Tamagotchi Surpasses 100 Million Units Worldwide Ahead of Its 30th Anniversary in 2026

Bandai has announced that Tamagotchi has surpassed 100 million units in global shipments. The milestone was revealed during the opening ceremony of the Bandai and BANDAI SPIRITS booth at Tokyo Toy Show 2025, held on August 28. First released in 1996, Tamagotchi continues to thrive across multiple generations, approaching its 30th anniversary in 2026.

Tamagotchi Reaches 100 Million Milestone

At the ongoing Tokyo Toy Show 2025, Bandai and BANDAI SPIRITS hosted the opening ceremony of their booth on August 28. During the event, it was officially announced that global shipments of Tamagotchi have surpassed 100 million units. The digital pet, known for its unique handheld format and interactive gameplay, debuted in 1996 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon.

A Four-Time Boom and New Series Success

Since its launch, Tamagotchi has seen four major waves of popularity. The first came in 1996 with its debut; the second around 2004 during the “connection” era; the third in 2009 coinciding with the anime adaptation; and now, a fourth boom is underway. In July, Bandai released a new series titled Tamagotchi Paradise, which launched at 150% above its initial sales target for the first week, indicating strong demand.

Bandai Executive Reflects on Global Impact

Taro Tsuji, Executive Managing Director and Chief Tamagotchi Officer at Bandai, commented during the ceremony:
“Tamagotchi has grown beyond just a toy or digital pet—it’s become something beloved and integrated into people’s daily lives around the world.”

Celebrities Join Celebration at Toy Show

The opening ceremony also featured appearances by popular entertainers. Ryuji Akiyama of the comedy trio Robert and DJ KOO of music group TRF joined the event to celebrate Tamagotchi's ongoing success and enduring popularity.

Source : ORICON NEWS