Dollfie
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Dollfie is a playscale (27 cm or 11 inches tall) vinyl doll that is produced by Volks Inc., located in Japan.
Dollfie is a highly-poseable hybrid of fashion doll and action figure, first created in 1997. Playscale Dollfies are about the size of a Barbie - yet is normally smaller doll though there are many differences, particularly in the flexibility of the dolls. Similar dolls also considered dollfie in the usa are called obitsu which is the same company the came up with the design and over all concept for volks dollfie as the did the workmen ship in the plant that made them. The Super Dollfie are larger dolls made by Volks.
When an artist paints a Dollfie, the technique is referred to as a "face-up" or "make-up". This is usually done using acrylic paints and special sealer to keep the color from coming off with play. The finished dolls are usually collected for customization and photography shoots.
Types of Playscale Dollfies
| This article may be written from a fan's point of view, rather than a neutral point of view. (May 2007) |
Volks Inc. manufactures several types of playscale customizable bodies with doll-crafters and artists in mind. Unlike other popular fashion doll lines where only the outfits could be changed, Dollfie dolls were made to be customized from the base on up, beginning with basics like hair and eye color. For those with less skill, doll-crafting short-cuts were introduced, such as pre-rooted hair and stick-on eye decals. Later, complete dolls were issued but the custom doll bodies still remain the largest, most varied line and are favored by OOAK artists around the world.
There are various body types, male and female, with several forms and skin tones for both as well as a line of child-sized dolls. They make different heads, some with hair and some without for custom rooting; there are even head types that have the hair molded on for those that like to paint. The Dollfie custom base body comes unpainted so that it can be used by hobbyists and artists for creating original dolls of their own design. The company makes tools and materials to customize and maintain dolls with but in many instances less costly substitutes work just as well.
Excellent Base Body
A very flexible doll, the Excellent Base body is the Dollfie standard line. It comes with an unpainted head that has no hair - the artist must either root hair or find a wig that will fit the doll. There are a large variety of styles and skin colors in this line, with a choice between different types of male and female forms. Due to the designs, this line is generally favored by artists for making dolls that have an anime style.
Elegant Collection
Articulated doll with full poseability under a vinyl seamless 'skin' that looks more "real" in swimsuits and other skin-baring outfits. Because of their special outer "skin" these dolls cost more than the standard Dollfie but are still far more affordable to collect than the 60cm (2 foot) tall dolls.
Dollfie Plus
Poseable doll with a resin head made to put custom eyes in and wigs on. Fully articulated, this doll is very similar to Super Dollfie, only scaled down. Despite their more affordable price-tag, these dolls are still not nearly as popular as the Super Dollfies.
EB Beauty Model
Similar to Dollfie Plus but that the waist is not jointed and the articulation parts are smaller. There are no screw holes on the body (unlike Dollfie Plus). The head attachment is made with easy clothes changes in mind. There is a particular doll in this base line that has a "soft bust" - a bust that isn't solid.
NEO
More life-like in details. Fully articulated. Comes in male and female, with more than one choice of body style for each. Head has to be purchased separately for some bases. This line has a male body that is similar to G.I. Joe action figures.
Customize Doll
Like the Excellent Base Model, only this doll is accompanied by one of several vinyl head types that are crafted with a molded-on hairstyle. The doll features a "swing" body that the company touts as being perfect for models for illustrators, in addition to its use as a customized doll.
Who's That Girl?
Stylish fashion dolls with an anime style. The dolls are sold complete with make-up, hair, and clothes. The name also supports a line of fashions that fit most playscale dolls made by Volks Inc.
Century Model
Pre-painted, costumed Dollfies designed to look like high fashion models. Very similar to vintage Barbie dolls in many respects, though fully articulated.
Lost Angels Story
Costumed, painted dolls with an original anime theme. Volks Inc. created a whole collection of this popular series of dolls, with an ongoing story to back them. They have its own series of graphic novels based on the dolls.
Der Ring Des Niebelungen
Another line of anime-style dolls from Volks Inc., with an original story behind them.