opinion

Gender Play Gets Creative With Fantasy Toys

Gender Play Gets Creative With Fantasy Toys

Sex toy manufacturers are increasingly recognizing the value of fantasy products, expanding their lines to include ever more diverse designs. What was once considered a niche market has proven to have broad appeal, demonstrating that people are eager to explore desires that extend beyond conventional human experiences. Understanding the draw of such products can help us design, manufacture and market fantasy toys that support the needs and desires of their increasingly numerous devotees.

For some, it’s about tapping into a primal, animalistic energy — hence the popularity of werewolf- or dragon-themed designs. Buyers may be drawn to the aesthetic appeal of a fantasy creature, or they may enjoy the concept of interacting with something that exists beyond human limitations. For others, it’s about self-discovery and identity. This exploration can be deeply affirming for those who feel disconnected from mainstream sexual narratives and want to define their own paths to pleasure.

Fantasy toys also serve as an entry point into a larger world of alternative pleasure practices.

Fantasy toys also serve as an entry point into a larger world of alternative pleasure practices. Many who purchase fantasy-themed products are drawn to role-play scenarios that incorporate their toys into broader narratives. These scenarios can include everything from deeper power-exchange dynamics to immersive cosplay that allows individuals to step into nonhuman personas.

Such fantasy play extends beyond stand-alone toys into immersive role-play experiences such as puppy play, pony play and kitten play. These practices, which involve taking on the persona of an animal — either for psychological fulfillment, power exchange or simple enjoyment — align closely with the fantasy toy market. Many who engage in these forms of play find that fantasy-themed products enhance their experience, allowing them to connect more deeply with their role, enjoy a unique form of escapism and explore diverse desires and identities without judgment.

That includes sexual and gender identities. Traditional sex toys have often been marketed with rigid gender binaries in mind. By contrast, many fantasy toys are deliberately designed without human gender markers, making them appealing and affirming for transgender, gender-diverse and gender-nonconforming folks who don’t feel aligned with traditional gender norms or the pleasure products that cater to them. By removing the constraints of heteronormative design, fantasy toys offer an open-ended exploration of pleasure without reinforcing societal expectations that some shoppers may experience as constricting or exclusive. Fantasy products disrupt gender categories, creating a space where anyone — regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation — can engage in pleasure in a way that feels authentic to them, and explore nontraditional attractions without stigma.

However, despite their rising popularity, fantasy sex toys still face stigma. One common misconception is that engaging with non-human-shaped toys signals an unhealthy or deviant attraction. This assumption stems from a misunderstanding of the role fantasy plays in human sexuality. Humans have long been drawn to the idea of otherworldly beings and creatures, whether in mythology, folklore or modern media. Fantasy toys allow people to explore those attractions in a safe, consensual and imaginative way.

Another stigma suggests that fantasy sex toys are only for fetishists or niche communities, but their growing mainstream popularity proves otherwise. These products appeal to a broad range of people, from those curious about new sensations to those seeking a deeper connection with their fantasies. The increasing presence of fantasy-themed toys on the shelves of major adult retailers demonstrates that they are no longer relegated to the fringes of the industry but are instead becoming an accepted and celebrated part of sexual exploration.

Another common concern is the assumption that fantasy sex toys promote unrealistic expectations or unhealthy escapism. However, the truth is quite the opposite. Engaging with fantasy toys and role-play can often enhance real-world intimacy by allowing individuals to better understand their own desires, communicate their needs with partners, and break free from restrictive social norms that dictate what is considered “normal” in sex and relationships. By embracing fantasy, individuals can become more comfortable with their own sexuality, leading to greater self-acceptance and more fulfilling intimate experiences.

Fantasy sex toys are more than just novelties; they’re a testament to human creativity, sexual evolution and the endless ways we seek pleasure and connection. Whether driven by curiosity, identity exploration or a simple love of all things mythical, those who embrace fantasy toys are helping to reshape the conversation around desire — one dragon, tentacle or alien at a time.

Rin Musick is a 10-year adult retail veteran who has worked in every store position from sales associate to general manager. As a brand ambassador for Sportsheets, she brings her passion for end-user satisfaction to her mission of spreading the word about the company’s historic, current and future innovations in connecting romantic partners.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

profile

Neon Coyotes Sets the Tone for Trendiness With Bespoke Leather Kink Wear

If your kink wear can’t readily make the leap from a dark BDSM dungeon to a sunny, mimosa-fueled brunch, you haven’t yet been initiated into the cult of the Neon Coyotes — fresh, leather kink wear brand transforming restraints into runway-ready art.

Colleen Godin ·
opinion

Why It's Time for Adult Retail to Embrace AI

In the late 1980s, I was working in the rental car business. My first company didn’t have a single computer. Everything — contracts, inventory, employee records — was done by hand. If you wanted a report, you dug through paper files and crunched numbers on a calculator. It was tedious, but it was all we knew.

Zondre Watson ·
opinion

What Retailers Gain by Partnering With Family-Run Brands

In an age increasingly dominated by corporate consolidation and faceless supply chains, choosing to work with a family-owned and operated business can offer retailers a depth of value that goes far beyond pricing and product margins.

Briana Watkins ·
opinion

How the 'Back Massager' Vibrator Became the World's Most Versatile Sex Toy

Wand vibrators are once again having a pop culture moment. Recently, Harry Styles expanded his lifestyle brand, Pleasing, by introducing a “Pleasing Yourself” double-sided wand vibrator developed in collaboration with sex educator Zoë Ligon.

Naima Karp ·
opinion

Strategic Retail Buying in a Shifting Pleasure Economy

Retail buying has never been a static job, but recent volatility in pricing, caused by shifting tariffs, global import costs and freight variations, has demanded a new level of agility for adult industry buyers and managers. As business expenses rise, so does the pressure to optimize the return on every product.

Rin Musick ·
profile

WIA Profile: Cynthia Wielgosz Elliott

The past year has been a challenging one for the team at premier lubricant manufacturer Sliquid. Late in 2024, company co-founder Dean Elliott passed away after battling cancer, though he managed to flash his wide, signature grin until the very end.

Women in Adult ·
opinion

Michigan's Intimate Ideas Offers Playful Retail Setting for Wide Range of Shoppers

Jerry Manis, the regional manager of Intimate Ideas’ Michigan stores, never planned on working in adult retail — but he says it’s turned out to be a surprisingly rewarding gig.

Quinton Bellamie ·
opinion

Kraig McGee Blends Family Values, Creative Background at TAF Distributing

Walk into any Adam & Eve store in the Mountain West region of the U.S. and you’ve likely stumbled into a TAF Distributing outfit. Owned by industry veteran Kraig McGee Jr. and staffed by his closest family members, McGee’s 35 TAF-operated stores span 13 states, from woodsy Idaho to scenic Utah and well beyond.

Colleen Godwin ·
opinion

How Pleasure Brands Can Ethically Market to LGBTQ+ Communities

Every June, the rainbow floodgates open. Suddenly, pleasure products are “Pride-themed,” companies change their logos and brands rush to show just how inclusive they are — at least for 30 days. But as a queer, nonbinary marketing strategist who works with adult brands year-round, I’m here to say: Rainbow dildos alone are not progress. They’re often just noise.

Hail Groo ·
opinion

A Retailer's Road Map for First-Timers' Anal August

Anal August offers a prime opportunity for brands and stores to capture new customers and drive growth in a category that’s gaining mainstream momentum. As consumer interest in anal play continues to rise, now is the time to meet first-time buyers where they are, with approachable products, trusted education and a clear path to pleasure.

Matthew Spindler ·
Show More