// KOTAKU — GAMING
The Smallest Tamagotchi Yet Lives Inside A One Inch Screen On Your Finger
The concept of caring for your own virtual pet was once seen as a fad, following the explosion in popularity and later decline in interest for Tamagotchi upon its initial debut in the late 1990s. Instead, Y2K nostalgia and new iterations of the toy have pushed the creatures back into the public consciousness. As more companies seek to create virtual pets of their own and Tamagotchi creators Bandai push out new designs and updated editions to keep up with demand, Tamagotchi Ring might just be the most unique (and smallest) version to date, designed to bridge the gap between style and functionality.
Revealed at Japan’s annual Tokyo Toy Show at Tokyo Big Sight, the Tamagotchi Ring is the company’s attempt to bring the toy explicitly into the world of fashion by shrinking the virtual pet down to a size that can fit on your finger. The whole device measures just 23mm x 28mm in size (roughly 0.9inch x 1.1inch), all while remaining fully functional through minuscule buttons and a screen roughly half the size of the already-tiny trinket. The fact that your pet now lives on your hand will certainly ensure you don’t forget to feed or play with it, with promotional images showing people wearing it while holding cake and other items.
Yet the device feels most catered towards being a fashion accessory, and that’s no coincidence. With Tamagotchi’s nostalgic revival amongst those who grew up with it and the obsession with Y2K bringing in younger fans, Bandai has sought to expand the franchise beyond toys by partnering with artists and fashion brands both large and small, including Uniqlo. While many people buying these devices may actively want to raise their own virtual pet, just as many also are happy to wear a Tamagotchi as an accessory to their outfit.
The device is even available in three different colors to match your style: pink and pearl white, light blue and metallic gold, and black and metallic silver. Currently, the device is only available on the company’s official website, with the first round of pre-orders scheduled to ship in February 2026 already sold out. A new round of pre-orders will open on August 29th, but it seems like the chances of getting your hands on one anytime soon may prove to be quite the challenge.
Don’t miss the latest reviews, news and tips. Sign up for our free newsletter.
Kenji Kamiyama's 'RG Project' Gundam universe kicks off next year, starting with the brand new anime Gundam RG XARX-ZERO
One Piece TCG resellers in Japan are flaunting truckloads of Weekly Shonen Jump's latest issue, causing issue 33 to sell out in bookstores across the country
Echoes of Aincrad features a custom protagonist and other changes
Katsuhiro Harada stated in 2017 that the "video of a man’s dog being headlocked by a kangaroo" prevented Roger Jr. from making it into Tekken 7
According to the new report, Crunchyroll, Bandai Namco, Square Enix and Shueisha will likely be offered the METI's government subsidies