Sylvanian Families
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Sylvanian Families is the name of a line of anthropomorphic collectible toy figures, created by Japanese company Epoch in 1985 and distributed worldwide by a number of companies. The characters, grouped into families, feature woodland creatures such as beavers, hedgehogs, mice and bears. They remain a quintessential part of the 1990's boom in craze (or fad) toys.
[edit] Growth
At the beginning of production, in 1985, Sylvanian Families were released in both Japan and North America, albeit with different packaging and minor differences to the characters themselves. In 1987, the success in these markets led to expansion into the UK and Ireland. By 1988, Sylvanian Families had become a major success around the world, spawning a spinoff animated series, and winning the British Association of Toy Retailers award for Toy of the Year three years consecutively, from 1987 to 1989.
In 1993, Tomy, who had been distributing the toys worldwide, lost the rights to the name "Sylvanian Families" in Canada and the US. Tomy reintroduced the line under the new name Calico Critters.
[edit] Decline and reinvention
By the end of the 1990s Sylvanian families had been discontinued in the UK, and France though they have since been reintroduced by Flair. Subsequently, Sylvanian families have been reintroduced in Australia and are becoming more widely available. Tomy quit selling Calico Critters, but a new company, International Playthings, picked up the line.
