SPECIALIZING IN VINTAGE TOY LINES FROM THE 80s AND 90s
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SPECIALIZING IN VINTAGE TOY LINES FROM THE 80s AND 90s
This page contains affiliate links. As a partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase.
In Japan in the 1980s, My Little Pony toys or dolls were produced by a company called Takara. What makes them so different from the Hasbro ponies?
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In Japan, My Little Pony toys or dolls were produced by a company called Takara (today, Takara Tomy 🔗). These ponies, released in 1985 under the name “Mai Ritoru Ponii – Osharena Ponii” or Stylish Pony, look very different from their Hasbro counterparts and are highly collectible. What makes the Takara ponies so special, and why are they so difficult to find?
The Takara ponies are small, posable figures that stand upright. They have brushable hair and large heads and were released each with their unique fashions and playsets. The line has four main characters and at least 11 different outfits.
After Takara stopped producing these ponies, several companies tried to copy their success. Because Takara didn’t brand the majority of the toys, it can be tricky to identify the “fakies” from the real deal. A lot of Takara ponies never made it past the prototype stage, so it’s also tricky to confirm the sets exist! Even with items that were for sale, sometimes the colors and combinations are different. This is one of the reasons why Takara ponies are sought after and very, very treasured by their owners!
There are two grown-up Takara ponies characters: Milky and Pinky. Each of them came with a dress, a brush, hair accessories, and a card featuring a photo. Milky has a light yellow body with a pink mane and tail. Pinky has a light-pink body and a purple mane and tail. Several versions of Milky and Pinky were produced wearing different outfits. Some of these outfits could be bought separately.
The Milky and Pinky ponies were twin sisters and had two more baby siblings: Lily and Popo. Lily has a light-yellow body with a pink mane and tail, and Popo a light-pink body with a purple mane and tail. These baby ponies were sold with two different playsets and on their own. Unlike their grown-up sisters, they are not posable and are slightly different to each other. While Lily’s arms are raised, Popo’s are held down.
Light yellow body and pink hair. Large body, one white dot in each eye. Arms on the sides of the body.
Light pink body and lilac hair. Large body, one white dot in each eye. Arms on the sides of the body.
Light yellow body and peach hair. Small body, two white dots in each eye. The arms are set apart.
Light pink body and lilac hair. Small body, two white dots in each eye. The hands are touching.
Boxed Takara My Little Pony Milky toy with accessories. Made and available only in Japan.
Boxed Takara My Little Pony Pinky toy with accessories. Made and available only in Japan.
Would you like to learn more about vintage My Little Pony? Japan is one of the 25+ countries included in The Unofficial My Little Pony Compendium, a book written by yours truly ;)
There are four more adult ponies that complete the Tajara ponies collection. These are Ami Ami, Fuwa Fuwa, Kuru Kuru and Sara Sara.
Ami Ami has a light blue body and a teal mane and tail. It also has two braids on top of the head. Fuwa Fuwa has a light pink body with a dark pink frizzy mane and tail. Kuru Kuru has a light green body and a green mane and tail, with two piggy tails (also green) on the sides of the head. And Sara Sara has a light yellow body with a long yellow mane and tail.
Light green body and green hair. Large body, one white dot in each eye.
Light blue body and dark aqua hair. Large body, one white dot in each eye.
Light yellow body and blonde hair. Large body, one white dot in each eye.
Light pink body and red aqua hair. Large body, one white dot in each eye.
My Little Pony Takara – Kuru Kuru
My Little Pony Takara – Ami Ami
My Little Pony Takara – Sara Sara
My Little Pony Takara – Fuwa Fuwa
I actually have done some restorations for Japanese-inspired ponies (fakies, or “Takaritas”) and shared some related information on why they look the way they look and more. You can see all the videos in my channel (RetroGeek Crafts).
Do you want to learn more about Japanese Ponies? :)
I Wrote a Book About Ponies!
I love restoring vintage My Little Pony toys and, in doing so, have learnt a lot about their history and the HUNDREDS of less-known variants from manufacturing partners all around the world. So, I wrote a book about them. ALL of them. The book is called “The Unofficial Vintage My Little Pony Companion” and is a massive compendium with 400 pages of history, images, merch, and descriptions for all international and foreign releases of My Little Pony generation One (MLP G1).
Girl toys from the 80s and 90s hold a special place in the hearts of many. Iconic lines like My Little Pony and Strawberry Shortcake had colorful characters and whimsical worlds, while Rainbow Brite and Care Bears brought magic and friendship to life with plush toys and animated specials. Explore other magical vintage favorites from the 80s and beyond.
