Pichi Pichi Gonzalez

Pichi Pichi Gonzalez (ピチピチゴンザレス) is a toy that was sold in Japan by Bandai. It was also sold under other names, such as "Cyber Bug" by Kwongfei and "Space Reptile" by another unknown company. Bandai released it on the 29th of September, 2001, according to their official website, and it retailed for 1000 yen. The toy requires 3 AA batteries.

Pichi Pichi Gonzalez received its name due to how energetic the toy seems, as it moves around fast while singing. Bandai aimed to sell 1,000,000 units until the end of March, 2002. While the target audience was broad, Bandai was more focused on targeting men and women who were in their 20s or 30s, and the toy was to be sold at pet shops as well as toy shops. Bandai's website mentions a 'sister product' had 3 million units sold in the U.S., but the website does not mention the name of the product. I wonder if it could be referring to Cy-Purr Mouse, which was sold as a toy for cats and a toy you could play with.

Appearance

The toy resembles a droplet-shaped creature with two little pointed legs on its left and right sides, and a little, pointed tail. It has a pair of oval-shaped, translucent eyes.

It comes in the following colors with translucent shells:

Dark blue
Red
Green
Yellow
Purple
Black

Opaque colors:

Pink
Gray (with a tint of either blue/green mixed in)
Yellow

The opaque ones were released later. Some of them have a sticker that says 'new color' on their packaging.

Functions

The toy will start moving around with bump and go action, in response to a sudden noise. You can clap your hands to make it move. Additionally, it makes the same sort of noises Captain Cat makes; running anime sounds, saying “Uh-oh!”, and teasing you by singing, “Na na na na na na!” The lights in its eyes flash, also.

Bandai's website mentions you can either play with it, or you can use it as a dog toy.

Other Versions

Cyber Bug

Kwong Fei’s website features an image of a few colors, including blue, green, and purple color schemes. I haven't found a source confirming they sold a red one, but there is an old blog post mentioning Cyber Bug with a photo of three of them, including the red one. Don't know for sure if any other company out there may have also sold it as "Cyber Bug" or if only Kwong Fei did.

Gallery

I-Bug

Only known to have been sold in blue by an unknown company. The packaging shows illustrations of what appear to be a purple and an orange version.

Space Reptile

He looks more like a spaceship, despite his name! It's only known to come in purple, and it has a visor, instead of a pair of eyes. The company that sold it is unknown.