"Those Anime Dolls"- Does the connection bother you?

i'm unsure how this fits into the mix, but out of the 7 dolls we currently own, all but one of them is an original character. It's a hobby for us; to make character dolls based off of characters we like. I dunno if this bothers people at all...

 

i dont mind at all, there are tons of people that make their dolls cosplay and there are some really anime-styled doll faces. I myself consider them a cool asian thing

like my 3 main interests are anime, manga, and bjds

 

I love anime.
I buy a doll who will represent an anime character.
So it's okay for me, though I understand why can such attitude bug some people.

 

I've heard of so many people categorizing BJD with Japanese things, particularly anime. Have you had the same experiences, and if so, did it bother you? Why did/does the connections and assumptions they made bug you or not?

It's doesn't bother me for the most part when people connect bjds to anime/manga. I figure that's probably the only way they get a remote understanding of bjds. If they can connect them with something familar to them, they become less alien and esier to understand.

Also, in your opinion, why are BJD often clumped together with Japanese things, like cosplay, anime ect.?

I can only guess that they get clumped together because cosplay and/or anime are the only thing that comes to mind when people think of something being from Asia. I could tell my mother about the many different companies that make bjds, but they'd still be "Those Japanese dolls." or "Yeah, they're liker her anime cartoons." when ever she talks about them to anyone but me.

Not all people who own a BJD are into anime, and I also assume none of them appreciate being called 'otaku', especially just because of their love for the dolls. There are often doll cons integrated into the regular anime cons, is this a reason for the connection, or simply a cause of it? What makes the dolls seem strictly 'anime' or 'Japanese', particularly to people who aren't acquainted with the hobby?

I think that doll cons aren't as popular as anime cons, so they have to sometimes pair up with anime cons to draw a big enough gathering. Bjds being lumped in with anime is probably just a cause of the connection between the two. As for bjds seeming strictly anime, well my mother answered that one for me. She says it's because they have the big eyes, "crazy hair," and clothes that she sees in anime.

 

It doesn't bother me at all - partly because I like anime, and partly because I think a lot of bjds *do* have an anime/manga-style aesthetic. Many of the boys in particular have a feminine, delicate look that's very reminiscent of anime/manga - which is one of the reasons I like bjds, because I love that look!

I wonder if it's less the comparison to anime that offends some people, and more the comparison to the stereotypical crazy anime fangirl?

 

When I saw my first BJD, I thought "WOW; She looks like an anime girl brought to life!" And following THAT line of thought, I got more and more into the hobby. ^__^() But I can all too easily understand how all BJDs being labeled as "anime dolls" would get real old real fast. It's kinda like when someone who doesn't know all that much/nothing about the various anime genres. All they hear is "Yeah I like anime," and suddenly I've got this label stuck on my forehead. Then when I show them some of the manga I collect, they go "Wait... this is anime?" And I go "Yes; and more specificly? What you're holding is called 'Presents.' And yes, that is about people dying in variously gorey manners."

Just like anime isn't all huge eyed school girls fighting monsters, or robot wars in a distant furture, (or huge amounts of fanservice boobs,) BJD isn't just "anime dolls." But posting this has made me remember how hard it was explaining things like this to the new friends I made in college. XD

 

I've heard of so many people categorizing BJD with Japanese things, particularly anime. Have you had the same experiences, and if so, did it bother you? Why did/does the connections and assumptions they made bug you or not?

Of course, but did it bother me? No
For the most part I don't think it bothers me because yes, I am one of those people who link BJDs with the anime culture.

Also, in your opinion, why are BJD often clumped together with Japanese things, like cosplay, anime ect.?

Hrm...personaly I would have to say because of their features. The dolls I prefere, are more anime like, but you can get realistic ones. So yes but,....my answer is simply based on aesthetics.

Not all people who own a BJD are into anime, and I also assume none of them appreciate being called 'otaku', especially just because of their love for the dolls. There are often doll cons integrated into the regular anime cons, is this a reason for the connection, or simply a cause of it? What makes the dolls seem strictly 'anime' or 'Japanese', particularly to people who aren't acquainted with the hobby?

I think calling someone an otaku just because they own a doll isn't right, and just a bit sterotypical. Saying the doll looks like an anime is different to basing a person's likes on a single object. AS for the reason dolls are seem to be affiliated with the japanese culture is once again, in my opinion, due to the fact that these dolls did originate in asia.

[/end2cents]

 

I think it would be hard to not link BJDs to Anime because (most) BJDs looks are similar to Anime style art. I don't have a problem with it, and it hasn't bother me.

 

Almost all dolls have BESM -so no, it doesn't bother me, really. Moreover, people see them and draw a correlation to something that they recognize and can relate to - an analogy of sorts to try and draw others into conversation (usually).
I've found that people who refer to them disdainfully as "anime dolls" are usually knowledgeable as to what they are, and are just trying to get a rise out of people.

 

I have no problems with anyone calling BJDs anime dolls as long as they don't have a condescending tone or anything. I didn't actually make the connection because to me ball joint dolls don't look like anime characters per say, although I do think they certainly have an Asian look which got me into them in the first place.

Certainly my love for Japan has fueled my obsession and perhaps I wouldn't have cared about them otherwise but... I do think they are beautiful, I just don't think they are very anime like at all. I mean, maybe if someone had one cosplaying or with a vibrant hair color or otherwise different look, but other than that... Meh. I like BJDs regardless of what other people say. I've stopped caring about things like that.

*stops to think* I fear I'm not making any sense... *shifty eyes* I haven't slept in a while now!

 

I honestly think it's because of a few animes in particular,... Like Chobits, or Rozen Maiden, Or even Sailor moon, to name a few. Most people end up watching anime and from there, it's games, action figures, cards, cosplay, and conventions. Even collection things. A lot of the Lolita style started in Japan, where anime, and apparently BJD's are even more popular, so I can see why people think as much. And to a point, most dolls have features that honestly, resemble anime characters, with the pointier faces, and smaller more delicate noses.
One of the first times I ever seen a BJD was three years ago, at ACEN. Someone was carrying one around. I'm not usaully a doll person, but action figures are right up my alley. Like the final fantasy paly arts series. I think over time final fantasy, and a few friends finally convinced me to get my first doll. And now, I'm waiting for it to arrive in the mail.

 

Well, first off I am an Otaku and I own two dolls. But basically I think people associate the dolls with anime and japanese culture is because the dolls did originate from Asia, giving them the asian eyes and over a period of time the dolls started to adopt faces and eyes that kinda in a way remind you of a fantasy I guess, kinda an anime. Personally I just think there a work of art that in some cases get there designs inspired by certain characters in animes, which I dont really mind. Some people like to dress there dolls in cosplay which is cool I think, its always intresting ( to me at least ) to see characters in cartoons or animes to be brought to "life" in a other persons point of view.

 

Not really since i love anime/manga and such. The connection thing is how people see things. Example i am not an anime/manga fan and my friends are also not anime/manga fans but if they see something that reminds them of people who are into anime/manga. So when they see my doll of course they would automatically say "You like anime/manga?" or something like that.

 

The reason why I was attracted to this hobby is because of the anime-esc look of the dolls.

As far as people calling them anime dolls, it doesn't bother me. Everyone is entitled to their own personal opinion and if they think they look anime it is probably because they resemble the style.

 

This is an interesting topic for me because (and don't shoot me) I still associate some BJDs with being too much like "anime dolls". The unrealistic proportions give most BJDs an anime-like look... I can't say that I'm not a fan of this aesthetic, but it does varies from doll to doll. It is strange though because I collect Blythe dolls and it seems to have transcended the whole "anime-doll" stereotype while becoming a phenomenon on its own. Perhaps the linking of anime with BJDs is hindering me from getting too much into the hobby of BJD collecting (that and the lack of funds XD)

 

LOL, if it wasn't for my love of anime I never would have made the plunge and decided to get into BJD. I thought they were to expensive and the seems bothered me. But I couldn't stop looking at them and eventually all I saw was this beautiful work of art that had brought my other love, anime, to startling life. I actually make the connection for most of my friends as people who aren't into the dolls can't seem to wrap their heads around the idea. When I saw I got into them because I like anime, a light seems to go on. I don't mind the connection at all!

 

Not really. Most of mine look like they came from an anime! I like a lot of Luts/Fairyland dolls and most have that look to them. The more realilistic they look, the more I don;t want them, even if I find the doll stunning. But the doll is not for me.

The most realilistic doll I own is Soom's Io, and it was mostly because he looked good next to my Olivia, and I fell in love with his face.

 

infact i like my dolls with an anime look ...but not to much,a semi-realistic look.
like an anime doll brought to life in 3d form...thats why my favorite includes DOD and luts

 

On one hand nope since I know about bjd because I love anime. It seems natural that if you like anime, you know something about Asia in general.

On the other hand I would be pissed off if someone, without knowing, points at me and describe it as anime doll... Because in general I don't get people describing otakus in a superficial way (you know, not all otakus like same things, or not all people interested in Asia like anime... )

It reminds me of the gamers "issue". Where I live (so I'm not talking generally), a kid who plays games is fine... but he should do other things because "it's bad to be hooked on games"; and if you talk about adults, then he "wastes his time, money.. or worse, he's odd, insane..". You people know things are not like that, and it's the same with BJDs, not all gamers think they can change the world, have superpowers, whatever, and not all BJDs lovers have tankôbons and watch anime.

 

I've heard of so many people categorizing BJD with Japanese things, particularly anime. Have you had the same experiences, and if so, did it bother you? Why did/does the connections and assumptions they made bug you or not?

First of all, I love anime and manga and have brought my dolls along with me to conventions. I've only been asked once if one of my dolls was a Ritsuka from Loveless and I assume that was because of his attire and black wig. I happen to love Ritsuka, so I found myself flattered!


Also, in your opinion, why are BJD often clumped together with Japanese things, like cosplay, anime ect.?

Because this is how people relate to things they don't know. Just like pocky and cat ears are lumped into "otakudom" but at the end of the day,are really just a snack and a costume hat. Dolls can be found at conventions after all, it's not a far off assumption to assume they have something to do with cosplay/anime. That is how it appears to those who don't know better.


Not all people who own a BJD are into anime, and I also assume none of them appreciate being called 'otaku', especially just because of their love for the dolls. There are often doll cons integrated into the regular anime cons, is this a reason for the connection, or simply a cause of it? What makes the dolls seem strictly 'anime' or 'Japanese', particularly to people who aren't acquainted with the hobby?

That's an interesting question. I like anime and dolls, so I bring them together to cons to enjoy the company of people with like mind. Many of us have like mind on that it would seem but I have doll friends that aren't into anime or Japanese culture at all. Personally my anime and doll hobbies are very different to me, dolls are a creative outlet for me and anime/manga is an enjoyment to pass the time if I'm not messing with my dolls for some reason. I don't feel my passion for anime is strong enough to earn me the coveted title of "otaku" but I certainly wouldn't be offended.