Lisa of BLACKPINK has once again put the spotlight on a nostalgic collectible, this time taking us back to the 1970s with a retro favorite from Japan.

Behold the Monchhichi doll, which is instantly recognizable for its monkey-like face, thumb-sucking pose, and fuzzy charm. Unlike the Labubus and other POP MART favorites that only burst into the scene in the 2010s, Monchhichi has already enjoyed decades of popularity, particularly in Japan and Europe, where it has become a beloved companion for many.

Now, thanks to the K-Pop star who’s arguably the queen of collectible hype, Monchihichi is experiencing a global comeback.

If you’ve seen this toy popping up on your feed and wondered what the fuss is all about, don’t worry, we’ve got you! Here are five things you need to know about Monchhichi and why it’s stealing hearts all over again.

Made to be Your Best Friend

One of the main things you need to know about this nostalgic toy is that it was originally made to become “love companions” that could inspire friendship, love, and happiness in children and adults. For such a small toy, it sure carries a big purpose!

The original Monchhichi toys came out on Jan. 25, 1974, designed by Yoshiharu Washino and manufactured by Japanese toy company Sekiguchi Corporation. The toys are characterized by small furry bodies and round, freckled faces, with their thumbs often posed as if sucking. The name comes from the French words "Mon,” which means “my,” and “petit” (small and cute). In other explanations, it was also derived from the English word “Monkey,” combined with the Japanese onomatopoeic sound for sucking, which is “chi-chi.”

According to their official website, the design was noted to be a mix of two existing products from the toy company: the Kuta Kuta monkey plush and the Gege thumb-sucking fashion doll. The toy was launched as twins, a boy and a girl, and was available in various sizes from tiny 10cm fuzzy charms to giant 80 cm versions, providing a variety of options for collectors and fans. Apart from having birthdays, the dolls don’t have a specific backstory like those of POP MART’s collectibles, so they can adapt to the feelings of the person who owns them, taking on unique personalities.

These toys quickly became instant hits in Japan, and by 1977, the lineup expanded to include accessories, playsets, dollhouses, and outfits. Safe to say that the outpouring of love they received truly brought them to life, making them feel even more like everyday lovable companions.

They Were Barbie’s Cousin For a Time

Its cute and cuddly charm captured the hearts not only of the Japanese but also of people from all over the world. In 1977, the dolls conquered Europe, gaining popularity in France, Germany, Italy, and the UK. They later crossed over to the US, where they were licensed by Mattel — the creator of one of the world’s most iconic fashion dolls, Barbie — until 1985.

One quirky fact about Monchhichi is how it picked up different names around the world. A true global icon with many names, the doll was once known as “Kiki” in France; “Moncicchi” in Italy, and in the UK it went by the cheeky name “Chic-a-Boo.”

But in 2014, for its 40th anniversary, Sekiguchi stepped in to take charge of global distribution, uniting all these identities under one name. From then on, no matter where you spot it, this cuddly little friend is proudly and universally Monchhichi.

Monchhichi is a TV Star

Another boost to the toy’s popularity came from the small screen. Monchhichi didn’t just star in one animated series, but inspired five different shows from different regions, each bringing its cast of charming characters to life.

The first was a Japanese anime produced in 1980 by TV Tokyo called “Futago no Monchhichi,” which was followed by the American cartoon series “Monchhichis” (1983) produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions, the French cartoon series "Kiki, le Kiki de tous les Kiki” (2001) by Ben-J Productions, the Japanese stop-motion series “Monchhichi” (2005) by Kids Station, and the French CGI series “Monchhichi Tribe (La Tribu Monchhichi)" produced by Technicolor Animation Production in 2017.

From Plaything to Collectible

These TV shows were more than just entertainment, but a way for the company to showcase its new characters and variants. Over the years, Sekiguchi has released countless variations, from the Bebichhichi, which are the baby versions introduced in 2004, the Boutique (Monchhichi dressed in various styles), Chimutans (Monchhichi with long bunny ears), the Mother Care, which are Monchhichi with a tiny baby in her front pocket, and other anniversary and theme editions. These dolls also came in a variety of sizes, ranging from 10 cm, 15 cm, 16 cm, 20 cm, 45 cm, and 80 cm. 

Its many models turned from a child’s plaything into a treasured collectible for many people, with original pieces with tags or packaging especially prized by collectors.

Still Going Strong at 50

Last year, Monchhichi celebrated its 50th anniversary with special edition releases and features at international toy fairs. A “Monchhichi Exhibition” was also recently held at Matsuya Ginza in Japan, containing over 500 exhibits of various plush toys and valuable documents throughout its 50-year journey. Original merchandise was also on sale at the venue.

Some of the standout exclusive items Sekiguchi released for their golden year include the large “Let’s Party Monchhichi” plush, the revival of the Shibuya Gal style Monchhichi, the keychain versions of the original boy and girl Monchhichi models with throwback elements like bibs, laces, and special eye designs, and the 50th Anniversary Limited Babychhichi gold keychain.

Monchhichi has been redesigned and relaunched multiple times, giving fans something to enjoy and collect over the decades. These revamps don’t just include new outfits, styles, or colors, but also formats, with the brand expanding to blind boxes and variant keychains.

One other standout venture is their themed collaborations with other pop culture toy icons, such as the Monchhichi HIPPERS x Sonny Angel, which turned the dolls into adorable tiny hanging monkeys, and Monchhichi x Hello Kitty, where Monchhichi is dressed up in a full Hello Kitty costume. They even collaborated with designer Sandy Liang, which gave the toy a sweet and stylish look with the designer’s signature uniform skirt, checkered fleece, ballet pink scrunchie, and red Mary Jane double strap pointes. This shows that the doll is more than just a toy, but a canvas for fashion and style crossovers.

Where to Get Them?

Monchhichi can be found in several online and offline stores across the globe. In Asia, you can access the Japanese official website and browse through all the latest releases.

In Hong Kong, you can find them at the online Sekiguchi shop or at Atelier. Official online Sekiguchi stores are also available on Shopee in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. You can find more information on their global stores here.

Never miss a moment with Monchhichi by following this furry friend on Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), YouTube, and Instagram.