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

It doesn't bother me at all. I am a longtime manga and anime fan, but even without that, I'd be interested in the dolls. Also, I tend to write off people who judge me based on my interests in anime and manga, since I have so many other interests as well.

 

I think I would be bothered a bit, especially if it's just because of where the dolls are from. I think to some people East Asia=Japan=Anime or something like that, wouldn't matter that some of the dolls are from China or S.Korea lol. But then the kind of doll I like don't really have anime type features so I'd be surprised if people made the connection in the first place (although I do like anime and wouldn't be against getting one in the future).

 

No it doesn't bother me. Cause I do like to watch anime (not so much anymore) and like to read manga. But maybe it disrupts people who don't do that. I think is natural if somebody who knows people who watch anime and buy BJDs do connect them together if they know that BJD is manufacturer is from Japan.

 

It doesn't bother me at all. I've never been into anime and have never read manga. If somebody asks me what anime I like because I have a BJD, I could just as easily turn around and ask them what brand of BJD they like, if they're into anime.

 

None of the people that saw my dolls have connected them to anime, even though they know I am a big anime fan. But I don't think it would bother me if they did. I do connect it myself, because it makes my hobbies come together in many ways. It inspires me a lot.

 

Only a little. But it's more personal for me since my dollies are based on characters that I write about that have absolutely no connection to anime XD but I don't really cry about it. If someone said it to me, I really don't think it'd phase me much.

 

It doesn't bother me. I like anime, it's an entertainment along with the more fun Brittish and Welsh series, French made animated movies, and TV shows made in Canada. No reason to be hater just because I'm an American.

I'm curious as to why some people who attend anime cons have such a bad reaction to people who bring their BJDs to the con. I've read a scattering of blog and vlog posts, and board posts, where people have mentioned having had anime or comic con people berate them or make rude remarks while people who are cosplaying or interested in collecting character figures are welcome. It's curious to see where the line is drawn.

 

Actually, now that you bring this up --

I actually bought my Deiuco [IMPLdoll Aaron] at a con and walked around to get to the hotel. One girl actually really scared me by jumping on me like "OMG ANOTHER BJD COLLECTOR!" and I was like "o.o;"

But other people just kind of glared at me. I was actually very curious as to why some people were like "oooo" and others were like "ew." I agree. It would be interesting to know where that line is drawn.

 

Its never bothered me, but I think the connections comes from the fact bjds are used in some animes/mangas, a lot of dolls do cosplay, and the fact they are a korean, chinese, japanese creation.

 

It's too bad we can't poll the non BJD con going people. I think that's the only way we would find out the answer. Than again, if someone goes to an anime con dressed like a doll from Rosen Maiden? Okay I just had to stop, my brain just say 'un-unh, not going there', logic fail imminent.

 

I don't think it should bother anyone, I mean - what people think is their own business. Many things in this world are connected but that doesn't mean they can't exist without each other ^^
But then again if we are talking about bjd-cosplay that recently became popular.. Even in that case I really don't think someone will be bothered~

 

It wouldn't phase me. Anime is not the worst thing these dolls have been associated with.

 

I'm gonna be honest, I don't think anyone who ISN'T at least somehow into anime and the whole "appreshiashun of Asia" subculture would link them to anime. I mean, in my experience, most of the people who came up to me to ask about the dolls that I could safely assume probably weren't familiar with Asian stuff were actually quite surprised to hear that they were Asian, and the majority assumed they were from somewhere in the West. And even after being informed that they were from East Asia, they didn't make any connection to Asian cartoons either.

And for the people who do make the connection - well, like writerm said, I think there could be MANY worse associations, so I'd rather it be anime. I still follow a few series these days. (I do get peeved though when people start insisting that is must related to a PARTICULAR anime, especially over something stupid like clothing style. Um, no. My dollies are my characters, and while my characters are drawn in an anime style, they're NOT supposed to be fan-character Gary Stu's for someone else's particular universe, and I think I'd know that best, yes?)

As for why con-goers scoff at people with dolls... I think a few loud bad apples from the doll hobby unfortunately created a firm negative stereotype, especially when influence by all of the sugar and excitement and incitement of bad behaviour than conventions tend to encourage. Sort of how non-con-going people tend to look down on cosplayers and the like. I cosplay and bring my dolls to cons (I don't cosplay with my dolls though, unless I can use them as an accessory for MY cosplay), and hung out with large groups of cosplayers who don't collect dolls. I think it's a matter of there always having to be some kind of an established social ladder, and the ones that the majority agree are the weird ones end up at the bottom. Even nerds need hierarchy. I've been told a few times with surprised looks that I "don't look/act like I'd be collecting dolls" when I pull them out for a meet... And then there's also a matter of price. I think it's easier in most people's mind to justify spending hundreds on cosplay (It's clothes I can wear! And none of the pieces were over $60!) than it is to drop down one huge chunk on a doll that they don't get. I definitely had a friend berate me for buying a doll and "wasting money" instead of buying a cosplay to go as a partner character with her. (Same friend also went totally googly-eyed over a doll twice as expensive as the one I bought, but THAT'S a story for another time)

 

Not at all! I LOVE anime and manga (I'd consider it a bigger hobby of mine than BJD - there you go, I said it!), and I'm planning on getting at least two dolls that will represent two of my favourite anime characters of all time, so I don't mind it at all if people associate them with anime. I think most BJDs have at least a dash of anime to them anyway, what with the usually very androgyneous bishounen male dolls and big-eyed cutie female dolls. So why bother?

 

I don't see how they would be associated with anime, but it wouldn't bother me either. I do have a thing for anime and manga. Since they're not actually related to BJDs (though some companies DO look like anime characters) I wouldn't hesitate to correct someone either.

 

It doesn't bother me. I`m in this hobbie since I watched Rosen Maiden in 2009.
There are many anime characters who were released as bjd.
So in my opinion it isn`t a problem if people connect them with anime.

 

It doesn't bother me at all. I love anime, manga and dolls. It's fine when people call them "those anime dolls." Incorrect. But fine none the less.

 

I see referring to BJD's as being "anime-esque" to non-doll people is a good way to sort of describe their flair. When I tell people I collect dolls, they usually assume that I mean Barbies or baby dolls. >_> So no, it doesn't bother me, although they're not ZOMGkawaii or anything like that.

 

There could be worse things than anime to be associated with. My friend got me into these dolls, and I think she found them at an anime convention. /shrug/ Personally, I'd rather be associated with anime than Barbies. That's just me though.

 

It doesn't bother me in the slightest