The best of the Tokyo Toy Show 2011

From magic floating carpets to virtual fishing games, 3D paint brushes and robots made from garbage, it's all here

By Darrell Nelson 18 June, 2011

Anpanman toddler camera

This fantastic yet simple, innovative product from Takara Tomy aims to get budding photographer toddlers capturing their own first shots.

Rather than trying to use technology to help kids take the perfect picture, the camera uses a photo-sized blank space for them to frame their scenes. It’s easily gripped, durable, and much more intuitive that other cameras for tots we’ve seen.

Wind-up dynamo cars

With energy saving affecting all industries in Japan the toy market is no exception. Megahouse played on the eco theme with their batteryless toy cars.

Unlike the old traditional wind-up toys, lights, sirens and other features that will drive mum crazy are all powered by dynamo.

Virtual Masters Reel AR Fishing Game

Takara Tomy’s newest “Virtual Masters Reel AR Fishing Game” -- a surprisingly realistic fishing game that will have virtual anglers struggling with a prize-winning trout complete with bending rod and twitching line.

Cops and robbers goes digital

Giving a digital twist to Cops and Robbers, Happinet displayed its wristband version that uses infrared to detect when the young thief or budding policeman is near.

Charotter

Wizz Inc displayed its constantly chatty Panda, which reports tweets and other instant messaging in real time, perfect for the social networker aiming to give their friends a cute voice.

Recycle toys

Making recycling a little more fun and turning garbage into toys, the folks from Image Mission have some cool pet bottle helicopter kits, robot drinks cans and cardboard robots on show.

Sky Tree and Star Wars planetariums

Sega displayed its extended range of Homestar Planetariums with a Starwars R2D2 robot version complete with projection of the Death Star, and a limited edition Tokyo Sky Tree series (pictured on right).

iPad and iPhone pets

A number of products at the Tokyo Toy Show use the iPhone and iPad iOS platform. This particular one makes sure all users buy into all the related paraphernalia. Typically fluffy and cute, a virtual pet will whine and moan until your portable device is wrapped up nice and warm, where it will whine and moan some more unless you play with it. Rather human, when you think about it.

Weird science bubble bath

Aiming to get kids into the bath as well as into science, a pair of mad labcoats from Bandai produced the latest bath foam formula, which kids should love. The perfect combination of slime, green gunk and fizzing messiness grows before your eyes as if alive and then invades the bath. It looks like terrific fun.

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Tokyo Big Sight plays host to the annual International Tokyo Toy Show this weekend, showcasing the brightest and the best -- and latest -- the toy world has to offer.

The show contains a vast array of games and toys for everyone from babies to adults, all available for the public to get its hands on and try out. More than 100,000 people attended last year's show, which was spread out across two floors and three huge halls.

Among the hottest trends on display this year are Tokyo Sky Tree-related games and eco-themed toys. Children's toys developed around iPad and smartphone designs are also popular.

Takara Tomy’s virtual fishing game is drawing large crowds and a mad science bath display with plenty of slime and gunk appeals to the kids.

But it wouldn’t be a Japanese toy show without its fair share of Anpanman, Disney, Hello Kitty and all the other character favorites with their own games, toys and digital fluffiness.

Check our our favorites from the show in the gallery above. Read more about the Tokyo Toy Show from CScout Japan.

The Tokyo Toy Show runs until June 19 at Big Sight. Tokyo Big Sight West Exhibition Hall No. 1-4
3-11-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo. 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; admission free.

About the author: Darrell Nelson, a native of the U.K., has lived in Japan since 2002 and consults on innovation at the CScout Japan trends and innovation consultancy.

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