ABJD Costume Contest at BelleCON 2013

If you're trying to play by Den of Angel's rules, monster high dolls are completely out of the question. We don't even recognize 1/6 vinyl Volks or Obitsu here, let alone dolls that are intended for children and can be picked up at the Walmart for $10.

I'm not dissing on the craftsmanship that goes into some MH repaints, but I would personally not involve my BJDs in this contest if monster high dolls were included, even in a separate category, and especially not on the same playing field. I think it blurs the lines, and will confuse those who are less familiar with these dolls and the hobby, as to what exactly these dolls are, where they come from, and what makes them unique. Here on Den of Angels, we celebrate the amazing handiwork of Asian doll artists (and a select few non-asian artists who work in similar style) and appreciate their aesthetic. There are other communities that feel differently and are more inclusive of other types of dolls and styles, we just aren't one of them.

Aside from 'not being Asian' , monster high dolls are not even ball jointed dolls- they're vinyl fashion dolls, like barbie, azone, tonner etc. Their joints are hinges, not ball-in-socket. That's not a DoA definition, that's just a fact, even disregarding that they are not hollow and do not have strings, they do not meet the basic mechanical requirements for being called ball-jointed. If you were to include them, you would be better off calling it a 'doll fashion show' and including everyone. Don't call it Asian, and don't call it ball jointed, because that would be like opening a french cuisine restaurant and serving ballpark hot dogs.