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Would you buy dolls without visible joints?

Apr 25, 2013

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    1. Hey all you BJD savvies!

      I was discussing this with my friend the other day and I came up with the idea, what if BJD dolls didn't have visible joints and parts? So, it actually looked seamless. I know this is probably impossible since BJD are known for being able to change their heads and body part for posing purposes. But what if they made it so that it looked like the doll has no visible joints? Wouldn't that be awesome?!:chocoberry

      :truffleWhat are your thoughts?
       
      #1 Lancelot, Apr 25, 2013
    2. I'm...not sure. On one hand, some joints are really awkward looking. But on the other...I've seen pictures of dolls with the joints photoshopped out, and I thought they looked incredibly creepy. I think that the joints are part of a doll's charm, and help keep them out of the uncanny valley. So, I think I would have to pass on that. ^^;
       
      #2 PandaBerryInSpace, Apr 25, 2013
    3. I agree with PandaBerryInSpace. Even though my dolls have joints I think that it just makes them more unique. If all dolls had a "barbie-esque" appeal, no noticable joints, etc, I don't think the hobby would be as much of a draw for me. I loooove the joints, and being able to see how different each company does it.
       
      #3 Animethemed, Apr 25, 2013
      • x 1
    4. I think having a doll without visible joints defeats the purpose of it being called a "Ball-Jointed" Doll. You have to take into consideration the material that they use: this particular resin isn't exactly flexible, and you would basically lose points of articulation.

      I mean there are dolls with no visible joints out there. They're usually made of vinyl, but with limited articulation, and they're marketed more as action figures. So if you're looking for a doll with hardly any seams, then go for that kind of doll.
       
      #4 satyrsmoon, Apr 25, 2013
    5. Well, if they were like that, they probably wouldn't be BJDs. Part of the point of their existence is the jointing style and posing ability. There are silicone-bodied dolls with internal wiring, and they're pretty cool, if occasionally a little unnerving. The issue with those, though, is that you pretty much can't fix them if they break. You snap a wire, you're SOL. So no, honestly I don't think it would be so great. One, I like seeing well-engineered joints and two, if they were hidden it'd be that much more difficult to fix the joints if something got messed up (e.g., a leg getting twisted around or an eye screw ripping out of an appendage). I wouldn't be interested in owning something like that.
       
      #5 Hominivorax, Apr 25, 2013
      • x 1
    6. Pretty much what Hominivorax said- not to mention silicone is known for gathering dust and dirt, so it would be a pain in the butt to keep clean. >_<
       
      #6 kaschan502, Apr 25, 2013
    7. THere are vinyl dolls that do that, and they're so gorgeous! they have internal skeletons rather like...don't shoot me...RealDolls. I would love a wonderfully engineered one to be a drawing model
       
      #7 Syri, Apr 25, 2013
    8. One of my gals (Gena) does have a silicone body. I do love the look of it but, as already mentioned, the wires to all her major joints have broken including some in her hands. So, her pose-ability is zero on standing up. Even if she was on a stand I still couldn't do much with anything like putting her arms up. So now I have to do poses with her laying down. However, some poses are now easier with her broken joints -wow...that sounds so bad :eek:

      Also, yes, she has to washed and powdered before changing clothes as the silicone is tacky. It's not at all like real skin regardless of what any of the manufacturers say. You have to use clothes that can stretch or are loose fitting. Still, it's what makes Gena different, though I think I will also be getting her a traditional resin body.

      Lastly, the least expensive 58cm body-only I have seen is about $470 and the ones from Tokyo Doll are just under $1,000 which is a lot to spend on a body that can't be repaired once it breaks.
       
      #8 MarqV, Apr 25, 2013
    9. I wouldn't. For me, the charm of BJD's IS the joints. I like looking at them and love to see the engineering. It emphasizes them being dolls and that's what I like about them.
       
      #9 Silk, Apr 25, 2013
    10. I think it'd be cool to see! But in terms of owning one I don't think I would :P I do love the joints :)
       
      #10 waywardangel, Apr 25, 2013
    11. This for me too. I don't even photoshop joints out...I like them.
       
      #11 VampireAngel13, Apr 25, 2013
    12. I agree that visible joints are one of the charm points of bjd's.
      I'm also seeing it from a technical point of view.
      It just wouldn't work. Even vinyl dolls with internal sceletons have visible ball-joints on their arms and legs because moving and posing them properly would be heavily restrained if not impossible to do.
      So unless they're not coated with miracle-fabric that makes posing natural I'd never even consider
       
      #12 Pipes, Apr 25, 2013
    13. I think it would be neat to look at them, but I have grown very fond of the joints on BJDs. At first they creeped me out, but now I find them fascinating to look at and I love seeing how different companies do them.

      So a joint-less looking BJD would be interesting to look at, but I wouldn't want to own one.
       
      #13 MegWesley, Apr 25, 2013
      • x 1
    14. As they are currently dolls, I like to see their joints. I think they give them quite charm.
       
      #14 Nayuko, Apr 25, 2013
    15. If this topic had come up when I first joined the hobby, I'd probably be saying "yes, I'd love a doll with no visible joints!", but now my opinion is different. After spending lots of time researching different companies' styles of jointing, and trying my hand at sculpting BJDs myself, I've come to really appreciate and enjoy BJDs, awkward side and all. I wouldn't enjoy seamless dolls in the same way I enjoy BJDs, because that element of respect for engineering would be missing.
       
      #15 sharnofshade, Apr 25, 2013
    16. #16 Cynthia in FlintHills, Apr 25, 2013
    17. It would really depend for me. If the doll could keep the posing abilities he has with joints and whatever was used for "skin" didn't damage easily, moved naturally, didn't stain badly and I could still change his eyes easily, I think I'd be all for it!

      But most (off topic) dolls I've seen with "skin" usually develop tears over time with lots of posing, or are rubber or vinyl and stain easily or the "skin" is too thick and prevents proper posing. There would have to be a major advance in doll "skin" before I'd be okay with it.
       
      #17 CloakedSchemer, Apr 25, 2013
    18. I'd love to have a seamless doll if it has the potential to pose and stand like the current BJDs. And also the ability to change parts (like heads, hands, feet, etc.)

      I think it would be interesting to play with :)

      and sure if it is easy to take care of. If it's hard in maintenance then no thanks =_=
       
      #18 seykung, Apr 25, 2013
    19. I like the joints, but my friend keeps telling me about their "unrealistic" features. I mean, that's the whole point about BJDs is that the joints make them natural haha. What an oxymoron in a sense !!:doh
       
      #19 Lancelot, Apr 25, 2013
    20. I really like the joints, that's one of the reasons I got into the hobby was just because of the way they were constructed. I think they'd lose their charm if they didn't look like little doll people to me. They almost remind me of puppets, kinda.
       
      #20 RainyAeon, Apr 25, 2013
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