouds and had to fight the evil influence of Grumplins, who regularly threatened to bring the moods of the Monchichis out of the clouds. Although the series only aired for a year, it has attracted a cult following, one that is stronger in Japan than in the United States. There are still devotees of the series and doll collectors. The dolls are still produced with new editions, but many scour eBay to find old classics when they can.
On the other hand, Japanese toy stores still sell the dolls and many people love the various characters. Their popularity is so great in Japan and among collectors, that the dolls are sold in places like Tokyo Disneyland, even though the toys have virtually no connection to Disney. The number of characters, cute clothes and mischievous monkey faces partly explain their fame.
Due to their popularity, Japan continues to produce the dolls and decided to launch another series with these cheerful monkeys in 2005. Since then, many children have increased the popularity of Monchichis sales, with the airing of the new series in Saitama television. Currently, fans yearn for a new all-star American series from Monchichi, but other critics of the show felt that its early attempts weren’t really worthy of a second run. Of course other classic cartoons born in Japan have been made into new series and movies like Speed Racer.
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