In 2026, Tamagotchi turns 30 years old. What began in 1996 as a keychain with a screen the size of a stamp is now a global franchise spanning Wi-Fi-connected devices, fashion collabs, and brand-new hardware. Here’s how Bandai is marking the milestone — and a look back at how we got here.
The 30th Anniversary Celebration
Bandai is celebrating three decades with a full lineup of anniversary launches, new partnerships, and a national celebration. Highlights include:
- A 30th Anniversary Tamagotchi device at the heart of the celebration, alongside new collectibles and Shokugan-style magnets.
- New Original Tamagotchi designs, reviving the classic look in fresh colorways.
- New Tamagotchi Connection shells bringing back the beloved connecting era.
- Brand partnerships and collaborations across fashion and pop culture.
2026 Collaborations
| Collab | What it is |
|---|---|
| Casetify x Tamagotchi | A fashion-tech collection — including a fully playable Original Tamagotchi in a limited edition, tied to a Shibuya Parco pop-up. |
| Tamagotchi nano x Blue Lock | An anime collaboration edition of the keychain-sized nano. |
| Original & Connection reissues | Anniversary re-releases of the devices that started it all. |
30 Years in Brief
| Era | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1996 | The original Tamagotchi launches in Japan — a keychain virtual pet that could “die” if neglected. A global craze follows. |
| 1997 | The first connecting features arrive, letting two devices interact — the seed of decades of social play. |
| 2000s | The Connection era brings color, marriage, and generations. |
| 2010s | The iD / P’s era and beyond push graphics and downloadable content forward. |
| 2021 | The camera-based Pix modernizes the formula. |
| 2023 | The Wi-Fi-connected Uni opens up the online Tamaverse. |
| 2025 | Tamagotchi Paradise debuts with its zoom-crank planet and multiple fields. |
| 2026 | The 30th anniversary — plus new Paradise versions Orange Tropics and White Glacier. |
Why Tamagotchi Endures
A Nintendo legend once admitted this little toy out-shined his own game in 1996. Three decades on, the appeal is unchanged: a tiny creature that needs you. The hardware has gone from one-button monochrome to Wi-Fi color worlds, but the heartbeat — care for it, and it grows with you — is exactly the same.
For the full origin story, the school bans, and the craze that started it all, read our complete History of Tamagotchi.