Hello everyone!

Hi!

 

My name is Sara and I'll be moving to Japan this summer.

 

I have always wanted to buy Dollfie Dream and get my own collection, but they are pricy and I'm very picky so I wanted to take it easy, haha.

 

I plan on buying my first one after moving to Tokio, visiting the shop in Akihabara and checking each doll properly.

I always thought I wanted a DDH01, and I was worried about the sanding of the mouth, but recently I learnt that most people mod the nose, face shape, etc, and it's definetly too much for me. That's why I ll wait properly until I can choose the doll that will fit my taste without needing to be heavily moded, haha.

 

My only complain about DD is the lack of boys! I want male characters too!

 

Also, if anyone knows about good face up artist living in Japan and are willing to recommend them, I'd love to hear about them!

 

Thank you for reading!

Hi, welcome to the forums!

 

How exciting that you will be moving to Japan!

 

I think it's a cool idea that you wanted to see some dolls in person before picking the right one. If I had the choice, I wish I could have done that myself before I joined the hobby because I am also very picky.

 

I think the 01 head is very cute, it was my first doll's head, but I can agree that modding would be kind of tricky for your first time and first doll.

 

I want DD boys too, but Smart Doll makes a boy character now. It is easier for people to make boy characters now that there's a proper body available on the market.

Welcome to the forums Sara!

 

I hope you enjoy living in Japan! I lived there for a year when studying abroad, a number of years ago. I envy you, hopefully you'll get to visit a lot of the doll conventions, and find custom made doll clothing & parts.

I saw your name in other places on the forum and I just had to come say hi.

 

My name is also Sara, is why! It's incredibly rare for me to meet Saras without the "h", so I got excited.

 

Congratulations on your move to Japan! I always tell people that you should wait for the perfect girl to fall in your lap before you jump in to the hobby. It always seems to happen, and I have no doubt it will happen for you too! ^_^

 

Sometimes several perfect girls fall in your lap, and that's okay too. ;D

Amber:

It's specially hard to choose Dollfie Dream, since they are customizable. I thought I hated most of the default "DDH" series and then I saw customs and was greatly surprised. I guess I won't know until I see her!!!

 

I hope Boy Smart Doll will put pressure into Volks so they start making boys too. I want to be able to choose between body types, body sizes and different faces (I could always use an already existing head tho, haha)

 

Nanika:

I'm pretty excited but also nervious! I wonder if they will think I'm weird if I visit the Dollfie Dream shop all the time to calm myself, haha-

 

Minette:

Saras with no H for LIFE.

Several?! Oh no my poor wallet!

Yes! The customization is endless. You can always create someone that you love with a DDH head. I hope that you will find the perfect first doll for you. It's truly a magical moment when you find the one you really want and you get her.

Nice, how long are you living in Japan? Are you working or studying?

 

I hope you dont mind me interjecting because i noticed something you said - you mentioned you wanted to go to the Volks store and 'check each doll in person'.

I'm not 100% sure what you mean by this but I hope you dont get your hopes up too much - the Volks store isnt some big warehouse with every single DD always in stock. In fact, you're likely to not find a single one of the dolls there for sale at all besides the standard models (volks original models) since the bulk of buyers are preordering online. They dont even really stock much clothes (I was actually a little surprised at how little they had in the Volks stores I've visited) - the only thing they tend to have a lot of is the option parts, eyes and stuff.

If what you actually meant was looking at the various models around the store, then that would work, cos there's usually a lot of those and it's cool to see them in person. The problem is that by the time I do this the doll in question is basically unattainable except on the perilous aftermarket. ;-; I saw an adorable MDD boy made using Cirno's head, and it was so perfect for a project i have in mind that I got kind of upset because I know Cirno is ludicrously expensive now and pretty much impossible for me to get a hold of her head.

If you meant looking at the standard models then you're in luck because those do seem to always be in stock and its helpful to see them in person, even if they dont have them all out on display.

 

...I apologise if I completely misinterpreted what you said;; But stock or not, the Volks stores are really fun! I really like going there just to look. My only complaint is that there are so many beautiful display models and yet you arent allowed to take photos. I really wanted a photo of that Cirno MDD boy.

Amber: Oh no, now I can't wait to fall in love! Don't tease me, I'm weak! Haha.

 

Torino: Yes, I know! You are right, I meant checking the standard molds, eyes and wigs. I understand I wont be able to be like "Okay so I want this Miku with a Saber wig and then an IDOL MASTER COSTUME and also please make the bust ultra big". That'd be awesome tho. They'd sell way more if they really had this "DYI" system in their shops, wouldn't they? DD are about customization after all, haha!

A friend of mine visited Japan recently and told be about the whole "we just bring the most standard stuff and then if you want anything special, order it online", which sounds... pretty dumb to me. I mean, if they had some limited dolls on stock all the time, even if extremly expensive, they would sell! So why not? I understand they are "limited" and that's supposed to make them cooler but.... They could make way more money just by selling them in the retail shop too! This friend of mine came back from Japan with SIX DD, and they were mostly standard models and a Candy? I think. If they had had Sabers, Mikus or seriously any other of those best selling, I can't imagine how much money she would have spended. I really don't understand extremly limited editions!

If you're going to be near Akihabara you could always go to the Dollpoint location in Radio Kaikan. They do the lovely D'Coord dolls there. It's much more custom, and they have special heads/wigs/eyes not available at any other location, assuming there's stock.

 

Also glorious Sara no "h" master race.

If you're going to be near Akihabara you could always go to the Dollpoint location in Radio Kaikan. They do the lovely D'Coord dolls there. It's much more custom, and they have special heads/wigs/eyes not available at any other location, assuming there's stock.

 

 

Well, close to Akihabara.... 40 minutes in train is close? I mean, Tokio is freaking huge, haha.

Also I have no idea what Dollpoint Radio Kaikan is or what is a DCoord

Glory to Saras no H

That sounds like an ecchi anime.

I'm not taking it back, tho

Dollpoint Radio Kaikan IS the Volks store (the new one, it used to be elsewhere but it moves. Conveniently, it's now right above the Azone International store! Volks aren't just a doll company, they also do models and figures so the Doll Point is a convenient way to separate all their doll stuff into one place). Is a multi floor building with a different hobby store on each floor, and it's very easy to find as its right near the station.

I think DCoord is basically the DD version of the Volks full choice system for super dollfie. Apparently to do the FCS you need a Japanese address, so I assume it's the same for Coord, but since you'll have one its a possibility for you! You basically get to custom-order a standard model with, as said, wig and eye colours not available elsewhere (plus the dh8 and 9 heads). With the Full Choice System for super dollfie it apparently takes some time to make the doll, which is why you need the Japanese address, so I assume it's the same for DCoord.

 

Limited editions are unfortunately just one way a company can make a lot of money. You could argue that they'd sell more if they were always available, but the fact that they are limited makes them more valuable and guaranteed to sell out. Volks definitely recognise how they can maximise revenue though - Miku's been released three times now.

Wow, that sure sounds complicated! I'll check though! Thank you so much for your help! I was already planning on visiting that one shop, I just didnt know the name haha.

 

Oh, so there ARE re-editions after all! That's better!!

Glory to Saras no H

That sounds like an ecchi anime.

I'm not taking it back, tho

 

Instant friends? Hahahaha.

I think DCoord is basically the DD version of the Volks full choice system for super dollfie

It isn't quite the same thing.. D'Coord are pre-coordinated dolls that the Dollpoint store makes and sells once per month. You don't get to pick what goes into them; you just pick what complete setup you want. They use the Dollpoint-limited wigs and heads, and will have a nice outfit. It's akin to the SD Coordinate Models you can buy at Tenshi-no-Mado in Harajuku.

 

FCS is a complete customization job, and sadly still available only for SD. Maybe one day it will be available for DD.. I always put that as the feedback on every survey I got at Dolls Party, so Volks knows there is some level of interest at least.

It isn't quite the same thing.. D'Coord are pre-coordinated dolls that the Dollpoint store makes and sells once per month. You don't get to pick what goes into them; you just pick what complete setup you want. They use the Dollpoint-limited wigs and heads, and will have a nice outfit. It's akin to the SD Coordinate Models you can buy at Tenshi-no-Mado in Harajuku.

 

FCS is a complete customization job, and sadly still available only for SD. Maybe one day it will be available for DD.. I always put that as the feedback on every survey I got at Dolls Party, so Volks knows there is some level of interest at least.

 

Oh, so the employees choose a doll and some store exclusives and THEY create an original look. That's actually really cool!! That's in the Akihabara shop, right? I really want to see what the employees would create!!

 

I wish the complete custom was real too! How do you vote for that?

 

Glory to Saras no H

That sounds like an ecchi anime.

I'm not taking it back, tho

 

Instant friends? Hahahaha.

 

Yas.

Oh, so the employees choose a doll and some store exclusives and THEY create an original look. That's actually really cool!! That's in the Akihabara shop, right? I really want to see what the employees would create!!

Yes, the D'Coord is at Dollpoint Akihabara. Because they use Dollpoint store-exclusive parts, the D'Coord is only sold at that store. (except ones that are second hand, of course).

 

You can see if there is any in stock by looking on the special table along one wall near the cash register. There will be signs. And there will be example D'Coord dolls on display if there are any D'Coord available to buy on the day you go to the shop.

 

I wish the complete custom was real too! How do you vote for that?

When you go to a Dolls Party, the Official Guidebook has a survey in it that asks you questions about your experience at the event. You fill it out and turn it in that day in the designated box. One of the questions is always "What would you like to see Volks do or release in the future?"

Thanks for the explanation on DCoord! I was a bit confused about how it worked.

Some of them are really adorable, so it's mighty tempting.