<P> In October 1987, the series spawned an animated series produced by DIC Animation City and TMS Entertainment, which ran for 13 episodes . The series was popular in the UK and Spain . The name of the television series based on Sylvanian Families was adapted in different countries . It was also shown in the early 1990s in the US on Nick Jr . Later that same year, the success in these markets led to expansion into Western Europe, beginning with the UK subsidiary of Tomy acquiring exclusive rights for the brand in the UK . Tomy introduced Sylvanian Families into the UK market in 1987, and it quickly became a bestseller . </P> <P> By 1988, Sylvanian Families had become a major success around the world, winning the British Association of Toy Retailers award for "Toy of the Year" three years consecutively, in 1987, 1988 and 1989 . </P> <P> In 1993, Tomy, who had been distributing the toys worldwide, lost the rights to the name "Sylvanian Families" in Canada and the USA . Tomy reintroduced the line under the new name Calico Critters of Cloverleaf Corners, now simply just called Calico Critters . </P> <P> The Calico Critters line is currently distributed in the US and Canada by Epoch Everlasting Play, LLC . </P>

Are sylvanian families and calico critters the same