Difference between revisions of "Fairy Tails"

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Like the Little Ponies, the Fairy Tails are a species of multi-colored, slightly deformed animals with a pronounced tail and head plume and a unique [[symbol]] on each of them. As with their more popular peers, they were sold with ribbons and combs to do their hair with, but they also each came with a perch. ''Fairy Tails'' toys possess limited articulation in their feet, which can clasp around something, like their perch or a finger, open and turn. Naturally, this means that the feet are the part most easily broken on the average ''Fairy Tails'' toy.  
 
Like the Little Ponies, the Fairy Tails are a species of multi-colored, slightly deformed animals with a pronounced tail and head plume and a unique [[symbol]] on each of them. As with their more popular peers, they were sold with ribbons and combs to do their hair with, but they also each came with a perch. ''Fairy Tails'' toys possess limited articulation in their feet, which can clasp around something, like their perch or a finger, open and turn. Naturally, this means that the feet are the part most easily broken on the average ''Fairy Tails'' toy.  
  
==Fiction==
+
{| align="right"
 +
|-
 +
|colspan="3" align="center"|'''1988 Hasbro Pre-Toy Fair Catalog Pages'''
 +
|-
 +
|[[Image: fairy-tails-catalog1.jpg|200px]]
 +
|[[Image: fairy-tails-catalog2.jpg|200px]]
 +
|[[Image: fairy-tails-catalog3.jpg|200px]]
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
=Fiction=
 
''Faiy Tails'' fiction is limited to the toys' backcard stories and the few commercials produced for the line. According to the commercials, the Fairy Tails were once normal birds who got their luxurious tails and head plumes from a fairy.
 
''Faiy Tails'' fiction is limited to the toys' backcard stories and the few commercials produced for the line. According to the commercials, the Fairy Tails were once normal birds who got their luxurious tails and head plumes from a fairy.
  
==Toyline==
+
*TV ad on [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl0eztvCOvs youtube]
===Originals===
+
 
The original ''Fairy Tails'' set comprises twelve toys, two color palettes for each of the six poses. Unlike the other sets, there is no theme or unity to their symbols. Each bird was sold with a bird-shaped comb, a perch, a tulle and a satin ribbon. In the UK, some also came with a 3-pack of bow-shaped hair clip.
+
 
*Taffeta Tails
+
== [[G1 Comic Books|My Little Pony Comics]] ==
*Tasty Tails
+
<gallery widths="150" heights="200">
*Tattle Tails
+
File:MLPaF10.jpg|My Little Pony and Friends #10
*Tickle Tails
+
File:MLPaF12.jpg|My Little Pony and Friends #12
*Tinsel Tails
+
File:MLPaF13.jpg|My Little Pony and Friends #13
*Tippy Tails
+
File:MLPaF14.jpg|My Little Pony and Friends #14
*Tricky Tails
+
File:MLPaF15.jpg|My Little Pony and Friends #15
*True Love Tails
+
File:MLPaF16.jpg|My Little Pony and Friends #16
*Tulip Tails
+
</gallery>
*Tu Tu Tails
+
 
*Twilight Tails
+
=Toyline=
*Twinkle Tails
+
==Originals==
 +
[[Image: tu-tu-tails-backcard.jpg|thumb|Tu Tu Tails' Backcard Story]]
 +
The original ''Fairy Tails'' set comprises twelve toys, two color palettes for each of the six poses. Unlike the other sets, there is no theme or unity to their symbols. Each bird was sold with a bird-shaped comb, a perch, a tulle and a satin ribbon. In the UK, some also came with a 3-pack of bow-shaped hair clips.
 +
<gallery heights="150" widths="150" perrow="4">
 +
 
 +
Image: taffeta-tails.jpg|[[Taffeta Tails]]
 +
Image: tasty-tails.jpg|[[Tasty Tails]]
 +
Image: tattle-tails.jpg|[[Tattle Tails]]
 +
Image: tickle-tails.jpg|[[Tickle Tails]]
 +
Image: tinsel-tails.jpg|[[Tinsel Tails]]
 +
Image: tippy-tails.jpg|[[Tippy Tails]]
 +
Image: tricky-tails.jpg|[[Tricky Tails]]
 +
Image: true-love-tails.jpg|[[True Love Tails]]
 +
Image: tulip-tails.jpg|[[Tulip Tails]]
 +
Image: tu-tu-tails.jpg|[[Tu Tu Tails]]
 +
Image: twilight-tails.jpg|[[Twilight Tails]]
 +
Image: twinkle-tails.jpg|[[Twinkle Tails]]
 +
 
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
<gallery widths="150px" heights="150px" caption="MIB" perrow="4">
 +
 
 +
Image:TAFETTA UK card 1.jpg|[[Taffeta Tails]]
 +
Image:Taisty Tails in italy box 1.jpg|[[Tasty Tails]]
 +
Image:Tattle Tails in france dutch box 1.jpg|[[Tattle Tails]]
 +
Image:Tickle tails A.jpg|[[Tickle Tails]]
 +
Image:Tinsel Tails in italy box 1.jpg|[[Tinsel Tails]]
 +
Image:Photo Needed Placeholder.jpg|[[Tippy Tails]] '''(need MIP photo)'''
 +
Image:Tricky Tails in USA box 1.jpg|[[Tricky Tails]]
 +
Image:True Love Tails in italy box 1.jpg|[[True Love Tails]]
 +
Image:Photo Needed Placeholder.jpg|[[Tulip Tails]] '''(need MIP photo)'''
 +
Image:Tu-Tu Tails in france dutch box 1.jpg|[[Tu Tu Tails]]
 +
Image:Twilight tails in france dutch box 1.jpg|[[Twilight Tails]]
 +
Image:Photo Needed Placeholder.jpg|[[Twinkle Tails]] '''(need MIP photo)'''
  
===Fuzzy Tummies===
+
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
==Fuzzy Tummies==
 +
[[File:Snuggle Tails in USA box 2.jpg|thumb|Us Back]]
 +
[[File:Cloud Puff Tails in Dutch France box 2.jpg|thumb|Dutch/France Back]]
 
The Fuzzy Tummies essentially are the ''Fairy Tails'' variant of the ''My Little Pony'' So Softs. Each bird came with plush patch of fur on their chests, which counted as both their gimmick and their symbol. Because the patches are glued into a depression in the birds' chest, the edges can peel up due to the glue aging. Another potential problem of the Fuzzie Tummies is that the fur patch is suspectible to becoming filthy, moreso than the plastic body. Each Fuzzy Tummy was cast in a different pose from the original set and came with a bird-shaped comb, a perch and an extra long satin ribbon. The European versions came with longer fur and in completely different colors.
 
The Fuzzy Tummies essentially are the ''Fairy Tails'' variant of the ''My Little Pony'' So Softs. Each bird came with plush patch of fur on their chests, which counted as both their gimmick and their symbol. Because the patches are glued into a depression in the birds' chest, the edges can peel up due to the glue aging. Another potential problem of the Fuzzie Tummies is that the fur patch is suspectible to becoming filthy, moreso than the plastic body. Each Fuzzy Tummy was cast in a different pose from the original set and came with a bird-shaped comb, a perch and an extra long satin ribbon. The European versions came with longer fur and in completely different colors.
*Bouncy Tails
+
<gallery widths="150" heights="150" perrow="3">
*Cloud Puff Tails
+
 
*Downy Tails
+
Image: Bouncy-tails.jpg|[[Bouncy Tails]]
*Fluffy Tails
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Image: cloudpuff-tails.jpg|[[Cloud Puff Tails]]
*Huggy Tails
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Image: downy-tails.jpg|[[Downy Tails]]
*Snuggle Tails
+
Image: fluffy-tails.jpg|[[Fluffy Tails]]
 +
Image: huggy-tails.jpg|[[Huggy Tails]]
 +
Image: snuggle-tails.jpg|[[Snuggle Tails]]
 +
 
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
<gallery widths="150px" heights="150px" caption="MIB" perrow="3">
 +
File:Photo Needed Placeholder.jpg|[[Bouncy Tails]] '''(need MIP photo)'''
 +
File:Cloud Puff Tails in Dutch France box 1.jpg|[[Cloud Puff Tails]]
 +
File:Downy Tails in USA box 1.jpg|[[Downy Tails]]
 +
File:Photo Needed Placeholder.jpg|[[Fluffy Tails]] '''(need MIP photo)'''
 +
File:Photo Needed Placeholder.jpg|[[Huggy Tails]] '''(need MIP photo)'''
 +
File:Snuggle Tails in USA box 1.jpg|[[Snuggle Tails]]
 +
 
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
==Tropicals==
 +
[[File:Complete tropical.jpg|thumb|complete set]]
 +
[[File:Tropical backcard.jpg|thumb|backard]]
 +
Tropicals are brightly colored birds with their symbols cast in 3D. Three poses were released in two color palettes per pose. Because the symbols are 3D, each symbol corresponds to a pose. Likewise, each pose comes with a molded piece of headwear, either a fruit hat, sunglasses or a visor. Each Tropical was sold with a palm tree-shaped perch, a transparent and glittery ribbon and a comb.
 +
<gallery widths="150" heights="150" perrow="3">
 +
Image: hula-hula-tails.jpg|[[Hula Hula Tails]]
 +
Image: pina-colada-tails.jpg|[[Pina Colada Tails]]
 +
Image: sea-breeze-tails.jpg|[[Sea Breeze Tails]]
 +
Image: sunny-tails.jpg|[[Sunny Tails]]
 +
Image: tootie-tails.jpg|[[Tootie Tails]]
 +
Image: top-banana-tails.jpg|[[Top Banana Tails]]
 +
 
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
<gallery widths="150px" heights="150px" caption="MIB" perrow="3">
 +
File:Hula hula tails.jpg|[[Hula Hula Tails]]
 +
File:Pina colada.jpg|[[Pina Colada Tails]]
 +
File:Sea breeze tails.jpg|[[Sea Breeze Tails]]
 +
File:Sunny tails.jpg|[[Sunny Tails]]
 +
File:Tootie tails.jpg|[[Tootie Tails]]
 +
File:Top banana tails.jpg|[[Top Banana Tails]]
  
===Tropicals===
+
</gallery>
The Tropicals are brightly colored birds with their symbols cast in 3D. Three poses were released in two color palettes per pose. Because the symbols are 3D, each symbol corresponds to a pose. Likewise, each pose comes with a molded piece of headwear, either a fruit hat, sunglasses or a visor. Each Tropical was sold with a palm tree-shaped perch, a transparent and glittery ribbon and a comb.
 
*Hula Hula Tails
 
*Pina Colada Tails
 
*Sea Breeze Tails
 
*Sunny Tails
 
*Tootie Tails
 
*Top Banana Tails
 
  
===Baby Flyers===
+
==Baby Flyers==
 +
[[File:Baby tails complete.jpg|thumb|complete set]]
 +
[[File:Fairytales-backcard.jpg|thumb|Backcard]]
 
The Baby Flyers are, as the name suggests, baby versions of the Fairy Tails. Three poses were released in two color palettes per pose. They have bibs for their symbols. To make up for their smaller size, the Baby Flyers were sold in egg-shaped purses. In addition, the tips of their wings are grooved so that they can hold an item that came with the Baby Flyer, which was either a pacifier, a bottle or a rattle. Of course, the toys also came with a small perch.  
 
The Baby Flyers are, as the name suggests, baby versions of the Fairy Tails. Three poses were released in two color palettes per pose. They have bibs for their symbols. To make up for their smaller size, the Baby Flyers were sold in egg-shaped purses. In addition, the tips of their wings are grooved so that they can hold an item that came with the Baby Flyer, which was either a pacifier, a bottle or a rattle. Of course, the toys also came with a small perch.  
*Teddi Tails
 
*Tidbit Tails
 
*Tiddly Wink Tails
 
*Tinker Tails
 
*Toddler Tails
 
*Tubby Tails
 
  
===Fan Tails===
+
 
 +
<gallery widths="150" heights="150" caption="Loose" perrow="3">
 +
Image: teddi-tails.jpg||[[Teddi Tails]]
 +
Image: tidbit-tails.jpg|[[Tidbit Tails]]
 +
Image: tiddly-wink-tails.jpg|[[Tiddly Wink Tails]]
 +
Image: tinker-tails.jpg|[[Tinker Tails]]
 +
Image: toddler-tails.jpg|[[Todddler Tails]]
 +
Image:Photo Needed Placeholder.jpg|[[Tubby Tails]] '''(need loose photo)'''
 +
 
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
<gallery widths="150px" heights="150px" caption="MIB" perrow="3">
 +
File:Teddi.jpg|[[Teddi Tails]]
 +
File:Tidbit tails.jpg|[[Tidbit Tails]]
 +
File:Tiddly winks.jpg|[[Tiddly Wink Tails]]
 +
File:Tinker tails.jpg|[[Tinker Tails]]
 +
File:Toddler tails.jpg|[[Todddler Tails]]
 +
File:Tubby tails.jpg|[[TubbyTails]]
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
==Fan Tails==
 
The Fan Tails are to the ''Fairy Tails'' line what the Flutter Ponies are to the ''My Little Pony'' line. The Fan Tail gimmick is a gorgeous, glittering fan attached to the bird's tail, invoking a peacock-esque appearance. However, those fans are also very likely to either break off or have the metallic cloth damaged by uncareful handling of the fan. The Fan Tails were released in three poses with two color palettes per pose, and came with a bird-shaped comb, a perch and a satin ribbon.
 
The Fan Tails are to the ''Fairy Tails'' line what the Flutter Ponies are to the ''My Little Pony'' line. The Fan Tail gimmick is a gorgeous, glittering fan attached to the bird's tail, invoking a peacock-esque appearance. However, those fans are also very likely to either break off or have the metallic cloth damaged by uncareful handling of the fan. The Fan Tails were released in three poses with two color palettes per pose, and came with a bird-shaped comb, a perch and a satin ribbon.
 +
 +
<gallery widths="150" heights="150">
 +
Image: daisy-tails.jpg|Daisy Tails
 +
Image: fancy-tails.jpg|Fancy Tails
 +
Image: flutter-tails.jpg|Flutter Tails
 +
Image: sparkle-tails.jpg|Sparkle Tails
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
*Daisy Tails
 
*Daisy Tails
 
*Fancy Tails
 
*Fancy Tails
Line 59: Line 160:
 
*Sparkle Tails
 
*Sparkle Tails
  
===Jewelry Birds===
+
==Jewelry Birds==
 +
[[File:Mini tails B (2).jpg|thumb|Backcard]]
 
The Jewelry Birds are a quaint set of miniature, symbol-less Fairy Tails meant to be worn as part of a jewelry ensemble. The Jewelry Birds came with necklaces, headbands, rings and bracelets on which they could perch and that could be worn by young girls. As per usual, six items were released in the set, but one of them contained three birds (and only one piece of jewelry), bringing the total of Fairy Tails released in the set up to eight. In addition to the jewelry perches, miniature versions of the normal perches were also included, along with a small comb.
 
The Jewelry Birds are a quaint set of miniature, symbol-less Fairy Tails meant to be worn as part of a jewelry ensemble. The Jewelry Birds came with necklaces, headbands, rings and bracelets on which they could perch and that could be worn by young girls. As per usual, six items were released in the set, but one of them contained three birds (and only one piece of jewelry), bringing the total of Fairy Tails released in the set up to eight. In addition to the jewelry perches, miniature versions of the normal perches were also included, along with a small comb.
*Necklace & ring set
 
*Necklace & locket set
 
*Hair clip & bracelet set
 
*Hairband & ring set
 
*Bracelet & locket set
 
*Ring set
 
  
===Playsets===
+
<gallery widths="150" heights="150" caption="Loose" perrow="3">
 +
Image: Photo Needed Placeholder.jpg||[[Necklace & ring set]] '''(need loose photo)'''
 +
Image: Photo Needed Placeholder.jpg|[[Necklace & locket set]] '''(need loose photo)'''
 +
Image: Photo Needed Placeholder.jpg|[[Hair clip & bracelet set]] '''(need loose photo)'''
 +
Image: Photo Needed Placeholder.jpg|[[Hairband & ring set]] '''(need loose photo)'''
 +
Image: Photo Needed Placeholder.jpg|[[Bracelet & locket sets]] '''(need loose photo)'''
 +
Image:Photo Needed Placeholder.jpg|[[Tiara & Ring set]] '''(need loose photo)'''
 +
 
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
<gallery widths="150px" heights="150px" caption="MOC" perrow="3">
 +
File: Photo Needed Placeholder.jpg|[[Necklace & ring set]] '''(need MOC photo)'''
 +
File: Photo Needed Placeholder.jpg|[[Necklace & locket set]] '''(need MOC photo)'''
 +
File:Mini tails B (1).jpg|[[Hair clip & bracelet set]]
 +
File: Photo Needed Placeholder.jpg|[[Hairband & ring set]] '''(need MOC photo)'''
 +
File: Photo Needed Placeholder.jpg|[[Bracelet & locket sets]] '''(need MOC photo)'''
 +
File:Mini tails A (1).jpg|[[Tiara & Ring set]]
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
=Playsets=
 
[[Image: mib-tiffany-tails.jpg|thumb|MIB Tiffany Tails and the Curly Q Boutique]]
 
[[Image: mib-tiffany-tails.jpg|thumb|MIB Tiffany Tails and the Curly Q Boutique]]
 +
[[Image: sunshine-gazebo.jpg|thumb|Sunshine Gazebo]]
 
Three playsets were released for the ''Fairy Tails'' line, a fourth never leaving the prototype stage.
 
Three playsets were released for the ''Fairy Tails'' line, a fourth never leaving the prototype stage.
* Curly Q Boutique - an egg-shaped beauty salon. Included in the set were Tiffany Tails, two curlers, two ribbon-shaped hair clips, a bird-shaped comb, another comb and a tulle ribbon.
+
<br style="clear: both" />
* Love Bird - a heart-enshrined perch. The set included two nameless Fairy Tails as a couple, the male being marked with a blue bow tie. It also came with a long satin ribbon to either decorate the perch with.
+
==Curly Q Boutique==
* Sunshine Gazebo - a two-level house with elevator in the center. The set included Tea Rose Tails, a table, a chair, a mirror, a bed, two teacups, two plates, two bowls, a teapot, an umbrella, a comb, ribbons and hair netting.
+
-an egg-shaped beauty salon. Included in the set were Tiffany Tails, two curlers, two ribbon-shaped hair clips, a bird-shaped comb, another comb and a tulle ribbon.
* ''Home Tweet Home'' - ''a bird house with attached whistle and chirp mechanics. The set was to include Baby Tippy Tails, a mirror, a swing, a large perch, a bird-shaped comb, another comb, flower-shaped hair clips and hair netting."
+
<br style="clear: both" />
 +
==Love Bird==
 +
- a heart-enshrined perch. The set included two nameless Fairy Tails as a couple, the male being marked with a blue bow tie. It also came with a long satin ribbon to either decorate the perch with.
 +
<br style="clear: both" />
 +
==Sunshine Gazebo==
 +
[[Image: tea-rose-tails.jpg|thumb|Tea Rose Tails (aka Tea Time Tails)]]
 +
[[File:Sunshinegazebo1.jpg|thumb|Box (front)]]
 +
[[File:Sunshinegazebo2.jpg|thumb|Box (back)]]
 +
- a two-level house with elevator in the center. The set included Tea Rose Tails, a table, a chair, a mirror, a bed, two teacups, two plates, two bowls, a teapot, an umbrella, a comb, ribbons and hair netting.
 +
 
  
===Mail Order===
+
:"It is interesting to note that the 1987 Hasbro toy line catalog names the bird that comes with this set as "Tea Time Tails". Either the catalog has a typo, or her name was changed prior to production, as the playset box does list her as Tea Rose Tails."<ref>http://www.fairytailscollector.com/sunshine.html</ref>
 +
 
 +
<gallery caption="Instructions" widths=150px heights=150px perrow=2>
 +
File:Sunshinegazebo3.jpg
 +
File:Sunshinegazebo4.jpg
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
<br style="clear: both" />
 +
 
 +
==Home Tweet Home==
 +
 
 +
-a bird house with attached whistle and chirp mechanics. The set was to include Baby Tippy Tails, a mirror, a swing, a large perch, a bird-shaped comb, another comb, flower-shaped hair clips and hair netting."
 +
 
 +
<br style="clear:both">
 +
 
 +
=Merchandise=
 +
<gallery widths="150px" heights="150px">
 +
File:TwilightTails.jpg|Twilight Tails Bedside Torch
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
=Mail Order=
 
Akin to the [[Horseshoe Points]], ''Fairy Tails'' items came with Wing Points. Little is known about the [[Mail Order]] items released - the only certain mail-away offer is a Fairy Tail Hair Styling Kit made available to residents of the United Kingdoms, Eire and Channel Islands. For the price of £2,50 and 1 Wing Point, participants received a poster which featured the Fairy Tails and step-by-step instuctions of how to do their hair, along with the materials to accomplish the desired looks: nine ribbons, three feather accessories, three hair styling rods and three silk flowers.
 
Akin to the [[Horseshoe Points]], ''Fairy Tails'' items came with Wing Points. Little is known about the [[Mail Order]] items released - the only certain mail-away offer is a Fairy Tail Hair Styling Kit made available to residents of the United Kingdoms, Eire and Channel Islands. For the price of £2,50 and 1 Wing Point, participants received a poster which featured the Fairy Tails and step-by-step instuctions of how to do their hair, along with the materials to accomplish the desired looks: nine ribbons, three feather accessories, three hair styling rods and three silk flowers.
  
==Notes==
+
=Notes=
 
* During Year Nine, Hasbro revived the idea of non-pony ''My Little Pony''-esque lines, resulting in ''[[My Little Bunny]]'', ''[[My Little Kitty]]'' and ''[[My Little Puppy]]''. These lines pressed the connection with ''My Little Pony'', unlike ''Fairy Tails'' had done, despite that those lines were far less in the spirit of ''My Little Pony'' than ''Fairy Tails''.
 
* During Year Nine, Hasbro revived the idea of non-pony ''My Little Pony''-esque lines, resulting in ''[[My Little Bunny]]'', ''[[My Little Kitty]]'' and ''[[My Little Puppy]]''. These lines pressed the connection with ''My Little Pony'', unlike ''Fairy Tails'' had done, despite that those lines were far less in the spirit of ''My Little Pony'' than ''Fairy Tails''.
 +
* The Tropical ''Fairy Tails'' set inspired the Year Eight [[Tropical Ponies]] ''My Little Pony'' set. Each of the Tropical Ponies is named after a Tropical Fairy Tail minus the "Tails" part. Except for [[Tootie Tails]], whose name is identical to the Fairy Tail Tootie Tails.
 +
* Hair clip models and curlers were shared between the ''Fairy Tails'' and ''My Little Pony'' lines.
  
==External links==
+
=External links=
 
*[http://fairytailscollector.com/main.html fairytailscollector.com]
 
*[http://fairytailscollector.com/main.html fairytailscollector.com]
 
*[http://www.fairytailfriends.com/ Fairy Tail Friends]
 
*[http://www.fairytailfriends.com/ Fairy Tail Friends]
 
*[http://www.ghostofthedoll.co.uk/Toys_FairyTails.htm Fairy Tails at Ghost of the Doll]
 
*[http://www.ghostofthedoll.co.uk/Toys_FairyTails.htm Fairy Tails at Ghost of the Doll]
 
*[http://webspace.webring.com/people/gm/mlpparadisedreams/FairyTails.html Fairy Tails at Paradise Dreams]
 
*[http://webspace.webring.com/people/gm/mlpparadisedreams/FairyTails.html Fairy Tails at Paradise Dreams]
 +
 +
== References ==
 +
<references/>

Latest revision as of 05:38, 12 May 2024

Tiffany Tails

Fairy Tails is a short-lived toyline consisting of My Little Pony-esque birds, which are the titular Fairy Tails. The line was in stores from 1986 to 1987, corresponding with Year Five of Generation 1. This Year saw the release of the Pony Friends in the My Little Pony line, making it a distinct possibility that they and Fairy Tails were part of the same investigation into an expansion of My Little Pony that offered more than only ponies. Neither concept went very far, but the Fairy Tails toys have become a popular extra to the collections of My Little Pony enthusiasts.

Like the Little Ponies, the Fairy Tails are a species of multi-colored, slightly deformed animals with a pronounced tail and head plume and a unique symbol on each of them. As with their more popular peers, they were sold with ribbons and combs to do their hair with, but they also each came with a perch. Fairy Tails toys possess limited articulation in their feet, which can clasp around something, like their perch or a finger, open and turn. Naturally, this means that the feet are the part most easily broken on the average Fairy Tails toy.

1988 Hasbro Pre-Toy Fair Catalog Pages
Fairy-tails-catalog1.jpg Fairy-tails-catalog2.jpg Fairy-tails-catalog3.jpg


Fiction

Faiy Tails fiction is limited to the toys' backcard stories and the few commercials produced for the line. According to the commercials, the Fairy Tails were once normal birds who got their luxurious tails and head plumes from a fairy.


My Little Pony Comics

Toyline

Originals

Tu Tu Tails' Backcard Story

The original Fairy Tails set comprises twelve toys, two color palettes for each of the six poses. Unlike the other sets, there is no theme or unity to their symbols. Each bird was sold with a bird-shaped comb, a perch, a tulle and a satin ribbon. In the UK, some also came with a 3-pack of bow-shaped hair clips.

Fuzzy Tummies

Us Back
Dutch/France Back

The Fuzzy Tummies essentially are the Fairy Tails variant of the My Little Pony So Softs. Each bird came with plush patch of fur on their chests, which counted as both their gimmick and their symbol. Because the patches are glued into a depression in the birds' chest, the edges can peel up due to the glue aging. Another potential problem of the Fuzzie Tummies is that the fur patch is suspectible to becoming filthy, moreso than the plastic body. Each Fuzzy Tummy was cast in a different pose from the original set and came with a bird-shaped comb, a perch and an extra long satin ribbon. The European versions came with longer fur and in completely different colors.

Tropicals

complete set
backard
Tropicals are brightly colored birds with their symbols cast in 3D. Three poses were released in two color palettes per pose. Because the symbols are 3D, each symbol corresponds to a pose. Likewise, each pose comes with a molded piece of headwear, either a fruit hat, sunglasses or a visor. Each Tropical was sold with a palm tree-shaped perch, a transparent and glittery ribbon and a comb.

Baby Flyers

complete set
Backcard

The Baby Flyers are, as the name suggests, baby versions of the Fairy Tails. Three poses were released in two color palettes per pose. They have bibs for their symbols. To make up for their smaller size, the Baby Flyers were sold in egg-shaped purses. In addition, the tips of their wings are grooved so that they can hold an item that came with the Baby Flyer, which was either a pacifier, a bottle or a rattle. Of course, the toys also came with a small perch.


Fan Tails

The Fan Tails are to the Fairy Tails line what the Flutter Ponies are to the My Little Pony line. The Fan Tail gimmick is a gorgeous, glittering fan attached to the bird's tail, invoking a peacock-esque appearance. However, those fans are also very likely to either break off or have the metallic cloth damaged by uncareful handling of the fan. The Fan Tails were released in three poses with two color palettes per pose, and came with a bird-shaped comb, a perch and a satin ribbon.

  • Daisy Tails
  • Fancy Tails
  • Flutter Tails
  • Frosty Tails
  • Love Bird Tails
  • Sparkle Tails

Jewelry Birds

Backcard

The Jewelry Birds are a quaint set of miniature, symbol-less Fairy Tails meant to be worn as part of a jewelry ensemble. The Jewelry Birds came with necklaces, headbands, rings and bracelets on which they could perch and that could be worn by young girls. As per usual, six items were released in the set, but one of them contained three birds (and only one piece of jewelry), bringing the total of Fairy Tails released in the set up to eight. In addition to the jewelry perches, miniature versions of the normal perches were also included, along with a small comb.

Playsets

MIB Tiffany Tails and the Curly Q Boutique
Sunshine Gazebo

Three playsets were released for the Fairy Tails line, a fourth never leaving the prototype stage.

Curly Q Boutique

-an egg-shaped beauty salon. Included in the set were Tiffany Tails, two curlers, two ribbon-shaped hair clips, a bird-shaped comb, another comb and a tulle ribbon.

Love Bird

- a heart-enshrined perch. The set included two nameless Fairy Tails as a couple, the male being marked with a blue bow tie. It also came with a long satin ribbon to either decorate the perch with.

Sunshine Gazebo

Tea Rose Tails (aka Tea Time Tails)
Box (front)
Box (back)

- a two-level house with elevator in the center. The set included Tea Rose Tails, a table, a chair, a mirror, a bed, two teacups, two plates, two bowls, a teapot, an umbrella, a comb, ribbons and hair netting.


"It is interesting to note that the 1987 Hasbro toy line catalog names the bird that comes with this set as "Tea Time Tails". Either the catalog has a typo, or her name was changed prior to production, as the playset box does list her as Tea Rose Tails."[1]


Home Tweet Home

-a bird house with attached whistle and chirp mechanics. The set was to include Baby Tippy Tails, a mirror, a swing, a large perch, a bird-shaped comb, another comb, flower-shaped hair clips and hair netting."


Merchandise

Mail Order

Akin to the Horseshoe Points, Fairy Tails items came with Wing Points. Little is known about the Mail Order items released - the only certain mail-away offer is a Fairy Tail Hair Styling Kit made available to residents of the United Kingdoms, Eire and Channel Islands. For the price of £2,50 and 1 Wing Point, participants received a poster which featured the Fairy Tails and step-by-step instuctions of how to do their hair, along with the materials to accomplish the desired looks: nine ribbons, three feather accessories, three hair styling rods and three silk flowers.

Notes

  • During Year Nine, Hasbro revived the idea of non-pony My Little Pony-esque lines, resulting in My Little Bunny, My Little Kitty and My Little Puppy. These lines pressed the connection with My Little Pony, unlike Fairy Tails had done, despite that those lines were far less in the spirit of My Little Pony than Fairy Tails.
  • The Tropical Fairy Tails set inspired the Year Eight Tropical Ponies My Little Pony set. Each of the Tropical Ponies is named after a Tropical Fairy Tail minus the "Tails" part. Except for Tootie Tails, whose name is identical to the Fairy Tail Tootie Tails.
  • Hair clip models and curlers were shared between the Fairy Tails and My Little Pony lines.

External links

References

  1. http://www.fairytailscollector.com/sunshine.html