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01
Kewpie Dolls in the 1910s
Rose O'Neill with her Kewpie dolls
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Kewpie dolls started off as characters in cartoonist Rose O'Neill's comic strips; the cute little angels quickly gained popularity and became one of the first mass-marketed toys in the US. While they did have some appeal to children, the original porcelain dolls were incredibly popular amongst adult women as well.
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02
Troll Dolls in the 60s
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These iconic little dolls were originally marketed towards children back in the 1960s. They were incredibly ugly but in an adorable sort of way. Their tiny, portable size made them easy to collect.
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03
Troll Dolls AGAIN! in the 90s
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In the 90s, everyone had a Troll doll. More than a decade had passed since their initial popularity in the 60s, so adults saw them as a nostalgic and kitschy trinket. You could spot them glued to dashboards, at the bottom of purses, and decorating office desks – there were even “executive" Troll dolls with little suits marketed specifically towards corporate employees.
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04
Monchichhi in the 90s
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Monchichhis are truly like Labubu's older and cuter cousin. These little monkeys were released in Japan in the 1970s and were introduced to the US in the 80s by Mattel. If you're a Gen X, you might even remember the animated TV made to advertize the product to children. Still, it wasn't unusual to spot one at the bottom of a 20-something's purse.
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05
Ty Beanie Babies in the 90s
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Ty had no idea that a huge chunk of their cute plushies would be bought up by grown ups, not little kids trying to play pretend. When they caught wind of it, though, they made sure to start releasing their toys in more limited quantities to create a sense of urgency and exclusivity that collectors absolutely ate up. Soon, the craze to invest in the plushies reached the mainstream, and normal, everyday people were genuinely convinced that they could fund their retirement by holding on to these little guys for long enough.
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06
Funko Pops in the 2010s
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These vinyl figures might look like kids toys, but if you ask anyone that owns one, they'll tell that they're collectible figures, and no, your kids are absolutely not allowed to play with them. There are Funko Pops for just about every fandom. While you can find a Funko figure of pretty much every Disney character in existence, the company produces plenty of mini figures of characters from adult media – such as The Last of Us.
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07
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic in the 2010s
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Who could forget the Bronies of the 2010s? I will allow that this phenomenon went beyond consummerist trends; it was a total social movement. The adult MLP fans weren't just into collecting toys, there were very invested in the TV show, which was way wittier and more emotionally mature than any kids' show had any right to be.
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08
Legos
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Legos are still largely marketed to kids, but adult interest in these little blocks got so big that they literally have entire lines with an eighteen and over age rating. No, they aren't inappropriate in any way, but they are meant to be a bit more complicated and involved than sets marketed towards children. After a handful of hours on your living room floor, you could end up with a miniature, Lego version of your favorite architectural marvel or Van Gogh painting.
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09
Sonny Angels
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Before Labubu took over, Sonny Angels were the Gen Z obsession. They're like modern day Kewpie dolls. Part of their appeal was the blind box aspect; you never knew which exact Sonny Angel you'd end up with.
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10
Furbies Are Making a Comeback
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Furbies are making a comeback. My theory (based on anecdotal evidence), is that adults who were not allowed to have Furbies as kids – either because they were deemed as evil or annoying – are reclaiming their childhoods.
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