Sylvanian Families, also known as "Calico Critters", or perhaps you may know them as "Ternurines", are a line of anthropomorphic animal dolls that originated in Japan. Since their launch in 1985, more than 150 families have been released worldwide, along with even more accessories and playsets. Their success has been so great that they have inspired an animated series, theme parks, restaurants, and specialty stores. In recent years, Sylvanian Families figures have become collector’s items, enjoyed by both children and adults.
But what’s the buzz about these little figures? Why are they so successful? Keep reading to find out—you might just discover that you want to adopt one too.
The character designs are adorable and detailed
Looking at a Sylvanian Families figure is like looking at a small piece of art: made of flocked plastic, they are lightweight and incredibly soft to the touch. They have captivating expressions and can reflect a wide range of personalities thanks to the range of animal species that make up their world, as well as a variety of accessories so they can express their interests and hobbies. Furthermore, while each family and character is unique, everything matches perfectly thanks to the nostalgic 1950s aesthetic that manifests itself in even the smallest details of each garment, accessory, or piece of furniture in the homes of these endearing characters.
Family of silk cats
The possibilities are endless
While each doll family comes with their own structure and story, adding to the charm and richness of the Sylvanian Families universe, the creative possibilities when playing with them are endless. Thanks to the variety of characters and the fact that the figures have consistent sizes and proportions, they can be customized in unlimited ways. Children can build their own families, swap clothes and accessories, and place the figures in all kinds of scenarios: from a family dinner in the treehouse, to a toy hospital, or an elegant fashion boutique. These possibilities are especially valuable for developing children’s imagination and social skills. By interacting with friends or family through shared play, they learn valuable lessons about negotiation, collaboration, empathy, and conflict resolution.
The world of Sylvanian Families is vast
Sylvanian Families are not just figurines; they’re also part of a vast and entertaining universe that can be explored through a wide variety of sets, collections, and scenes. From cozy country houses to colorful shops that bring life to the streets of Sylvania - the village where Sylvanian Families stories unfold - each piece is meticulously designed to create a magical world full of possibilities. Some of the pieces that can enrich your Sylvanian Families collection and storytelling include:
- Sets for special moments in life, such as weddings and birthdays.
- Themed party sets, such as Halloween, Christmas, sleepovers, and tea parties.
- Vehicles like cars, bicycles, ambulances, fire trucks, or trains.
- Sets for professions or practising hobbies: hospitals, schools, shops, restaurants, beaches, parks, etc.
If you want your Sylvanian Families characters to do a specific activity in a specific place, there are sets and accessories that will help you bring your ideas to life.
Chocolate Bunny Family
Grandpa and Grandma Series SHOP
Poodle Puppy Family
Hedgehog Family
The Sylvanian Families fan community is large and dedicated
Being part of a large community of fans and collectors is much more convenient and entertaining than you might imagine. First, this community provides a space where enthusiasts of all ages can share their interest in these dolls. But beyond that, they can provide advice, tricks, and techniques to customize and improve your collection.
If you would like to build a scene that requires a specific accessory or set, you can consult with other fans and collectors, and if they cannot give you an answer about the official accessory or set, there are enthusiasts who dedicate themselves to building their own accessories and clothing. For example, look at this incredible dress created by Lena, one of the official Sylvanian Families ambassadors, or the amazing handmade accessories by Kaori, also an ambassador. If you take collecting these figures seriously, being part of this community will help you find special, uncommon, or even discontinued families or sets.
Now that you know what these charismatic characters are all about, where can you find them? You can find them in many places, but since Sylvanian Families is a Japanese doll line, it's in Japan where you can find the greatest variety of original families, sets, and accessories. "Japan," you might think, "but it's so far away and I don't know the language," but don't worry, because our job at ZenMarket is to help you with that.
Where to find Sylvanian Families dolls, sets, and accessories?
In Japan, there are hundreds of toy stores, both for new and second-hand items, where you can find Sylvanian Families figures, accessories, and sets. The most easily accessible stores online are: for new toys, Amazon, and Rakuten, and for second-hand toys, rare editions, or discontinued versions: Rakuma, Mercari, and JDirectItems Auction.
We already know what you're thinking: “That's too many places to search, I’d rather not.” But we’ve got great news: you can search for products from Amazon, Rakuten, Rakuma, and Mercari without leaving ZenMarket. Since you're already here, why not start exploring the world of Sylvanian Families right now? We explain how down below!
How to find Sylvanian Families on ZenMarket
To start exploring the world of Sylvanian Families on ZenMarket, simply enter the keywords of what you're looking for in the search bar at the top of our website. On the left-hand side, you'll find a dropdown menu where you can choose which store to search in, whether it's Amazon, Rakuten, Mercari, etc. You can browse all these sites without having to change the keywords; just go back to the dropdown menu and select another store.
