Exploring Shibajuku Girls: A Review and Reflection on Blythe Dolls

I'm eager to see how Shibajuku Girls' outfits would match up. I've been resisting the urge to buy a Shibajuku Girl for a few reasons: A) they're quite expensive, B) storing them is a challenge, and C) I really don't need one more doll. In fact, I'm already struggling to find space for Candi and Jaylin! Even though separate outfits are available, I haven't come across any in stores. I've seen Kuu Kuu Harajuku clothes, but not Shibajuku Girls' outfits. I suppose patience is key here. If I can hold off, it might be worth it because it seems that Shibajuku Girls can wear Licca's clothing. If that's the case, maybe Jaylin can also rock Shibajuku styles, considering her body size is quite close to Licca's.

To sum it all up, the "cons" list may seem long, but it's not as bad as it looks.

Downsides:

• The doll is top-heavy, a problem that's been an issue for Blythe from the start. A good doll stand can help with this.
• The eye sockets are remarkably large. It doesn't bother me, but it's worth noting.
• The head pieces don't align perfectly. I'm not sure if this is common or not, but it's worth mentioning.
• The eye mechanism could be fragile due to its plastic components.

Positives:

• The hair is soft, thick, and a lovely color.
• The eyes, while monotonous, feature a beautiful shade of gray with varying pupil sizes, which is quite interesting.
• The face has a matte finish, a pleasant surprise.
• The face paint is impeccable.
• The body is sturdy, not flimsy like other clones.
• The doll can wear a surprisingly diverse range of clothes. Licca-chan and Elly-chan's outfits work well, along with some Barbie clothes and flat Barbie shoes.
• If store-bought clothes aren't your thing, Etsy offers numerous cool options.
• The doll is suitable for learning modifications, though I'm hesitant to do much since I like Jaylin as she is.

Considering the stories of eBay scams, I strongly recommend exercising caution when buying a factory Blythe. If you're specifically looking for a factory doll and it's labeled as such, you should be fine. However, if you're seeking an authentic Blythe, be extremely careful as some sellers might pass off fake dolls as the real deal. The rule "if it's too good to be true, it probably is" applies here, as well as to any eBay purchase. Be informed and know what to watch out for; factory Blythe dolls often have noticeable eye holes showing more of the mechanism than genuine Blythe dolls, angled eyelashes, and unconventional hair colors. Their quality might not match that of real Takara or Kenner dolls, and they might have unique features like a matte face or unusual eye chips (Jaylin has both of these). That being said, I have no regrets about going the factory route for my first "Blythe." It helped me understand the eye mechanism better and how the doll behaves during posing and photography. Jaylin can be a bit challenging to pose due to her large head and stiff neck, but she's an enjoyable subject to photograph. Her dynamic eyes add personality that most dolls lack, and I can make her look in almost any direction. She can't look upward, which is a drawback, but that's true for most Blythe dolls unless they're modified. She can look sideways, though, which proves useful for photos, especially when her new friend Emerald wants to join in.

In short, the most negative thing I can say about Jaylin is that she's making me want an authentic Takara Blythe more than ever, just so I can compare the two. However, since I also need a washing machine and a dryer, that'll have to wait. Nonetheless, I'll continue having fun with Jaylin!

As a final interesting tidbit, while browsing YouTube, I stumbled upon a comment about additional characters in the Blythe line. This comment included a link that led me to discover that Kenner had planned four dolls with the same shifting-eye gimmick. Each hair color corresponded to a different name: Skye (the classic blonde), Karess (with purple eyes and black hair), Willow (a green-eyed redhead), and Blythe (a brunette with brown eyes). Their eyes moved but didn't change color. You can find more details here, complete with pictures of a prototype Willow head and other items. It's a fascinating read for fellow Blythe enthusiasts, and I want to give a shoutout to the Closeted Goth on YouTube for sharing the link. It's worth checking out Goth's YouTube channel if you're a doll lover like us.

Sending lots of love

Edelweiss 2023

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