What are your thought on how the BJD industry has changed?

I think came on to the internet as the transition was being made, and I use both for very different things. I don't know, I just feel like they fill different niches. Not necessarily bad in my mind, just... different. I use the more modern stuff to just take a peek into people's lives and the forums to actually talk.

I would take this thread more on topic, but I think I am too new for that. I am loving the proliferation of artist dolls though. I've just started scratching the surface, especially of Instagram creators and there is a lot out there, and so creative too.

 

Since I started 'watching' the hobby about ten years ago and just now started my collection. ( 2 atm )
I believe Fairyland ( whom I looked up to ), has fallen into the groove of the similar doll look. Likewise,
posability has slowly declined from what I understand and have experiences with some dolls that I've had others let me interact with. With my own dolls ( either strung too tight or too loose ) - regardless of that a lot of poses can't be held without fear of the doll randomly jerking one way or another.

Fairyland's resin has a lot more reports of seams and bubbles.

Bigger companies do not take critic ( Doll Leaves ) , Lan has a lop sided eye in the mold and when I contacted them they said that the doll was well received and will not come out with a v2.

I understand the recast situation has gone from bad to worse over the years.
Yet I still see some amazing artist on Instagram that are working on their dolls and at least they are trying to make them posable intuitive. More power to them and I feel so heavily proud of those that are continuing the hobby to bring quality products.

Atm; I don't like the 3D printed dolls... for some reason, you can see each line from the printer and it's a shame because a lot of artists are doing amazing sculpting on zbrush. :O

 

I have to say that as a newer collector to the BJD community I really thought that everyone being okay with lines and bubbles was really weird considering how much we pay for them. My initial reaction was, why would I want to buy something that wasn't finished? Since then I've just accepted it because what other choice do I have.

There are 4k 3D printers that are just starting to emerge on the pro-sumer market. I value the hand sculpting art, but I love 3D modeling so I'm super excited about those advances. Hopefully soon we'll have higher quality resin printed BJDs which could help more small BJD makers.

 

Yeah I’ve seen a lot of complaints about Fairyland’s quality, which honestly would be less worrying if they weren’t so expensive. I have a couple on my wishlist but I worry about paying more for a lesser quality doll than what I’ve gotten used to. It seems like some of the more popular companies aren’t willing to improve since so many people will buy their dolls regardless of the quality issues. There’s warnings by every company about possible seam lines and bubbling but I’ve never actually received a doll from other brands with those issues.

In comparison the smaller companies are working harder to have no issues. Daydream has stopped selling their dolls due to resin casting quality issues and are renewing their entire line. Resinsoul continues to deliver super customizable dolls at cheaper prices. I keep hoping companies like Fairyland will wisen up that they’d sell more dolls if they improved their quality. I’ve certainly chosen cheaper dolls from other companies to shell most of my characters to avoid those issues.

 

I've been a BJD owner for like...14/15 yrs? One thing I really appreciate now is how much better the body movements and "poseability" has become. When I first got my Luts doll he's got the weakest knees ever lol Standing was such a big problem back then that a whole bunch of people had came up with all sort of ideas to strengthen the knee. Now I can just put a new doll on the table and boom! He stands!! Touching face? No problem. Kneeling down? Sure. It's amazing.
And there's so much more better quality doll's clothes out there now, so many to choose from, I'm really happy about that too.
Can't think of anything I don't like about the progressing industry... if any probably just the recast.

 

I started around 2007, but actually lurked on the forum for about a year before that. I didn't finally become a member until they had a brief opening and I joined from that.

Like others have said, everything seems to have moved to social media. Which I personally enjoy having an Instagram, but have no desire to have a Facebook anymore. It's nice to be able to keep up with people here as well as purchase quicker and reach more potential buyers there.

When I started, Volks was the big brand to have since they were the beginning of the hobby. I personally didn't want one since I wasn't fond of their sculpts, but almost all of my Cerberus Project doll heads are on a Volks body due to them being able to pose SO much better.

Recasts really weren't a thing. I'm sure there *might* have been something?...maybe? but nothing like it is today. People didn't keep boxed, COAs, pillows etc, it wasn't important. Even my Dollzone Wing was purchased in 2007-2008 and he came with a card that has a comical translation on it and his picture, there's no artist signature or model number.
I remember El/Shiwoo Army's and that there were so few little niches that your doll could fit into. Girly boy, goth/punk *think Hot topic early 2000's*, or girly girl. If anyone had anything different, it was because they could sew. Also, I wanted I buy a Fer for my dolls even though they were all boys. EVERYONE needed a Fer for their Minifee.