In 2005, tokidoki debuted, becoming a powerhouse of cute characters with unique names and fascinating backstories, often collaborating with other art, brands, and characters, decorating nearly everything from collectible toys, clothing, office/school supplies, and accessories. Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer Simone Legno and Co-Founder and CEO Pooneh Mohajer have successfully sent tokidoki soaring, creating, and releasing new series' of characters from Mermicornos, Unicornos to the very popular, sweet Donutella and her friends.
Fast forward to 20 years later, and we have the release of the family-friendly animated series Mermicorno: Starfall starring Legno's Mermicornos (Unicornos who fell into the ocean with falling stars). Released on HBO MAX, the show is about four Mermicornos and their half-human/half- Mermicorno friend Kameko searching for Pearl Girl and Kameko's father, while trying to uncover their lost memories.
The television show embodies what we love about tokidoki, while adding important life lessons and morals with this sense of magic and adventure. Season 1 ended on an impressive cliffhanger but there's more to come for our Mermicornos.
Legno has answered our burning questions about the show, what's next for our heroes, and the lifestyle brand tokidoki.
Q: How did the concept of Mermicorno: Starfall begin?
A: The Mermicorno have been a big part of the tokidoki world since we first introduced them in 2016. From the very beginning, they captured fans’ hearts with their elegance, mystery, and the magic of the ocean. There’s something so special about them—the idea that Unicornos fell into the sea and transformed into these mystical, beautiful creatures. It’s a story of change, destiny, and adventure, which I love exploring in my art.
Over the years, the Mermicorno family has grown, and it’s been amazing to see how much fans connect with them. They’ve become one of the core families in the tokidoki universe, and I love designing new Mermicornos, each with their own unique look and personality. Expanding into animation with Mermicorno: Starfall felt like a natural next step—bringing their world to life in a whole new way!
Q: Why an animated television show about Mermicornos and not Unicornos or your other tokidoki characters?
A: I love all my tokidoki characters, and I think so many of them could have their own animated adventures! But Mermicorno: Starfall felt like the perfect place to start because the ocean is such a mysterious and magical setting, it’s like another world, full of possibilities.
Mermicornos already have this built-in sense of adventure. They live beneath the waves, in a place that most of us can only imagine. That gave me a lot of creative freedom to explore new stories, new creatures, and even new realms beyond the ocean. Also, the idea of the Starfall event, where these celestial forces change everything, felt like a great way to introduce a big, exciting story that could grow and evolve over time.
Q: How much input did you have with Mermicorno: Starfall?
A: I was very involved! Mermicorno: Starfall is really close to my heart, so I wanted to make sure it stayed true to the spirit of tokidoki. From the early concept development to the character designs, the world-building, and even the story elements, I worked closely with the team to bring this vision to life. I had the chance to collaborate with our amazing partners at Atomic Comics, and Shea Fontana, who brought her own creative energy to the project. Their input was invaluable in shaping the direction of the show and ensuring that the storytelling and animation were as magical and exciting as the characters themselves.
I worked with my business partner Pooneh Mohajer to shape the look and feel of the show, making sure it captured that signature tokidoki style—playful, colorful, and full of magic. I also collaborated on the overall story, making sure it had the right mix of adventure, emotion, and kawaii charm. It was important to me that fans, both old and new, could feel the heart and soul of tokidoki in every part of the series.
Q: Were there any character/s or episode/s that didn’t make the final cut for Mermicorno: Starfall?
A: When creating Mermicorno: Starfall, I was really focused on telling a complete and cohesive story, so everything we included felt integral to the world we were building. There were definitely many ideas, characters, and concepts that we explored in early development, but as the story came together, we made sure every character and episode served a purpose.
Every piece that made it into Mermicorno: Starfall feels like it was meant to be there, and I’m excited for fans to experience the full story as it is!
Q: Who is your favorite character from Mermicorno: Starfall and why?
A: If I had to choose, I’d say Pearl Girl is especially captivating. Her journey really speaks to the themes of transformation and inner strength, as well as the tension between good and evil. There's something so cool about how she’s tied to the celestial event of Starfall—her journey includes moments of darkness mixed with light.
Her design, with those deep, shimmering hues and the sharp contrasts, really brings out the cosmic energy she holds. She’s not just a character of beauty, she’s strong, confident, and has layers of depth that make her so interesting to explore.
Q: What is next for Mermicorno: Starfall?
A: I can’t reveal too much yet, but we have so many exciting things planned. The possibilities are vast and full of mysteries, and there’s still so much to explore—new characters, new adventures, and of course, more magic!
I want to continue expanding the storyline, diving deeper (literally!) into the ocean realms and beyond. There are endless possibilities, and I hope fans will fall in love with these characters and their journey just as much as I have.
And of course, tokidoki is always growing, so you can expect more collectibles, collaborations, and surprises inspired by Mermicorno: Starfall! Stay tuned—this is just the first wave!
Q: Will we see an animated show or film about other tokidoki characters?
A: I’ve always dreamed of bringing more of the tokidoki universe to life through animation. There are so many stories to tell—Unicornos, Cactus Friends, Moofia, Donutella and her sweet friends… each of them has their own unique world and personality that could translate beautifully into a series or even a film!
Q: Who or what has been your greatest inspiration for your tokidoki character creations?
A: My biggest inspiration for creating tokidoki characters has always been Japan’s cute character culture—the world of kawaii mascots, charming characters, and playful storytelling. Ever since I was young, I was fascinated by how Japan incorporates characters into everyday life—whether it’s city mascots, anime, or even adorable designs on packaging. There’s this beautiful way of mixing art, personality, and storytelling into something that makes people smile, and that has always inspired me.
I also draw inspiration from my love of pop culture, fashion, and street art. I grew up admiring Japanese design, anime, and classic mascots, and I wanted to create something that felt fresh but still had that sense of nostalgia and joy. tokidoki is my way of bringing all of these influences together—mixing cute with edgy, fantasy with reality, and giving people characters that feel like little companions in their lives.
Q: What is next for you and tokidoki?
A: tokidoki is always evolving—we have new collections, collaborations, and creative projects in the works. I’m always dreaming up new characters and stories, so you can definitely expect more surprises in the future. Whether it’s expanding into new forms of storytelling, new collectibles, or even more animated projects, I want to keep growing the tokidoki universe and sharing its magic with the world. For me, tokidoki is a lifelong journey—it’s about spreading positivity, creativity, and fun. So, the future? It’s full of endless possibilities, and I’m so excited to keep creating and bringing joy to fans everywhere!
Q: Can we expect future tokidoki collaborations and if so with who?
A: Absolutely! Collaborations are in tokidoki’s DNA. Over the years, we’ve had the chance to work with some amazing brands, and I’m always looking for new partnerships that align with the tokidoki spirit—creative, fun, and full of energy.
I can’t reveal too much just yet, but there are definitely some exciting collaborations in the works with brands and artists that I admire. Expect to see some fresh tokidoki designs in unexpected places and with some truly unique brands. The goal is always to bring tokidoki into different worlds and connect with new audiences while staying true to the heart of what we do—spreading joy and creativity.
So yes, more collaborations are definitely coming your way! Stay tuned, and you won’t want to miss them!
Stream Mermicorno: Starfall season 1 on HBO MAX.