Following on from last time, here's an overview of dinosaur-themed confectionery toys from the 90s.

Nagasakiya was the company most dedicated to dinosaurs, having released about three more types in addition to the "Kodaisaurus" and "Kyoryu Ou" (Dinosaur King) introduced previously. "Kyoryu Jidai" (Dinosaur Age), estimated to be from around '93 based on its best-by date, came with rubber mini-dinosaurs and cards (Photos 1, 2). "Fukkatsudon" (estimated '95), while deformed, was a unique toy where you assembled fossils embedded in layered blocks (Photos 3, 4).

"Kyoryu Adventure" from around '98 was a modern-style? confectionery toy where 24 types of dinosaurs and cards were randomly included, so you couldn't choose them. The dinosaurs themselves were the kind you could find anywhere for a cheap price, but the cards had a certain charm (Photos 5, 6, 7).

Bandai, which pioneered realistic confectionery toys with "Saishin Kyoryu Gaku" (Latest Dinosaurology), released a series of five diorama models called "Doraemon Wakuwaku Town" around '95. Among them, "Nobita and the Knights on the Dinosaurs" included two types of dinosaurs. These were authentic plastic models that could be finished into splendid pieces with a bit of effort (Photos 8, 9).

Takara's "Kyoryu Fukkatsu" (Dinosaur Revival) (best-by date unknown) came with a kit to create your own dinosaurs by pouring powdered "dinosaur material" into clear plastic molds and letting it solidify (Photos 10, 11, 12).

Meiji Seika offered "Kyoryu Zukan" (Dinosaur Picture Book), which reproduced dinosaurs from plain wood using cardboard (Photos 13, 14), and "Kyoryu World" (around '95, Photo 15), which came with 3D cards that could be connected to form a large diorama. Other items included Furuta's unique "Chokin Zaurus" (Saving Zaurus) (Photo 16), Kabaya's "Kyoryu Oukoku" (Dinosaur Kingdom) with data cards (Photo 17), Nabisco's "Zaurus Park" with hologram stickers (Photo 18), and Rondo's "Kyoryu Tamago Zaurus" (Dinosaur Egg Zaurus), which contained simple rubber mini-dinosaurs in egg-shaped capsules (Photo 19), and many more.
And although not exactly confectionery toys since they didn't come with an extra gift, there was also this (Photo 20): the original "ChocoZaurus" by Kanebo Foods.

In '98, the Australian confectionery toy "Yowie" was introduced to Japan, and its influence led to Choco Egg, then ChocoZaurus. The paleontology series "Lost Kingdom" from "Yowie" can be seen on a Yowie collector's website.

By the way, regarding ChocoZaurus: I've always wondered why such a revolutionary series was named "Zaurus" since its inception. So, taking this opportunity, I decided to boldly ask about its origin. My contact was none other than Kazunari Araki, who was in charge of the prototype for the first series. Although he wasn't directly involved, he kindly called the senior managing director at Kaiyodo to inquire.
What was revealed is that it was a name decided by UHA Mikakuto, likely just because it sounded good. The senior managing director even gave an appropriate? example, saying, "It's 'Gundam' rather than 'Kandam'." Thank you very much. It seems there was no fierce debate between Kaiyodo and UHA Mikakuto, such as "Zaurus is outdated" or "No, Zaurus is more appealing to the general public," which I had secretly hoped for.