Bandai is set to relaunch Tamagotchi under the brand Tamagotchi Friends, supported by new devices, technology, and an immersive portfolio of interactive lifestyle products. Tamagotchi Friends will launch with animated webisodes debuting globally on November 23 to coincide with Tamagotchi’s 17th birthday, and supported by a phased rollout of a new website.
Since its debut, Tamagotchi has sold more than 79 million units in 44 versions worldwide, and remains the No. 1 character brand for girls ages 7 to 9 in Japan, as well as a top nostalgic brand in the U.S. The Tamagotchi Friends brand will include physical products, including Digital Friends, apparel, and apps; as well as a virtual world on social media at tamagotchifriends.com, where global visitors can connect to the characters and get to know them.
Bandai will introduce the Tamagotchi Friends portfolio of Digital Friends and other toys globally, with product reaching European retailers beginning in late December, followed by the U.S. market next fall.
