Disney released the first Tsum Tsum plush toys in Japan in 2013.
The line began as a range of small, stackable plush toys based on Disney characters. Their cylindrical shape was designed so the toys could be arranged in towers, which helped give the collection its name: “tsumu” means “to stack” in Japanese.
Tsum Tsum merchandise expanded beyond plush toys into stationery, accessories, games, clothing, and other licensed products. The characters came from Disney animation, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars, although the earliest releases centered on familiar Disney characters.
A common mix-up is confusing the Japanese launch with the later international rollout. Disney introduced Tsum Tsum products outside Japan after the original 2013 release, and the collection became especially recognizable through its simplified, rounded character designs.