Most Efficient BJDs/Articulated Dolls + Cost?

[SavantInamorata]

So I am really getting into this doll modding thing, and I try to pick up any decent doll bodies I can find used, I can get decent loose barbies for like .50 to $1.00 at yard sales, but as I get more into this, I've researched the more expensive options, and would just like some feedback from those of you who have been doing this a long time.

So for any dolls I make for permanent sets I plan to give my daughter, I insist on articulated knees and elbows. The ankles, wrists, and torsos being flexible is nice too, but I'm not as hardcore about that.

Barbie Fashionista -

This has been my favorite body so far. I've had decent luck getting them at yard sales for very cheap. But there are drawbacks. While I love the way her torso bends, and arms, wrists, and how her legs pivot, I wish she'd have more options for her feet. It's not a huge deal, and I can live with it, but, ya,articulated ankles would be nice. Also the skintones tend to be darker for her, tanned, I think there is 1 lighter one, but haven't gotten her yet.
I've also been checking ebay auctions for lots of articulated barbies, but the results have been disappointing. Any advice where I can find other bodies like this, or the same ones cheap, that is, besides yard sales and thrift stores?

Ken Fashionista -

-2009 Version-
This has to be my favorite male body so far. The legs pivot, great for posing! I only have 1 of these bodies, and would like to find more. Do they still make them? It looked like they might still have them as "Fashionista Ken Cutie" now. Drawbacks: I find his arms look short, his wrists and ankles don't pivot, but that's ok.

-Newer Version-
What on earth possessed them to take the pivoting legs away? I mean his wrists bend, and his head can pivot better, but I'd trade that back for the legs any day. I've seen a tutorial on giving him pivoting legs.. but of course that requires getting the legs from an earlier version... sigh. He has some good parts, but I prefer the 2009 version any day.

LIV -

I like the LIV bodies, articulated wrists, elbows, knees, ankles, pivoting torso. A few things annoy me though. The feet are so tiny in proportion it looks silly. I also hate the big heads, and I have put barbie type heads on them before, which leads to another issue. The hook holding their head on is very slim, so when I put a barbie head on there, it wont hold itself up, just falls. I believe I found a tutorial on fixing this, by adding enough extra elastic bands around the hook, haven't tried it though. I did recently actually give the body a new hook, it works better, but, the lines on the sides of the neck are exposed some because the hook's a bit big in the neck. I can find these dolls cheaply enough used, or in the store on sale for like $11-$15 (granted I prefer the $1 used ones). But their legs don't pivot, that drives me nuts, the other movement/posing is great, but no pivoting legs. =(

Monster High -

The proportions are obviously off, but the bodies have a certain charm. I have 0 interest in the giant heads though, has anyone reheaded a monster high with a barbie type head? I haven't decapitated one yet, so I'm not sure how different the hooks or whatever are, but any tutorial link to this would be cool!

Other Cheap Fashion Dolls -
I honestly have yet to see a Bratz or Myscene body I like.

High End BJDs -
So, if you haven't noticed I'm quite cheap, and they thought of spending big money on a doll hurts... but I may eventually. I did some research here and would lean the most to Volks. My question, does this web site still function as a store? It doesn't seem to have been updated in a long time: http://www.volksusa.com/store.html. Those prices aren't too bad, so I'm wondering, what is the quality difference between these and the low end, fashionista type bodies? I mean, I see all the points of articulation, and what not, but are they easier to repaint, better quality in general, etc. Can they be given a Barbie type head easily?

Last question: I'm looking for some slightly larger male bodies with articulated joints, maybe 13-15" tall, and I cannot find a darn thing, not from Volks, not from Obitsu. Any advice here would be much appreciated. =)

Thanks for reading!

[MitisFeles]

According to my knowledges, Volks Usa still works. I had to made my order from Volks Japan because the US site doesn't ships overseas (and I live in Italy) so I cannot be 100% sure but surely someone here can give you the confirmation and tell you his/her experience with this particular site. I have two Neo Goh Guys (two 1/6 Volks male dolls) and I'm really happy with them, even if Obitsu joints are better, in my opinion. Volks (and Obitsu) bodies can support all the heads with no neck, and some models come with head adaptors too, to fit different head holes.

Here are my Volks guy in a really not manly pose:



For larger bodies you can search in the Action figures section... Dollykim has a wide selection of comparison photos on her site, and there are some action figure bodies at fair prices around in the net.

[ShadowKat]

Hmm... I don't know about the Volks website. I looked at their bodies once and I passed on them to seek out the Obitsu body, but that's just me, because I hate the way the back of the knees looks on the Volks. That, and for me it's easier to find the Obitsu (Junkyspot has a really good price on them).

As for articulation, a more realistic body, and a good price, you might wanna look into the action figure girls. Some of them are quite articulated, but that's a big can of worms. Most are in the 20-30 dollar price range (like the Obitsu's), like the TTL, BBi, Sideshow, and several of Triad's bodies, but like I said, can of worms. Some are really good quality, and some require lots of work. Hot Toys makes good articulated girls, but I don't like them and most are really expensive ($50+ depending). We have several Sideshow girls, a TTL, 2 Triad Eva's, and a Triad Otaku. I personally do not recommend the EVA or the Otaku. Our EVAs are in peices (poor quality plastic that is really shiny and brittle. The ankles crumbled away), and the Otaku has no legs after one little bend with heat applied (Bad bad bad joints on this one, though she is quite gorgeous). The Triad Alpha bodies that they just released have really good reviews so far and lots of people love them, though I don't have one personally. Many of these companies produce bodies in a wide range of skintones too.

For bigger males, DC direct made some 1/6 13" males. Some of those are good looking, but some are really odd. Though, if your comparing to the Obitsu slim male, most action figure bodies are much bigger. I like the Sideshow/Art S. Buck body that came on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Spike figure we own, and he looks huge compared to the Obitsu. I don't own any more male figures, so I can't personally recommend any others.

As you can see, I'm transitioning from the action figure side of 1/6th to the BJD, slowly. I'm saving for my first Obitsu gal, and I can't wait. If you need any more info, just let me know! I can't wait to hear others chime in about the BJD side!

Oh, for the Monsters, here's a link on removing the head. They have a good pic of the connector, and it's really different from the Barbie type.

[OkamiKodomo]

I order from Volks USA every few months or so, to get the ZM spray, as I prefer it to MSC. The shipping is a bit expensive, even for small, light items, like zippers and eyelets, but if you buy a bunch of things at once, it makes it worth it. I can't give any review on the bodies themselves, though.

[DollyKim]

What's there is there and I own all of them so I can answer questions http://dolfielittles.com/encyclopedia.html

[LadydracoWD]

Personally I prefer the Volks bodies to the Obitsu bodies... But that's just my opinion...

[Stormlight]

I have both Obitsu and Volks bodies. Personally, I prefer Obitsu. Volks bodies seem ... flimsy to me. Their joints are a lot looser, more floppy, even when new. They feel like they could break easily if handled wrong. Obitsu feel a lot sturdier by comparison. Also, they're prettier. I prefer the Obitsu soft vinyl bodies to Volks shiny hard plastic.

I dunno, but I heard that Volks has actually discontinued their 1/6 dollfie line, which might be why nothing has been updated. I used to buy a lot of their 1/6 clothes from the USA site, but it's been awhile since ordering from them. Maybe someone can confirm whether it's true or not?

[Alopecia No Hime]

I can vouch for the Obitsu's. I have the slim male and if you want a boy...That's the guy to go for personally...That's my opinion though. Here's ALL my Obitus's in a line:


Kaname can do splits, bend backwards and still be standing (magnetic feet) and he's got MAN HANDS. *shot* But seriously it's a good body. Same goes for the girl. The 21 cm body is great too. Riven (my little boy) has very solid joints it takes a bit of effort to get him to come apart. My Bitty also has great posing, but her joints like some Obitsu's after awhle need a coat of nail polish on the ends to keep her in. (clear coat.) Or hot glue I heard words too....Lightly on the ends then whipe it off quick....I might have to do that.

But the Obitsu's are really good articulated dolls..Like everyone else has been saying Volks and Obitsu are both great brands. Look around, check out owner pictures, decide on what you like though. Depening on the set up Barbie heads don't go with Obitsu that well it's a mix and match really....Some knock off heads will look good. The female heads work good on the 27 (more like 28) cm slim with modifications. (Kaname has a girls head. He was bought second hand. I didn't do his face up.)

[SavantInamorata]

Shadowkat - Those sound like they could work, but, I'm not into anime, and I'm not quite sure what all those abbreviations mean, haha.

I looked into the triad toys web site, found one that could work:
http://www.triadtoys.com/Brands/Figure+Bodies/Base+Bodies/EVOLUTION+%28EVO%29+CAUCASIAN+BODY.html, but of course, it's sold out and not in production.
I do like the EVO body though. I found this one: http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TRD10015&mode=retail&picture=out, do you think I'd have trouble putting Aladdin's head on there? Granted, that one's 12" but it's fine for Aladdin. Also, is that a good price?

Thank you for the junkyspot link, those are like the best prices I've seen on obitsu. I found this body: http://junkyspot.com/IMAGES/27DOLL/KM-132.jpg. How hard is it to transfer a Ken type head to one of those bodies? Also, is it hard to blush those bodies?

I tried to look into the DC ones, but they're out of my price range. Also, I can't tell if the clothes are even removable.
Thank you for the Monster High link too. You've been a big help. =)

I guess my big question is how hard barbie type heads are to transfer to the obitsu, volks, or triad dolls? Especially for the males.

-DollyKim- that is one heck of a collection! Thanks for sharing. Any of those male dolls 13" or taller?

Thanks everyone for your responses too!

[Lamia of the Dark]

OBITSUS FOR THE WIN!!