Toys
In 1960,[7] Takara released the Dakko-Chan (ダッコちゃん)[8] doll which would become a hit in Japan's during that era.[9] The nickname was given because of how it "embraces" a person.[10] Also referred to as Winky Dolls in English, in the 1980s the company was criticized overseas for using it as a mascot due to its golliwog-like character and racial undertones.[9] By the end of production in 1988, six million of these dolls were sold.[11]
In 1967, Takara produced the first generation of the Licca-chan doll, which would become very popular in Japan to this day, and which was 21 centimeters tall and had the last name of Kayama, inspired by the musician Yuzo Kayama and actress Yoshiko Kayama.[12] They released the Jenny doll in the 1980s.
In 1975, Takara produced the Diaclone and Microman Micro Change toys. In 1984, the toy line was rebranded by Hasbro as "Transformers".[13] Takara continued to sell Microman and used it as the basis for the Micronauts toy line. Micronauts were sold internationally by the Mego Corporation. Other transforming toys made by Takara include Brave, Dennō Bōkenki Webdiver, and Daigunder. Both Webdiver and Daigunder toys could interact with TV screens, which proved only but a fad in the early 2000s.
In 1978, Takara developed the Choro-Q, mini pullback cars. Internationally, they have been sold as "Penny Racers". Takara also invented the action figure line Battle Beasts, the E-kara karaoke microphone, B-Daman, and Beyblade, a product that has achieved high popularity globally.[14][15] These toys were sold or distributed internationally by Hasbro.
The Dakko-Chan doll was revived in 2001 in a new colorful form.[9] This one had enough features to connote the original product,[7] but divested the traits which brought criticism (for example, the new doll was not always coloured black).
Software
Takara developed and published video games, the first being Transformers: Mystery of Convoy based on their own Transformers toys. They also licensed their other properties into video games for example the Famicom title Lost Word of Jenny based on their Jenny doll, and Choro Q games. Other games published by Takara include Banana Prince and Arabian Nights: Sabaku no Seirei-ō.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, Takara published video games for franchises and manga such as Chibi Maruko-chan, Armored Trooper Votoms, Duel Masters and Tokyo Mew Mew. The company ported (adapted) some of the SNK Neo Geo based arcade games including the Fatal Fury and the Samurai Shodown series for the 8 and 16-bit consoles, Sega Genesis, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, or the Famicom.
Takara with its contract developer Tamsoft also produced the influential
Life entertainment products
Takara has manufactured several unusual gadgets marketed as "life entertainment products". An example is BowLingual which aimed to translate the sounds of dogs to human language. The BowLingual was named as one of the best inventions of 2002 by Time magazine.[18] See also Yumemi Kobo (dream generator).
Robots
In 2005, Takara produced Walkie Bits, a colorful, multi-function miniature robotic turtle. it was named Time magazine's best invention in a robot category.[19]
Miscellaneous
In the 1980s, Takara as an OEM also sold Sord M5 home computers.
In 2002, Takara developed and released a real-life, road legal small electric car based on its Choro-Q toys through its new motor subsidiary.[20] However due to low sales these cars were soon axed.
