The Very Brief History of Sylvanians
It is important to remember that there has never been a full documentation of every figure ever released, but I have tried, with the help of other collectors, to create this website as if it is an encyclopaedia. I have used photos from other collectors/past collectors' websites when there is a gap in my collection, with their permission. All photos that are not mine I have given credit to their rightful owners, unless the owner cannot be found, in which case I have stated so below the photo. Many figures were released in multiple outfits by mistake, for example I have a Rocky Babblebrook father in a yellow shirt and blue dungarees which I have never seen anywhere else, however I bought him in the Sylvanian Families Shop in London brand new in box, so I know he is official, thus meaning there could be loads of undocumented figures. Although some figures are commonly known by collectors to have more than one outfit during the same period, they have never been officially noted by the company. Therefore, if someone finds a variant figure, meaning the clothing is different (be it a button colouration or a pattern on the fabric) I would like to know and will update my website accordingly when I have the chance, so feel free to contact me. All information on this website is knowledge I have collected over a long period of time. I am willing to listen and change information if anything is deemed incorrect, however I will check everything with other major collectors and SSK to double check.
Please note all photos used on this page are from other collectors, mainly Jacc's website, as although I have many boxed figures, I cannot get great photos due to my camera's flash. I have been given permission to use these photos.
Please note all photos used on this page are from other collectors, mainly Jacc's website, as although I have many boxed figures, I cannot get great photos due to my camera's flash. I have been given permission to use these photos.
Epoch - Japan (1985 onwards) and Rest of the World (Gradually since 2004)
In 1985, Epoch launched the first range of Sylvanian Families, consisting of only a few initial families, including the Timbertop Brown Bears, Evergreen Grey Bears, Wildwood Brown Rabbits, Babblebrook Grey Rabbits, McBurrows Moles, Thistlethorn Grey Mice, Acorn Brown Squirrels, Slydale Tan Foxes and the Waters Beavers (I am unsure of whether the Chestnut Raccoons, Tanuki Raccoon-Dogs, Treefellow Owls and Teardrop Bears were also released at this time or in the following years). Epoch also launched a Dutch range, that was quite small with just the initial families. The range expanded from there, including the Urban Life Range (c.1988-1996) of figures dressed in fancier clothing, and the continued release of the other families, re-releasing some of them in different clothing variations. The rarest shop-bought family of the time, the Golden Teardrop Rabbits (highly sort after with figures selling for several thousand pounds), were also released in this time (c.1990-1991) however only in one chain store in Japan, hence the low numbers and rarity. The Misty Forest fairies range also became popular, with fairies of various climatic elements being released with items that represent their speciality. The series has evolved, with more families being introduced and many have been revamped. Different breeds of dogs, cats and totally new creatures such as otters and koalas have entered the range since. |
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Around 2004, Epoch started distributing Sylvanian Families in a range of countries in Asia and Europe. These figures were often identical to those in the UK range but sold in sets rather than as families. Sometimes figures would exist in different clothing or there would be unique figures, for example, Bearbury Grey Bear Grandparents and Twins were released exclusively in Europe, as were Whiskers Cat Grandparents. This range existed to the very latest into 2009, however many of these items are impossible to find now. Epoch took over the production of Sylvanians worldwide on the 1st January 2015, with the initial aim of making every collector able to buy every item in their local shops. However, some items are still only available in set countries and the variety of Gift Sets seems to be completely different in every country, with the free figures changing outfits and furniture accessories despite the majority of the set being identical between two countries, which is very hard in terms of collecting for those who wish to collect all variant clothed figures. However, it has ensured a fun element of looking for items! |
TOMY - UK, USA and much of Europe
TOMY had rights to release Sylvanians in the UK from 1987, and many other countries around the same time, with the first 6 families being released as the Timbertop Brown Bears, Evergreen Grey Bears, Wildwood Brown Rabbits, Babblebrook Grey Rabbits, McBurrow Moles and Thistlethorn Grey Mice. The range followed a similar pattern as the Japanese, however Misty Forest and Urban Life ranges have been exclusive to Japan. Some Urban Life families were released in the TOMY range in more casual clothing and are considered to be different families, such as the Solitaire and Catwood cats. In the USA, TOMY distributed Sylvanian Families from 1985 until the early 1990s, producing the same range as in the UK but with a few exclusive figures, for example the Hoppinsett (known as "Corntop" in the UK) Rabbit Grandparents, which are rare and sort after. When a lawsuit meant that the name "Sylvanian Families" could not be used to sell products in the US, TOMY continued to release figures under the name "Calico Critters" until 1999/2000, when International Playthings took over production. The American range is very confusing as although most figures are identical, some would receive new surnames, for example the Honeybear Tan Bears became the Huntington Tan Bears whilst the Waters Beavers became the Babblebrook Beavers, despite Babblebrook Rabbits existing in the USA's range! Some families gained new members, for example the Huntington Tan Bears gained Grandparents and Older Siblings who are all extremely rare, and Babblebrook Beaver babies had teeth unlike the UK and JP equivalents. Various other sets are exclusive in America, but most are identical or very, very close to those sold in the UK, maybe with a slight variation to clothing and the obvious packaging designs. |
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GiG - Italy
These sets, exclusively sold in Italy in the 1980s and 90s, included all the same figures as those released by the original TOMY ranges, but were found in packaging containing a yellow border. As far as I am aware, no items were exclusive or had significant variations in the clothing. Giochi Preziosi also produced a range in Italy, I believe in the late 1990s, but I am unsure of exactly when.
These sets, exclusively sold in Italy in the 1980s and 90s, included all the same figures as those released by the original TOMY ranges, but were found in packaging containing a yellow border. As far as I am aware, no items were exclusive or had significant variations in the clothing. Giochi Preziosi also produced a range in Italy, I believe in the late 1990s, but I am unsure of exactly when.
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Flair - UK and New Zealand In 1999/2000, Flair took over the production of Sylvanian Families in the UK and started a more modern range of items, as well as reissuing previous TOMY sets. The company was known for making many unique families, including various breeds of dogs and cats, Buttercup Friesian Cows, Plume Owls and Bearbury bears that for many years were only available in the UK. Eventually, thanks to Epoch's "Global Strategy", many of these families did eventually become common in stores across the rest of Europe and Asia, albeit many Japanese retailers not receiving these items. The range was quite diverse and introduced the "Family Life" series in which many family members would be found in a variety of every-day family situations, and you would collect several sets of figures with furniture to complete your family. |
International Playthings - USA
After TOMY stopped producing Calico Critters, Int. Playthings continued a range, that at times contained the same or very similar figures and sets as the UK, whilst at others containing completely different sets. The logo and packaging changed and a series of sets released with story books (that only appeared a few times in the UK) are typical of the US sets. Nearly all families have gained different names, which has posed difficult for many collectors in communicating. TOMY - France Released c2004, TOMY re-launched Sylvanian Families in France. The range lasted about 1-2 years before Epoch took over production in Europe. There were a large number of different products, including a house that, until more recently, was exclusive to France. All of these sets are unnamed so I have called them names based on their description. I do not have most of this series but have included the images I have found to show a full range of items available (or as full as I am able to) in the collection gallery. |
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Bizak - Spain
Released c2005, Bizak's Spanish range only lasted about only a year. It is a very small range, but with many uniquely dressed critters. These sets I believe are now the hardest to find information on. I have included all the information I can find in the Collection Gallery however am unsure how much information is missing. TOMY's French and Bizak's Spanish range had the same logo and boxing patterns, however the colour schemes would sometimes vary.
FM Toys - Mexico
These toys mirrored those released by Epoch 2004-2009. They are the same sets as those released in parts of Europe and Asia, just with very unique packaging and under the name "Lindos Ternurines" (the Mexican translation of "Sylvanian Families").
Released c2005, Bizak's Spanish range only lasted about only a year. It is a very small range, but with many uniquely dressed critters. These sets I believe are now the hardest to find information on. I have included all the information I can find in the Collection Gallery however am unsure how much information is missing. TOMY's French and Bizak's Spanish range had the same logo and boxing patterns, however the colour schemes would sometimes vary.
FM Toys - Mexico
These toys mirrored those released by Epoch 2004-2009. They are the same sets as those released in parts of Europe and Asia, just with very unique packaging and under the name "Lindos Ternurines" (the Mexican translation of "Sylvanian Families").