Takara Tomy is a manufacturer of Japanese toys that has come out with a line of plastic shark toys that have been made to look like they are covered in fried tempura.
The bizarre range of toys features six types of sharks coated in panko bread crumbs, including varieties like the Great White, Japanese Bullhead and Hammerhead. Despite being covered in bread crumbs, the shapes of these sharks are fairly recognizable. As well, the tails of the sharks are still visible, as if this is the part of the shark that was held as it was dipped into the batter. Although five sharks are identifiable, Takara Tomy included a sixth bread-coated shark that is an unidentified 'Secret Fried Shark' with a strange curly tail.
These strange Japanese toys were available at toy machines throughout Japan beginning in September.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Toy Bread Crumbs Trend
- The trend of toys featuring bread crumbs coating creates a new category of niche toys that could appeal to a specific audience who find it unique and exciting.
- Food-inspired Toy Trend
- The trend of food-inspired toys opens opportunities for toy manufacturers to create unique and playful toys based on different food items to capture niche markets.
- Bizarre Toy Trend
- The trend of creating bizarre toys piques the interest of consumers who are looking for something unusual and unconventional, offering manufactures the opportunity to create a range of eccentric products.
Where This Applies
- Toy Industry
- The toy industry can explore new opportunities to create a unique range of bizarre toys based on unusual concepts to target specific age groups and capture niche markets.
- Food Industry
- The food industry can explore possibilities of creating food-inspired toys in collaboration with toy manufacturers, targeting audiences of different age groups and tapping into commerce and marketing opportunities.
- Novelty Gifts Industry
- The novelty gifts industry can explore partnering with toy manufacturers to create unique, unconventional, and bizarre toys that are perfect for gifting to someone with a sense of humor or an appreciation for unusual concepts.
