Monchhichis

My husband, like me, is a child of the 80s. I asked him if he remembered Monchhichis, thinking that surely he’d have no idea what I was talking about. But NO! He immediately burst into that commercial jingle. You totally know the first couple of lines at least:

Monchhichi, Monchhichi,
Oh so soft and cuddly!
With a thumb in her mouth she’s really neat.
Fun to wiggle his little feet.
Yah yah yah yah yah



Happy happy monchhichi!

I love you monchhichi!

You could choose between the boy doll and the girl doll, but who are we kidding? We wanted BOTH of those bib-wearing monkey babies!

Confession: prior to researching for this piece, I had no idea how to spell the name of these little critters. If pressed, I’d have gone with three separate words: mon chi chi, or possibly two: mon chichi. And I’d have recognized that monchichi was a distinct possibility. But dude – I would never have guessed that an extra H would be in there.

The phenomenon originated in Japan. First there were the thumb-sucking monkey toys, created in 1974 by the famous doll company Sekiguchi. A couple of years later, the dolls were sold all over Western Europe by a variety of names: Chicaboo (U.K.), Mon Cicci (Italy), Kiki (France), Moncsicsi (Hungary), and Virkiki (Spain).

In 1980, the cartoon series “Futago no Monchichi” aired in Japan. Hanna-Barbera was quick to jump on the animated monkey wagon. In 1983, the company came up with its own ABC program, “Monchhichis”, about those darling little primates who lived in treetops. Wizzar, their leader, performed magic to defeat their enemies, those awful Grumplins of Grumplor.

“Monchhichi means happiness!”

Both the dolls and the cartoon were huge hits with American kids, so loads of retail items hit the shelves, including these puppets:

Today, collectors need look no further than their home computer to shop for the happy boy and happy girl Monchhichi dolls and related merchandise.

A girl doll all dressed for a day at school:

INSERT Monchhichis: Dress for School (photo credit: mewochie)
Photo credit: meowchie

And a caveman Monchhichi boy doll:

Monchhichi: Caveman (photo credit: Thrill of the Hunt)
Photo credit: Thrill of the Hunt

The boy and girl dolls au naturel:

Girl & Boy Monchhichis au naturel (photo credit: Nifty Vintage Girl)
Photo credit: Nifty Vintage Girl

And all dressed up for the big day:

Monchhichis: Wedding Outfits (photo credit: Little Miffle Vintage)
Photo credit: Little Miffle Vintage

A rocking horse and chair for your monchhichis:

Monchhichis accessories: rocking horse & chair (photo credit: 77Street)
Photo credit: 77Street

A paper doll book from 1983 that showcases their magical treetop home:

Monchhichis Paper Dolls (photo credit: Artsefrtse)
Photo credit: Artsefrtse

A sporty trio of figurines:

Monchhichis figurines (photo credit: katehartxoxo)
Photo credit: katehartxoxo

And a lone bat-wielding Monchhichi:

Monchhichi batter figurine (photo credit: LolidollDiy)
Photo credit: LolidollDiy

A 1981 jigsaw puzzle of Monchhichis at the beach:

Monchhichi puzzle (photo credit: BitsyBaublesDesigns)
Photo credit: BitsyBaublesDesigns

A stationery kit:

Monchhichi stationary (photo credit: Memi The Rainbow)
Photo credit: Memi The Rainbow

Here’s a vintage tune with a giggly conversational introduction to a disco-inspired Monchhichi song:

With all the Monchhichi mania past and present, it’s no surprise that you can even dress as your choice of boy or girl monkey for your next costume party.

Collect them, trade them, cuddle them and play with them, Monchhichis are undeniably 80s and, like, totally awesome. To put some pep in your step and a smile in your heart, here’s their theme song one last time:

(come on and sing along, you know you want to!)

Author: Julie Anderson

Share This Post On

5 Comments

  1. I remember these, I just played the song for my daughter and she is singing the song. Haha to cute

    Post a Reply
  2. I have a collection of Monchhichi dolls so cute and lovable. I love them all.

    Post a Reply
  3. monchhichi are still sold in GIANT size (build a bear size) at Disneyworld in Japan’s department store I have a boy and a girl! Love them!

    Post a Reply
  4. Its like a chucky doll and an Ewok had children.

    Post a Reply

Leave a Reply to Katie Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *