Zhu Zhu Pets, the lifelike robotic plush hamsters from toyco Cepia that took the toy industry by storm during the 2009 holiday season and sold 70 million units in just two years, are back in action.
Missouri-based Cepia has unveiled the new Zhu Zhu Pets line this past week at Toy Fair New York ahead of the official product launch this fall, which is timed with a new 2D-animated TV series from Nelvana that is set to air in the US.
The new fab four–Pipsqueak, Num Nums (pictured), Mr. Squiggles and Chunk–are 25% larger than the previous iteration, come packed with advanced AI features and sport a fresh look inspired by the animated series.
In addition to the four furry main characters, the range consists of a playset with tunnels, vehicles, a light-up hamster wheel and other accessories, all of which target kids ages three and up.
Cepia also revealed a host of other new products at the four-day toy extravaganza in Manhattan, including the new Charm U range of collectible charms for girls five and up; Mimi’s Secrets, another collectibles line that features 42 brightly colored dragons, griffons and unicorns aimed at girls three to eight; and the trash-talking, remote-controlled Big Robots, which pivot at their base and mimic the user’s motion to deliver left and right hooks.