Japan. The land of the rising sun, and cool dolly stuff galore. BJDs, Licca-chan, Jenny, Pullips… Not to mention a plethora of playsets and meticulously detailed miniatures. What collector hasn’t fantasized about unlimited access to all that great stuff?

Thanks to internet shopping and import stores, getting the goods from Japan is easier today than ever before. Even so, most hobbyists still lust after a bevy of “must-haves” which repeatedly elude capture. What to do? One answer is the use of a shopping service. Read on to learn what this is, and whether using one could fill the holes in your collection.

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Is it just me, or do iconic deaths happen in threes?

Just as pop culture mavens recover from the deaths of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett, news hits that the world’s most beloved big-headed doll is facing an untimely demise as well. It all started when the proprietor of an online store dealing in Blythes announced that her Japanese supplier would be cutting the amount of dolls it dispensed to her. She then relayed a rumour that Takara-Tomy is planning on reducing the number of Blythes it produces, partly in response to the (yawn) Global Financial Crisis.

The Blythe community has responded by freaking out a bit. Understandable, really. Who wouldn’t want this golden era of dolly production to continue indefinitely?

This is just a rumour, though. Blythe is a sought-after commodity, and it the companies associated with her production and trade are struggling, then there is a strong likelihood that there will be others waiting to pick up the slack.

In related news, Jun Planning, the Japanese company that markets Pullips and Dals, has announced its bankrupcy. Again, given the popularity of some of JP’s dolls, there is a chance that some of its interests will be handed over to another company. The future of Pullips and Dals remains unknown at this stage.

Still, even if the worst happens and Japan becomes a dolly wasteland, at least we got a lot of great years out of this Neo Blythe thing. And hey, the dolls we already have can only increase in value … right?

Another set of pictures of Byul, Jun Planning’s upcoming new doll type, have been leaked. It’s unclear as to whether these are further prototypes, or previews of actual releases.

They seem a little less severe than previous promos. The difference between Byul and Dal is easily spotted in the eye, mouth and head shape. Byul appears to have a more shocked expression, compared to Dal’s frowny pout.

I think Siry has a rather wistful, sweet quality to her. I continue to be curious about what they’ll actually look like when proper releases have been announced. For now, we’re all still in the dark about that.

Jun Planning have announced the release of Rococo-themed Pullips in November - the Pullip herself reminiscent of Marie Antoinette. The outfits and hairstyles are pretty detailed and the dolls are looking to be rather expensive.

Marianne.

Value price :16,000yen (16,800yen with tax)
Article size:H310mmmm
Package :
Material :ABS, Cotton and others
Accessories :Floral hair ornament, choker, petticoat, drawers, doll stand
Falling in love, with all the colors of the rainbow. Lost in dance on a spring evening. That’s how it feels.

Charlotte

Value price :13,000yen (13,650yen with tax)
Article size:H263mmmm
Package :
Material :ABS, Cotton and others
Accessories :Hat, choker, petticoat, drawers, doll stand.
The little lady’s a little upset. What’s wrong? My corset’s way too tight!

Alberic.
Specs unavailable. All info gathered from: The Jun Planning Website.

Well well there was alot of fuss when this girly showed up on evilbay, now we know who she is, what will her price end up being after the ebay Amaryllis sold for something like 500 USD? I know I want one hehehe will definitely be keeping my eyes peeled and saving my pennies.

CWC Limited Edition Prima Dolly “Amaryllis”

We have been producing very unique CWC Limited Edition Prima Dollies, and this time is no exception!

Prima Dolly “Amaryllis” has vivid light green hair!
Her special eye color is hot pink, and it adds even more pop look to the doll.
Her make up is a gentle green eye shadow with pink lips and brush.
The color of her pajamas is white with light green dots and match her hair
color perfectly!

[ Face Type ] Radiance
[ Skin Type ] Natural Skin
[ Makeup ] Eye shadow- light green, Lips- pink, Blush- pink
[ Eye Color ] Hot pink (right/special color), Green (center/stock), Orange
(left/stock) and Blue (center/stock)
[ Eyelashes ] Stock
[ Hair Color ] Vivid light green
[ The set includes ] Doll, camisole, pantaloons, underwear, slippers, and
stand.
[ Price ] 7,875 yen
Limited Edition of 1000 dolls

[ How to Purchase ]
We will pre-release this doll at Odaiba VenusFort.
Detailed release date will be announced at this web site a later date.

[ Once Upon A Wonder World ]
Blythe 7th Anniversary Charity Exhibition “Once Upon A Wonder World at
VenusFort”
Place: Venus Fort 2nd Floor
Date: August 23 - September 17, 2008
Hours: 11:00a.m. - 9:00p.m. (the exhibition will be open till 11:00p.m.)
will be closed on September 8
Location: 135-0064 Tokyo-to, Eto-ku, Ome 1- chome Palette Town

Pic pinched from ebay auction:

“I’m practicing so hard, but no one seems to be surprised. Why? Why? I missed again ! But I’ll surprise Tezca someday”

“I’ll be more pretty by my own magical power!! I’m the most cutest “magical girl” in the whole world. …!!!”

Accessories :”Magical” microphone, Headdress, doll stand .

I think she is wonderful and will make a perfect sister for Cinnamoroll Dal

So far there have been eighteen Dals released by Jun Planning, with four more to come that have been announced. A lot of Blythe fans seem to fall easily for Dal, which is interesting considering that many Pullip lovers appeared slow to warm up to the newer doll.

How can you say no to that face?

Recently it was announced that there is another Jun Planning doll type being released, with more on the way. On the Jun Planning website a Pullip family tree can be found showing more doll types: Byul, Bada, Ggot and Eseul. The first to be released is Byul. The website boasts that she is ‘the sole friend of Dal’. Some of the reactions to her so far are mixed - from adoration to utter dislike. Her head shape’s a little different to Dal’s, with larger eyes.

When she’s finally released, supposedly later this year, Byul’s fans will probably make themselves known. You can never judge a doll by their initial reception, right?