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Article Review: Disassembling Toys

The dominance of French toys representing a miniature copy of the adult world is being countered and overtaken by the existence of toys patterned from famed fictional characters generated by the powerful imagination to out-of-this-world ones, literally. We see more of sci-fi/ anime action figures like Clone Wars, Harry Potter, Marvel characters, assembly types Gundam Wing and Zoids, Star Wars, GI Joe, the ideal Barbie, Disney collectibles, and many more.

Gundam Wing, written by Katsuyuki Sumizawa


This unquestionable presence disprove Barthes’ claims that toys commonly reflect on the occurrences in the adult world, wherein one, through toys, is trained and prepared for adult responsibilities. Thus, toys nowadays signify the exhibition of wide ranges of ideas for toys to be delighted more by children. I believe that toy makers design their craft works in a way to make children enjoy their innocence and have fun in the world, instead of forcing them to absorb the liability of the old. Moreover, the attention-grabbing force of the media has changed the environment, presenting toys as wonderful objects which would bring happiness to any of the ones who will receive it.


I actually did not have so many toys to think about. It is either I have forgotten them because I had memory loss or I just did not like my toys, or probably I only had a few and went bitter, haha. However, I could still remember my favorite toy, the beyblade set. Choosing among the prototype, the metal blade, and the other spare parts, I would primarily consider the type of blade it has, when purchasing. I want more sparks and when in search for battle, it is easy to find duelers since I have two brothers who are also hooked up to these things. Finding ourselves ready for battle, we’d all place our beyblades near the battle stadium and altogether pull the releaser, and then the battle begins. Sparks fly, and cheers go by. Sometimes my beyblade gets kicked out of the arena, and I would talk to it like what Kai and Ray (anime characters in Beyblade) do. They speak to them as if they have life. Cool, huh?

This plaything contradicts Barthes claims. A beyblade does not exemplify the “microcosm of the adult world”; instead, it gives the child brand new thoughts away, bestowing in him the power to exploit his imagination. He may want to use the beyblade for fun, or maybe to seek challenge, or just simply play with siblings. Barthes may be right in saying that toys were made for users, not creators, but during my own childplay I was used to modifying my beyblade. For once, I tried cross-breeding the parts (metal gears, base case) of two different beyblades, and it was gratifying since I was able to reproduce a new beyblade derived from old ones. With this effect, the beyblade grants its user the chance to reinvent itself, and achieve satisfying results.

Even with its artificiality, happiness is still brought about in any child who owns a toy. There would be little difference in feelings induces whether one object is artificial, detached from reality and nature, or the other way around. The toy’s functionality and inner purpose do not solely rely on its type of material. However, some toys would only work with a specific kind of material composition. One of which, I mentioned, is the beyblade. If it is made of wood, it won’t produce sparks nor cause enough collision. It would be harder for a child to release it and make it turn like the default one. The intended effect of the toy on the child will be more likely hindered. Despite the unnatural composition, more toys become defined and achieve a certain sense of accomplishment, even without eliminating the sense of touch which only nature can give. They still serve their purpose, to make a child happy, and define the essence of playing.
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