Multiple companies using the same fantasy concept ?

Even though I'm not really interested in the more outrageous fantasy dolls, I like the idea that a number of companies are offering them in a variety of price ranges. This makes it easier for those who want them to acquire the various pieces.

What I DO object to is a very OT company that seems to be copying or at least heavily inspired by the Nocturana Circus & have come out with their vinyl version called Sinister Circus. If this isn't theft, I don't know what is. It's a very well known company & has no reason for such copying unless it sees the popularity of the line & wants it's piece of the pie.

 

I like the variety on a theme - each company tries it's own spin on the concept. It certainly adds a wider selection and in some cases there is the opportunity for creating interesting hybrids.

That being said there is often too much of a good thing and I find myself just waiting to see something new.

 

If elf ears don't get tired, why would digitigrade legs?

 

There are numerous bjd elves, why there should be less fauns and werewolves? The more parts we have, the more different and interesting hybrids there will be. It would be even better if parts from different companies fit more dolls - I can not find paws for my Gavin, maybe there will be some by AngelHeim?

 

I think it's a great initiative. All the 'copies' I've seen have never been copies, but a new take on the concept. Makes it easier for the picky people (like me) to find fantasy parts they like. It's a supply and demand situation, and plenty people are demanding, and it's good that more are supplying. It also makes it more available, since many fantasy dolls are limiteds (not just talking about soom here) and many people are sad they have missed out and didn't have money.

 

I like it, because now, if I wanted, I could GET a fantasy doll with the special legs (hooves, paws, whathaveyous) horns, hands, or anything else that they come up with. When it was only special limiteds, I was pleased to see them, but sad they were only offered that way. After all, I read a lot of mythology, and I see a lot of the same concepts used in cultures all over the world, before they even knew each other existed, so its not like werewolves or satyrs or anything is a totally original concept.

And I'm happy that the parts are coming in a lot of sizes, for people who think that SD is 'too big' or that MSD is 'too small' for their collection, they can still have a doll they like with the fantasy part that makes it pleasing too them! I'm often in the camp of 'SD is a little large....' even though I hope to get a couple of them, but really MSD is more my size, and until now, all the fantasy parts I saw were for SD dolls. Now I could get what I wanted, in the size I like, without worrying about if I'm going to like how it look or not! ^-^

I honestly hope they come out with more parts for more doll sizes, seeing someone create a 'mer' part instead of legs, or something would be amazing, and I'm sure each company would see the part differently. This is really interesting too me!

 

Companies will always build off each others ideas to some extent or another. Look at the explosion of really tall dolls, or really tiny dolls, or anthros, or double jointed dolls--at one time or other these things only existed with very few companies, but they're concepts that work well for hobbyists, so naturally other companies will try out those ideas with their own twists on it. Same with fantasy themed dolls. If you're going to complain that companies are copying off each other in this case, then you're going to have to start blaming them for every thing else. And remember--nothing exists in a vacuum--it's normal to be influenced by what else is out there.

Really, it's not a bad thing. It means that people who are really into those types of dolls get more variety to choose from. If a hobbyist is really into dolls with hooves, they'll be able to collect a number of different ones, or if company X's hooved dolls aren't working for a hobbyist, company Y's might be better. No one is forced to look at pics of dolls they aren't interested in, and dolls from different companies even if they share some of the same traits (hooves, horns, height, whatever) are going to be distinctive anyway, because each company has it's own style of sculpting.

 

Fashion doll companies are copying BJD companies in general because they are eating into their profits, but I see no reason to be upset about it. Circuses have been around for ages and Iplehouse does not own and did not invent the concept. I have had some little circus characters for about four years or so (mine happen to be Elf Elly Banjis and I have always loved the circus), but I certainly don't think that Iplehouse stole the idea from me. Inspiration comes from lots of places and there is plenty to go around.

 

Fantasy themes are in no way shape or form original. They are already done to death in almost ever form of media. No one owns Werewolves, Elves, Harpies, Centaurs, Vampires etc... these concepts have been around forever. Turning a doll into a Fantasy creature is one of the least original concepts I can imagine.

I think the execution is the important bit. How an artist interprets the thing and makes it elegant and desirable. Certainly some artists just plain kick butt at making Vampires graceful and mysterious or Werewolves sexy and dangerous (Soom excels at this)! It would be rude if a company copied another company's execution 100 percent. But I could see how, no matter what, these creatures would always share some similarity because the physical traits have been established and recognized for years.

As for a doll remaining distinctive? Well that is up to the owner and how they further customize. I don't think an Elf doll is very distinct out of the box. Other people have the same doll out there in the world. It is up to the owner to take it to the next level.

 

Basically, the OP's question implies that giving doll buyers a wider variety of choices is somehow bad/wrong/evil.

Personally, I don't think there's enough choices. Not only do I want to see more horns, hooves, claws, etc, but I also want to see more companies like Bobobie/Resinsoul that will offer more fantasy-colored resins.

 

I agree with s0yuz ^^;

For months I was rather crushed by the huge lack of fantasy-based dolls, preferably ones with hooves. And even more-so when I found that the ones they did have were... limited

I don't understand why more companies having more fantasy-based dolls is a "bad" thing in the absolute least- if anything, it gives people a wider variety of sculpt choices.

Not to mention ResinSoul's new hooved SDs are in an excellent price range for a wonderful sculpt, and AngelHeim's new hooved boy is the first one I've seen in MSD sized... and neither of which are "limited" meaning I can fawn (olololpun) over them until I get the proper dollie funds

 

TBH, the concept isn't entirely new, either.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CircusOfFear

Kuroshitsuji closed a narrative arc about a circus like that a few months ago (in which some of the members had ball-jointed extremities, even), but my favourite is the Carnival Macabre in the comic Gloom Cookie.
http://www.serenavalentino.com/gloomcookie/character/freaks.jpg

 

The way I look at it, Soom, ResinSoul nor any other doll company has created their own fantasy character from scratch. As in, there have always been characters that were half animal or had freaky feet or elf ears in fiction. If the people who created the very first characters like this haven't risen from the dead to pitch a fit yet as their ideas continuously get mimicked or expanded why would it matter with a doll company?

Just because one company is the first to actually put a doll out there with animal parts doesn't mean they exclusively own rights to doing so. I don't see why anybody would mind it unless one company was purposely mirroring anothers entirely.

But this goes the same for any concept. Elements, atrological signs, werewolves, vampires, elves etc. those things are universal, they've been around long before doll companies and will surely outlast them.

 

There are a lot of vampire dolls out there. However, they only ones I'd seriously consider owning at the Doll in Mind ones, which are very far from the first in the hobby - they are simply the ones that really appeal to me. If they were on the available list of vampire sculpts because someone else had done it first, it would be very sad.

And, rather than edge around the topic - I think ResinSoul's hooved and horned dolls are very different to Soom's, and they appeal to me more, and the price point really does. They are both companies that have human dolls but seem to more and more specialise in the fantasy dolls, but with strikingly different styles. I think this is an awesome thing, not a problem, as it means more choice.

Bring on the elf and mermaid ears, fangs, horns, scales and wings, I say! And an SD feline girl for my Oblivion character would be nice, if anyone is listening.

 

I'm really glad to see the Peapod and Angelheim hooves...they look as nice as Soom's but are not limited! I have plans to eventually buy hooves from both companies.

 

I'm with most others on this one. I think it's great that other companies have carried on with Soom's rush of impressive half-human half-beast concept and I encourage other companies to do the same.
Like others mentioned, it gives us more to choose from and besides not all like Sooms dolls. Many of us may have loved Chrom, but some didn't quite fancy his hands and feet. I later noticed some of these same people prefered Iplehouses wherewolf's hands and feet. So, different companies giving different variations of mythological creatures is definitely a plus in my opinion.

 

What would you like to see next? And who do you think is going to give us the next form?

 

It's nice to see companies make their way in the financial world, whatever way works.

However, I like seeing something other than hoofs; I almost bought Soom's little bird-like doll, because it was so different. When they come out with more hoofed dolls, I'm like, again? Considering that well sculpted fantasy dolls in general seem to succeed rather well, it might not be such a bad idea for them to continue with that, maybe?

 

I love the fact more and more companies are doing the same fantasy concepts. Thing is with fantasy, everyone imagines it a little differently. So, the more companies doing a certain fantasy creature? the more likely one close to your personal liking and what you imagine is going to come up. It also gives us, as you said, more options price wise, and for the mod lovers, fantasy dolls to mod that ARENT LE. It's a good thing, all around. Yes, some companies DO have poorly planned designs, but I'd imagine for most it's a learning curve and with time, they'll either get better at the fantasy dolls, or drop doing them.