Realistic-Idealized & Mature Vs. Stylized Youthful-Dolls: Which Do You Prefer?

I like stylized dols, but not necessarily youthful or childish. My favorite sculps are Volks Cecile and the whole Lucai family(Lucas, Sasha, School A, Irvin..)so that is the style I like-they're not realistic at all, expecially when compared to Minimees and such but they're also not overly anime styled.

I'm 21(almost 22), I love taking pictures and my biggest joy with these dolls is making clothing that looks realistic and not like doll clothing. I let Jubriel do my face-ups because she makes them look so alive and vibrant, I love the look of french and Volks resin because it seems alive. So I want my dolls to appear real. But..I don't need my dolls to appear human. I love that they're dolls, their joints, their seamlines, their little faces and little hands..I like them to look like dolls..who could come alive any second, but still look like dolls. A bit like Rozen Maiden, I guess?

I'm not sure if it's a certain type of person that is attracted to a certain type of doll. The poster above me says photographers are intrested in realistic dolls, yet photography is a big part of the hobby for me and I'm not intrested in realistic dolls at all. I do think the market is changing towards more realistic dolls, but I also think most companies will stick to their style-I can't see Bluefairy making a MNM-like realistic doll anytime soon. I don't know if it's a fad, only time will tell I suppose.

 

There are definately a lot more realistic guys coming out (a lot more 70cm boys this year!)
I guess the companies are just reacting to customers demands. More people want "realistic" BJDs.

 

I like them both, but I find that 'realistic' is more interesting/fun to photograph.

 

I very much prefer teen/young adult-looking dolls. I've never been into dolls that look like little kids, even as a child.

 

No I'm not sure that's the case. I really think it's a personal preference like most things. There's grown men that like looking at quite young girls, and young girls that like looking at quite old men(I don't want to be offensive, just making a point). Same way there's probably young people that prefer mature sculpts and older people that prefer less mature sculpts, I think that it's difficult to make any generalization when it comes to aesthetics.

I'm 18 (though I look 15 ) and I personally prefer more matured sculpts. But that's given one condition: realism. If you are gonna make a doll with huge breasts (which I probably wouldn't like to be honest) then make sure the doll has the waist, hips and fat deposits to match those breasts. I've seen quite a few dolls with mature sculpts where it looks as if the dolls have an invisble pushup-bra and that I think is quite ugly, and no matter how pretty the face is I'd never buy that doll. A doll with a NATURAL C/D cup I'm fine with as long as the hips match.
Strangely enough my preference for matured dolls only apply to girls... the last thing I'd like to see is a big brawny boy doll. A little bit more masculinity in the face isn't something that I mind, but huge biceps? No thanks.

 

I think that because the market is growing, maybe companies are trying to reach collectors of different tastes? There has to be a reason for the increasing number of 70cm dolls. The new Luts releases is just a proof of that. They sell no matter what, but they probably didn't want to miss buyers who prefer bigger dolls with more realistic/detailed bodies and poses.

Maybe the market's been influences by the increase numbers of doll photographers, who will try to depict their dolls in a more realistic way, whether they look realistic or not. So why not give them what they are asking for? The number of male dolls is ridiculous when compared to girls. I myself would have girls if they were taller, there aren't many companies going for that, so i believe is a demand thing.

I'm almost 31 years old and i do prefer the more realistic dolls and they tend to look more mature as well. What i don't like, however, are dolls that look too realistic to the point of having human imperfections. I still go for the handsome man, with a touch of femininity.

I might be wrong, but i believe that age does count when choosing a doll. I see alot of people who have characters and get dolls to embody them. Characters usually reflect the person preception of the world therefore young kids would probably not have characters looking too old for them. That's my opinion obviously. I've been creating stories since i was 13 and back them my characters were all around 16 because anything above that was too old.

That doesn't mean i don't like young looking dolls. If the character is young, then i would prefer a mold that fits better their personality. But when it comes to preference, i would go for more mature and realistic looking ones.

 

I think the more realistic sculpts have come in mainly because there are more doll artists about that have brought in a different style of sculpting. More and more of them seem to have perhaps come from a more traditional fine art background rather than that of toy designer. Its just a progression in style and I get the impression from statements made by the sculptors e.g. Rainman and possibly Mr Dollshe is that they are making the dolls they want to make.

I love stylised and realistic sculpts equally. I swore off getting more realistic sculpts for a while because I thought they would clash with my stylised dolls, but they're starting to creep into my collection (two DTs on the way) because they're so wonderful!

 

Because i don't find stylized dolls pretty, like i don't find extremely realistic dolls pretty either, say, old with wrinkles, extremely crooked nose etc. It's just my personal taste and my own concept of beauty.

 

Idealized & mature but to a certain degree?

I’d reckon everyone has a personal preference(these dolls, they have an aesthetic appeal yes? That’s entirely subjective) but part of the appeal for me was the fact that the first face that’s caught my eye was one I thought was gorgeous, simply put.
It had (okay he?) a face shape and what seemed like a bone structure that I thought was visually, beautiful. But he did not look too young. He was somewhere in-between the young look and the more mature sculpts floating around.
Some of the younger-type dolls I have seen around do not appeal to me, but then everyone is different, and I bet there are plenty who think the more mature dolls are nothing to get excited about. I do prefer the more ‘mature’ dolls. The Soom doll faces in particular with that strong jawline…? Ouch, they slay me.

 

My exact sentiments.

I love looking at pictures of realistic-looking dolls, but to have one sleeping beside me every night would creep me out. No offence.

I am 26 this year and my favorite molds are also from the Volks Cecile and Lucas family. I would say both my oldskin F-29 and F-28 boys gravitate towards the anime bishounen style. How can any person have eyes as BIG as Kaito's? I enjoy taking pictures too and i love how they appear unreal (yet a little real) in our world.

A selfish thought but i hope most doll companies will stick to their style.

 

I prefer a more stylized mold to own, I think the realistic molds are beautiful but they just don't fit what I'm looking for in a BJD, I prefer a more stylized looking mold but that dosen't nesicarily mean they have to look childish. although i do like them to have realistic qualities, proportions, eyes that are realistic vs. anime stylized, and facial feature more on the realistic side, especialy in noses for some reason.

 

The deciding factor with me in a doll is the expression. I tend to like more realistic males and more youthful girls.

 

Your original comment was that you were certain that more mature sculpts were not very popular, because you were not seeing them in the galleries here, or that was what I remember, at any rate; I have not went back to the post and checked that against what you originally posted. If I am wrong, I stand corrected.

The problem with that statement is bi-fold: 1. Are we certain that the galleries on DoA are indicative of the *entire* BJD hobby? and 2. If so, then what are we to make of the unending stream of Minimee head special/group orders, 98% of them of mature subjects such as popular actors and actresses?

And of that multiplicity of Minimee heads, how many of those have actually been painted up and are on their own bodies as of now? Probably not many, so far. These are new, and being new, probably not posted in the galleries much as of yet.

What of the new Soom "dolls of the month" and/or the Mecha Angels?? These dolls, such as Beryl, Sard etc. are hardly "child"-style dolls. They also seem to be runaway hits. These are a few examples of many.

This is why I call into question your assessment that mature sculpts are not that popular. I am not sure we can correctly make that assessment on the basis of the DoA galleries alone.

Perhaps a more cogent question might be, How many "younger" collectors are actually making their own purchasing decisions, and by proxy influencing what BJD companies decide to produce in the future? [This is an expensive hobby, and I know my parents would have lain down and died before they bought me a $500.00+ doll. But maybe that's just me.]

My guesstimate is that most in this hobby are old enough to hold down a steady job. The operative word there is "guesstimate." I would, however, bet heavy money that most of the people driving the BJD hobby's trends are, in fact, "older" collectors. Especially outside Japan. [Older meaning, at least to me, 20+ years old and on up.] These are the people with jobs and credit cards, who can make thier own purchases without running them by Mom first.

Just my assessment, of which I have no concrete proof.

 

i wouldn't like BJDs if they weren't realistic. i love the photography side of things, making them look like real people and taking pretty photos. the less-realistic heads are not among my favourite molds.

i'm not so keen on a lot of the female molds because none of them are really curvy and voluptuous. they're all skinny and flat-chested. i like a woman with something to hang onto, if you catch my drift ehehe

 

Oddly enough many of them aren't flat chested enough for my taste. I was failing to bond with my AES largely due to the big boobies and booty. I've just got a Tinybear CoCo though, who is adorably ample

Count me in the mature and realistic camp for preference usually. I do like some stylised sculpts and I'd love to see more fantasy sculpts but I definitely prefer older looking dolls. I've always preferred spending time with adults, even as a child, so I'm not surprised I'm not into many younger looking dolls.

 

don't get me wrong, i love the skinny slender flat-chested types as well. i think generally speaking, there needs to be more variety, whatever our favourite body-types are

 

I like both styles. Although I tend to gravitate towards more realistic-looking dolls.

 

I love both, equally.

I like how youthful and innocent the child like dolls can be.
And how mature and elegant the older looking dolls can be.

 

Well I'm excited about the more realistic looking dolls. I like being able to take and picture and a person not knowing if it's human or not. And I feel that the more realistic looking faces add more of an emotion to pictures. I also like the more in proportion eyes, they feel less cartoony to me. And detailed hands show a real dedication to this craft.

My only complaint is about the female dolls. I wish they had more of a variety in the bodies. All the dolls that I like the faces of have a really busty chest. And it would be nice if they offered an option of a smaller breast doll. But I guess for now they can always be sanded down. I just wish there wasn't that extra step.

 

I personally am 20 years old and ADORE the realistic ones. I find the less mature ones to look like ordinary dolls (no offense to anyone) and I think the realistic ones are more rare looking. Plus ... I don't know, I just like them better, haha

 

Hmm i'm pretty okay with both actually.

But i do admit that some realistic ones kinda of scare me a bit at times and sometimes i don't find them 'appealing' XD;;

 

It's an interesting observation that does raise some intriguing questions. I am not going to attempt to speculate about the reason for the changes (I still consider myself relatively new to the hobby so can't make any claim to know about the historical development of styles). However, for what it is worth, these are my personal thoughts.

I have never been interested in Barbies, baby dolls or, in fact, any sort of doll and I don't do cute. Therefore, the more traditional anime-styled BJDs just don't suit my aesthetic. However, the mature and realistic sculpts are more like the action figures that I used to love as a child and the marionettes that have been my long term interest.

Both my current dolls and the ones I am planning all fall within this category of mature and realistic sculpt. I don't think it is age-related (I am in my 40s but had the same taste in "dolls" since I was a child). However, I was looking at my Lawrence Owen the other day and thinking that, actually, he has gone so far in the direction of mature and realistic that he now looks little like what one would consider to be a ABJD. I wonder how far one can go in this direction before we have an entirely new category of figure? Just a thought.

Incidentally, I agree with other posters in that I can't wait for a new breed of less idealised, Barbie-like female sculpts. Something with a bit of character, please, and I might start buying more girls!

 

I have to weigh in on the side of older-aged collector here. I haven't been into bjds that long compared to some folks. I'm into both writing and I always liked more representational art. I have a lifelong preference for more "finished", convincingly realistic, sculpts when the dolls are photographed as characters. I always preferred the early GIJoes to Barbies, and not just because Joe could ride the Breyer horses! While I always liked the possibilities of articulation, the abstraction of many dolls wasn't to my taste, until I saw some of the more realistic ones online in the last six or seven years, saw those owned by friends, and handled them. Then I woke up!

However, I acknowledge that people have vastly different preferences on the scale of realism. Vive la difference! I like seeing all the different sub-genres from other people!
Some of my family find my bjds both too human and not human enough.
In psychology there's something called 'the uncanny valley'. This is where a human-looking object, like a doll or toy or mask or marionette, falls into a stylization range which strikes the observer as creepy. For a particular person, that range may fall anywhere from very stylized to very realistic. From surveys, they found range is extremely individual and personal.
No, I have no idea if this was funded by horror movie designers or not!
For instance, a very stylized doll (say, an antique, faceless rag doll) might be reassuring to me, and instantly bother somebody else. Or I might prefer something that is more recognizably humanoid and less symbolic, like the Minimee head sculpts.
This preference has no relation to age and doesn't appear to change with age, either, which is *really* interesting. You would think younger people might prefer fewer details, more stylization, but no. It's personal, and mysterious. I'm sure a lot of folks would love to know why!
I should add that "fantasy" is not excluded by realism. For example, I would call the SOOM fantasy creatures realistic, because they work very hard to make fantastic creatures look convincing. Some of the faceup artists do really great vampires by making them look closer to the details noted for vampires in literature.
I did read the early comment that there aren't many realistic sculpts posted on DOA, and I disagree that there aren't many around.
IMHO, there's a couple of reasons for this perception. One might be which size of dolls you tend to look for. I see nearly all the very large dolls (65 cm+ tall) as aiming for the more realistic end, while things smaller than MSD are often more abstract.
I second the point that the Minimee heads are new enough that many people haven't got them completed enough to upload pictures, as yet. They really demand good faceup skills or they look bad, and if you're doing it yourself, learning takes time. There's a strong incentive to improve camera skills when you have the realistic aesthetic going in props and stories, too. Some folks don't feel a need to tell stories with pictures once they have the doll, and some folks don't feel like risking the comments about their work if they post.
Of those who do post, there's an adult themes problem. A really grownup-looking doll demands a reasonably convincing back-story. I love the subtleties in the great photoshoots on DOA, but some things that folks will post elsewhere have no business on DOA with an underage audience. Sexually explicit material is the least of it. For instance, a shoot that gets up your nose about politics--and personal relevance--is something we really could do in horrifying detail, if we chose.
I'm not sure if there's an expanded number of fans is coming from other areas like fashion dolls, but I know a lot of the bjd folks who do come from that background are making demands for better-made, more realistic props and clothing.
With more companies coming in from China trying to make a living, I'm sure we'll see more changes, more searches for niche markets within the bjd fan base. I notice many of those companies begin with pretty stylized dolls. I think we'll continue to see changes and expansion if there's enough people coming in. It's just a question whether some other hot new thing will come along for the next fad, and make bjds seem quaint.
It'll have to be something quite special to drag most of us away from the current types of dolls, IMHO.

 

Back in the day (2003 was around the time I first discovered BJDs) it seemed like Volks was *the* company. There were a couple others, but most people seemed to have Volks dolls. And Volks dolls have always seemed to look like sculpted anime characters. Early doll artists probably would have wanted to created a doll that was similar in style to the leading brand, but of course with their own variations. Realism offers many more options for a unique looking doll than an anime style, so I think it was a progression that exploded as more and more companies gained footing.
I have always preferred dolls that look a little more realistic. I love all the detail that can go into these dolls to make them look just like little people... but perfect.

 

I preffer my dolls to be a little stylized. They're based on stylized characters, after all, not real people. That said, while I find some of the realistic sculpts beautiful, they're not something I would personally want to own. I wouldn't mind seeing a few in person, though.

I'm primarly a collector of anime/jpop-influenced merchandise, so my taste in BJDs seems to be somewhat in the same area. (I have a few revoltech, pvc figures, resin figures, pinky st figures and capsule toys around the house. Along with 2 pullips and 2 taeyangs).

I like the variation though. It allows for more characters, more concepts and more stories to be told.

When I first saw bjds a few years ago, I thought they were pretty, but really not my thing. ("WHY would you spend that much on a DOLL!?") I wasn't into dolls at the time.

This past year has been a VERY slippery slope for me, so when I fell into the BJD fandom, I started with what I knew best.

 

Honestly, I can't vouch much for a change in the marketplace. I honestly just don't know--I haven't been around long enough to tell! However, I do recall coming across some ABJDs years and years ago, and I specifically remember that almost the only site I could find with them was Volks. Uninterested with Volks molds (many of which seem/seemed a little less realistic) at the time, even though fascinated by the dolls, I dropped the subject and went about by business.
However, I think that society itself is changing A LOT. When I logged onto the internet 7 years ago, within two years I, as a 10 year old, probably could have made a living as a web designer with the basic HTML skills I had picked up doing my own websites. Now, web design is nearly it's own degree (in fact, I think it is)! People are looking to see just how far we can take it!!! IT seems that the world really wants to know just how far we can push it, how realistic and complex we can make it. And so far, we haven't found any barriers! We keep taking it farther and farther.
I think the same thing has happened with the abjd community. People want to see just -how- realistic we can make these dolls--how close to real humans can we get them? (And, in many ways, it's a pretty important question because some day, when the question of humanoid robots arises, we WILL need to know.)

Personally, I am 16 and have found that my favorite dolls so far include DoT's Shall, Dollmore's Sleep Eyes Bella Auden, and a body/head hybrid from a website I can't remember (the doll would have looked to be around 14-15 though). I love Shall because I just do--I saw her and fell instantly in love with her. Bella Auden, however, I love because of her maturity--she has a sort of elegant, older looks about her, rather than Shall who, to me, as a sort of youthful innocence.
So what it all comes down to is that, for me, I have no preference! I don't necessarily like a doll because it looks older or younger, I like it because it looks beautiful to me. I think it has a lot to do with how I was raised--to understand that big and small can be beautiful alike, as can children and adults. *shrugs* My image of beauty isn't restricted to '60 cm, teenage, large-busted dolls' nor is it restricted to any opposite. ^__^ It's a lot more complicated than that!

And that's my $25. (I would have said my two cents, but, well, I got to rambling a little. XD I do this when I think, so please ignore any typos that may have slipped in!)

 

May I first say that I am so impressed at the level of thought given to the responses to this question. And, to the question itself. I feel a bit humbled to respond when so many have spoken so well and so cogently about a subject that is very new to me.

I don't know if my comments will be interesting, or even valid, but they are coming.

I have never been shy of having opinions or of expressing them. I also have no wish to offend anyone, and hope that it will be noted that these are my personal preferences. And I will acknowledge that I have STRONG preferences since childhood (as someone, forgive me for not writing that down... , so interestingly remarked .. "left coast" is all I remember ...) and they have changed very little. They can be modified, tempted, and sometimes just downright thrown out the window though.

Has the BJ market changed?
I would say that is most definitely has. I would also say that it had to to stay viable in today's marketplace.
I spent the bulk of my life in the performing arts
, however, for the last 6 years, I worked in the world of dolls. So I have seen how the market has changed, and how a company must change to remain viable in that market.

Mature or youthful?
Well, if you mean me, unless I plan to live to be well over 100, I think we can say that I have reached "middle-age".
I don't think that has an influence on my doll preference, however. From childhood, I have liked adult dolls. I was never a 'baby doll' fan, nor am I now. Nor was I taken with Barbie. I wanted a doll that was, in some way, a representation of what I might become. A perfectly beautiful adult female. I honestly believe that was what was in my mind. So I liked adult looking dolls ... my favorite was a Mme. Alexander Cissy which I got for Christmas when I was 12. I still have her, and she has many, many "Cissters"! I didn't collect dolls until I saw a doll named "Gene" (fashion doll designed by Mel Odom and first produced in 1995). Eventually I bought one, and the fun of creating a world for my dolls began. I have been a fashion doll collector for years. And still am.

I used to drive my good friends who were BJD fans mad by saying, "My fashion dolls can do that."... and for the most part they could! What they 'could' do, was pose well, and be characters for my imaginary movie studio.

For me, dolls are toys. I PLAY with them. Just as I did when I was a little girl. So I'm not buying art ( I really don't play with the "art" that I own), I am buying a 'big girl toy'. With that said, I like very realistic, mature, human proportioned dolls. I waited a long time to get a BJ because I was not attracted to the animé style. I did not like the oversized eyes, hands and feet. When I began to see that the BJ market was opening up to a more realistic (if you will ... maybe better to say 'human') looking doll. I figured they would find my 'niche' eventually. And they did.
I just bought a Soom Dia, Rose Queen.
I'd even love a doll that looked like her Mother!

In males... I want my dolls to look masculine. Not into the androgenic look at all. Sorry.

Why did the market change?
I agree with those who've stated that these dolls are terribly expensive, and that most who are not successful wage earners could not buy one unless they were blessed with very 'giving' parents. When you have a payroll, that is simply not a good base to count on. You have to look at collectors who have "disposable income". Any luxury good does.

This does not limit the fantasy realm at all. I agree with the poster who spoke so well of the amazing job Soom is doing of proving that.

Not being, or ever having been a fan of anime, I am just unable to address the characters from that genre. That 'look' is one that just does not resonate with me.

Thank you for letting me express my thoughts.

 

Like Flamingomoon, I come from the Fashion Doll collector side of the hobby--Gene Marshall, in particular. I'm also one of the "older" collectors--52 years old. One of the things that attracts me to the BJDs is their realism. There are some that look like real people, and that appeals to me both as a collector and a (very) amateur photographer. I'm particularly drawn to male dolls, and that's been one of the frustrating features of the vinyl male fashion dolls--either you get good articulation or a good body sculpt.

I'm looking at the BJD dolls--while most have a juvenile/androgenous look that doesn't appeal to me, I find some mature looking males that do. I'm just trying to decide which will be my first..

Taylor in Austin

 

In your opinion, has the BJD market changed, is there now more demand for "mature-realistic looking dolls"?
I've just joined so I wouldn't know about previously, but I have seen a lot of realistic dolls in my search for my own, some a little scarily realistic. X3

If yes, what do you believe brought about this change?
Perhaps it is a new group coming in that's seen these dolls and it's the sometimes realistic nature of these dolls that caught their eye in the first place. I know it's somewhat what caught my eye. I could tell it wasn't just any ordinary barbie. I mean, they come with nips and bits so realism must be a little bit of what people are going for.

In your opinion, has the BJD "world" matured, are older (long-time) bjd-followers now seeking more mature-realistic looking dolls?
Well... I'm new and I'm older, and all the more long time doll collectors are probably getting older now... so... yeah. ^ ^;

If you agree, why do you believe this is so?
The base is getting older, and older people from outside the community are seeing all these older people collecting the dolls and those of the same age that are interested think "Oh... maybe it's okay for me to get one too." That's how it happened for me. Then, a good portion of them, myself included, in not wanting to seem TOO silly by their doll-less peers for getting a li'l fluffy dollie (which there's nothing wrong with, mind you. Li'l fluffy dollies are awesome in my own opinion) they try to get something that's the most grown up they can get.

Do younger (10?-18-years-old) BJD-owners prefer the younger, "less-realistic" looking dolls? Why, why not?
I have a feeling I'd still have picked the same BJD if I were younger. Like I said, part of the draw for me was that they looked like little people.


Do older BJD-owners (19-100?-years-old) prefer the more 'realistic,' more adult-looking dolls? Why, why not?
Possibly. It is more a matter of what your peers will think at this point as well I figure. I would have gotten what I wanted to get with my own money regardless (though mine isn't as realistic as some I've seen, it was what I was shooting for), but I can imagine others would feel somewhat pressured or like they'd be ridiculed for getting something idealistic looking (not that idealistic is bad, it's just a lot of people, including people I know, would feel compelled to ridicule it for some reason or another).

Regardless of age, do you have a preference (realistic/and/or/mature vs youthful/and/or/stylized)?
I like mature and realistic.

Other less specific, but related questions:
Is it just a fad, in a constantly changing hobby?
Well, seeing as they're dedicating complete lines to making dolls realistic I don't think it will be going away any time soon. There is a sort of draw to dolls that could pass for human, yet still have obvious marks indicating that they're a doll (like their joints). Adds a bit of the macabre to their fun. ^ ^

Is it due to the joining of a completely new audience?
I'm thinking that's a large part of it.

Is it just because BJD companies are growing, maturing themselves, and they want to make more 'real' looking dolls?
I think they're now able to do what a lot of people ave longed for in a doll, and they're now able to reach a slightly new base that wants more realistic looking dolls.

Does it have anything to do with age-group, or is it related to culture, region or other?
I think it has to do with a lot of factors, and age is a part of it, but another one being the dolls ARE reaching overseas where people (such as our own country) might be a little weirded out by the Japan-idealized features. Other cultures have very different notions of what "idealistic" means.

*As a side note, it is pretty amazing I think when someone takes a picture of their doll doing something and I feel compelled to grab it for a desktop image. ^ ^;; Also, at some point, a while in the future, I hope to find a chubbier BJD... nothing amazingly large, just something with a little more gut and muscle to it. XD Once I get a handle on how everything works I plan on making a very customized, though somewhat realistic-looking BJD.

 

In your opinion, has the BJD market changed, is there now more demand for "mature-realistic looking dolls"?

Everything on the market changes with demand, but I can't tell you if the molds now are more realistic and mature... I have little time on this ... Sorry... I've only noticed that there is a lot of molds anthros...


In your opinion, has the BJD "world" matured, are older (long-time) bjd-followers now seeking more mature-realistic looking dolls?


The truth is that I'm new .. I do not know how it was before so I can not compare with the past ... Personally I can tell you I'm looking for all types of moulds, realistic or not ...

If you agree, why do you believe this is so?

Although I suppose that as people matures, they will want their dolls to mature with them ... Although there will be those who find the opposite ...


Do younger (10?-18-years-old) BJD-owners prefer the younger, "less-realistic" looking dolls? Why, why not? Do older BJD-owners (19-100?-years-old) prefer the more 'realistic,' more adult-looking dolls? Why, why not?

A child of 11 years will not look the same as one of 16 ... a child choose a doll like him, child. A teen will want to have a mature mold beacause is what they want to be.

Once our personality is actually made up .. is no longer a matter of age... It's your personality, your tastes, your feelings those who choose a mold...

Regardless of age, do you have a preference (realistic/and/or/mature vs youthful/and/or/stylized)?

It depends of the character as I want to characterize ... I do not really like one or another ...


Is it just a fad, in a constantly changing hobby?
everything changes in the world, and the market for bjd is no different ... Is it a fashion? Very possibly yes.

Is it do to the joining of a completely new audience?
Perhaps .. I do not know

Is it just because BJD companies are growing, maturing themselves, and they want to make more 'real' looking dolls?
If so far have sold molds immature, it is logical to think that people is going to look for something that is different to what have always had ... but that I can only speculate

Does it have anything to do with age-group, or is it related to culture, region or other?

as I said, is more psychological than age ... But if it is true that until a certain age do not have sufficient capacity to make a psychological reasons and we are guided by our age and culture.

 

as far as myself, i fit into your "younger" category yet I prefer more mature looking dolls.
My mom, however, likes the younger non-realistic looking dolls.

 

Personally I don't really like very realistic heads. I much prefer the stylized sculpts. The same generally goes for bodies. If it's too real, it sort of creeps me out. Like... If dolls started getting body hair or something, that's just... Too much. > >

But. I like more real hands and feet. Hahah. Just because... They look nicer that way.

Generally though, I prefer a slightly more stylized look.

 

My boy is kind of a mix of both, to me. He's proportionate in the face and he doesn't have the pointier "manga-ish" nose or larger "manga-ish" eyes, not to mention his faceup is minimal and modest, but he's still kind of androgynous. I like both styles about equally, so I tried my best to find one that captured the parts I liked of each.
I think as new generations of doll owners appear, the look of dolls will inevitably change. Much like a music scene, the latest and greatest can only last so long before it is phased out and replaced with the next. I think that everybody has a preference for their dolls regardless of age. As said before, some if not most BJD owners most likely get dolls to mimic what they wanted to be or want to be in the future. Every since I was young, I've always wanted things older than me, and I've always wanted them to be strong and protecting. My first major crush was a wonderful, brilliant 29 year old soldier while I was a 17 year old high school student. Maybe it's due to the lack of a supportive father figure, or maybe it's just how I am naturally, but to this day all of my little "familiars" are older. On the other hand, my best friend only likes weaker younger things, hence all her little familiars are younger and weaker than her. We are both the same age, but we prefer the opposites.
I haven't been in the doll community for long, but this hobby is not unlike any other hobby out there. I have yet to find a hobby that will never change with the tides. Even if I did, that just takes the fun out of it, I think.

 

I prefer more realistic sculpts. I've been an Anime and Manga fan for over 10 years, but I would never buy a doll with traditional anime characteristics.

I'm not much interested in feminine males either. To me I think I associate the more stylized sculpts with the western baby and kid dolls which I would never buy either.

It's interesting that my teenage daughter prefers more realistic BJDs as well.

 

I personally enjoy more realistic looking dolls. However, Karo (my Ani Boy), is a bit more stylized in the sense that he has very large eyes and a tiny button nose. I've given him a more realistic hair color and style, as well as a very mature, realistic looking faceup, so that he fits in with my other mature, realistic looking dolls.

 

In your opinion, has the BJD market changed, is there now more demand for "mature-realistic looking dolls"?
I think so... but I'm not sure why. Maybe because dolls generally HAVE been stylized versions of the human form - but now more and more people use BJDs to represent characters they've had floating around in their minds, and are looking for the best way to bring them to life - realism. This is how it is for me, at least.

In your opinion, has the BJD "world" matured, are older ( long-time) bjd-followers now seeking more mature-realistic looking dolls?
I wouldn't know! I fall under the younger category as well as only having discovered BJDs very recently.

Do younger ( 10?-18-years-old) BJD-owners prefer the younger, "less-realistic" looking dolls? Why, why not?
Falling under this category myself, I would say no, not necessarily! I am more attracted to realistic-looking dolls than more stylized ones. Perhaps I'm generalizing here, but I think that, being younger, I tend to prefer older-looking dolls, but after a certain point I think people may begin to prefer younger-looking dolls. The same way youths look forward to birthdays, while I always hear older adults lamenting their age, wishing they were twenty again.
But I guess that also the BJD preference is, more often, simply based on... well... preference, not age or maturity. I doubt that at age thirty I'll be more attracted to the childlike, anime-inspired dolls than I am now (although I do have a bit of a soft spot for Puki-Pukis. )

Regardless of age, do you have a preference (realistic/and/or/mature vs youthful/and/or/stylized)?
Yep - like I said, I prefer the more realistic/mature looking dolls. When you think about it, though, these are still very young-looking, very idealistic and VERY stylized representations of the human form. I sound snobbish saying this, but I wouldn't want a doll to look much older or realistic than the current standard for "mature" dolls.

Other less specific, but related questions:

Is it just a fad, in a constantly changing hobby?
I really wouldn't know... as I said before, I have only been interested in BJDs for a short amount of time.

Is it do to the joining of a completely new audience?
Maybe, yes - the ones who want dolls so that they can hold their very own mini-versions of their characters, who they've spent so long fine-tuning in their minds.

 

I think I'm a mix of both. I don't want a very stylized doll but I don't want a really realistic one either. The anime-ish dolls by Volks aren't my fancy at all. I want the doll to look like a real person, just with a couple of unnatural twists (such as larger eyes) :'D

 

In your opinion, has the BJD market changed, is there now more demand for "mature-realistic looking dolls"?
I haven't been in the market long enough to know

In your opinion, has the BJD "world" matured, are older (long-time) bjd-followers now seeking more mature-realistic looking dolls?
I really think it has to do with the person's preference. I've read about some of the older members that are into the more unrealistic/manga style.

Do younger (10?-18-years-old) BJD-owners prefer the younger, "less-realistic" looking dolls? Why, why not?
I am 14 and i prefer the more realistic dolls. I guess I just don't like massive heads and eyes. Although, I do like some dolls like this (such as cherishdoll's faith line, but they are still reasonably proportionate). I do think that a good chunk of the younger owners like the less realistic ones, but no where near ALL of them.

Do older BJD-owners (19-100?-years-old) prefer the more 'realistic,' more adult-looking dolls? Why, why not?
again it really depends on their preference. I think this age group is much more varied in their opinions.

Regardless of age, do you have a preference (realistic/and/or/mature vs youthful/and/or/stylized)?
I pretty much already answered this. More realistic. : D

Does it have anything to do with age-group, or is it related to culture, region or other? Individual esthetic preference.

 

n your opinion, has the BJD market changed, is there now more demand for "mature-realistic looking dolls"?
I've only been aware of BJD's for about three years now, so I have no idea what was going on in 2000 when apparently Volks Was It:-)
If yes, what do you believe brought about this change?
I think that once one company made a more realistic doll, it appealed to people who like sculpture, or who were looking to upgrade from Barbies and action figures (who have some awesome sculpts--I love action figures too!) and once the more realistic sculpt sold, other companies jumped on the bandwagon, and started making more realistic sculpts, and more people bought them, and so on. It does take more of an investment for a company to make a realistic doll because you need a more talented sculptor, and humans are very good at spotting imperfections in the human form. I still think the bodies have a way to go to reach the level of Limwha's sculpts, for example.

In your opinion, has the BJD "world" matured, are older (long-time) bjd-followers now seeking more mature-realistic looking dolls?
I suspect that people buy the style of doll that appeals to them, and not necessarily that they change, they just "add on". I think new people come into the hobby and are buying the more realistic dolls because they are available. If I was an older collector with an anime-style Volks head that I loved, I wouldn't sell it to buy a new sculpt, I'd just buy a second doll;-)


Do younger (10?-18-years-old) BJD-owners prefer the younger, "less-realistic" looking dolls? Why, why not?

No clue here!

Do older BJD-owners (19-100?-years-old) prefer the more 'realistic,' more adult-looking dolls? Why, why not?

Oddly, I'm finding just the opposite--as I get older for the first time I am coming to appreciate tiny "kid" dolls like the BB's, that I never like when I was an actual kid (I was Barbie and GI Joes, all the way), and starting to look at childlike dolls like Tania. But you'll never catch me with a Reborn style doll--it's the only doll that creeps me out, with apologies to the Reborn fans)

Regardless of age, do you have a preference (realistic/and/or/mature vs youthful/and/or/stylized)?

I love looking at the realistic ones--I think the Limwha girls are amazing, and Ark and some of the taller 70 cm boys are splendid..but I find I *buy* ones that I percieve as "cute" or "odd" instead--the DOT Lahoo, some of the DollZones. It's a good thing I am short of cash right now or I'd be buying all those Soom Zodiac dolls, which are pretty "unrealistic" but fantastic.

Other less specific, but related questions:
Is it just a fad, in a constantly changing hobby?
I think some of it is a fad--I know I have bought a few dolls that were incredibly popular and then discovered that I bought them not because they "spoke to me" but because they were familiar... sort of why we know lots of celebrity trivia, apparently our brains are wired to think of them as "family" since we see their pictures a lot...and then I had to sell them. If only I could sell Brittany Spears;-)

Is it do to the joining of a completely new audience?

I think that is part of it
Is it just because BJD companies are growing, maturing themselves, and they want to make more
'real' looking dolls?
And sell more dolls to more people as well!
Does it have anything to do with age-group, or is it related to culture, region or other?
This is a whole nuther question that I'd love to see as a standalone discussion--which countries like which dolls? It would be fascinating to get a peek into the doll co sales sheets and see which dolls go where. Personally I have no clue! Uniede might know what sells in Canada/US though, and looking at Denver Doll might give you insight into the US market for older collectors (still a lot of Reborns and Cissys)


If you have other views, or opinions of why more 'realistic,' and mature looking dolls are suddenly popping up,
please give me your insight, I am curious to know what you think!
At this point I'd say it's because they are selling well, but that isn't too helpful! I do think the BJD market is heavily driven by younger buyers, even teenagers with summer jobs, rather than 30-somethings with disposable income, because to really enjoy the dolls you need some free time to play with them, and not many 30 somethings can find a minute to do Soduku, much less play with dolls..between a mortgage, kids and work, sleeping is a luxury. But then you hit 50 and you have time to fool with dolls again, and look, those college kids have some really cool dolls! Plus that bigger bjd size is a godsend with presbyopia

 

Do younger (10?-18-years-old) BJD-owners prefer the younger, "less-realistic" looking dolls? Why, why not?

No, not really, I seem to like the larger dolls that are more realistic. I think that the large doll part is related to the face that i'm over 6 feet and I was holding my friend's smaller dolls and they just felt frail and I was really afraid I was going to break it.

The realistic part is I think that I entered this hobby looking more for a companion/muse and for a more realistic doll that I would be able to take to college and beyond that would be my companion as I move from place to place so I wouldn't feel lonely without my friends/family.( sappy)

 

I have one DOC and a second one on the way. IMO, DOCs have a more cartoony look to them in terms of facial sculpt and in the body. I have the old body which has a more chibi feel because they have such fat feet! I don't like really cartoony dolls like some Volks dolls but I don't like super realistic dolls that much either. I prefer a middle ground.

 

In your opinion, has the BJD market changed, is there now more demand for "mature-realistic looking dolls"?

I think the change has a lot to do with more mature collectors getting into BJDs. These people are coming from the fashion doll market, and in order to attract their attention, companies are making more mature, fashion doll type sculpts.

If yes, what do you believe brought about this change?
Whoops, answered that above.

In your opinion, has the BJD "world" matured, are older (long-time) bjd-followers now seeking more mature-realistic looking dolls?

I think we all look for our own asethic. Some of us like older dolls, some don't. For me its not that maturity of the sculpt, but the style. I've only been into this for 5 years, only 3 of which as an owner, but I tend to like the more stylized or, as you are calling them "less mature" sculpts.

If you agree, why do you believe this is so?
Nope, I still think its a reaction to the market base widening. BJDs are trying to appeal to more people. Not everyone in BJDs appreicated the "anime/ asian" look. They want Tonner.

Do younger (10?-18-years-old) BJD-owners prefer the younger, "less-realistic" looking dolls? Why, why not?

Age wise I'm older and I have found I abhore the more realistic sculpts. So no.


Regardless of age, do you have a preference (realistic/and/or/mature vs youthful/and/or/stylized)?

I perfer the stylized. Its the look that these dolls started with in Volks and feels right to me. I've had 5 minimee heads pass through this house, and they don't become much more realistic or mature than that. I just feel that Asian ball jointed dolls are trying to be something else when they become hyper realistic, and its not something I enjoy. It peels off a layer of fun and fantasy.
*But then, I also don't like fashion dolls*

 

My questions to specific age-groups are these:
In your opinion, has the BJD market changed, is there now more demand for "mature-realistic looking dolls"?
If yes, what do you believe brought about this change?

Personally I think there is more pressure on the ABJD designers nowadays to produce art dolls, rather than toys. Years ago when the whole hobby began, these dolls were marketed as kit toys for girls, yes? So there was more emphasis on play and less on customization. So many years of an available market reveals the actual applications of the product to its target audience. I think we revealed ourselves, as bjd fans, to be much more into the customization and uniqueness aspects than we were to the play and collection aspects. Maybe the companies have begun to appeal to this by going toward art dolls. Or perhaps they are trying to get up back to collection, what with the huge rash of truly special limiteds that have come out this last year.

In your opinion, has the BJD "world" matured, are older (long-time) bjd-followers now seeking more mature-realistic looking dolls?
If you agree, why do you believe this is so?

This is hard to say for me, since I have been in the hobby for years and have always favoured the more realistic or mature sculpts. I would personally say, from observation, that this is not true. I know a lady who is in her late 30s/early 40s who collects pretty much only tinies and Yos. DOD has never seemed to lose its popularity in the years I have known of it. So... while I am biased toward mature sculpts, I really dont think the majority of BJD fans feel the same way.

Do younger (10?-18-years-old) BJD-owners prefer the younger, "less-realistic" looking dolls? Why, why not?

I don't know for sure, since I am an old fart. But again, from observation, I'd say yes. Maybe it has something to do with the cross-pollination between BJD and anime? I even have a sort of affinity with this phenomenon... what attracted me to BJD originally is that they looked less like baby dolls, not at all like lame overexaggerated barbies, and quite a bit like anime characters. I am a major Japanophile, I think Japan does everything better, so the asian aesthetic appeals to me. I have never liked dolls... but when I saw how asian designers reinterpreted the familiar form, I was suddenly interested. So I think this may have a little to do with it.

Do older BJD-owners (19-100?-years-old) prefer the more 'realistic,' more adult-looking dolls? Why, why not?

I do. I'm 26 now, which is apparently old around here... . But I would definately NOT say this is the trend.... I think certain kinds of personalities prefer the mature types, but not certain agegroups. For me, I like the 'presence' of the more mature, and larger, dolls. They declare themselves. I also prefer the challenge of doing realistic faceups and mods. The little guys and more stylized sculpts are easier to project your own feelings upon. Neither thing is bad... just a difference in ways of playing, I think. And that doesnt have much to do with age.

Regardless of age, do you have a preference (realistic/and/or/mature vs youthful/and/or/stylized)?

Definately realistic and mature, as well as big. I am pretty much a 65+ collector, and my favourite companies are Soom, Dollshe, Elfdoll, Souldoll, DollZone, Unidoll and Iplehouse. I have little interest in buying the sculpts outside those companies. *L* Not cause they arent lovely... they arent my taste. As I said before, I like the presence of mature/realistic sculpts, as well as the artsy fartsy-factor of their being more like 'a creepy doll'. :X3:

Other less specific, but related questions:
Is it just a fad, in a constantly changing hobby?

Probably. *L* But you know, none of the fads that have been introduced within BJD have ever really gone away. Lolita, Punk, Vampire dolls, anthro tinies, et al. have always continued to fill a niche in the overall hobby. Nothing has ever died out, but new things are always built upon the past (taking, for example, the 80cm and now 90 cm dolls). It's kind of nice that way... to know the field is ever-widening also makes you realize that the hobby is young and hasn't quite moved into a realm of conventions and cliche.

Is it do to the joining of a completely new audience?

Hmm... I dunno, am I that audience? *L* I have been following this hobby for years before actually joining in with the discussion and the fandom. I think all the while I was looking for more realism, because I adore the form of the 'ball-jointed doll', but wanted one I could really feel deeply about. When the boom of realistic sculpts began late last year, I just got more excited than I ever had been before, is all.

Is it just because BJD companies are growing, maturing themselves, and they want to make more 'real' looking dolls?

To me the more likely thing to happen in that case is the cementing of a true style, rather than a diversification of style. Volks has demonstrated that evolution... you always know its a volks, whether you like the style or not, right? So I think its more about reaching a broader audience, and tapping into the wants and needs of the fans. I mean, who can say Iplehouse Akando wasnt released just cause DoA had been complaining about all the wimpy girly-boys for so many years??? *L*

Does it have anything to do with age-group, or is it related to culture, region or other?

That would be an interesting study to make. I can't really weigh in on that cause I dont have any experience outside the north american idiom. But I can say that from the VISUAL ART culture from which I come, both stylized and realistic sculpts appeal. It comes down to what we as artists are trying to communicate.

 

I'm 21 and what attracts me to bjd's is the realism aspect. To me the less real and more anime-ish a doll looks, the more I tend not to want it. Not that I don't like the less real dolls, but to me when they look more anime-ish they seem like very expenive, poseable anime figurines (I know they aren't but thats kind of how I feel). I do collect anime figurines and memorabilia and I wont these dolls to be separate from that (qwll not completely but I want them to stand out nad be different).

Of course why I got I decided to stop admiring these dolls and buy them might explain why I prefer dolls I think are more realistic. I, like many BJD owners have original characters that have been in my mind and developing for at least seven years (I have writings from before that but I have memory problems, another story). I enjoy drawing them and having them drawn in anime/manga style. It suits them, in the 2-d world. But to me, these characters are just people living in my head, so putting them in a 2-d form where they look realistic, it takes them out of my head and brings them alive for me.

The only exceptions to this are dolls I like but have no character in mind, they are often less realistic tinies I think are too cute to pass up. I would probably keep them and enjoy them, just usually separate from my other dollies ^^

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I don't think age really plays a factor, I just think it's personal taste. I know younder people who perfer realism, older people who prefer non-realism, and people of all ages who like both.

 

In your opinion, has the BJD market changed, is there now more demand for "mature-realistic looking dolls"?
If yes, what do you believe brought about this change?

I don't think the market has matured. It seems to me that companies are finally paying attention to people who want more 'grown-up' looking dolls instead of childish or baby dolls. The first bjds I ever saw were the SD10s. I thought they were pretty, but longed for a gorgeous more mature doll.

In your opinion, has the BJD "world" matured, are older (long-time) bjd-followers now seeking more mature-realistic looking dolls?
If you agree, why do you believe this is so?

No, we just didn't always have grown-up sculpts available.

Do younger (10?-18-years-old) BJD-owners prefer the younger, "less-realistic" looking dolls? Why, why not?

I doubt it. I never liked 'younger' looking dolls.


Do older BJD-owners (19-100?-years-old) prefer the more 'realistic,' more adult-looking dolls? Why, why not?

I've seen a lot of people older than 19 that have younger looking dolls. It's just personal preference.

Regardless of age, do you have a preference (realistic/and/or/mature vs youthful/and/or/stylized)?

I like realistic, mature dolls(tiny, SD, MSD-sized, doesn't matter). When everyone else I knew was loving baby dolls, I had barbies.


Other less specific, but related questions:
Is it just a fad, in a constantly changing hobby?

I hope not!

Is it do to the joining of a completely new audience?

I don't think so. Not everyody that has been a fan of the hobby likes stylized dolls. But we are able to buy dolls we can cherish now that people are finally realizing that not everyone likes child dolls.

Is it just because BJD companies are growing, maturing themselves, and they want to make more
'real' looking dolls?

I don't think so. They're just appealing to a different crowd that has been here all along.

Does it have anything to do with age-group, or is it related to culture, region or other?

No, people just didn't realize how many of us really like the realistic dolls.



If you have other views, or opinions of why more 'realistic,' and mature looking dolls are suddenly popping up,
please give me your insight, I am curious to know what you think!

I think I saw my first bjd in 2001, on the internet.

I thought they were gorgeous, but didn't want a doll that looked like a child. I wanted a mature looking doll because that's what I've always liked.

When the Dollfie Dream came out I bought one to use with a VDES head(wasn't able to get the head though... ). I still don't really like the default head (in & out-of-love kinda thing), but I adore her body and always have!

I'm glad that companies have opened their eyes and seen that there are people that have been waiting this whole time for mature sculpts and we're very, very happy that they've been making them!

 

I like so many BJDs, but find myself gravitating towards the ones with realistic, as opposed to anime-inspired sculpting. The advances in poseability have made a big impression on me, as have the large dolls, with their exquisite hands and feet. Boy dolls, never before favorites, are now special to me, in particular those of Dollmore, Elfdoll and Unidoll, not to mention the gorgeous Bishonen House guys...I do notice many middle-aged people enjoying this hobby, this obsession, and quite old people too. When I brought my Dollmore Model doll to my doll club, many of the people, including three in their late eighties and early nineties, were enchanted. They, too, admired the attention to detail, and really enjoyed playing.
I think that there is room for realism and stylization, and both should be able to coexist peacefully.
This is a very interesting question, so thank you for giving me the opportunity to respond

 

I guess being a newbie I haven't seen much of this, but for me personally, it depends. I find myself drawn to the more anime style dolls from companies like Dollzone, Bobobie, and Angell Studio, but some of the more realistic (in my opinion) looking dolls from Dollkot and Dollmore I like as well. I guess personally, I still want the doll to look something like 'a doll'. I'm a big fan of that ethereal look, and I'm sure it's in no small way a product of my love for anime and manga- I mean, I would also fall into your younger category, but I think that's just coincidence. It depends on what each person wants in their doll and what they want to imagine it to be. For me, a BJD is like a living drawing something come to life out of my sketch book- a work of complete fantasy. So I would only pick a doll that suits that look. That said, I don't think that majority of companies are looking to release more realistic dolls- I think that there's a nice mix between the two actually. I find plenty of companies that sell dolls I like, and plenty that sell the more realistic ones that other people like. You just have to know where to look.

 

I'm 24, and I love "style" in terms of artwork. I have a background in illustration and comics, and I just adore the expressionism that style can bring in cartoons. Some of my favourite illustrators and comickers have incredibly distinct styles which make preference for expression of mood/atmosphere in character and surrounding, over realism.

For me, in terms of dolls, I love the more stylised sculpts. Perhaps because I adore simpler shapes. I don't dislike the more complex and realistic-looking sculpts (quite the contrary! I love to look at them!) but as a personal preference, I love the simple lines best XD

 

In your opinion, has the BJD market changed, is there now more demand for "mature-realistic looking dolls"? If yes, what do you believe brought about this change?I think the BJD market is constantly changing, and aside from those people who have a certain preference, the collectors have very open minds and like all kinds of different dolls. In your opinion, has the BJD "world" matured, are older (long-time) bjd-followers now seeking more mature-realistic looking dolls? If you agree, why do you believe this is so?As new and different, i.e. more realistic, sculpts come along, everybody finds something new to like. Like I said before, I think doll collectors have very open minds. Do younger (10?-18-years-old) BJD-owners prefer the younger, "less-realistic" looking dolls? Why, why not?I am 15 years old, and my first real resin BJD will be the very realistic Souldoll Killian. I have looked at fantasy and anime style dolls and found ones that I would have liked to get, but I'm trying to concentrate on getting my first love right now. I find I can like all kinds of BJDs, from realistic, to anime-style, and even animal sculpts. Anything could catch my eye. Regardless of age, do you have a preference (realistic/and/or/mature vs youthful/and/or/stylized)?Like I said, it really depends on the individual doll. I seem to be drawn to tinies a little less than other BJDs, but I fell in love with Unidoll Momo when I saw her. Is it just a fad, in a constantly changing hobby?I dont think it is as much a fad as an advancement. Is it do to the joining of a completely new audience?It could be to an extent, but once agin, there are a lot of people like me who like individual dolls because of their vast differences. Is it just because BJD companies are growing, maturing themselves, and they want to make more 'real' looking dolls? That's a good way to put it, but I think a wide variety of dolls attracts a wide audience in turn. Maybe theyre just enhancing their product line.Does it have anything to do with age-group, or is it related to culture, region or other?I was attracted to BJDs and other Asian dolls through their links to anime, so yes, sometimes, to an extent.

 

--In your opinion, has the BJD market changed, is there now more demand for "mature-realistic looking dolls"?
I believe there is, I know I prefer the more mature, human looking dolls, although I think my preferences are very specific, relative to the general doll population... XD
--If yes, what do you believe brought about this change?
Money is with the market, if it will sell, they'll sell it. I'm a business student in HS, and this was drilled into out head since day 1.

--In your opinion, has the BJD "world" matured, are older (long-time) bjd-followers now seeking more mature-realistic looking dolls?
I'm not a very good person to ask, considering I've only been into BJDs for a little while. However, I do think that they have, judging by pictures of BJDs of the past.
--If you agree, why do you believe this is so?
People seem to connect better when they think they can identify.

--Do younger (10?-18-years-old) BJD-owners prefer the younger, "less-realistic" looking dolls? Why, why not?
I'm only 15, but I can tell you that I actually prefer the more mature and realistic faces on the dolls... My face preferences are very picky...


--Do older BJD-owners (19-100?-years-old) prefer the more 'realistic,' more adult-looking dolls? Why, why not?
I don't think this question applies to me...

--Regardless of age, do you have a preference (realistic/and/or/mature vs youthful/and/or/stylized)?
I like realistic, older looking dolls, with expressive faces. I find that a lot of the younger faces just don't appeal to me!


Other less specific, but related questions:
--Is it just a fad, in a constantly changing hobby?
BJDs are constantly changing. The beauty of them is that they can change, and be all the better for it.
--Is it do to the joining of a completely new audience?
I guess. I mean, I found out about BJDs by looking up goth lolita, but it's not like all people who like BJDs are goth lolita, or even female!
--Is it just because BJD companies are growing, maturing themselves, and they want to make more 'real' looking dolls?
I believe that ll sorts of dolls are being made, because the consumers are become more diverse in their preferences.
--Does it have anything to do with age-group, or is it related to culture, region or other?
All of those. People are defined by even the small things that make up themselves. They usually want a doll who defines who they are! (Or speaks to their personality!)

 

In your opinion, has the BJD market changed, is there now more demand for "mature-realistic looking dolls"?
I think that yes, they are becoming more common.

If yes, what do you believe brought about this change?
I have not been in the hobby for a long time, but I think this really depends by company more than time. Each company has their own unique style.

In your opinion, has the BJD "world" matured, are older (long-time) bjd-followers now seeking more mature-realistic looking dolls?
This question doesn't apply to me, sorry!
If you agree, why do you believe this is so?

Do younger (10?-18-years-old) BJD-owners prefer the younger, "less-realistic" looking dolls? Why, why not?
Me being under 18, it really depends if I like the mold. I find to like more mature molds for bigger sizes, but love the stylized look for minis and tinies.

Do older BJD-owners (19-100?-years-old) prefer the more 'realistic,' more adult-looking dolls? Why, why not?
Um.. everyone has an opinion... I don't nescesarily think it applies to age group.
Regardless of age, do you have a preference (realistic/and/or/mature vs youthful/and/or/stylized)?
As I put, I prefer the more mature looks for larger sizes. I'm not really into mature tinies, but hey! Whatever floats your boat.

Other less specific, but related questions:
Is it just a fad, in a constantly changing hobby?
Things come and go, do they not? I think the general thought stays similar, though
Is it just because BJD companies are growing, maturing themselves, and they want to make more
'real' looking dolls?
I would think of it more as exploring the creative depths of the human mind. I personally think it's fun to try something new, why would the companies not do this?

This makes me think of anime though, too. In the early 200's/1990's anime characters had HUUGE eyes and such. Now these days, art is becoming more realistic, charachters becoming a bit less stylized. I don't know. XD

 

In your opinion, has the BJD market changed, is there now more demand for "mature-realistic looking dolls"?
If yes, what do you believe brought about this change?
Yes, I see this as a large change. People starting to think out side the box on the BJD world. I think what brought this on was the large event of more real looking dolls. Because maybe the creators see it as more of a 'art'. I think that the more older crowd likes this because the more real dolls are easier to see in ones minds eye. Again- this differs from person to person.


Do younger (10?-18-years-old) BJD-owners prefer the younger, "less-realistic" looking dolls? Why, why not?
To the younger crowd, the dolls look less scary. They seem more alive if real looking, and may cause fear or just not their type of thing. It all differs with each person I have noticed.


Do older BJD-owners (19-100?-years-old) prefer the more 'realistic,' more adult-looking dolls? Why, why not?
Not so much, the older crowd, seems to be hanging on to the more less life like dolls. I actually am not sure why. But I have found a lot of older ones seem to like the more 'anime' and 'manga' feel of dolls.

Regardless of age, do you have a preference (realistic/and/or/mature vs youthful/and/or/stylized)?
The BJD's of today is a 'style' as you say. The world of dolls seem to have changed. I personally love the more real looking dolls. The ones that look alive, if you were not looking hard enough at a photo. These kinds of dolls take more skill, and in some ways are more appealing to the eye. Mine anyway.


Other less specific, but related questions:
Is it just a fad, in a constantly changing hobby?
I am not sure, but I am sure it changes with the times.

Is it do to the joining of a completely new audience?
Again this could be possible. But I doubt it.

Is it just because BJD companies are growing, maturing themselves, and they want to make more'real' looking dolls?
I would assume so. Most of the younger crowd are actually the ones making said BJD's.

Does it have anything to do with age-group, or is it related to culture, region or other?
I am going with region. And taste.

 

I found your questions (and the answers so far) fascinating because I've been wondering the same thing. I am an older (40-something) long time collector of many types of dolls. I followed the emergence of the BJD hobby with interest because I love poseable and customizable dolls though I mostly have/had vinyl dolls. I liked how BJDs were drawing younger collectors into the doll hobby which seemed to be on the verge of becoming associated with old ladies, dust and mothballs. But I wasn't attracted to the dolls themselves because they were too stylized (pointy chins, too big eyes, too thin bodies, white complexions...) and they were made of resin which scared me because of its fragility. Not to mention the cost.

Lately though, I've been completely sucked into the hobby because of the new style realistic/mature sculpts. I especially like the males. The awesome photography skills and the photostory sub-hobby are also pretty unique to BJD collectors. That's probably related to the average age of BJD collectors (way younger than the average doll collector). A BJD is often a character that fits into the human's fantasy world and the more mature dolls fit into my personal fiction better.

Maria

 

I do believe it has changed, but the only answer I have as to why it changed is that people's tastes have changed. Some of the 'younger' (14-18) individuals have grown up and their ideas about aesthetic beauty have matured along with them.

Honestly, I think it was just a matter of time before it evolved. Volks, being the 'first' company to put out dolls offered just unrealistic, anime styled, or young looking dolls. I don't think people really considered getting something so out of the norm as the aforementioned 'mature' sculpts. Of course, with new collectors coming into the hobby, new tastes and new ideas come as well. Supply and demand is the number one rule to most markets, right? Well, perhaps these newbies didn't want an anime style or young looking doll.

I can only speak for myself, (I got into this hobby when I was 14, I'm 15 now) but my long standing favorite sculpt is Narae, mostly because of her realistic proportions and how alive she looks. So, no, younger individuals do not prefer lees-realistic dolls. Err, at least I don't As for the majority- I think the youth in this community like fantasy-like and anime style dolls more because that's what brought them to this hobby. Often, people migrate over to this particular sector of dolls from Blythe, Pullip and Obitsu- all very unrealistic, very anime stylized dolls.

I don't feel right stating an opinion here because I don't have the insight into this particular answer. I will say, however, I think it depends on the individual’s tastes.

As I've said beforehand, I do lean more towards realistic sculpts. Smaller eyes, smaller busts, proportionate heads etc.

-Constantly changing hobby.
-In part, yes.
-No, I think it's the new additions to the community that led doll companies to making more mature looking sculpts.
-Age certainly has a lot to do with it, but I think culture is also a big factor.

 

I love realism in dolls- and mature sculpts too. I'm not sure why really but it's what I prefer. For me the perfect doll is a smaller scale "human", the more details the better.

Now that there are more of these dolls being offered I find myself drawn to BJD's- and actually wanting to spend money on them, whereas before I thought they were very unappealing with huge eyes, etc..too freaky cutesy.

 

I personally don't care one way or the other if they're stylized/animeish or realistic. If it's got a face sculpt I like, or a body with great posing abilities, I buy it. I started out with mostly Luts, but have since added a Dollmore Model male to my collection and an Elfdoll girl (although she has elf ears so I can't call her "realistic", exactly). Most of my dolls (with the exception of two) are elves, though, so realism doesn't play a very big role in my collection.

 

In your opinion, has the BJD market changed, is there now more demand for "mature-realistic looking dolls"? If yes, what do you believe brought about this change?

I have only been in the BJD hobby for a year and a half (doll collecting for only for 5 years), but I still have seen a change to more realistics sculpts. I'm not sure what has brought about the change, but as I see more older doll collectors getting into BJDs, I tend to see these older collectors wanting more realistic sculpts.

In your opinion, has the BJD "world" matured, are older (long-time) bjd-followers now seeking more mature-realistic looking dolls?
If you agree, why do you believe this is so?

Not necessarily. I think it is simply a matter of personal taste. People who like more stylized dolls are still going to like them. A lot of people still love Volks and many of those sculpts are more stylized

Do older BJD-owners (19-100?-years-old) prefer the more 'realistic,' more adult-looking dolls? Why, why not?

I am 41 and while I do like realistics sculpts and appreciate seeing them, I still love the more stylized dolls like Choa. I do love some of the more realistic males like Elfdoll K, but for females I always prefer stylized.

Other less specific, but related questions:
Is it just a fad, in a constantly changing hobby?

I don't think it is a fad or a change in the hobby. I think it is just another option available for collectors.

Is it do to the joining of a completely new audience?
Is it just because BJD companies are growing, maturing themselves, and they want to make more 'real' looking dolls? Does it have anything to do with age-group, or is it related to culture, region or other?

Over the last year, I have seen many vinyl doll collectors get into BJDs. These are older collectors and they do tend to like the more realistic sculpts. Unfortunately it is these older collectors that have the funds to purchase many BJDs at one time. As the sales go, so will the sculpts. I do think there is room for both styles, though. Custom House will always be awesome with their stylized sculpts and I can't imagine more realistic dolls from them or there not being a CH around.