Okay, maybe “wars” is over the top. But nothing whips the Blythe community into a frenzy as much as facemould talk.
Blythe has had four incarnations since Takara started reproducing her in 2001: BL, EBL (AKA Excellent), SBL (AKA Superior), and RBL (AKA Radiant). Although they are all based on the original look of 1972 Kenner Blythes, each Takara mould gives Blythe a slightly different look. Indeed, people new to Blythe have trouble telling one facemould from another. More militant Blythe fans, however, reject certain moulds completely and embrace others, which can result in the occasional personality clash when someone feels as though their favourite mould has been slighted.
The BL and EBL looks are based on the same mould, but the finished dolls are distinct from one another due to the different thickness od their eyelashes, and the boggled (lifted) eyelids, fuller lips, and matte faces on some of the BLs.
With their extra-wide eyes and round cheeks, BLs are sometimes described as childlike or quirky. Being the earliest Takara Blythes, they’ve become harder to attain, and therefore have become widely coveted for their rareness and distinctiveness. EBLs have a more serious look, and their mouth shape is the least “smiley” of all Blythes, making them popular with collectors who prefer more melancholy girls.
Below: a Kenner Blythe (left) and a BL Blythe (right). This particular BL (Aztec Arrival) doesn’t have the matte complexion, pouty lips and boggled eyes of found on some BLs, so the differences between her and the EBL pictured lowered down are less pronounced.
Below: a Kenner Blythe (left) and an EBL Blythe (right).
SBL (or “Superior”) Blythes began production in late 2003. The SBL mould, is, anecdotally, the least popular of the Takara moulds. SBL Blythes are sometimes described as having a more sophisticated look than BLs and EBLs and have less rounded eyes, a more noticeable smile, and a different eyechip style. They also have thicker eyelashes and a more extreme side-glance than EBLs. More recent SBLs have a new style of lip that is even more smiley than the earlier SBLs.
Below: a Kenner Blythe (left) and an SBL Blythe (right).
SBLs are still being produced, but in 2006 added another facemould, RBL (or “Radiant”). Presently, Takara and CWC alternate production between the two moulds. The aim with the RBL mould was engineer a Takara Blythe that looked as much like a Kenner Blythe as possible. RBLs have especially large eyes which are slightly uneven, which is apparently a deliberate quirk meant to echo the imperfections of Kenners. They have a soft smile and a fuller face than SBLs. RBLs are sought after because of their resemblance to Kenners and relative scarcity compared to SBLs.
Below: a Kenner Blythe (left) and an RBL Blythe (right).
I’m sure I’ve left a lot out, but this is my impression of the various moulds! It would be great if you could add any extra info in the comments.
All photos by Sue.
19 Comments
Add your own1. Jade | October 4th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Great informative post, makes me appreciate the older sbls even more so seeing them lined up like this.
2. bauble | October 4th, 2008 at 11:59 am
great article!! it’s lovely to see the faces up close like this – i’d be interested to see the difference you mention between early and later SBLs, and when the change happenes, i know PWP was one of the first SBLs, but did the mould not change until RGBLs came along? or was it a bit earlier?
3. Annabel | October 4th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Aha! Now I canfollow all the debates and controversy! Thanks Alana, this helped a single-Blythe-owner catch up- next week a review of blythe body styles?
4. oscarpop | October 4th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Thanks Alana , this i really informative.
And i would have to agree that out of all the molds, that the RBL is the most similiar to the kenner face.
5. Kate | October 4th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
This is great, I’ve been completely bewildered by the differences between the different molds.
6. Alana | October 4th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Glad it all makes sense!
Bauble … I think the actual SBL mould has remained consistent, but the eyemech and lip paint have changed a couple of times. You’re right about Pow Wow Poncho being a bit different. The first few SBLs (PWP, Sup. Skate Date, Velvet Minuet, Silver Snow) have an extreme downward gaze which was quickly phased out. The lip thing is very recent. The SBLs since Precocious Candy’s Mush Room have had a wider smile, kind of pointier at the sides (I’d compare it to a Joker smile, but that would be unkind … :p). There have always been girls with unique features (like the super-duper pouts and stuff), but this super-smiley thing seem like a permanent change for the new SBLs.
7. Jade | October 4th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
I only have one super-smiley sbl, I must say I much prefer the normal lips, its really the only thing that stops me from getting the new sbls, but I guess it could be easily fixed with rubbing alcohol or magic eraser mm.
8. Michelle | October 5th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
This is such a great article! Thank you! I must say that I do have my preferences, but it’s more about eyeball colour than face moulds.
9. Sue | October 6th, 2008 at 10:53 am
I love them all
I think RBLs have to be my favourite though – those great big wide eyes are amazing. I might have to try some EBL eyeballs in one – one thing I like about the BLs and EBLs are the whiter eyeballs and the less extreme side gaze.
Of course, it’s hard to beat the cuteness of a boggled SBL gal!
10. Sue | October 6th, 2008 at 10:53 am
PS. what with the eyelids getting droopier?
11. Annabel | October 6th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Alana, i have a question for yu- which one is my Pippin, a Save The Animals?
12. Sue | October 6th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
I can get that one – she’s an SBL
13. Melissa | October 7th, 2008 at 4:53 am
“The SBL mould, is, anecdotally, the least popular of the Takara moulds”
This appears to be a cultural preference – “Western collectors”* seem to generally dislike the SBL mold, so in english-speaking online circles, it would seem the SBL is the black sheep of the lineup.
However many Japanese customizers favor the SBL. I’ve heard that there’s more to work with in the SBL mold – apparently the lip area of the mold is thicker and allows those more severe lip carving customs.
* in quotes because I lack a better term.
14. Sue | October 7th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Jade: I came across some team sibley advice on changing lip shape:
“I use a very fine dental pick and a dull x-acto knife and just flick off the paint I don’t want. It leaves faint little marks in her skin, so then you just polish over her whole mouth with novus. Makes her lip paint nice and shiny.”
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/superjunk/2893648572/)
15. Sue | October 7th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
just come across this list of Blythes by type on Puchicollective:
http://www.puchicollective.com/pages/blythemolds.htm
16. Jade | October 9th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Thanks Sue I’ll check it out!
17. Veronica/Bass&Tea | October 11th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Finally something that makes me understand the differences! Personally I like the SBLs…
18. noddyfry | October 18th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Great blog!!
SBL fan here , LOL.
19. georgia | October 20th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
SBLs forever … well except for new RBLs LOL!
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