The moment I stepped into a busy gallery of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, there were far more activities than I had anticipated. Young adults were gathered around display cases, gushing over puffy dolls. Familiar characters from their childhood surrounded parents with tag-along children. I heard light chatters and heavy bursts of laughter filling an otherwise reverently quiet room.

Nostalgic wistfulness was felt everywhere. It simply seemed it had taken over!

These were only some of the scenes I encountered at Omocha: Japanese Toys Today, the latest exhibition primarily mounted by The Japan Foundation.

Derived from the Japanese word for “toy,” Omocha guided visitors through the evolution of these beloved playthings from the Land of the Rising Sun. The curated presentation meticulously traced figures from earlier decades, joyfully celebrated perennial favorites, and proudly introduced current sensations.

Among the most popular sections were the Gundam displays. Known to enthusiasts as Gunpla, these plastic model robots require intricate assembly and have developed a faithful following all their own. Since 2024, more than 800 million units have reportedly been sold worldwide.

Transformers may have gained fame in the West. However, the toys themselves were brought to life through the collaboration of TAKARA TOMY and Hasbro. Nearby stood another pillar of Japanese pop culture, Ultraman, the long-running tokusatsu series known for its elaborate special effects. Vinyl figures of superheroes and towering kaiju monsters lined the vitrines, reminiscent of many Saturday mornings in front of the television set long ago.

Elsewhere were reminders of other beloved animated franchise: A Doraemon-themed air hockey table invited smiles, while Anpanman, whose stories promoted love and courage, was represented through a variety of prized collectibles. Pretty Cure even brought its magical girls into the mix!

I suspect no exhibition on Japanese toys would be complete without the ever-popular Pokémon, which I learned is the highest-grossing media franchise in the world, surpassing even Disney — yes, you heard that right, even Disney! Pikachu, as the evergreen mascot, remained the crowd favorite, complete with expected oohs and aahs. Then there was Super Mario. Despite being an Italian plumber, he owed his existence to Nintendo and had eventually become one of the most recognizable figures in video games.

Miniature creations also occupied a corner of the expansive hall. Nanoblock offered tiny building pieces reminiscent of Lego, albeit on a much smaller scale. Kawaii — “cute” to you and me — characters enjoyed their own spotlights. Licca-chan, one of Japan’s most lovable dolls and a worthy counterpart to Barbie, shared space with the adorable Hachiware and the forever timeless Hello Kitty and friends.