Stink Blasters

Stink Blasters is a children's collectible figurine line manufactured by Morrison Entertainment Group and marketed through MEG Toys. Its central product idea is deliberately simple and theatrical: small, cartoonishly grotesque characters release an unpleasant smell when the hollow rubber head is squeezed. The concept combines traditional collectible-figure behavior with a novelty sensory effect, making the product suitable for play, trading and practical jokes. The original figures were approximately three inches tall. Each had a hard plastic body and an oversized hollow rubber head, with a small opening—normally positioned near the mouth—from which the scent was emitted. The company stated that a figure could be squeezed more than 30,000 times before its scent diminished. Individual characters were organized into comic groups such as Stench Bros., Veggies, Nature Crew, B.O. Boys, Breathers and Gasser Guys. Their names, appearances and fictional biographies reinforced the line's gross-out humor and gave children reasons to collect more than one figure. The first release reached 31 countries outside the United States. In the United States, MEG initially test-marketed the toys in Chicago in 2003. The test reportedly sold through at major retailers, supporting a broader national rollout in February 2004. The initial product was positioned at an allowance-friendly suggested retail price of $4.99. Packaging included a plastic 'stink containment unit' with a clip, intended to help children carry the figure while limiting unwanted odor exposure. Trading cards supplied character biographies, favorite foods and rivalries, extending the line beyond the physical toy. The main collection was developed in multiple series. Series One and Series Two each contained 24 collectible figures, while a smaller Series Three was produced for test markets. Series Two was released in 2005. Series Three added individual accessories with their own scents and introduced new concepts, including a musician group and adult characters from the fictional community of Smellville. A related companion line, Scent Stars, used female characters with pleasant fragrances such as rose, bubble gum and cinnamon rather than the unpleasant odors associated with Stink Blasters. After several years, demand declined and the original line largely disappeared from mainstream retail in the United States. Later releases in the United Kingdom achieved more limited results, while the brand retained some visibility in markets including Italy and Australia. Older figures became objects of interest for toy collectors, with scarce examples appearing through online auction markets. In 2024, MEG relaunched Stink Blasters with a smaller collection, demonstrating an attempt to revive the property for a new generation while drawing on the original line's recognizable scent-based gimmick. Publicly available material does not establish a founding year, named founder, corporate headquarters, current distribution footprint or detailed commercial performance. The brand is therefore best understood as an MEG Toys product property rather than an independently listed company.

Stink Blasters was developed by Morrison Entertainment Group as a collectible novelty-toy line centered on odor. Unlike ordinary figures, each Stink Blaster combined a rigid miniature body with a large hollow rubber head. Squeezing the head forced air through a small opening and released a deliberately unpleasant scent. The design gave the figures an immediate interactive function and distinguished them from conventional character collectibles. The line first entered international markets outside the United States, reaching 31 countries before its American introduction. MEG then used Chicago as a test market in 2003. The reported response was strong, with the toys selling out in nearly every major store involved in the test. The company followed with a national United States rollout in February 2004. At a suggested price of $4.99, the figures were designed to be attainable with a child's allowance and to encourage repeat purchases across a broad character roster. The first two major series each contained 24 figures. Characters were grouped into themed factions, including food-related figures, animals, bodily-function characters and other inhabitants of the fictional setting. The packaging added a plastic scent-containment case with a clip, allowing the figure to be carried while helping manage the smell. Trading cards expanded the characters' fictional identities through biographies, preferences and rivalries. This combination of physical novelty, collecting and narrative detail formed the core of the brand's appeal. Series Two arrived in 2005 with another 24-character assortment. A limited Series Three was subsequently made for test markets. It differed from the earlier releases by giving each figure an accessory with its own scent. The third series also broadened the fictional world: one group focused on musicians, while another presented adult figures associated with Smellville, including civic, school, law-enforcement and workplace characters. The appearance of a female musician and the introduction of adult characters represented expansions of the original character framework. MEG also created Scent Stars, a companion product line with female dolls designed to emit pleasant fragrances rather than odors. The line used scents such as roses, bubble gum and cinnamon, and smaller wearable versions were also produced. Public comments attributed to MEG vice president Daniel Stenton described the companion line as a response to a belief that its intended audience would prefer pleasant-smelling characters. The available material identifies proposed and regional follow-up figures, but does not establish a complete global release history for every Scent Stars assortment. The original Stink Blasters line eventually lost momentum in the United States and gradually disappeared from ordinary retail distribution. Later reissues in the United Kingdom had limited success, while the property achieved additional, though not fully quantified, visibility in Italy and Australia. As availability declined, older examples attracted toy collectors. Rare figures appeared through online auction platforms and could command higher prices, although no reliable market-wide price data is established in the available sources. The brand was relaunched in 2024 with a smaller collection. This revival retained the defining odor-based play pattern while reducing the scale of the assortment compared with the two 24-figure original series. Public sources do not provide detailed sales figures, current distribution numbers, headquarters information or a complete account of the relaunch's commercial results. MEG has not publicly disclosed the complete scent recipes, reportedly to make imitation more difficult. Company descriptions characterized the formulas as primarily polypropylene glycol combined with smaller quantities of oils, food flavorings and extracts. The available reference material also states that laboratory testing addressed emissions of cyclohexanone and toluene, and that the reported levels were below applicable permissible exposure limits. These technical claims are product-safety statements attributed to the producer, not an independent assessment included in the available material.

1. 2024Brand relaunch

   MEG reintroduced Stink Blasters with a smaller collection.

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2. 2005Series Two released

   MEG added a second 24-figure series to the original collectible program.

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3. 2004United States national rollout

   The line expanded nationally in the United States in February.

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4. 2003Chicago test marketing

   Stink Blasters entered the United States through a Chicago test launch, where reported sell-through encouraged a nationwide release.

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A low-priced, gross-out collectible toy built around an unusual smell-emission feature, comic character identities and repeatable squeeze play.

• Series OneCollectible scented figurines

  The first principal Stink Blasters assortment contained 24 figures organized into themed groups such as Stench Bros., Veggies, Nature Crew, B.O. Boys, Breathers and Gasser Guys. Each figure used a hard plastic body and a hollow rubber head that released an unpleasant odor when squeezed. Packaging included a clip-on scent-containment unit and a trading card with character information.

• Series TwoCollectible scented figurines2005

  Released in 2005, Series Two added another 24-character assortment. Its roster continued the brand's use of gross-out names and themed groups, while introducing new characters associated with the Breathers, Stench Bros., The Dukes, Nature Crew, Zoo Crew, Veggies, B.O. Boys and Gasser Guys categories.

• Series ThreeLimited collectible figurines

  Series Three was produced for test markets rather than established as a broad standard release. Each figure came with an accessory that had its own scent. The assortment included a musician-themed group and adult Smellville characters such as a principal, detective, mayor, chef and coach.

• Scent StarsPleasantly scented companion dolls

  Scent Stars was a companion concept using female dolls with attractive designs and pleasant fragrances, including rose, bubble gum and cinnamon. The first series reportedly contained 12 dolls, and smaller wearable versions were also produced. A later group of proposed characters was sold in a six-figure assortment in some countries.

• 2024 Stink Blasters collectionRelaunched collectible figurines2024

  The 2024 relaunch returned the core idea of squeezable figures that emit unpleasant odors, but with a smaller collection than the original multi-series program. Publicly available material does not specify the complete character roster or distribution details.

• 2003Chicago test marketing

  United States

  MEG used Chicago as the initial United States test market for Stink Blasters before committing to a national launch.

  Outcome. The reported sell-through at major stores supported a nationwide rollout.

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• 2024Relaunch Stink Blasters with a smaller collectionProduct launch

  The original line had declined in visibility after several years away from much of the United States retail market.

  What changed. MEG reintroduced the brand with a smaller collection centered on the original scent-emitting figure concept.

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• 2005Expand the line with Series TwoGeneration change

  The first series used themed groups of collectible odor-emitting characters.

  What changed. MEG released a second 24-figure series with additional character groups and new gross-out concepts.

  Aftermath. Series Two became the second principal assortment in the original Stink Blasters program.

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• 2003Test the United States market in ChicagoStrategy

  The line had already been introduced in international markets, but MEG had not yet launched it nationwide in the United States.

  What changed. The company selected Chicago for a controlled test-market introduction.

  Aftermath. Reportedly strong store sell-through led to a broader national rollout in February 2004.

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• 2024Stink Blasters relaunch with a smaller collection

  MEG relaunched the brand with a reduced collection after the original line had become less prominent in mainstream retail.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2005Series Two expands the Stink Blasters collection

  MEG released Series Two, adding a second group of collectible characters to the original line.

  Product generationProduct launch
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• 2004Stink Blasters roll out nationally in the United States

  Following the Chicago test, the toy line received a broader United States rollout in February 2004.

  Product launch
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• 2003Stink Blasters receive a Chicago test launch

  MEG introduced Stink Blasters in Chicago as a United States test market. The reported sell-through supported plans for a wider national release.

  Product launch
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1. Stink Blasters
2. Stink Blasters portfolio page