Spin Master Corp, a leading global children’s entertainment company, unveils today plans to distribute Punirunes, a squishy digital pet that has captivated fans of Japanese anime culture. First brought to market in 2021 by Japanese toy company Takara Tomy, Spin Master will expand distribution to more global markets as fervent fandom brings anime culture to the forefront.
The Punirunes digital pet combines popular elements of caring for a digital pet with added tactile squishy play. On the outside of the toy, a full color, backlit LCD screen displays the adorable PuniruneTM pet with 55 characters plus rare characters to collect in each pod. Enter its world by placing your finger inside the mysterious hole, interact with a tactile squishy dome and watch as the character on screen reacts. Your finger is also displayed on the screen mirroring the actions as if you’re actually touching the character as you pet, feed, play games, clean, customize and nurture it.
Takara Tomy experienced remarkable success with the launch and continued sales of Punirunes in Asia, with over 700,000 pieces shipped since 2021 across Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. Recognizing the surging popularity of Japanese anime culture globally, combined with its expanding portfolio of interactive toys, Spin Master collaborated with Takara Tomy for the opportunity to bring the quirky item to additional global markets. And in good time too, as The Toy Association has proclaimed “AniMania” as a top toy trend for 2024, projecting its significant impact on the toy industry and expecting it to reach new heights.
“At Spin Master, we’ve often been said to have our finger on the pulse of play and in this case it’s literal,” said Doug Wadleigh, Spin Master’s President of Toys. “Punirunes is not your average toy, it adds an irresistible tactile element and physical connection to the digital pet in a fun and quirky way. With proven international success and the surge in popularity for anime-inspired toys we think Punirunes will be a hit with kids and kidults around the world.”
The Punirunes digital pet has a suggested retail price of $39.99 US / $49.99 CAN and will be available August 2024 at all major retailers.