Our story
From a single doll made in Japan in 1974 to a character collected across Europe. These are the milestones that shaped Monchhichi.
Mr Sekiguchi, president and owner of Sekiguchi Co., Ltd, creates the very first Monchhichi, combining his already existing product inventions: the Kuta Kuta monkey plush with vinyl face and the GeGe thumb-sucking fashion doll. Monchhichi is born as twins, a girl and a boy, and quickly becomes a big hit in Japan.
The Monchhichi range gets wider with the addition of separately sold accessories, playsets and outfits, as well as big size models. It also features a TV spot.
Major debut for overseas exportation. The brand quickly conquers Europe, mainly German speaking markets and France, before going to the USA. The character really starts becoming a cute global icon in the 80s. Its difficult spelling leads some markets to localise the name: Kiki in France, Moncicchi in Italy and Chic-a-Boo in the UK.
This year witnesses the first licensed merchandise release, as well as the launch of the grandparents models. These would even be relaunched in 2015.
The brand is introduced in Asian markets such as China, where it quickly becomes a real fashion accessory and is featured on a lot of licensed goods.
For the 30th anniversary, a wedding is celebrated in Tokyo with the human-size Monchhichi mascots. The same year, the Monchhichi babies, Bebichhichi, are created.
Sekiguchi gives life to the Monchhichi dolls by producing 26 short episodes of a stop-motion puppet animation.
For its 40th anniversary, the original Monchhichi name is now used worldwide, over the local exceptions.
The adventures continue with new animated characters.