Yesterday I versed you on the coolness of Poochie. Today we revisit Monchhichi, also by Mattel. Monchhichi, which is said to mean "happiness" in Japanese, were first developed in 1974. The dolls didn't hit stores in North America until about 1979. This makes sense since I remember being around 7 years old when I first discovered them. Monchhichis were adorable little monkeys - a boy and a girl. The commercial jingle would stick in my head -- I recall running around the school yard singing, "Monchhichi, Monchhichi! Oh so soft and cuddly" over and over again. I remember having plastic Monchhichi figurines, much like Smurfs, although I only had a few -- had to keep my loyalty to Smurf collecting.
There was a Hanna-Barbera produced animated Monchhichi series, although I don't remember it--maybe it aired at the same time as Strawberry Shortcake? Who knows. I do know that I would love to have a Monchhichi today. Hello eBay?!
View the vintage commercial if you dare--the song will be in your head all day long!
