Tamagotchi

Tamagotchi is a series of handheld virtual pets by Bandai.

The first toys were sold on November 11, 1996. The company did not expect much and so produced them in small number, but then the toys became a big fad. By the time they were producing enough to meet demand, the popularity had died down and Bandai ended up suffering financially. In 2004, they relaunched the toys with new infrared technology, allowing two Tamagotchi toys to communicate, letting them play games, exchange gifts, and even marry and produce children.

The relaunch has proven to be successful, spawning countless other Tamagotchi-related material. Two anime movies (one got dubbed), two anime series (a series of shorts, and a half-hour anime series, which is currently running; both have been dubbed at one point), music, a line of Nintendo DS games, and even two department stores in Japan. In its home country, Tamagotchi enjoys success to this day. In other parts of the world, however, the franchise has lost its popularity, slinking back down to post-1998 levels.

The Digimon franchise was Bandai's effort to create a Spear Counterpart to Tamagotchi, in order to tap into the male market. It... succeeded, shall we say.

Tropes used in Tamagotchi include:

Aborted Arc: The US release of Tamagotchi Garden (a vintage Tamagotchi product) was cancelled after the fad ended.
Alien Popsicles: The Tamagotchi are asleep for millions of light years...Until you wake them up.
Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking: In the 1990s, the original gen 1 and gen 2 Tamagotchi pets caused a disturbance during school, since these pets can die in half a day or less.
- Averted with future Tama releases and releases, they now have much needed features, like the pause button.
Back from the Dead: In 2017, Namco Bandai rerelease the original Tamagotchi, one year later, America got them.
Benevolent Alien Invasion: Some of the tamas traveled millions of light years, just to get to earth and research what it's like, by getting humans to take care of them.
Cash Cow Franchise: In Japan, anyway; the franchise brings in a steady stream of income there.
Crossover: There's some special Tamagotchi, like Pokemon, Sanrio, and Godzilla.
Do Well, But Not Perfect: Because the critter your egg grows into is based on how you care for it, getting a specific creature can be a tricky task. The second-best character is reputedly the hardest to get.
No Export for You: Before the re-releases, non-Japanese fans had to buy new Tamagotchi from online Japanese hobby stores.
Five-Man Band: Used in the second anime series.
- Big Brother Mentor/The Smart Guy: Mametchi
- The Chick: Memetchi
- The Big Guy: Kuchipatchi
- Tagalong Kid: Chamametchi
- Kid Appeal Character: Kikitchi
  - Sixth Ranger: Lovelitchi
  - Team Pet: Hapihapitchi
Going Mobile: Tamagotchi Classic - Gen 1, My Tamagotchi Forever, and more on the way, baby.
Guilt Based Gaming: If you don't tend to your Tamagotchi, it will die. You Bastard.
Killed Off for Real: Your Tamagotchi when it dies.
Merchandise-Driven: Arguably, the second anime series is built around this trope.
Mini Games: One can play with their tamagotchi in minigames as a form of bonding and exercising.
Mission Pack Sequel: Many releases are basically additions to the previous version's base.
Narnia Time: Tamagotchi Planet's time is very different from Earth's, which is why the player has to adjust his pet's clock to earth time.
Nobody Poops: Averted; your Tamagotchi leaves messes for you to clean up. Not cleaning them up will make it sick, and could kill them.
Raising Sim
Ridiculously Cute Critter: Many of the Tamagotchis.
Series Mascot: Mametchi.
- Formerly Mimitchi.
Serious Business: Some Tama owners become so sad when their virtual pets died that they hold a funeral service. Just to remember their late Tamas as they were.
Simulation Game
Sugar Bowl
Sweet Dreams Fuel
Theme Tune Cameo: Tanpopo's ringtone in the movie is the movie's ending theme.
There's No Place Like Home: Some of the Tamagotchi generations, like Gen 2, will definitely phone home and return to their home planet...Depending how well the care its' gotten.
Ugly Cute: Neglected Tamas, who managed to evolve into teen or adulthood, are these.
Video Game Caring Potential
Video Game Cruelty Potential