Founded in 1960, Sanrio began as the Yamanashi Silk Center in Japan. What followed was more than 60 years of retro art, books, magazines, movies, animations, music, video games, home goods, and yes, lots and lots of trinkets. Not to mention over 450 unique characters.

In each episode, we will cover one decade of company history starting with not only the 1960’s, but also the early life of Sanrio’s founder, Shintaro Tsuji, and a review of the roots of kawaii. So buckle up with your Hello Kitty branded seat belt covers because this is only the beginning of what is sure to be a wild ride.

Stay tuned for Sanrio Ep. 2 (the 1970s) next month! ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

Links:

The new Yamanashi Strawberry King Museum, 2008 Japan Times Interview with Shintaro Tsuji, PINK GLOBALIZATION by Christine R. Yano, PURE INVENTION by Matt Alt, Sanrio Fandom Wiki, a lecture by Ken Belson, Ado-chan creating a wall mural.

Trinket Picnic is a podcast where we talk all things small, whimsical, impractical, collectible, lovable, and obsessable. Also, snacks, because it’s a picnic. I’m Jes, writer, host, and trinket auntie of the podcast. Thanks for listening!

⊹₊⟡⋆ (๑’ᵕ’๑)⸝* . ⋆⟡₊⊹

Intro/outra music: Keeping Fit by Ahjay Stelino at mixkit.co

Sound effects from Zapsplat.com: magic glissandos, fantasy fairy, game sounds, bubble, and banquet.

In part two, we pick up where we left off in part one: we cover the toy’s history from 2010 up to present day, including more video games, more animations, more in-person attractions, and lots of new figures and sets, including a special anniversary set worth nearly a $$$ grand ( ˶°ㅁ°) !! Of course we talk about the effect the pandemic had on the brand—both the good, the bad, and the drama-filled, and we take a long stroll through the many sanctioned and *ahem* un-sanctioned products and collaborations that have happened over the years. And don’t forget to listen to the PS to find out if I truly became a Sylvanian fan and collector. ✴︎˚｡⋆

Links:

Epoch’s Notice to Custom Clothes Makers and Consumers, 2016 Interview with Epoch’s CEO, Japanese Wikipedia Sylvanian Families Entry, PHONE CALL animation, a real-life Sylvanian house, Sylvanian Families Reddit, Sylvanian Resources.

Trinket Picnic is a monthly podcast where we talk all things small, whimsical, impractical, collectible, lovable, and obsessable. Also, snacks, because it’s a picnic. I’m Jes, writer, host, and trinket auntie of the podcast. Thanks for listening!

⊹₊⟡⋆ (๑’ᵕ’๑)⸝* . ⋆⟡₊⊹

Intro/outra music: Keeping Fit by Ahjay Stelino at mixkit.co

Sound effects from Zapsplat.com: magic glissandos, fantasy fairy, game sounds, bubble, and banquet.

In part one, we cover the first 25 years of the toy’s history, including their inception in Japan, their disastrous original debut in the USA (yes, we solve the mystery of when they actually made their American debut!) and transformation to Calico Critters, the highs and lows in the UK, and the many iterations of the toy in other countries. And of course we’ll talk about all the special figures, sets, merchandise, and experiences that have only ever existed in Japan.

Stay tuned for part two next month! ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

Links:

Sylvanian Families Stories Stop Motion Animation, 2016 Interview with Epoch’s CEO, Sylvanian Families Reddit, Sylvanian Families Fandom Wiki.

Trinket Picnic is a monthly podcast where we talk all things small, whimsical, impractical, collectible, lovable, and obsessable. Also, snacks, because it’s a picnic. I’m Jes, writer, host, and trinket auntie of the podcast. Thanks for listening!

⊹₊⟡⋆ (๑'ᵕ'๑)⸝* . ⋆⟡₊⊹

Intro/outra music: Keeping Fit by Ahjay Stelino at mixkit.co

Sound effects from Zapsplat.com: magic glissandos, fantasy fairy, game sounds, bubble, and banquet.