SylvanianDrama, a TikToker who makes soap-opera style videos using Calico Critters, has been sued by the toy company that makes them for ‘damaging’ its brand.
Calico Critters — known as Sylvanian Families outside the United States and Canada — are small, velvety figures of anthropomorphic animals like cats, rabbits and bears with charming accessories and outfits.
They’ve had a resurgence in popularity over the last few years since they were first released in Japan in the mid-80s, and one TikTok account is making them even more renowned than ever… but not for family-friendly reasons.
Calico Critters have become more and more popular over the years since they were first released in 1985.
Calico Critters parent company sues TikToker for spicy dramas
‘Sylvanian Drama‘ is a TikTok account with over 2.5 million followers that exclusively posts humorous, soap opera-like dramas using toys from the popular Calico Critters figure line.
Their first video was published in 2021, portraying a bear husband getting caught cheating on his koala wife who wanted to surprise him with a secret birthday party. (The husband then dies due to a sudden attack by a swarm of bees.)
The videos have only increased in their over-the-top storylines throughout the last four years, drawing millions of views as users tune in for the latest hot goss in the Calico Critters world — but the company behind the toy line is far less enthusiastic.
In April 2025, the Japanese parent company of Calico Critters, Epoch Co., Ltd., filed a lawsuit against the Sylvanian Drama TikTok account, accusing the owner of causing “irreparable injury” to the toy brand’s “goodwill and reputation.”
The lawsuit accuses the TikToker of “creating, publishing and disseminating online advertising videos” using Calico Critters without permission. The two parties are set to confer in court on August 14, 2025.
Commenters are livid on her behalf, with one commenting on her latest video: “I’M LIVID AT EPOCH. HOW DARE THEY SUE YOU! I’m so angry at them. They’ve cashed in on the success you’ve given them and are now coming for you. This is beyond disgusting.”
“I will donate to a GoFundMe to support this law suit,” another suggested. “It’s because of you that probably most people even know that these toys exist. They should be paying you for the free marketing.”
The Sylvanian Drama TikTok account was made in January 2021 by Irish creator Thea Von Engelbrechten, who says she started making her dramatic videos out of boredom.
In the years since then, Engelbrechten has managed to grow the account to viral heights and even secured brand deals with companies like Netflix, Sephora, Taco Bell and more.
She has not posted on the Sylvanian Drama TikTok since January 2025 and has made no public statement regarding the lawsuit. However, she did say she was open to a collaboration with Epoch in a 2024 interview, but claimed it was “not something that has happened.”