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Takara

From Alfawiki
Takara Co., Ltd.
Company typePublic (until merger)
IndustryToy manufacturing, video games, robotics
Founded1955; 71 years ago (1955)
FounderYasuta Sato
DefunctMarch 1, 2006 (2006-03-01)
FateMerged with Tomy Company, Ltd. to form Takara Tomy
SuccessorTakara Tomy
Headquarters
Japan
,
Japan
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsToys (Licca-chan dolls, Transformers, Beyblade), video games, robotic products, life entertainment devices
OwnerIndex Corporation (from 2005)
ParentIndex Corporation (2005–2006)

was a Japanese toy manufacturer established in 1955. In March 2006, it combined forces with Tomy Company, Ltd. to create Takara Tomy. The company embraced the philosophy that ("playing is culture").

Takara focused on classic toys and board games. It was the originator of the Licca-chan dolls, often referred to in Western outlets as "Japan's Barbie".[1] Among its internationally recognized franchises were Transformers and Beyblade.[2] Additionally, Takara held licenses to adapt and distribute Hasbro products within Japan, including The Game of Life, Blythe dolls, as well as the trading card games Magic: The Gathering and Duel Masters. The company also ventured into software development, producing video games inspired by its toy lines such as Transformers and Choro Q / Penny Racers, porting titles from SNK’s Neo Geo, and creating the Battle Arena Toshinden franchise.

Toys

In 1960,[3] Takara introduced the Dakko-Chan (ダッコちゃん) doll, which quickly became a significant success in Japan.[4] The doll earned its nickname from its "embracing" design,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name and was marketed overseas as Winky Dolls. Nevertheless, during the 1980s, it encountered criticism abroad due to perceived racial connotations resembling a golliwog.[4] Production ceased in 1988 after approximately six million units were sold.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

The first generation of the Licca-chan doll was launched by Takara in 1967—standing 21 cm tall and bearing the surname Kayama, inspired by musician Yuzo Kayama and actress Yoshiko Kayama.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Later, in the 1980s, the company introduced the Jenny doll.

Takara developed the Diaclone and Microman Micro Change toy series in 1975. Hasbro rebranded these lines as "Transformers" by 1984.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Takara maintained sales of Microman figures, which served as inspiration for the internationally marketed Micronauts. Other transforming toy series included Brave, Dennō Bōkenki Webdiver, and Daigunder. Both Webdiver and Daigunder incorporated television screen interaction features—although this was a brief trend.

In 1978, Takara launched the Choro-Q, a collection of small pullback cars known globally as "Penny Racers." The company also developed products such as Battle Beasts, the E-kara karaoke microphone, B-Daman, and the internationally successful Beyblade.[2]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Many of these toys were distributed worldwide through Hasbro.

The Dakko-Chan doll saw a revival in 2001 with a redesigned colorful version that preserved its essential characteristics while eliminating controversial elements.[4][3]

Software

Takara entered video game development and publishing with titles like Transformers: Mystery of Convoy, based on their Transformers toy line. They secured licenses for additional games, including the Famicom release Lost Word of Jenny, linked to their Jenny doll, along with multiple titles from the Choro Q series. Other published games included Banana Prince and Arabian Nights: Sabaku no Seirei-ō.

During the 1990s and early 2000s, Takara launched games tied to franchises such as Chibi Maruko-chan, Armored Trooper Votoms, Duel Masters, and Tokyo Mew Mew. They adapted SNK’s Neo Geo arcade hits like Fatal Fury and Samurai Shodown for 8-bit and 16-bit platforms including the Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and Famicom.

In partnership with developer Tamsoft, Takara produced the pioneering 3D fighting game series Battle Arena Toshinden along with original titles like SteamGear Mash. From 1994 to 1998, they released simplified "demakes" under the Nettou label for SNK fighters on the Game Boy, starting with Fatal Fury 2.

The crossover game DreamMix TV World Fighters, released in 2003, was developed alongside Hudson Soft and Konami. Beginning that year, Takara acquired game developer-publisher Atlus, licensing some properties to them. Following its merger with Tomy in 2006, Takara’s controlling interest in Atlus was transferred to Index Holdings, a major stakeholder in Takara Tomy. Licenses bearing Takara’s brand returned to Takara Tomy’s consumer software department, which continued producing titles within franchises such as Zoids and Naruto.

Life entertainment devices

Takara developed innovative gadgets categorized as "life entertainment devices," including BowLingual, a product created to interpret canine vocalizations into human speech. Time magazine recognized BowLingual as one of the top inventions in 2002. Additionally, see Yumemi Kobo (dream generator) for related technology.

Robotic products

In 2005, Takara introduced Walkie Bits, a vibrant and versatile miniature robotic turtle that earned the distinction of Time magazine's best robot invention.

Other ventures

During the 1980s, Takara marketed Sord M5 home computers under an OEM arrangement.

In 2002, through a motor division, Takara engineered a compact electric vehicle suitable for road use, inspired by its Choro-Q toy line. However, due to limited consumer demand, this model was quickly discontinued.

Corporate history

Established in 1955 by Yasuta Sato, the company took on the name Takara in 1960 and achieved listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange by 1984.

Although the launch of Beyblade in 1999 brought success, Takara encountered financial difficulties. In July 2000, Konami acquired a controlling interest of 22.2%. By 2003, Takara had acquired Atlus, transferring all video game assets under its control. Konami divested its stake to Index Corporation in April 2005, resulting in Takara becoming a subsidiary of Index.

On 13 May 2005, Takara and Tomy announced their merger, which took effect on 1 March 2006, with Tomy as the continuing entity. Internationally, the combined company operates under "TOMY Co. Ltd." while in Japan it is known as "K. K. Takara-Tomy" (). The brand name merges "Takara," recognized worldwide, with "Tomy," esteemed in Japan's infant and preschool sectors.

See also

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :0
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :1
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :2
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :3
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