How come there wasn't a lot of merchandise (except for plush dolls) to tie in with the 1983-1984 ABC Monchichis cartoon series based on the 1980's Mattel Monchichi toy line.

That is a good question. You are so right. I bet there was more merchandise in Asia but for those of us in N. America, we certainly didn't see too many different things. lol I think a friend of mine has something from Asia that is Monchichi...I know pretty much the only things I have seen were the plushes (as you mentioned) and some pvc figures. I think it would've been cute to see some other stuff. They are pretty versatile, much like Popples, and appeal to no particular sex. They would've been able to sell a lot of various things all across the board with them. :( Who knows though...maybe they'll make a comeback like a lot of other 80s toys...or maybe they have already and I am slow on the mark. LOL

Monchhichis are also popular in Europe I think because I see a few German fan sites of the Monchhichis.

Monchhichis is a Japanese co European production since I read somewhere that the the Europeans helped out with making the Monchhichis in Japan.They kind of look more European a little bit than Japanese.

Monchhichis are still huge in Japan along with other 80s characters like Transformers,My Little Pony,and Gizmo.

I remember reading in my book about Japan that Japan must have made there own Care Bear dolls.I saw this Japanese girl hold a Japanese Care Bear doll.I can tell it is a Care Bear because if you look close,you can see the heart on the tush and they look more Japanese than there American counterpart.I still have the book somewhere I could show you one day.