Virtual games and apps, move over – a Hatchimal is what all the cool kids want this year. A what? Well, here's the deal.
Essentially a toy throwback for anyone who grew up in the ’90s and a brand-new experience for those who were raised on a more electronic diet, the Hatchimal is like a Furbie, except for the fact that you actually have to hatch it. It comes in a shell, and with much love and care (and, ehm, rubbing) it'll break open, brand spanking new and ready to be raised.
It's like a 'real-life' Tamagochi. After incubation and hatching, there are three additional development stages; your little robot pet will also learn to walk, talk and play games. Go through these and only then can you call yourself the proud owner of an adult Hatchimal.
The oh-so-kawaii creature was developed by Takara Tomy and released worldwide end 2016; it has since become the go-to toy kids wish for across the globe. For all those in the midst of quarter-life existential angst, it just might be what you need to get over that. It's okay to want one even if you're an adult, really.
The Hatchimal is available in toy stores across the country and retails for around ¥10,000. We wallowed in nostalgia so much that we added it as a Best Product nominee for the 2017 Love Tokyo Awards – see the full shortlist here.