Sylvanian Families: Difference between revisions
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*The Evergreens |
*The Evergreens |
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*The Babblebrooks |
*The Babblebrooks |
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*The |
*The Thistlethorns |
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*The Chestnuts |
*The Chestnuts |
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*The Wildwoods |
*The Wildwoods |
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Revision as of 08:59, 25 April 2009
| Sylvanian Families | |
|---|---|
 Logo for the Sylvanian Families collection | |
| Genre | Animated television series |
| Country of origin | Japan |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 26 |
| Production | |
| Producers | DIC Enterprises, Inc, Claster Television |
| Running time | 105 mins |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC |
| Release | 1987 |
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'.
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 a 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.
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!".
Television series
Sylvanian Families is an American animated television series.
Characters
- The Evergreens
- The Babblebrooks
- The Thistlethorns
- The Chestnuts
- The Wildwoods
- The Slydales
- The Timbertops
- The Waters'
Villains
- Possum Gator
- Packbat
Human
- The Woodkeeper
Children
- Grace
- Bridget
- Donny
- Jonathan
- Katie
- Joey
- Jack
- Lisa
- Charlie
- Maria
- Jessica
- Penny
- Chrissie
- Robby
- Sara
- Sid
- Jamie
- Tracy
- Diane (Di)
- Lori
- Evan
- Andy
- Jerry & Susan
- Amelia
- Mikey
- Debra
Episodes
- Grace Under Pressure
- Cooking Up Trouble
- Dam Busters
- School Daze
- Double Trouble
- Outfoxing the Foxes
- Know-It-All
- Beauty & The Beast
- The Bear Facts
- Fraidy Cats
- Daddy's Little Girl
- Fool's Gold
- The Wheel Thing
- There's No Place Like Home
- Muddy Waters
- Tough Enough
- Hip To Be Bear
- Feud For Thought
- Stand by Your Dad
- Really Amelia
- Founders Keepers
- Boys Intuition
- Here Come The Brides
- Happily Ever After
- My Brother's Keeper
- Little Ms. Woodkeeper