It’s a tale as old as time. In childhood, we are captivated by fantasy stories that allow us to escape into a world of make-believe, where anything is possible. For adults, fantasy can also shape sensual experiences, allowing people to be whoever they want, do whatever they wish and go wherever they desire through role-playing — and an expanding array of imagination-inspired pleasure products.
Fantasy toys have carved out a distinct niche in the realm of pleasure products, drawing inspiration from the enchanting allure of fairy tales, supernatural love stories such as “Beauty and the Beast” and “Twilight,” mysterious aliens, seductive anime characters and more. These creations tap into the imagination, blending elements of magic and clandestine romance to offer a playful escape into the fantastical. By channeling the themes of forbidden trysts, mythical creatures and otherworldly passion, these toys allow individuals to explore their desires in a way that feels both adventurous and deeply personal, bridging the gap between fantasy and reality.
Launched nearly two decades ago, Bad Dragon became a pioneer in the category with its mission of “making fantasies real” by creating imaginative toys inspired by mythical creatures and featuring curves, ridges and other unearthly design features. Born out of a love for fantasy and a desire to fill a gap in the market, the company quickly set itself apart by offering extensive customization options, including choices in colors, firmness and even custom designs. Some models also feature innovative functionality, such as the ability to dispense Bad Dragon’s proprietary lubricant, Cumlube. By bringing to life creative designs in body-safe, quality materials, Bad Dragon has built a reputation for producing visually striking and durable products, solidifying its position as a leader in the fantasy toy category and paving the way for the growing variety of products today.
“The demand for fantasy-inspired pleasure products has always existed, but mainstream adult retail was slow to embrace it,” Enchantasys’ Jade Harveland observes. “In 2008, Bad Dragon sparked controversy and curiosity, but by 2011, I noticed the Fleshlight Freaks lineup and wondered why our store wasn’t carrying them. Customers had been requesting these products for years. We’ve now expanded from carrying just two creature-themed toys to dedicating an entire wall to this niche. This shift highlights the market’s rapid evolution and growing consumer interest.”
Hankey’s Toys, another pioneering boutique brand specializing in fantasy-inspired creations, was introduced in 2015. Offering items such as the Horse Dildo, Dog Dildo, Dildos & Dragons, Centaur, Minotaur and more, Hankey’s Toys set out to offer imaginative designs and satisfy customer demand for extra-large toys.
Michael Mickey, the president and owner of Hankey’s Toys, has seen the market for fantasy inspired pleasure products experience substantial growth in recent years.
“This expansion is driven by evolving customer preferences and a broader acceptance of diverse sexual expressions,” says Mickey. “Increased demand for niche experiences and products is a key trend, as customers seek unique and personalized experiences, such as products catering to specific fantasies and fetishes inspired by pop media or subcultures.”
Nalpac Account Executive Chris Fleiger notes that while there has been long-standing interest in fantasy/creature toys, demand really took off once established manufacturers started investing in the category.
“Increasingly widespread availability through distribution has allowed retailers to dip their toes into fantasy, and many retailers find that the ‘fantasy’ store footprint increases quickly with sales,” he says. “Consumers have always had creature fantasies, but many would never have been open to exploring those fantasies until seeing a creature toy in a store or an online shop. The stigma fades as the toys become more common, allowing them to reach a wider audience. Even ‘vanilla’ shoppers are asking retailers for these toys!”
Beyond pioneering brands like Bad Dragon and Hankey’s Toys, companies like XR Brands, CalExotics, Doc Johnson, Orion and others are broadening the category. According to Björn Radcke, head of B2B sales and marketing at Orion Wholesale, demand for fantasy toys has been so great that the company is planning more additions to its Beasty Cocks range, while XR’s Creature Cocks line has become synonymous with the category thanks to its nearly 200-item product range.
XR Brands brand ambassador Josh Ortiz says that Creature Cocks was born of the desire to make fantasy financially inclusive and readily available.
“We get to create any creature or texture or backstory we want,” Says Ortiz. “We get to escape into a fantasy that is so much bigger and better than page 37 of PornHub.”
Other brands venturing into the fantasy toy category include Full Circle Distribution with its Kaiju line, Hot Products’ Monster Romance and Nobü Toys’ Besties.
The fantasy trend is beginning to impact an even wider range of toys. Miguel Capilla, global sales director for Fleshlight, points to the launch last September of the brand’s first anime character, Sasha Nakamoto, as part of its Fleshlight Fantasy range. Due to the character and the product’s success, the company launched a second anime character stroker, Lilith Fukumoto, last February. A third will be released in June.
“As we witness more mainstream entertainment — especially in the anime, superhero and fantasy genres — capturing global attention, fantasy-inspired pleasure products have evolved from niche interests to more widely accepted categories within the adult product market,” Capilla says.
Fueling Consumer Fantasies
The rise in fantasy, anime, horror and sci-fi themes in mainstream media is evidenced by the mass appeal of series such as “Game of Thrones” and “Stranger Things,” as well as role-playing games like Magic the Gathering and Dungeons and Dragons.
Bad Dragon CFO Mike Sullivan believes that these series have not just opened up the imagination of many people, but immersed them in it, and that this imaginative bent has seeped into their intimate lives.
“People are becoming more comfortable with the idea that fantasy doesn’t have to reflect real life; it can just be fun, creative and affirming,” Sullivan says. “Fantasy toys also offer a judgment-free space where there’s no pressure to compare to real partners or body types.”
Some industry experts have compared the rise of fantasy toys to the effect that the “Fifty Shades of Grey” book series had on consumer demand for bondage products. Just like Christian Grey introduced Anastasia Steele — and throngs of female readers — to exploring kink, today’s “romantasy” novels are driving the craze for fantasy toys.
Sarah J. Maas’ book series “A Court of Thorns and Roses” is not strictly considered erotic literature. However, its few sex scenes, woven into tales of faerie lands and royal courts inhabited by faeries, mythical creatures and beasts, are credited with helping to fuel the popularity of fantasy toys.
Ortiz sees the rise of romantasy as a testament to how people “choose joy and imagination over internal and external chaos.”
“We get to escape into a world where everyone has superpowers and really big dicks,” he says. “The number of worlds and lore levels we can escape into is endless. And if you’re like me — treat-motivated and from the ‘read books for a personal pan pizza’ generation — you can really visualize what you’re reading.”
The “Court of Thorns and Roses” books are New York Times bestsellers, reportedly selling over 13 million copies. Driving the ACOTAR frenzy is an active fan base on social media, particularly on TikTok, where an organic community of ACOTAR readers has formed and drawn new followers to the series. According to an article from The Independent, by May 2024, TikTok posts about Maas’ books had been viewed over 14 billion times and the #acotar hashtag had generated over 8.9 billion views. As of this writing, 15.8 million ACOTAR posts can be found on TikTok, contributing to the series going viral on BookTok.
A deeper dive on adult-friendly platforms Reddit, Tumblr and X reveals fans fantasizing about their favorite ACOTAR characters as sexual partners, with online retailers like SpicyGear.com partaking in the fun and sharing their picks for dildos to match the personalities of the titular characters.
Handcrafted glass toy designer Glacial Pleasures took it a step further, creating a dildo inspired by the ACOTAR character Cassian. The dildo, which retails for $640, is described as embodying Cassian’s boldness, strength and protective nature. The product’s description reads: “Cassian is a warrior — strong, muscular and fiercely loyal, yet deeply tender with those he cares about. This design reflects those traits in both form and function.”
In addition to popular fantasy books and films themselves, fantasy fans frequently share erotic fan art and fiction online. This has pushed boundaries even further, fanning the flames of curiosity by normalizing sexual fantasies involving imaginary beings.
“The rise of online communities where fans share their passions for particular genres has created a space for these interests to flourish,” notes Capilla. “Social media platforms, fan forums and online marketplaces enable individuals to connect over shared fantasies, further fueling the popularity of these specialized products.”
“Rule 34,” an internet meme that claims that some form of pornography exists for every possible topic, has become a reality with the proliferation of fan-created adult digital art being shared online. According to Harveland, online sharing platforms allow people to explore and express their fantasies more freely, since they can post anonymously.
“Memes like ‘hear me out’ have turned once-taboo monster fantasies into mainstream discussions, fueling demand for toys that bring these creatures to life in a tangible way,” Harveland says.
Cam performers have also gotten into the act, driving the popularity of fantasy toys by incorporating them into their cam shows and their role-playing and anime- or video game-inspired personas. The colorful and intricate designs also add a distinctive aesthetic to their on-camera performances.
Monsters, Creatures and More
Within the fantasy toys category, the variety of themes is as broad and wild as consumers’ imaginations.
“Dragons, canines, tentacles and aliens — oh, my! — have continued to dominate the fantasy toy space, but the market demands ever-increasing variety,” Fleiger notes. “Curious newcomers are most intrigued by unicorn-themed toys, but veteran collectors are always looking for something new and different.”
Melanie Eichhorn, the resident sexologist at Satisfyer, believes two distinct fantasy trends are emerging in the market.
“On one side, there is a strong demand for surreal, experimental monster and alien-inspired toys,” she says. “These designs push boundaries with features like tentacles, suction cups and unconventional shapes, allowing users to indulge in their most imaginative fantasies without limits.
“On the other end of the spectrum, we see the rise of cute and whimsical fantasy-themed toys,” she adds. “This includes designs inspired by unicorns, magical creatures and even mermaid aesthetics. These products appeal to consumers who enjoy a mix of playfulness and sensuality.”
Toys like the Satisfyer Mermaid Vibes, Like A Kitten’s Little Red Bullet Vibe and other critter-shaped designs encapsulate the trend of fantasy play with a more “innocent” appeal.
The mashup of sex and fantasy far predates the fantasy toy craze, however. Hentai, the erotic form of Japanese manga and anime, has been around for decades. It continues to flourish as a popular form of adult content, and has helped inspire the development of fantasy toys.
With its vast fan base, global anime culture has driven demand for anime-inspired pleasure products like the Fleshlight Fantasy range, including a stroker modeled after anime character Evie Akashiya.
“These products allow consumers to engage with their favorite characters in a highly personal way,” says Fleshlight’s Capilla.
Meanwhile, CalExotics offers brightly colored Anime Strokers and busty Anime Love Dolls, while XR goes beyond its Creature Cocks line with the Pink Kitty Bondage Set, tapping into the popularity of anime with kawaii imagery to promote the soft, pink-and-white accessories for kitten role-play.
In addition to anime, Capilla has noticed a rise in demand for themes involving monsters, mythical creatures and supernatural beings.
“Vampires, werewolves and other nonhuman entities continue to capture consumer imaginations, reflecting the sustained popularity of these themes in movies, TV shows and video games,” he says. “These nonhuman fantasies offer an element of the ‘other’ that heightens the sense of escapism.”
Nichole Grossmann, director of marketing for CalExotics, also has observed the growing popularity of creature- and monster-inspired products.
“These themes are prevalent in pop culture, online gaming communities and now, sex toys,” she says. “The Monster Dong collection by CalExotics taps into this growing trend, offering exaggerated shapes and bold designs that spark curiosity and excitement.”
In contrast to the array of colorful creatures on the market, CalExotics’ Monster Dongs are a stark black, complementing the black-and-white horror-comic homage illustrations on the packaging. The dongs’ old-school monster inspirations include Frankenstein, the Mummy, the Werewolf and a Martian, and they feature nubs, protruding ridges and bumps.
Crafting With Imagination
As evidenced by CalExotics’ monochromatic Monster Dong collection, the key focus in the fantasy toys category is uniqueness in design.
While the first characteristic that shoppers may notice about fantasy toys is their out-of-this-world size options, Fleiger stresses that it’s all about “texture, texture, texture.”
“While some users can rely purely on the color and shape of a toy to fulfill their fantasies, most find that more pronounced bumps, grooves and knots are key in realizing the creature experience,” Fleiger says.
Mickey agrees, and says Hankey’s Toys has catered to this demand.
“Fantasy-inspired designs often feature textures like scales, ridges and bumps, along with bold shapes such as knotted or bulbous forms, like our Dog Dildo or Knaughty Dragon,” he says.
Some fantasy toys also offer interactive features meant to captivate buyers in the increasingly competitive fantasy toys market. According to Harveland, fantasy-inspired toys go beyond standard vibrating and thrusting functions.
“Many incorporate features that heighten realism, such as ovipositors for egg-laying, hollow designs with lube injectors to simulate ejaculation, or inflatable chambers that create pulsing sensations,” Harveland offers. “Temperature play also adds another dimension, allowing users to heat or cool their toys for a more immersive experience.”
According to Orion Wholesale’s Radcke, fantasy toys need not be intricate to be popular. He highlights the imaginative and functional designs of his company’s Beasty Cocks collection.
“They are made from nonporous liquid silicone and have a narrow, tapered tip for easy insertion,” he says. “They are pleasantly firm and yet beautifully flexible as well. They adapt perfectly to the body and its movements during play. In addition to that, they glide over the skin and into intimate depths almost on their own because of their extremely soft surface.
“In general, the simpler fantasy toys, which are also easy to use, are currently selling the best from our assortment,” he notes.
Radcke also acknowledges the eye-catching draw of colors, noting that the bestselling Beasty Cocks design is Mystic Dragon, which glows in the dark.
Hankey’s Toys proudly touts its vast product color selection, which Mickey says represents the most solid color options the brand has ever offered, all available at no extra charge.
“Customers love that we offer a fully customizable toy experience,” he says. “We also offer bold choices like UV-reactive and intricate marbling/multicolored designs. Since our toys are made to order, customers can fine-tune their preferences by selecting from multiple firmness levels — including custom options not listed on our site.”
Sensual Storytelling
Every product tells a story, and that’s especially true when it comes to fantasy toys. From design details to color and packaging, part of the fantasy is the lore that inspired a product’s various characteristics. Just as the ACOTAR series has inspired consumers to dip their toes into fantasy, the stories behind mythical beasts help make them unique and powerful as toys, driving consumers’ fascination with them.
“Storytelling is a crucial element when designing a fantasy-inspired toy,” Mickey says. “The eroticization of mythological beasts and creatures stems from their symbolism of power, transformation, primal instincts and supernatural seduction. All of these elements create a deeper connection between the product and the user, enhancing both emotional and sensory engagement. Many of our creature/fantasy-inspired toys draw from well-established lore.”
Hankey’s Toys dragon dildo assortment, like the Dragon Dildo, Knaughty Dragon or Dildos & Dragons, are meant to represent dominance and raw strength, while wolves and dogs like the company’s Dog Dildo, Beowulf and Double Dildo embody primal urges, and tentacled creatures like its Taintacle, Kthulu and Hentai evoke themes of seduction and sensory overload.
“Generally speaking, brands that embrace the lore around these characters/beasts will continue to thrive in this growing market,” Mickey forecasts.
Bad Dragon’s Sullivan stresses that fantasy toys aren’t just meant to be functional — they’re tied to imagination, identity and escapism.
“A good story helps bring the product to life,” he offers. “It gives the customer something to connect with emotionally, whether that’s a mythical creature’s backstory, the name of a toy, or even the colors and textures that match a certain fantasy world. It’s what turns the product into something playful and immersive, not just something you use and put away.”
Eichhorn agrees that for fantasy lovers, product storytelling is essential. It is what readers of romantasy novels crave.
“The success of fantasy-inspired toys lies in their ability to evoke emotions, spark curiosity and create a deeper connection between the user and the product,” she says. “Well-designed fantasy-inspired toys often draw inspiration from famous mythical creatures or legendary beings, adding an extra layer of intrigue and emotional connection. Whether it’s a toy designed to resemble a mystical dragon, an enchanting mermaid or an alien-like being, the power of storytelling helps users fully embrace and embody their fantasies.”
Eichhorn believes brands can captivate users and enhance their overall pleasure experience by integrating carefully crafted narratives into product design.
“Features like unique textures, interactive elements and sensory details that align with a toy’s theme can further immerse users in the fantasy,” she elaborates. “Limited-edition collections, themed packaging and companion digital content — such as guided fantasy experiences or interactive storytelling — are additional ways brands can elevate their fantasy-inspired products and create a holistic pleasure journey.”
Imagination on Display
Packaging plays a crucial role in marketing pleasure products — especially in the realm of fantasy toys, where imagination and storytelling are key. From the colors to the fonts and wording, packaging sets the tone even before the toy is unboxed. For brands in this area, it’s more than just a box — it’s an opportunity to grab shoppers’ attention by mirroring the appearance of beloved fantasy characters or tales from their favorite TV shows, movies, video games, comics and books.
“When customers are drawn to a fantasy theme, the experience starts the moment they see the product on the shelf or online,” says Grossmann. “It’s all about creating a full sensory experience, making the customer feel like they’re stepping into a fantasy world even before the fun begins!”
Capilla also stressed the role that packaging plays in creating an immersive experience.
“Packaging that reflects the theme of the product — whether it’s anime-inspired, creature-based, or other fantastical concepts — can enhance the overall experience and make the product feel like an extension of the fantasy world it represents,” he says. “At Fleshlight, we place great emphasis on packaging as part of the overall customer experience. The Fleshlight Fantasy line, for example, incorporates high-quality, visually striking packaging that resonates with anime fans and fantasy enthusiasts. This type of presentation not only draws attention, but also ensures that the product feels like a collectible, rather than just a functional item.”
Retailers benefit from such detailed packaging. For the Beasty Cocks collection, Orion Wholesale has developed packaging that displays the product on one side and features an image of the fantasy creature on the other.
“This allows the customer to see the real toy on one side and be stimulated by the fantasy on the other side,” Radcke says. “We also recommend that our B2B customers present a sample of the products out of the packaging, as the toys look even more beautiful and impressive in real life.”
For Doc Johnson’s “Fantasy Fuckers” entry into the fantasy toys category, The Worm stroker boasts a ribbed exterior and “flexible tickler teeth” on the inside. A wavy ridge runs from its orifice along the edge, giving the device an alien-like appearance. The packaging showcases a backdrop that looks as if it’s from another planet, creating a scene reminiscent of a sci-fi movie, triggering memories of the “Alien” movies.
“It shouldn’t be shocking or seem like they’re made for only advanced players,” Doc Johnson’s Scott Watkins says. “The packaging should be fun but welcoming.”
Demographics & Dragons
Who are the fans seeking out these large, tentacled, creature-inspired toys? From your standard comic book and anime fans to avid readers of fantasy and sci-fi novels to shoppers simply seeking unique shapes, fantasy toys draw a variety of shoppers. Gone are the days of assuming that all fans of fantasy toys are kinky fetishists.
“These toys appeal to a range of shoppers who are open to exploring nontraditional toys in their play,” Fleiger observes. “The customers include younger shoppers, LGBTQ+ shoppers, size enthusiasts, fetishists and couples interested in thrusting machines — but the audience is growing every year. We recommend that retailers cross-merchandise with print erotica and pheromone candles, or make a small section of ‘introductory’ fantasy toys alongside realistic items, and watch a wide range of customers get excited about trying something different!”
While some buyers seek fantasy-themed toys for specific fetishes, others are drawn to unique textures, exaggerated sizes or collectible designs. Some customers may even purchase fantasy toys for more “innocent” purposes.
“I once bought a squid-themed toy to use as a D&D mini for a kraken battle,” Harveland admits. “That said, fantasy products tend to be especially popular with younger buyers and adult content creators, who help drive trends through online discussions and streaming platforms.”
With fantasy-themed pleasure products booming and gaining wider attention from a broad range of consumers, Radcke believes it’s hard to pinpoint any single target audience. However, he sees the core audience as fans of various fantasy novels and TV series, as well as live-action role-play, aka LARP.
“Role-playing offers a safe space where new and often daring ideas can be lived out,” he says. “This has been proven to stimulate our imagination — a quality that not only inspires fantasies, but can enrich love lives too.”
Mickey likewise sees the trend originating with that core constituency but emanating outward.
“A big piece of the pie goes out to the fantasy and sci-fi enthusiasts, including furries, cosplay afficionados and fans of mythical beasts,” he says. “As the stigma around sex toys decreases, though, more people outside of niche communities are experimenting with fantasy-themed options as a mode of escapism. While fantasy-themed toys were originally catering to specific subcultures, they are now becoming more mainstream and therefore, more accepted all around the world. When you mix art, storytelling and pleasure, you create an experience that is bound to captivate a broad and ever-expanding audience.”
Fellow fantasy toy pioneer Sullivan also credits genre and niche fandoms for sparking the normalization of fantasy toys.
“A lot of the customers come from those communities that already embrace imagination and storytelling, so the idea of a toy that’s colorful, abstract or inspired by another world doesn’t feel strange to them,” he says. “I also believe fantasy toys resonate with people who are very body-positive and sex-positive. They’re not necessarily looking for something realistic; they’re looking for something that is fun, unique and personal, that reflects their individuality and destigmatizes sexual exploration. Besides, many of these toys are beautiful. They’re designed with creativity and care, are handmade, and they appeal both functionally and artistically.”
What Lies Beyond This Realm
The future of fantasy toys is being shaped by imaginative design catering to an increasingly open-minded shopper base that’s curious, loves lore and is ready to explore beyond the sex toy basics.
As manufacturers push boundaries with a broader array of creature-inspired designs to choose from, consumers are meeting them with enthusiasm — seeking out products that reflect their identities and desires, and expand definitions of pleasure. This growing demand isn’t just about novelty; it’s about self-expression, imagination and tapping into the power of play in ways that feel deeply personal and totally limitless.
“Fantasy toys will continue to evolve with more realism and personalization,” Mickey predicts. “Expect more lifelike textures, customizable options and even smart tech that makes play feel more real. As the market grows, so will the possibilities.”
As product designers continue to push creative boundaries, more futuristic, immersive, visually captivating and technologically advanced designs are on the horizon.
Eichorn predicts that this will afford retailers a chance to diversify their product offerings and attract a growing segment of consumers eager for unique and imaginative pleasure experiences.
“By stocking fantasy-inspired toys, retailers can cater to an audience that values creativity, personalization and innovation,” she says. “These products stand out on the shelf and create compelling marketing narratives that drive customer engagement. Retailers who recognize the potential of this category early on can establish themselves as trendsetters in the industry, capitalizing on the continued expansion of fantasy-driven sexual wellness products.”
With large manufacturers now expanding the fantasy toys category beyond the dildos that started it all, retailers now have their choice of vibrating styles to include strokers, cock rings, anal toys and other intimate accessories.
Capilla predicts that strokers and male masturbators will continue to see the most significant growth.
“As the demand for more lifelike yet fantasy-oriented experiences increases, consumers will seek products that offer both realism and escapism,” he says. “With innovations in design, material and customization options, we believe that these product categories will dominate the market in the years to come.”
Looking to the future, Capilla also foresees technology advances, such as interactivity and VR elements.
“These could allow consumers to engage with fantasy worlds in entirely new ways, further enhancing their experiences,” he says. “Moreover, customization will likely become a key trend. Offering personalized designs and features — such as character-based appearances or the ability to modify textures or sensations — will likely become more commonplace, allowing consumers to create highly tailored experiences.”
As long as consumers are obsessed with fantasies of imaginary worlds and otherworldly lovers — or simply enjoy unique shapes and colorful toys — there will likely be an audience for fantasy-inspired products. Fantasy toys have evolved from a niche market into a growing category that appeals to a significant segment of consumers who indulge their imagination to escape reality and experience pleasure.
“With the growing interest in a variety of fandoms, including specific anime series, video games and even niche fantasy subgenres, manufacturers will need to continue expanding their product lines to meet diverse consumer demands,” Capilla adds. “The future of fantasy-inspired pleasure products is incredibly promising. The market will continue to evolve as consumer interests expand, technological advancements push boundaries, and cultural trends shape new, immersive experiences.”
As the market continues to develop, so does the understanding that imagination and sexuality are deeply intertwined. Fantasy toys appeal to the imagination, while helping more people feel seen, turned on and empowered to play without rules. What was once viewed as fringe is now at the forefront — and it’s only getting more creative from here.
