Sylvanian Families

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Sylvanian Families

Logo for the Sylvanian Families collection
Genre Animated television series
Country of origin United States / Japan
Language(s) English
No. of episodes 13
Production
Producer(s) DIC Enterprises, Inc
Running time 30 mins
Distributor Coca-Cola Telecommunications
Broadcast
Original channel First-run syndication
Original airing 1987
Sylvanian Families scene
Shop window of the Sylvanian Families store in London

Sylvanian Families (シルバニアファミリー Shirubania famirii?) is the name of a line of video games and anthropomorphic collectible toy plush figures, created by Japanese company Epoch in 1985 and distributed worldwide by a number of companies. The characters, grouped into families, feature woodland creatures such as beavers, hedgehogs, mice and bears. They remain a quintessential part of the 1990s boom in craze (or fad) toys. The word 'sylvan' means 'of the forest'.

Contents

[edit] Growth

At the beginning of production, in 1985, Sylvanian Families were released in both Japan and North America, albeit with different packaging and minor differences to the characters themselves. In 1987, the success in these markets led to expansion into the UK and Ireland. By 1988, Sylvanian Families had become a major success around the world, spawning a spin-off animated series, and winning the British Association of Toy Retailers award for "Toy of the Year" three years consecutively, in 1987, 1988 and 1989. There was also an animated series shown in the 80s that was popular in Spain and the UK and was also shown in the early 1990s in the US on Nick Jr.

In 1993, Tomy, who had been distributing the toys worldwide, lost the rights to the name "Sylvanian Families" in Canada and the USA.[citation needed] Tomy reintroduced the line under the new name Calico Critters.

[edit] Decline and reinvention

By the end of the 1990s, Sylvanian Families had been discontinued in the UK and France, although they have since been reintroduced by Flair. Subsequently, Sylvanian families have been reintroduced in Australia and are becoming more widely available. Tomy stopped selling Calico Critters, but a new company, International Playthings, picked up the line.

In 2007, Sylvanian Families in the UK celebrated their 20th anniversary with a selected number of new items. The best selling was an Otter boat, and a reintroduced the Dalmatian Family who now wore party hats that read "Happy 20th!".

[edit] Television series

Sylvanian Families is an American animated television series, co-produced in France and Japan.

[edit] Voice Cast

[edit] Characters

  • The Evergreens-Forrest, Honeysuckle, Ernest, Primrose, Preston, Ashley, Dusty and Poppy
  • The Babblebrooks-Rocky, Crystal, Cliff, Pearl, Bubba, Breezy, Sandy and Coral
  • The Thistlethorns-Chester, Willow, Lester, Prissy, Barry and Heather
  • The Chestnuts-Durwood, Pansy, Grover, Myrtle, Hoss and Charity
  • The Wildwoods-Herb, Ginger, Smokey, Flora, Rusty, Hollie, Barkley and Juniper
  • The Slydales-Slick, Velvette, Buster, Scarlett, Skitter and Lindy
  • The Timbertops-Taylor, Rose, Gruff, Fern, Bud, Daisy, Burl and Blossom
  • The Waters'-Wade, Nancy, Roger, Misty, Bucky and Bubbles

[edit] Villains

  • Packbat
  • Gatorpossum

[edit] Human

  • The Woodkeeper

[edit] Children

  • Grace
  • Bridget
  • Donny
  • Jonathan
  • Katie
  • Joey
  • Jack
  • Lisa
  • Charlie
  • Maria
  • Jessica
  • Penny
  • Chrissie
  • Robby
  • Sara
  • Sid
  • Jamie
  • Tracy
  • Diane (Di)
  • Jerry & Susan
  • Amelia
  • Mikey
  • Lori
  • Evan
  • Debra
  • Andy

[edit] Episodes

  • Grace Under Pressure / Cooking Up Trouble
  • Dam Busters / School Daze
  • Double Trouble / Outfoxing the Foxes
  • Know It All / Beauty and The Beast
  • The Bear Facts / Fraidy Cats
  • Daddy's Little Girl / Fool's Gold
  • The Wheel Thing / Muddy Waters
  • There's No Place Like Home / Tough Enough
  • Hip to Be Bear / Feud for Thought
  • Stand by Your Dad / My Brother's Keeper
  • Really Amelia / Boy's Intuition
  • Here Come the Brides / Hoppily Ever After
  • Founders Keepers / Little Ms. Woodkeeper

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvanian_Families"
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