New DDs (Kirika,Alisa, and Mariko)

Mariko!!!! I will definitely enter for her.

hmmm, I pretty safe here (good thing!) I am interested to see more of the elf girl, at least some other pictures and the eventual customs that will follow. The idea of a larger eared elf girl is pretty cool though.

 

Mariko is cute, but I have no interest. I am a little surprised with a rerelease of Alisa, but I didn't pay much attention to her the first time so

A bit peculiar selections...

 

I was personally waiting for Xiao Mei from the shining stuff next... but guess volks has realized they dont do fuzzy ears too well.

 

But looking over the artwork of Kirika, the outfit is rather fun, platform geta's and all... and perhaps also the possibility for the alternative stuff also.

 

The blue/yellow short hemmed outfit is probably out of the question due to the gradient effect, but the red and orange one would possibly work...unless volks goes all cheap with the details, as usually.

I might try for Kirika but I'll wait until I see more photos before deciding. I'm safe from the other two though.

 

Either way, her ears are preeeeetty.

 

Agreed!

Along with this release, Volks is changing the way that Dolpa is run for the Limited Items (DDs, SDs, Ltd clothes). Until further notice, there will be no more drawing numbers for a place in line and taking dolls home with you; the only thing you can do at Dolpa now is fill out an entry form to put your name in the lottery hat. The in-store After-events are being changed in the same way: entry forms, no taking any limiteds home.

 

All the winners from Dolpa's hat and the store AE hats will be contacted at the same time, and dolls will ship out at the same time later in August. You can pay and pick up at any Volks store, or you can have them send the doll to your house cash-on-delivery. Within Japan only of course.

 

What this means is that it is... well, I'll stop short of saying "worthless" but simply say worth less.. to fly to Japan to attend Dolpa as a foreigner from overseas. You won't be able to get any dolls from Dolpa anymore unless you live within Japan and are here long enough to pick them up.

 

These rule changes won't affect the majority of forum members I suspect (International online lotteries aren't scheduled for any changes), but I thought you might like a summary just in case you were considering a Dolpa trip in the future.

Along with this release, Volks is changing the way that Dolpa is run for the Limited Items (DDs, SDs, Ltd clothes). Until further notice, there will be no more drawing numbers for a place in line and taking dolls home with you; the only thing you can do at Dolpa now is fill out an entry form to put your name in the lottery hat. The in-store After-events are being changed in the same way: entry forms, no taking any limiteds home.

 

All the winners from Dolpa's hat and the store AE hats will be contacted at the same time, and dolls will ship out at the same time later in August. You can pay and pick up at any Volks store, or you can have them send the doll to your house cash-on-delivery. Within Japan only of course.

 

What this means is that it is... well, I'll stop short of saying "worthless" but simply say worth less.. to fly to Japan to attend Dolpa as a foreigner from overseas. You won't be able to get any dolls from Dolpa anymore unless you live within Japan and are here long enough to pick them up.

 

These rule changes won't affect the majority of forum members I suspect (International online lotteries aren't scheduled for any changes), but I thought you might like a summary just in case you were considering a Dolpa trip in the future.

 

omg seriously? Did their Volks news say that? ....that's quite disappointing...

@SakuraSylph

 

That's rather disappointing. I've always wanted to attend a Dolpa and maybe take home a limited. I admit there is still a lot more to a Dolpa imo. Unlike the USA variety which is lacking in events there are still a lot more, and I think just being able to browse their huge dealer room, and seeing the giant displays would be very fun!

 

Nonetheless this is still disappointing.

omg seriously? Did their Volks news say that? ....that's quite disappointing...

It probably will be in Volks News when that ships next week (it's scheduled for Monday). For right now the information is in one of the picture links on the company's front page - "Dolpa Kaikaku" (Dolpa Reform). It apparently came about as a result of surveys handed out to attendees at Tokyo Dolpa 33 in May.

 

The full explanation and news (Japanese)

 

How To Buy this Summer's Dolls (Kyoto 12) (Japanese)

 

@Gunter - I agree, there's other stuff to do at the Japanese dolpas, especially the large dealer section. That's what made me go with worth less, instead of the same word without a space. Each person's estimation will be different depending on what dolls are on sale that event, but I'd guess that on average they eliminated about 50% of the reason to go to one as an overseas visitor.

 

I suppose it would technically be possible to participate in the new version After Event if you'll be in Japan for about four weeks consecutively, like for a business trip. It just takes that long between entry at a store and subsequent store pickup.

Sounds like bad news, and the lottery winning odds Might just getting slimmer

Surely if anything it will level out the odds of getting a doll? If everyone has to enter the same way to get it, then it is a much more even across the board I'd imagine. Think of how many scalpers go to the events, just to get the dolls in person and sell them online instantly for the highest possible price.

 

With the new changes, that practice won't exist to the same degree anymore. If you ask me that can only be a good thing.

Along with this release, Volks is changing the way that Dolpa is run for the Limited Items (DDs, SDs, Ltd clothes). Until further notice, there will be no more drawing numbers for a place in line and taking dolls home with you; the only thing you can do at Dolpa now is fill out an entry form to put your name in the lottery hat. The in-store After-events are being changed in the same way: entry forms, no taking any limiteds home.

 

All the winners from Dolpa's hat and the store AE hats will be contacted at the same time, and dolls will ship out at the same time later in August. You can pay and pick up at any Volks store, or you can have them send the doll to your house cash-on-delivery. Within Japan only of course.

 

What this means is that it is... well, I'll stop short of saying "worthless" but simply say worth less.. to fly to Japan to attend Dolpa as a foreigner from overseas. You won't be able to get any dolls from Dolpa anymore unless you live within Japan and are here long enough to pick them up.

 

These rule changes won't affect the majority of forum members I suspect (International online lotteries aren't scheduled for any changes), but I thought you might like a summary just in case you were considering a Dolpa trip in the future.

 

omg seriously? Did their Volks news say that? ....that's quite disappointing...

 

I, for one, am actually really excited for this change. From my experience at the Dolpas, the maddness and the scalpers lining up and paying others to stand in line so they can maximize their winnings for profits on the secondary market is very unappealing.

 

Does it solve the issue completely? No. It does make it more difficult for people to try and 'cheat the rules' and acquire multiples for selling.

 

Yes, it ruins the experience for people wanting to travel to Japan and buy the dolls first hand but I've never actually seen Volks INC. care too much for the comfort or providing products to their international clientele. So that part is not exactly a surprise to me.

 

Though my tone may seem negative, I am optimistic and hoping this change will provide more dolls to people interested in the hobby/dolls themselves and less so about the profits to be made off of it.

I want Mariko so badly! Her head is perfect for one of my OC's. I can't tell what chest size she is, so not sure there (I'm looking for M or L [not shapely] bust). I wouldn't use the wig or outfit either.

 

So either a split, or I figure out how the heck to buy one directly.

Mariko is so sweet in her yukata, and Alisa and Kirika (love her ears!!) are both literally awesome... but luckily I am safe. Especially since I brought two fullsets home already this year!!

 

Linda S.

galatia9

I'm gonna try for Kirika. If not, yahoo Japan prices are supurisingly reasonable lately, most under $800....Kirika is a must have full set, I only really need Marikos head and body as she would be a custom if I ever got her.

To expand on it a bit more, the new Dolpa / After Event release style comes with some advantages and disadvantages for those here in Japan.

 

POS

----

1. No need to wait in line at Dolpa four times: to get into the venue, to draw a number from the box, to go to the limited items ticket counter in number order, and to pay at the registers once 10am hits. This took 3-4 hours to complete in total from early in the morning if you won dolls, and it took some time out of your day that you could have used for other things. With filling out entry forms for the limiteds, all that is gone.
   
2. Less people crowding up the After Event releases at the stores. About 50% of the people who come to any individual event are just there for the limiteds; I know this because Volks lets people get out of line and go home if they want to after the limiteds tickets are handed out (and they didn't get anything). People will now have several weeks to fill out an entry form, so the only reason to go to the AE itself is if you want the regular clothes items releases.

 

NEUTRAL

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Dolls parity. Now, whether you get the doll from the Dolpa pool, the AE pool, or the online lottery pool, everyone will end up receiving their doll in hand at the same time. That's good in that no one need feel left behind. But it's bad in that it removes some of the charm of being First at a Dolpa, and as a side effect, people can no longer see user pictures in order to help decide enter/no-enter before the online lotteries come up. Averages to neutral.

 

NEG

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1. Overseas visitors can no longer participate for limiteds in either the Dolpa or the After Event, as we mentioned before.
   
2. Even if you live in Japan, if you're out of town when the delivery window hits, you're hosed. There's a 7-day window that winners can pay/pick up in store, and it's the same time they'd COD the dolls to your house. If you're not here to receive them one way or the other, then that's it. They check ID at the store, so you can't send someone else to pick up for you. Previously, if you went to Dolpa, you might have been able to take your new gal home with you right from there.

 

The last item is happening to me this time, which is why I'm a bit grumpypants about the change. I'd like Kirika, as people who know my wafuku and elf tastes will not be surprised at all to hear, and I will be in town for Kyoto 12, but that does me zero good since I'll be out of town in early September when the delivery dates are. Rawr! Should have waited one more Dolpa before implementing this, Volks!

Rawr! Should have waited one more Dolpa before implementing this, Volks!

You can't use something like Tenso.com as a shipping proxy? The good thing about this though is that it lets more people spend their time in the Sumika line (......) or on the dealer floor. I'm frustrated that by spending so much time in the Sumika line I missed out on the best stuff on the floor, that's really the best part of Dolpa to me.

That's not changing though

It probably will be in Volks News when that ships next week (it's scheduled for Monday).

Can't wait for the scans to come out from the Volks News from those who receive it. I'm itching to see more information on all the dolls & the clothes that will be coming out. But of course I mostly want to see & read all the information for Mariko

 

As for the Dolpa Reform that Volks is putting into effect well seems like SakuraSylph hit the Pros/Neutrals/& Cons spot on I don't have any feelings about it either way. While I hope that in the future I can attend a Dolpa in person I was never going to try for a doll because I'm more interested in the dealer's hall. Though I do feel for those who wanted to try that for themselves and won't get to now

Mariko is super cute, but she just doesn't floor me or anything. The kimono is also cute, but it's not a shade of pink I like and I prefer more traditional patterns on stuff like that, so I'm safe from her.

 

Alisa's face is just stunning... I'm not too interested in the rest of her stuff except for maybe the eyes as those look very nice too, but I could probably find something I liked just as well there so I'm not worried. I don't know if I want the body or not. it looks like she's an L bust and I think I'd like that on her but I'm torn between that and an M bust, but I might have to sell that off in a split or something because the only way I'll be able to get this one is if I can get most of what I paid for her back. I can buy her a body later. I kinda used up my DD funds with something recently... ^^; I've taken a real nose dive into this hobby!

If I can enter and win I'll set up a split and if I lose I'll see if I can't join in a split.

 

I would need to see more pics, but I like Kirika's outfit so far. It's very pretty and I love traditional themed clothes as long as they keep the fabric patterns and what not semi-on point. It looks like she's an m bust and the top part seems like a loose fit so that means it might fit L bust, but there's a pretty big size gap between the two from what I can see so that's a huge maybe. The colors look good for Miku who I'll hopefully be picking up at AX, and I've thought about getting an M bust for special occasions like this.

As far as the doll herself goes, she's pretty and I do kinda like her, but something is off about her at the same time. I don't know why but something about her face bothers me just a bit. Her wig is also pretty, but I don't have a particular need for it and something similar wouldn't be hard to find should that change so, same story as Alisa here, just different things. It looks like a lot of people would want her head more than the rest of her anyways so it might not be hard for me to just get clothes. I also wonder if the earrings clip on or if there's a hole in her ears for them... I hope it's the prior.

I also wonder if the earrings clip on or if there's a hole in her ears for them... I hope it's the prior.

 

Likely she's like Rise and Melty where there are guide dimples, andthen you have to drill the holes yourself. And they don't work without the holes because they're essentially studs.

I also wonder if the earrings clip on or if there's a hole in her ears for them... I hope it's the prior.

 

Likely she's like Rise and Melty where there are guide dimples, andthen you have to drill the holes yourself. And they don't work without the holes because they're essentially studs.

 

Ah. In that case I wouldn't use the earrings on anyone even if I got the outfit, (Alisa's head is a priority) I wouldn't be brave enough to drill holes in my girls even if I were supposed to! Of course, maybe I can modify the earrings to clip on instead?

Ah. In that case I wouldn't use the earrings on anyone even if I got the outfit, (Alisa's head is a priority) I wouldn't be brave enough to drill holes in my girls even if I were supposed to! Of course, maybe I can modify the earrings to clip on instead?

I was worried about using drills so I used a push pin instead to make holes. It's worked out pretty well.

Anything Akihabara girls makes me happy, so of course I think Mariko is adorable! Those little goldfish! Cant wait to see the rest of Kirika's outfit, her elf ears do look amazing, and Alisa is definitely timed nicely with the up coming God Eater anime. Want to see better pics of her outfit too.

 

I really wanna see Kirika's shoes haha. She's got an amazing outfit, but like, those shoes. XD

I love anything like that.

 

Also I like seeing a full length dress for once. We see so many mini skirts that after a while even I get tired of it.

I was worried about using drills so I used a push pin instead to make holes. It's worked out pretty well.

 

That would make a smaller hole and be less risky, although my problem also includes me not wanting to modify my girls like that if they'd only wear the earrings for one outfit on occasion. I mean, with some wire clippers, a bit of glue and a clip mechanism in the appropriate size I could change the earrings to clip on instead, the only problem there is the risk of them falling but I guess I could just keep an eye on it if I'm doing anything, or leave the earrings off when I'm not displaying or taking pictures of them. That's assuming I even get my hands on that thing, I might have to pass on it situation depending.

 

 

I really wanna see Kirika's shoes haha. She's got an amazing outfit, but like, those shoes. XD

I love anything like that.

 

Also I like seeing a full length dress for once. We see so many mini skirts that after a while even I get tired of it.

 

Oh my gosh seeing the full outfit makes me want it more assuming they recreate it well! The colors and design are gorgeous! I agree with you on the long dresses thing and the shoes are super cute!

Is very pretty. I love the blue with her natural look. And just cause I may love that they have a full length skirt doesn't mean I can't appreciate the short one as well. XD

 

TBF, Kirika I think it'd be nice if they released her alternative outfit with her.

 

 

I also wish she had this expression more.