Body comparison between the Azone cuties... from a total n00b!

Back row: Mio, Lycee, Miu. Front ro: Chisa, Lipu, Nanoha.

Well, it turns out my original intention to purchase just one Azone girl hasn't actually stuck. [snort] And it also turns out, Azone makes a bunch of different body sizes, and I know absolutely nothing about them. Many of the sizes are pretty close, so you can kind of share clothes, but some are different enough so sharing is not an option.

If you follow my blog, you're familiar with the main size difference--1:6 versus 1:12. And probably from the photo above, you can tell there's a difference between the two 1:12 bodies. Lipu (the maid) has the larger 1:12 body size, with a bigger head, hands and feet, and she is a little taller, too. Nanoha is the same size as the other Picco ExCute girls, only she's the first doll offered in white skin (at least in this size, I think).

Lipu, with her broom

Chiika and Aika, size comparison

Next--for the 1:6 size girls, it can be a little hard to tell, at first, unless you see then side-by-side. Well, except for Mio:

Mio

Mio uses a new body, I think, with a larger bust size than previously offered. At least, I don't have any other dolls with this body shape and this bust size. (It's kind of all I notice when I look at her, poor little thing!) I believe it's called the Deflection full mobile M/LL. When you compare her shape to the Lycee, who uses Flexion M, you can see the difference:

Lycee (Chocolate Mint Ice)

Then, we have the next smaller Flection body--this is the older body style, Pure Neemo Flexion S, though, as her arms don't move away from her body at the shoulders. (The body on newer dolls has arms that can extend up and out from the shoulder.)

Miu (Secret Wonderland store exclusive)

And finally, we've got the XS Flexion, who is somewhat shorter than the other girls. I believe the boys also use this body.

Chisa (Secret Garden)

The nice thing is that the hands are interchangeable on all of the 1:6 size dolls, as far as I can tell. Azone also marks the clothing as to which outfits will fit which bodies. If you prefer a particular body over any others, you have the option to purchase bodies separately, as well, which is a nice feature. Personally, I like having a variety. I wish the larger girls came in different colors, too. But they sure are fun! (And no, I'm not going to count how many I have.)

But I will take this moment and let you know that there are several available for preorder right now, and I actually did NOT order any of these, as cute as they are. Check out:

• [Nisekoi] Kirisaki Chitoge
• EX Cute 10th Best Selection Lien / Angelic Sigh II (Normal Mouth ver.) 
• EX Cute 10th Best Selection Lien / Angelic Sigh II (Smile Mouth ver.) and
• [IS (Infinite Stratos)2] Cecilia Alcott (Fashion Doll) (she's the 1:3 size!)

See? I do have a little bit of self control occasionally.

Chiika in a new outfit!

Azone Chikka in a new outfit! I just need to stop with this obsessive behavior. Enough already--and I think I hear the postal carrier at the door. Oh man!

Mio's Holiday - my latest addition from Azone

Originally, I planned on only one. My intention was to trade a Fashion Royalty doll for a single Azone Pure Neemo, and be done with it. But now they've totally taken over an entire shelf in the doll cabinet!

This is Mio, older sister to Mia and Miu, with the larger body size (I think she uses the M Flection body, but I could be mistaken). She is absolutely adorable! I love her monochromatic outfit.

She includes a bra and panties, skirt with lace trim, corset, cardigan with ruffled edges, blouse with ribbon tie, matching purse, headband with a bow, socks and boots. The only thing I dislike about her were the fact that her boots were so difficult to put on her feet. They don't have closures, so it was hard to slip them on--but I managed it.

I'll add a few more detail photos of her here, for your own examination.

Closeup of her corset, cardigan and blouse

Details of the boots

Detail of her purse

Another full length shot

She's so cute and flirty!

New dolls from Azone from Hobby Search

Check out these new cuties from Azone, available to reserve from Hobby Search Japan. I've ordered lots of things from this company before, and they are vey reliable with great prices. Don't wait, though, as these dolls go quickly!

Above, it's Ex Cute Pureneemo Aika with a pouty mouth as 10th Best Selection Classic Alice Cheshire Cat. She's on sale for 11,400 yen (about $111.46), and as of the post, was available for reservation. She's due to ship this summer, and she's the 1:6 size.

A similar version is also available at the same price, with Aika's traditional smile.

Unfortunately, I missed out on Picco Ex Cute Neemo Himeno, who is a 1/12 size in an adorable school uniform. She's due to ship in later May, retailing for 6,460 yen (about $63.16). I have her on my waiting list. Himeno is one of my favorite faces!

Photos are property of Azone.

Wicked Style Aika

Wicked Style Aika, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Ack! I don't know what is happening to me, but these girls just keep showing up!

Worse, this one, Wicked Style Aika, included an extra body. (I found her used, but I'm not 100% sure she's original--can any reader help? Heather?? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?) (Doesn't that name look weird spelled out? I actually had to look it up!)

The dressed body looks like an original body, but the legs don't bend. I think it might be an Advance A-Type body, actually. The package included an Advance D-Type body (the one in the photo), nude and wrapped in tissue, in addition to both option sets A and B (which include tons of extra hands and a set of shoulder pieces).

In the photo above, I've dressed the sitting body in Chocolate Mint Ice Cream outfit (Sahras a la Mode), which is a nice fit--possibly a bit large in the bust, but still fine. Then, I simply popped Aika's head on the peg--no heat required, since the vinyl is so soft.

She's so cute and easy to redress. I'm afraid she won't be my last Azone addition!

You can see additional photos on Flickr.

Lil Fairy - Azone - Second production!

If you missed out on those adorable Lil' Fairy dolls released last month by Azone, you have another chance to preorder them!

Ewnoe, the little blue maid, is available now for preorder from Hobby Search. And you can also pick up the little brown maid Lipu. It looks like they will be released in the summer.

I have to confess, I reserved Ewnoe, since little Lipu needs a friend, after all. There will be one more coming out, wearing a black dress. They stand only 16 cm tall, and they are super cute!

Photos are property of Azone.

Lil' Fairy Lipu

Lipu, a photo by alington on Flickr.

And darn it, the next one in the series, Ewnoe, is sold out already!

She's my first Picco Neemo in this body style--she is 1/12 in size with the D-body (larger hands and head), and I didn't think I'd like her. But her anime features are perfect. She includes extra hand poses, so she can easily hold her broom (and cleaning rag).

Her outfit is removable, and under the apron, she is wearing a cute brown short-sleeved dress (the lace-trimmed sleeves are detached). She includes tights, mary janes, bloomers, and a head piece, too.

See more photos on Flickr. Ack, she's cute!

Choco Mint Ice Lycee

Choco Mint Ice Lycee, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Mysteriously, another Azone Pure Neemo has arrived at my house--and so close to Christmas, too!

She couldn't stay in the box, as lovely as those boxes are, so out she came! It's a rainy week here in lovely San Diego, and Choco Mint Ice Lycee is gazing out the window.

Her mint and chocolate brown outfit is amazingly detailed. She even has a teeny tiny garter. She is 1:6 scale doll. I'll have to do some comparison shots between her, Momoko, Barbie and some Fashion Royalty girls in my next photo session.

Check out her full photoshoot on Flickr.

A Wave from Japan Auction at Auction Fever

Alice's Sweets - Mint Jelly Momoko

Starting tomorrow, February 5, 2011 at 9 am PST, and lasting the week through February 12 at 7 PM PST, Auction Fever will be hosting A Wave from Japan Auction.

First, you'll want to read all the fine print here to learn about this auction and how to bid.

Here is the promotional text:

A Wave auction is different from a regular Auction Fever auction. First of all it is only Japanese Exclusive Items in this auction. It's like a giant treasure hunt because all the items are not categorized, they are just added as sellers send them to me. So search through the 4 pages and nearly 200 items that are offered for bids. The main pages are up right now for you to preview the items available, and the individual pages will go up by Saturday morning. So go and look at the main pages to see what will be offered starting Saturday, Feb. 5 at 9 am PST.

You'll find all sorts of fun items by Momoko, Dollystyle exclusive dolls, FR Nippon, Blythe, Azone, Pullip, Fashion Royalty convention exclusives and more. Oh my! The preview items are up, but the bidding won't start till tomorrow.

Also, it appears that the larger images don't seem to be working yet, either.

Photo property of Petworks.

Fabulous specials from BIC Co, Ltd!

Check out the fantastic reborn Momoko dolls from BIC! Also, Kazue has listed some great deals on deboxed dolls and fashions as well.

Plus, for a limited time only, you can design your own Momoko: Choose your doll's face, hairstyle, and color. Your doll will be shipped to you by the end of January. (These are the Special Design Planning dolls).

Also, when you purchase up to 15000JPY worth of in-stock products, you get free shipping. When you increase your order to 30000JPY, you can save 20% and get free shipping (use the code NEWS001). Valid through December 15 only, so go shop!

NOTE: If you tried to place your order yesterday, and couldn't the code to work right, it's because the system hadn't been updated correctly. It should be working now. 

A Pullip and J-Doll Feast with... Lily?

For this post's pictures, I had a little trouble, because one of our cats, Lily, wanted some of the plastic food I was using. She mostly wanted a little cake with some paper on the bottom of it.

On the right is a picture of a J-Doll and three mini Pullips. They are having a feast of Italian foods like manicotti and pizza. It's nice and quiet until somebody comes and "eats" everything. If you look closely, Lily is licking her lips as if she's ready to eat every single piece.

As Lily tries to get a piece of plastic food, she knocks down a Pullip named Moonstone. She also knocks down the cake she's trying to get and then sniffs it, but doesn't even bother it anymore. She goes to bother the other cats.          

 But before she knocks down Moonstone, she goes to sniff the J-Doll and Virgo (Virgo is the Pullip with yellow hair. ). I'm just glad I didn't put any glass on the little table or any flowers!

So sometimes it isn't a good idea to leave very breakable dolls out with a very curious cat! Otherwise, you'd have to say good bye to that doll!
I think I should've kept Lily out of the way.

Fantastic place to find Jenny dolls!

R&D Fashion Dolls is a great international site where you can find Jenny dolls, like my Birthday Club doll. While she is no longer available, you will be able to find others (including other Club dolls, at much cheaper prices than what I paid on Ebay, I should add).

In addition, you can also find Momoko dolls, which are hard to find in the US (and can I just say how badly I would like to add Alice in Snow to my collection? And while you're there, check out how cute Lacy Modernist is! She's a pre-order), Licca, some Volks dolls, and limited edition Barbies (some of which are hard to find here). In addition, R&D is an Integrity Toys dealer, and often have interesting and hard-to-find Fashion Royalty, Dynamite Girl Susie (she's an exclusive for them), and occasionally FR Nippon as well.

I know a few collectors who have shopped from this site, and they not only have a reputation for great customer service, but the owners are fellow collectors and very friendly and knowledgeable as well. Plus, one of the owners, Rudi, who also runs a blog (check it out and follow it!) is actually one of the guest judges on Couture Challenge, also.

Photos courtesy Sekiguchi.

Birthday Club Jenny

Birthday Club Jenny, originally uploaded by alington.

My first Takara Jenny has arrived, a 2005 Birthday Club doll. She's a limited edition of 1000 dolls, and I found her on Ebay. Her arms and legs are wire-framed, so she poses a bit like Gumby. I think it will take me a while to figure out how to pose her naturally.

Of course, she's in my collection because she looks like Alice in Wonderland. And yes, she has variegated blue hair. Her face is very anime-looking. I wasn't sure I'd like it, but I find it quite cute in real life.

Her outfit is surprisingly detailed--with ribbons and lacing in the front. And her shoes are fun--platforms that lace with ribbon. And she needs a birthday crown. She's about the same size as a Barbie--maybe 10.5" tall or so.

You can see more photos of her on my Flickr account or full-size photos on my Mobile Me gallery. Have a great weekend!

New Momoko Dolls available from Doll-Collectible

Two new Momoko dolls are now in stock at Doll-Collectible:

• Fruits of Passion is listed at about $104.50, a 25% savings. This gorgeous doll has long wavy chestnut hair, and is wearing a cute red bikini underneath a teal romper, and mustard peep-toe slingback heels and sunglasses complete her look. She was released in July 2009.
• Honey Wild is also listed at $104.50, the same 25% savings. This blonde beauty has brown eyes, and is wearing a black blouse with a tie, and a grey sleeveless hoodie, black ball cap and a black skirt, white tie boots and black socks. Her release date is August 2009.

Additionally, Lazy Seventeen, a 2008 doll, has been restocked and is available again. She's available for about $139, a blue-eyed brunette with a bob, cap, long-sleeved t-shirt, black jeans, and plaid fanny pack with high-top sneakers.

Photos courtesy Sekiguchi.

Pullip wish list...

My growing Pullip wish list is getting a little scary. The more I see of these dolls, the more I like them! Anyone have a good recommendation for a good source for Pullip dolls? I've seen Valley of the Dolls and Pullip Style, but I've never ordered from either site. Here are the top dolls I'd like to add to my collection (if my budget were unlimited, of course!):

• Another Alice, which is a limited edition doll of 500, who is available at Valley of the Dolls for $148. I like her unique golden take on the traditional Alice.
• Isolde, who is the gorgeous curly-haired blonde with the fluffy gown. She's an ultra-limited edition of 300 pieces. Currently, she is for sale at Valley of the Dolls for a mere $800.
• Aquel is another Pullip from 2007 who is still in stock at Pullip Style for $84.95. She's not supposed to be Alice, but I thought she could pass for one. And with her pink hair, she might make a punky version of one, too!
• Fantastic Alice is sold out just about everywhere. I'm sure I could find her on Ebay, if I wanted to pay a lot of money. But still. She's the full-sized Pullip doll in the traditional Alice costume.
• Blue Alice is a little Pullip, and just adorable. She's only about 4-3/4" tall. She's in stock at Pullip Style for just $32. She might be an ideal first Pullip for me. I'm tempted!

For those of you new to Pullip, she's about 12" tall and fully articulated. She has an oversized head, and her eyes can open, close and look left and right. Each doll includes a stand, trading card, an outfit and accessories, and new dolls are released each month.

Photos courtesy JUN Planning.

Ope! One of my wishlist items is on sale!

Check out these Misaki dolls, currently on sale from Doll-Collectible in Japan. You need to sign up for an account to see the prices, which are currently listed for 20% off. Also, you get a coupon for savings to use at a later date when you sign up for an account. (You don't have to enter in any credit card information--just your name, address and email.)

This site also carries a lot of Jun Planning dolls, including hard to find Pullip dolls at great (sale) prices, plus J-dolls, which are just adorable as well.

Red Rabbit is listed for about $162 USD (at today's exchange rate), with shipping charges from Japan, which is actually quite reasonable... Hmmm. I'm very tempted! She's just such a must-have for my Alice in Wonderland collection....

Photo courtesy Integrity Toys.

My growing wish list...

My growing collection is morphing everyday, as I'm looking through my various Flickr groups and surfing online. I'm not sure having this blog really helps narrow my collection down--though a narrow collection isn't what I'm aiming for, quite frankly.

My newest items on my wish list: Fashion Royalty Nippon Misaki dolls. The two I currently like best are retired dolls, Tokyo Here We Go and Red Rabbit (an Alice in Wonderland inspired doll). These dolls are by Integrity Toys and are on slightly smaller bodies than Fashion Royalty dolls. They are currently only available in Japan, but I was able to find them in stock at a retailer who will ship them at a reasonable rate to the US. (No, I did not buy them... yet. I have many pre-ordered dolls due out this month, the next and also over the summer, so I have to watch my budget!)

Next, Pullip makes a small Alice doll--a mini Pullip--who I find adorable. She's really cute, and she retails for just $32. I think

she'll need to come find her way to my house soon. I can't pass her up, I think.

Also, I've been eyeing the Jun Planning J-Dolls for quite some time. Cresent Road, Vasterlanggatan and Punkaa Street are the top three on my list right now--but I like quite a few of these lovely dolls. Their outfits are very unique, and their prices are right around $80 or even less. They are only 9" tall, and they are full articulated.

Sometimes, just the idea of adding a new doll to my collection and window shopping is enough... *sigh*....

Photos courtesy JUN Planning and Integrity Toys.