Japanese Dolls
Back to the Wonfes for the last part - dolls and articulated figures.
I think the Figma and Revoltech boom have spawned a huge demand for more of the same and it was quite noticeable that there were more articulated figures being made.
Some were crap and some were good - took pics of some of the better ones.
Quite a pretty Haruhi.
You may notice that all of my original photo articles are being uploaded to my Flickr account.
I'm doing this for a few reasons. I want to share my photos with more people and uploading them to Flickr makes a lot of sense. I have noticed a community of folks around my photos and there are also many conversations going on there.
All of my previous photo articles are in Flickr and I have sorted them into a few collections which you can see here.
Flickr makes things easy to sort and I have a collection called Places to visit in Japan (which I don't even have on dannychoo.com ^^) - it contains all my photo articles to date.
These Mama Chapp dolls are just adorable!
Another thing about having everything on Flickr means that its easy for me to make new contacts who share similar interests. If you have a Flickr account then it would be great to have you as a contact - my account here.
I use the Flickr API which sends my articles to Flickr meaning that its also no extra work for me. If you are a PHP user, check out PHP Flickr - its quite coolsome.
I flag some photos as being "adult" meaning that you may not be able to see some images depending on your region or personal Flickr settings. How many of you are having trouble viewing some of the images? If you are having problems - let me know your region and whether you have a Flickr account.
Not sure what variety of doll these chaps are but they remind me of the Action Man eagle eyes that I used to have back when I was a wee lad.
These dolls are made by Arte Tokio and are probably the closest you are going to get to having a miniature Candy Girl.
The material feels the same as a Candy Girl ( this is how I know ^^;) and will set you back 74,800 yen. I'd be tempted to get one of they had moe faces.
If you got time, check out member melonpan's brilliant doll gallery.
What do you think about the dolls in this article? Creepy? Cute? Are you a doll collector or are thinking of picking some up?
If you are interested in reading about life in Japan, seeing photos taken daily around Tokyo, like Japanese subculture (anime, manga, figures, Dollfies) then you may want to start delving into the Japan or Figure categories for a start or have a gander at all photo articles.
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銀河帝国五〇一軍团 TK/TD 8316 M.E.P.D. Police Sergeant
http://gordonator.com/
chun will love this post for sure. ^^;
http://www.marvinryan.com
lol I'm sure she will, come to think of it. where's Chun? hmm... must be sleeping, I reckon it's around 7-8am back where she's at. ^^
Dirty Gentleman
http://cantstanzya.wordpress.com/
She passed out from excitment.
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
http://puppy52art.com/
stalker! :P
jk lol
Network Architect, Administrator, Vmware Guru
http://www.finetoo.org/
Aaaaah Mama Chapp dolls are so sweet and cute looking it's almost enough to enduce instant, acute diabetes! ( OoO)>
I may try to pick one up during my trip if just to have one for the sake of cute.
I swear, next time I plan a trip I'm going to have to learn the dates of these festivals a bit in advance and figure out how to attend if there's any sort of specical procedure because ... well to be blunt the events just seem that damn awesome. Your coverage of the figs and dolls is awesome. :x They even have a Elegant gothic Ita-Loli with the eyepatch and everything! Pardon me while I channel Rena and go ~Hauuuuuuuuuu omochikaeri~
I think it's an excellent decision to upload to flickr, as well. I get a ping on email each time you upload a batch, which is awesome. It's timed usually as I get on the bus to work, so I get a sneak peek at your post. XD
Lazyass human
http://nipah.wordpress.com
Yeah I agree. Those Mama Chapp dolls are bloody cute =/
http://yuuwaku.wordpress.com
I think I was traumatized by the Child's Play movies...dolls freak me out >.>
Student
http://anime.tedfox.com/
yup same here, they seem really creepy
i would rather ya stick to figurines depicting cleavage and pantsu hah
i have a flickr account which i seldom use. added danny to my contact though :)
Student
http://knol.google.com/k/-/japan/xlhk1atct2i2/8
I agree, no matter how many times I see these dolls I still can't help but find them a little bit creepy.
Spiral Warrior
http://www.perfectdesignsense.com/martinwandering
That yaranaika doll was pretty special.
keroro platoon member
http://heathorn.wordpress.com
I wish it were one of those a voice idols. Press a button and it goes "yaranaika...?"
Law Student
They are so cute, specially that little ones!
Dance Trooper: DCX-001 O.D.E. (Order of the Dancing Empire)
http://dannychoo.com.my
Indeed articulated figures will be the next market hit. Competing against the current dominator Figma & Revoltech. I'm so into Figma now ^^;
student
http://zephi-san.deviantart.com/
Definitely Mama Chapp dolls are the cutest. A few are cute scary, I guess the blank, expressionless stare in their eyes puts me off most of them. Any with the more narrow eyes (more human-like, but it makes em more creepy).
The one with the pink hair in the kimono looks really nice. Wouldn't mind something like that, lots of the joints are hidden under the clothes, and her eyes are bright instead of dull and expressionless.
Student
http://najica.wordpress.com/
Yeah agreed,I wish i could buy a Mama Chapp doll cause they are soo cute x3
Makes me go rena-mode "Haaau~"
anime/cosplay events organizer
http://www.cosplay.ph
Those Mama Chappa dolls are simply cute <3 <3 <3
I would love collecting those...if ever I have money to buy them XDDD
Seeing red!!!
I never thought dolls could be cute and attracting.....except for the candygirl-dolls,their face looks creepy for sure...
University Student.
http://www.hirito.blogspot.com/
Aaaaaaahhhhhh Cuteness overdose!! I haven't been reading DC/any blogs for the past 2 weeks, and the first thing I get is the Mama Chapp cuties. I just nosebleed-ed to death instantly! I want one!
organ donor
lolz the guy on the bench reminds me of that one scene in tomoyo fighter XD
Student
I was sooo freaked out by dolls, but after looking at that melonpan link...they are pretty cool lolz. Probably the only pic that freaked me out was the one on the train/bus or something, but seeing them in a zoomed in smaller environment...without knives was great lolz, last few were super cute.
Student and full-time otaku
Some of those mama chapp dolls are nice, but the rest is just plain creepy. I'll stick with da figures ^^
http://www.marvinryan.com
lol the fine line between Action Figures, Dolls and sex toys (mini candygirls). wonder if the flickr php would work with wordpress. have to find a plugin for that. ^^
Admin
Haruhi doll is so nice. But I can't really see myself collecting these .. what do you call them, dolls? Figures? What's the distinction? The made-of-fabric clothing? The hair? The joints? It seems there is a certain level of convergence, when we get figures with joints and clothing you can change. For now, this seems to be the future of PVC figures.
Maybe it'll only be a short time before otakus start playing Barbie dolls.
hikikomori
Dolls are creepy to me when they have realistic eyes and soft hair. Things that move! I'm sure this foolishness comes from movies and the like.
Scale has to do with the creepy factor, doll or figure. The smaller, the less creepy they are. Also, the vast majority of figure collectors would not collect dolls because of a lack of space.
Worker
http://wbd.deviantart.com/
I think the action figures derived more from the fixed-pose figure heritage look better. The ones that come from the doll heritage look somewhat more creepy to me, but that's the aesthetic that is preferred for dolls, I guess. I am hopeful that we can see more articulated action figures on the lines of the Figma series, of course- I think they set the bar for the type.
Vampire
http://feeout.blogspot.com/
Yeah the Figma series are great. the 'joints' are a good trade off for what poses you can get Figma in ^.^ change it around once and a while and you feel like you just got a new figure :D
Photography Student
http://hugodeathy.deviantart.com/
While dolls are cute, I still can't see my buying any of them. I wouldn't like to wake up in the night and see a doll looking at me.
Videogame Magazine Editor
http://www.gamerslitterbox.com
Mama Chapp dolls look okay...but I still can't stand most of the other dolls: their faces just creep me out. Plus I'm not a fan of joints at all.
Student
I thinks most of the dolls are very cuter, but some of them are hell of a creepy:P
The Sword of Magus
http://daichouginga.blogspot.com/
Mamachapps are so cuuuute~~
I wish I could buy one.
Half Engineer, Half Student, All Robot
http://discombobulatedyouth.blogspot.com/
After watching Marronnier (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443756/), I couldn't help but start bursting out in laughter at this post. However, some of these dolls are creepy. I think I prefer plastic clothing. :)
Most of these are really adorable! (esp MamaChapp)
Some of the glass eyed ones can be creepy looking though.
Hey Danny. Do you mind posting the names of all the doll manufacturers and where I could possibly get them? It's sort of a long shot since I can't find any in eBay( aside from Azone and Super Dollfie).
I'm specifically looking for the anime/moe type dolls
This is pretty much it for major companies that produce the Moe/anime character styled dolls.
Azone http://www.azone-int.jp/ (Pure Neemo series)
These are very limited and can be found on HLJ and HobbySearch.
Volks http://www.volksusa.com/ (Dollfie Dream Series, and Lost Angels Series)
Can be purchased directly from Volks.
Also, many fans simply buy parts and make their own custom dolls (which is some of what you are seeing in the above photos).
Thanks for the info. Aside form these places, where can I find custom parts like Haruhi's hair?
In most cases if you want a doll wig to resemble a character's hair style, it must be cut and styled that way.
Parabox would probably be a good place for you to start: (they sell wigs, doll heads, bodies, eyes, clothes etc)
http://www.parabox.jp/eng/index.html
The 4.5 inch long bob wig looks closest to Haruhi's style.
http://www.parabox.jp/eng/wig-02.html
Their custom doll page is a great help:
http://www.parabox.jp/eng/what.html
Also, your wig size will depend on the doll's head size, so make sure you have a doll head (or already know the size) before you buy a wig.
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
I dont mind but dont have the capacity to do so orz.
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
http://puppy52art.com/
I LOVE MAMACHAPPPP :P (LOL at gordon's comment)
gotta make my girl some nekomimis ^^ and people who're afraid of getting killed my dolls in their sleep, I own a bunch, my family are still alive and well (eesh)
:P
銀河帝国五〇一軍团 TK/TD 8316 M.E.P.D. Police Sergeant
http://gordonator.com/
do they wake up in the night and dance around the living room like like legends says? ('~')
the Mama Chapp ones are cute i must admit, but some of the other shots has scary looking eyes (optical eyes)
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
http://puppy52art.com/
hahaha maybe when I'm not looking ;P
http://www.marvinryan.com
getting killed by dolls? LOL I blame the movie "Child's play". Chuckie can scare the pants off Jason and Freddie any day of the week. ^^
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
http://puppy52art.com/
chuckie is so ugly tho (But I know there are some who liked his design :P)
funny how childhood stuff can impact adult life so much ^^
Spartan
http://www.ryobase.com
dolls are looks creepy to me. > <"
Engineer by weekdays, Hikki by weekends
http://ejump.wordpress.com/
For dolls, I prefer Volks SD13 series.
MamaChap only works with ichigo mashimaro type characters.
Yeah, I has FlickR and Danny added me :)
Also, check out one of customized Volks:
http://ejump.wordpress.com/2008/01/10/real-life-suigintou111/
Engineer by weekdays, Hikki by weekends
http://ejump.wordpress.com/
Oh, SD13 would be fabulous when you customized it right.
The one as my avatar is a custom Desu lookalike. I has moar pic of her on my lappy in my hotel.
Secretary
http://figured.wordpress.com/
Girls = Cute, Guys = Creepy as far as the dolls go xD
Pre-U Student
http://wakuwakusuru.zeroclipse.net
It would be creepy if they had dolphins on them. The picture looks a bit suspicious, like they are trying to hide somethin ^^
Secretary
http://figured.wordpress.com/
Well IMO they are creepy either way lol Too muscular etc. As long has they keep their dolphins hidden I'm good...somehow I think they are like Ken though :D
http://www.marvinryan.com
LOL! men dolls like Ken have no dolphins. ^^ they must be covering them in shame.
Pokemon master
http://thecococafe.wordpress.com/
Those mama chapp dolls have just given me diabeetus. D: Way too cute!
Student Engineer
http://www.tgwnetohh.blogspot.com/
gah kawaii ^^. I know a relative who collects dolls of antiquity and she would probably love some of these from Japan- will make a note to pick up one or two.
Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
http://funkyblueame.tumblr.com/
I do like the Mama Chapp dolls, but several of the others are cute as well. Eventually, I will buy a few...
Flickr is nice service. I have two flickr streams. There may not be much in those streams right now, but it's not lacking content because I'm lazy... I think many of my Flickr contacts know that and still stick with me.
Study
I think most of these dolls are pretty cute, but my mate has this house and his parents are doll collectors and at night when you go down to pee, it kinda stops being cute
Comic Artist, writer
http://jimmykitty.com
Arte Tokio... WHY? WHY must your dolls cost SO MUCH??
[gives up]
Student
http://www.desangel.blogspot.com
dolls huh...well some of them are creepy in my opinion. i just can't get that kinda thinking off my head
http://ziroc.blogspot.com/
Some of the ones you posted were a bit creepy looking, like the faces on the Mini-Candy Doll ones. But most of them were kind of cute.
Smut Peddler
Some of them are simply adorable, and some look like they'll come to life at night and kill me in my sleep...
Art Student/Freelancer
http://jenarwen.deviant.art.com
The Mama Chapp dolls are cutest. Most of the other ones, especially the more realistic ones. Not so much
Student
http://fruitjuicy.wordpress.com/
YARANAIKA DOLL LOLLLLLLLL
Most of these dolls remind me of Dolfies, which really creep me out. I don't know why, but I prefer my figures to look more 2D because the more real they look, the more they fall into the "uncanny valley" . . . it's just a weird phobia of mine.
Student
http://skylounge.wordpress.com
the 2nd and 3rd to last action figures look really cool - can anyone tell me where they are from/who's releasing those figures? Cheers ^^
Student
http://skylounge.wordpress.com
the 2nd and 3rd to last action figures look really cool - can anyone tell me where they are from/who's releasing those figures? Cheers ^^
3D artist- Codemasters KL
That is a modification of Konami's MMS series. But seeing that this is from Wonfes, I doubt it would ever get a official release. Looks much better than Konami's own work, lol. Have you seen their fan-submitted designs for the Busou Shinki line? Those were superb.
student during the day, otaku at night
Since I saw GitS Innocence dolls scare me, but I still find some good ones. Like Mou-chan from Ikkitousen:D
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
http://xspblog.com
Cute.. but not my style.
Student, webpenguin/designer, programmer, Mac addict
http://jbhannah.net
I do some photo posting on my blog, and have been looking into Flickr as the main place to store and link photos to. Is it worth paying the US$25 for a Flickr Pro account? Also, does anyone use the Flickr exporters for iPhoto or Aperture? Are they worth getting?
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
I would say its worth it.
Not too sure about the tools you mention.
Student, webpenguin/designer, programmer, Mac addict
http://jbhannah.net
They are linked to on the official Flickr tools web page below the official Flickr Uploader, which I suppose would be an indication that they're at least somewhat decent. :P I'm just trying to decide whether it's worth the €12 for the iPhoto plugin, or if I upgrade to Aperture whether to use the free plugin or to go for the €14 more featureful plugin. The plugins themselves are here: http://connectedflow.com/flickrexport/
http://jellykiss.com/fridayblog
I have a blog and use Flickr to store all my pictures. I think it's worth it to pay the $25 as you aren't limited by bandwidth or space when using Flickr then. I also find that they rarely have problems and tend to get them fixed rather quickly,...compared to my web hosting.
NSF, Hikkikomori
http://yukikaze.wordpress.com/
i thought i saw Kuribayashi Minami's name in the pictures oO
University Student
http://plurk.com/Fuyumachi/invite
Some of the dolls are cute..
but i am not planning to collect them.. they look.. expensive aren't they?
Student
I don't know what it is but all the dolls seem very creepy to me
http://jellykiss.com/fridayblog
Danny, thanks for posting doll pics! I always wondered if Wonderfest also had dolls displayed, aside from the usual figures and stuff!
keroro platoon member
http://heathorn.wordpress.com
There is Abe-san sitting on a bench. I would like to buy that one. ^^
Alchemist
I want to say...creepily cute.
Student, Freelance Artist
http://rhythmemotion.net
A lot of the dolls creep me out @___@ I do admit, the Mama Chapp dolls are adorable!
I also found out you added me on Flickr a while back! The username's "myleneann" :D Added you back soon after!
???Confused???
Some of them were creepy...especially the ones with red color around their eyes...
大学生
I like the pic 24-25 doll types best.
I already own some Action dolls which, as the name indicates, are essentially dolls but with plastic hair instead of wigs. Their pricing is closer to dolls than figures too.
Student, Otaku, She-Geek(Sheek lol)
http://meimi132.wordpress.com/
Oh they're lovely!!! I'd love a Dollfie... and a To Heart 2 doll!! Or articulated figure!! OMGK!!
だいがくせい
http://www.myspace.com/awsumchino
ive seen taht dood on the bench in jumpsuit before...
Polytechnic Junior, Bronze Lifesaving Trainee, Mech Designer In-training.
http://thehangerbay.wordpress.com/
An army of Mama Chap dolls, oh ho ho ho ho.
They look so fragile, I fear for them. Especially during transportation to their owners...
Graphic Designer/Angry drunk
http://rubijoux.livejournal.com
That doll in the last picture is just TOO cute! ~want!
that eerie feeling the surrounds them makes them kawaii!
programmer
http://kennethyuchan.blogspot.com
for me they are kinda creepy. i just don't think the realistic hair goes well with their cute eyes.. :D
i prefer the pvc figures..
Designer/Student
I guy(doll) in the blue suit with it mostly open~ looks like he is into making trouble with some of those other dolls! Yikes
Hikikomori in the making
http://supermariabros.deviantart.com/
Mamachap dolls are cute! Some of the other dolls were cute whilst some were not...
Web Designer, Boxer, StreetFighter, Anime Collector and Gamer
http://kenjiharima.blogspot.com/
Some look pretty nice, some are nse bleeders and some are cute. I personally like the Rei, Asuka, Yoko, Ryomou and this doll caught my attention.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dannychoo/2743217719/sizes/m/
The guy dolls rather looking ecchi and gay should be suited up in military uniforms. Like the old GI Joe dolls.
Graphic Design student | Receptionist | Otaku
http://sukidesho.blogspot.com/
They're pretty cute, though after having a slightly bad experience with a doll.. I am still wary of them... especially the eyes >__<
http://twitter.com/phossil
http://www.animoe.net
I found this dolls very lovely (the first set of pictures)..
They look very nice and cute (I think because of the eyes and hair)... also because of their chest...lol
http://twitter.com/phossil
http://www.animoe.net
They remind me the Rozen Maiden dolls.. LOL
student
http://www.mp3pk.com
hi
i am single male 21 hare frome pakistan i seek one nice female to japan form merry with me my yahoo id is adil_love_123@yahoo.com
my msn is adilf_butt@hotmail.com
my phone is 0992-03214810910 if any female hare frome japan plz meet me my address
Myself-finder
why do all of the dolls have such huge chests?
School girl(MIDDLE SCHOOL)
http://www.myspace.com/lovemeconcep
This was cool and i love the cute little dolls here!!!
C. Engineering Student
http://otaku.baywords.com
These dolls freak me out so much. I'll never forget that traumatizing night I experienced with all those dolls....
Student
I'm betting most of these are ridiculously expensive.
Underdog Artist, Outcast to the Society, Tetsuya Nomura art fan
Such ARTISTRY!!!! 0__0
Student, Bioresearch Assistant, WAVE VP Communications
http://gndynames.wordpress.com
They're amazing. But sooo expensive T.T
your SOLDIER
http://balthierbunanza.deviantart.com
Wow, that realistic Haruhi sure is prettier than pretty.
...and I'd love to own a bigger-scale Miku, Rin and Ren action figure.
student
http://www.myspace.com/asylumkid
Some look way cool, some a little creepy (guy on the bench...WTF), some were so cute like the purple haired kimono one.
Student, part-time slave
http://yakuri.wordpress.com/
I would NEVER get a doll with "real" hair. All my childhood I tried to stylize my barbies hair and brush it, but it always got tangled like crazy and I ended up with an afro. Never again, I tell you, never again ^^U
Office Administrator
http://aquilla429.co.uk
I really love Japanese dolls, they're so pretty and way better then the dolls we get in the UK (barbie and porcelain dolls? No thanks) I actually collect the Volks Super Dollfies and Dollfie Dreams. I'd love a lil mama chapp girl but I'll just end up buying a new dollfie when I have the money instead XD
Free loader
http://collecting12inchtoys.blogspot.com
this is one of the BEST sites I've come across so far! Great job. BTW, are those Candy Dolls like eg Adult sex dolls? Cos they look life like although their looks are anime. So in Jap they oso got 12 inch version?? Cool....wonder if anyone ever tried to bring it into Singapore?
Designer
http://www.edenfantasys.com/
Thanks a lot for the great collection of pics! These dolls are really amazing. I enjoy the idea that adults also can pamper themselves with a collection of cute, sexy and a little bit kinky toys...
Student
Mama Chapp dolls are so cute^^
online sex toys canada
http://www.canadianpleasure.com
I really love Japanese dolls, they're so pretty,I personally like the Rei, Asuka, Yoko, Ryomou and this doll caught my attention.
http://lezvibe.com
This dolls are totally cute. There's a pretty cool <a href="http://theirtoys.com/dolls-both-c-62.html">Japanese Blow Up Doll</a> at http://lezvibe.com
Student, Otaku, She-Geek(Sheek lol)
http://meimi132.wordpress.com/
2nd time I looked through this post.... I want that Tamaki Kousaka figure.... the one ya put together... so cool...
graphic designer, dog groomer
http://www.kilmerhansen.com
There are some really talented people out there.
Student
http://okinawarommy.blogspot.com/
Mama Chapp *wants* but the price over-killed me @( > ▲ <")
even if i have the money, i havent seen any of them being on sale at shops around~
Mangaka, Otaku, Gamer, Figure collector and full time fangirl
http://animeamphitere.deviantart.com/
Most of those are cute, but some with anime-esque eyes but with an outer transparent layer scares me. They look weird ^^; I LOVE that Kagamine Rin though! I want her!
hobbyist snapper
woah.
Student, Sophomore
nihon no doru-zu suki!
Otaku Programmer/Gamer/Artist/Photographer
http://argylebolivar.wordpress.com
I love the Kagamine Len one but the Haruhi Head doll IS FREAKKY!!!!
http://blog.yam.com/avan
so many cool stuffs @_@
online sex toys canada
http://www.canadianpleasure.com
even if i have the money, i havent seen any of them being on sale at shops around http://www.sextoys-dildos.com/
Seeking
Well it looks like Danny got his own Arte Tokio doll (http://www.dannychoo.com/post/en/25244/Anime+Shop.html) and will be writing a review on it soon.
Before that comes out I'd decided that there wasn't a helpful review out there so when I got my Arte Tokio doll I decided to write my own review.
http://ofarte060.blogspot.com
hope it helps.