You will recognize these toys if you were a child of the 70s and early 80s. I had one as a child, as did my sister, but I have always wondered what is a Monchhichi? Obviously, they are stuffed animals, but where did they come from? And how did they become so popular? These little Love Monkeys swept across the country, and it seemed like every child needed to have one. Today, German toy stores still carry them! This means these soft toys can be friends for a new generation.
Seen in a Toy Shop Window in Lüneberg
What is a Monchhichi?
A Monchhichi is a “sweet little monkey” with a funny name that comes from combining the word Mon “mine” in French and “Chhichi,” which is the Japanese onomatopoeic sound for the noise a pacifier makes when a child sucks on it. Mr Sekiguchi of the Sekiguchi company developed these animal babies in Japan after he visited Germany. The story goes he saw some similar doll babies in German Toy Stores and brought the idea home, where it was combined with a beloved Monkey Doll that was very popular in Japan. These little “Love Monkeys” were created to inspire love and respect between old and young in Japan.
Monchhichi in Germany
Before long, the Japanese company exported the dolls to Germany and Austria, where their popularity took off. When the Monchhichi Boutique opened in 1978, providing hundreds of different clothing styles, collectors went crazy! More of these dolls were sold in Germany than in Japan! The merchandise line also took off; collectors and Love Monkey lovers all over snapped up T-shirts, games, school bags, bedding, and furniture.
In 1974, the first twins were born. These soft and cuddly love monkeys came with plastic feet and hands with a thumb that fits perfectly into the mouth. Each wore a bib that said Monchhichi. The first significant design change came in 1980 when a pacifier was placed in hand to suck instead of a thumb.
The Little Monkeys were slower to gain popularity in the United States. Mattel picked up the line in 1980, and Hanna-Barbera even produced a tie-in cartoon to help promote them, but by 1985, Mattel stopped production because of a lack of sales. However, they reintroduced the toy in 2004 to celebrate its 30th Anniversary.
Did you have One?? You can have your own Love Monkey now!
It looks like they are making a huge comeback!
Bandai Monchhichi – Hello Kitty Monchhichi Soft Toy – 80s Monkey – Soft Plush 20 cm for Children and Adults – Children’s Toy 2 Years and Above – SE252848
Sekiguchi 203857 Original Bebichhichi Girl, Plush Toy with Pink Romper and Two Braids, Approx. 14 cm Large Cuddly Toy Made of Brown PlushMonchhichi Sekiguchi 50th Anniversary Let’s Parade! Boy Doll PlushMonchhichi Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Girl Plush Toy – PinkSekiguchi Sekiguchi-255177 255177 Original Monchhichi Boy, Plush Brown with Red and White Bib Approx. 20 cm, 255177, Brown, 0Monchhichi by Sekiguchi Boy in Denim Jacket PlushSekiguchi Monchhichi GrandPa Plush ToySekiguchi 221295-Original Mädchen, Figurine Monchichi Dress and Bows, Brown Plush Animal Approximately 20 cm, 221295Monchhichi Pop N Candy Girl with Candy Dress Plush Doll
How to Recognize Vintage Monchhichis
The most obvious trait of the early Monchhichis is their eyes. From 1974 until 1985, they all had blue eyes. After this, the eyes were painted brown.
The earliest Sekiguchi editions were around 8 inches tall, made with matt dark brown fur, and had a 3-4 inch long tail. Their plastic parts are soft, not hard. They have 5 freckles under each eye, with 3 more across the bridge of the nose.
The first ones did not have pacifiers; they sucked their thumb. After 1980, a permanent pacifier was added.
Another obvious way to identify modern dolls is to look at their feet. The modern ones have the signature embossed in them.
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Baby Club Monchhichi First Generation 1974 Rare Plush Monkey Doll Size 8Monchichi Monchichi Oh How Soft & Cuddly Vintage Sleepy Eye Plush Monkey
Vtg Monchhichi Sekiguchi Puschel Tobby Bear With Cute Pink Dress Doll Size 11.5”, Rare Monchhichi
Clothing and Furniture for your Love Monkey
Need clothes or furniture?
Vintage Mini Sekiguchi Monchichi Chicaboo Doll w/ BedRare vintage plastic furniture Monchhichi / Table and 2 chairs / #09585 / Collection Series / NRFB / Sekiguchi /Monchhichi Doll Rocking Chair – 1970s Collectible for Kids Retro kids furnituremini furniture Monchhichi 1970
1980s Vintage Bimba Clothing | Bølle Type | MonchhichiVintage Boutique Monchhichi fashions, Sekiguchi
Monchichi Outfit No.56 (Size S)Monchhichi outfitsMonchchichi clothes in orginal box
Remember the Commercial?
Oh, how I remember this Commercial…I will have the song stuck in my head all day…
Today, over 40 years after they were introduced in Germany, the Little Love Monkeys are still popular among collectors and fans. My cousin still has one in her car. Fansites are devoted to Collecting Monchhichis, Customized Monchhichis, Artwork, and even designer Monchhichis!
Monchhichi StickerMonchhchi heart button pinsOfficial Monchhichi Mascot Keychain from JapanAUETHENTIC Fruit Monchhichi Chunky Keychain!Monchichi monkey keychain bag charm phone charm best friend keychain
I bought a vintage monchhichi today. It has a tag with black writing stating it was made in Germany. It says 1974, but I understand that’s not the case as it has a pacifier to suck on. It has the correct number of freckles, a paper , orange,black and white tag on it’s hand. It’s in really good condition. No signature on the foot. It is wearing a plaid dress that’s nicely made and in good shape. My question is, mine has closed eyes and a tear on it’s cheek.
What year do you think this is? What is it worth? It is 8″ tall with a tuft of hair tied in a bow, matte brown hair, the correct number of fingers and toes, and a peachy colored base on the pacifier.
Thank you,
Leslie
Check with the person who runs this page on Monchichi collection. She could give you the better answer
https://hubpages.com/games-hobbies/monchichi-sekiguchi-monchhichi
I bought one old monchichi doll from a carboot in 2012 in Romania.
What is strange about him is that his face is like a sekiguchi monkey but his toes are 5 and not flat (i found that the daisuke version has those toes but their face has different eyes)
And another difference is that it has two eyebrows lines.
I am wondering where it is coming from.
My father bought a monchichi with sleepy eyes in 1978 for my brother when he was born.He is 40 now but still has it sitting on a chair in his bedroom.