Smart Doll Eiji on the way! My BJD story.

Not sure where this topic should go: In the Smart Doll section or Waiting Rooms section, lol.

 

I finally sold off a lot of things and managed to put together enough money to buy a Smart Doll! I've been a fan of Danny Choo since 2012 (he got me interested in DDs) but I've never owned an SmD yet, as I tried out DD first. The reason was because I liked the DDs' face sculpts better and I found a great faceup artist. So I put together a DD, and I loved her and she was very cute, but I felt something was missing! In the end I just couldn't bond with her (she ended up sitting around a lot) so I sold her after a month along with a lot of items I had gotten her. I had gotten her so many clothes at the beginning, thinking I would dress her up often, but in the end it was just a pain, haha! ^^;

 

So then I was like, "what now"? Because I could not choose an SmD girl (there wasn't one that I REALLY wanted, I couldn't decide at all) and I already knew my bad spending habits for girls (since they have so many options! I would've bought so much for an SmD girl)....so then here was something I had never really looked at before: Why don't I just get an SmD guy? Danny had just released the option hand pack for guys (still waiting on a bust option w/ headlights lol), and it seemed like good timing. I love the SmD guys' body too! As well as the head sculpt.

I've always been a fan of custom dolls of characters, but had never considered getting an SmD customized. However, there is one anime character I am insanely obsessed with - and that's Seiya Kanie from the anime, Amagi Brilliant Park (he's my pro pic). The show was only one season long but really enjoyable, and Seiya Kanie became one of my #1 favorite characters. However, I was always disappointed in the lack of merchandise there was for him. I would die for a figure of him! Sadly he didn't get as much love as the female characters. The only merch of him I've found is like a pen, him on a poster, and him as a "secret" strap in those character strap blind boxes. I couldn't understand - he's so attractive lol (I'm still secretly hoping that Amagi gets a 2nd season someday).

 

So it came to me, how about if I make the first ever (I think ^^;) 3D Seiya Kanie? Smart Doll Eiji looked like the perfect option for him!! I don't think his faceup is exactly on point though, and I need to test different eyes out (definitely going to be the hard part, I really hope Danny just releases chestnut-brown guy eyes), and I also needed to get a customized version of his uniform. I was especially heavily inspired by Torino's custom SmD Eiji of Kaito, and I really wanted to see if I could make this happen too ;w;

 

A fellow BJD friend of mine recommended http://www.beyond-wonderland-bjd.com to get the cosplay done, and I was amazed by their work I saw in their Gallery and went for them! I was so happy because they can do outfits in any size as long as you provide measurements, as I was having a lot of trouble finding someone who'd do an custom outfit for SmD Eiji. They emailed me back and said they can do everything I requested (lining on the inside of the jacket, gold accents on the jacket, extra shirts), and I was really happy >w< It'll take two months but I can't wait.

 

I also reserved an October faceup slot for Clockwork Angel! Her anime character faceups are stunning, and I'm sure that she'd do a wonderful job! I still don't know what expression I'd exactly like though, haha. I just know that I want a wider mouth, and maybe more defined eyebrows and thicker eye outlines. Then there's that part of me who's scared to send him off and get a custom Eiji faceup though ^^; because once I get his faceup changed, I can't go back to his default faceup. But it should be all fine right? Right?? ^^;

 

So yeah, sorry for the long post, but Eiji was shipped out yesterday and should be arriving next week! Until October he'll be Eiji, but once all the customs are in place he'll become Seiya Kanie. I really hope that unlike my previous doll, I'll be able to bond with him! It's a new start. If you're a fellow SmD Eiji owner, is there any good feedback you have about him? Thanks for reading!

Congrads on your Eiji. I can't wait to see him completed.

Congratulations!

I think the best dolls are the ones based on a character you really love. That way the whole process of customizing them, of photographing them, of even just seeing them when you walk past, makes you so happy.

 

SmD Eijis are a lot of fun to pose, especially with the stand! One important trick is to work out how to use the triple axis joint in his ankle. That way, he always keeps his feet flat on the ground when he's standing, no matter the pose he is in.

 

I'm not great at figuring out how a pose should look, but here is a shot where I feel like I've gotten it right:

I edited out the stand in this picture, which is pretty easy to do. It's also not hard to pose him such that it doesn't show.

 

Hmm, what else... keep an eye out for random props in the right scale, because it's a lot of fun to take photos with props! Or even to have him posed with them so it looks like he's, for example, reviewing the shots he took on his 1/3 scale camera:

 

Also, unboxing is really nice because everything is packaged in little parcels like presents! Also, the Moekana are adorable. I got one for dakimakura which really amused me because I highly suspect my Eiji's character would own one (and I'd totally make a 1/3 one if I had a reliable way of printing my illustrations on fabric). Here's a post on my blog if you want to see the unboxing:

http://puchi-photography.tumblr.com/post/146567689669/because-people-seem-to-like-these-unboxing-things

(also, most of my blog is picspam of my Eiji xD)

 

I hope this helped make you more excited for your Seiya Kanie!

 

One last tip: if before he gets the new eyes, outfit, etc. he looks off or wrong for the character, don't lose hope! A new outfit and especially new eyes can make a massive difference. Eiji's sculpt seems to be really versatile and can easily take up the appearance of many characters with the right accessories (and faceup if necessary!).

^____^

Congratulations!

I think the best dolls are the ones based on a character you really love. That way the whole process of customizing them, of photographing them, of even just seeing them when you walk past, makes you so happy.

 

SmD Eijis are a lot of fun to pose, especially with the stand! One important trick is to work out how to use the triple axis joint in his ankle. That way, he always keeps his feet flat on the ground when he's standing, no matter the pose he is in.

 

I'm not great at figuring out how a pose should look, but here is a shot where I feel like I've gotten it right:

I edited out the stand in this picture, which is pretty easy to do. It's also not hard to pose him such that it doesn't show.

 

Hmm, what else... keep an eye out for random props in the right scale, because it's a lot of fun to take photos with props! Or even to have him posed with them so it looks like he's, for example, reviewing the shots he took on his 1/3 scale camera:

 

Also, unboxing is really nice because everything is packaged in little parcels like presents! Also, the Moekana are adorable. I got one for dakimakura which really amused me because I highly suspect my Eiji's character would own one (and I'd totally make a 1/3 one if I had a reliable way of printing my illustrations on fabric). Here's a post on my blog if you want to see the unboxing:

http://puchi-photography.tumblr.com/post/146567689669/because-people-seem-to-like-these-unboxing-things

(also, most of my blog is picspam of my Eiji xD)

 

I hope this helped make you more excited for your Seiya Kanie!

 

One last tip: if before he gets the new eyes, outfit, etc. he looks off or wrong for the character, don't lose hope! A new outfit and especially new eyes can make a massive difference. Eiji's sculpt seems to be really versatile and can easily take up the appearance of many characters with the right accessories (and faceup if necessary!).

^____^

 

Thanks so much for the photos of your Eiji and the helpful tips (I really love his custom hair you gave him btw! The blue fringe is awesome)! I've seen many cool faceups of Eiji and photos of his customs, so I'm looking forward to how mine will turn out too ^^ I haven't seen too many unboxings videos/pics for Eiji, so I'll see if I will be able to put one together when he comes :3

Thank you thank you! ^__^ Customizing wigs is a lot of fun! I'm always so happy when people like him ^___^

 

You should definitely do an unboxing post! It's really nice to be able to record the moment, both for your own memories, and also for others who are anticipating an Eiji and/or enjoy watching the development of a custom character!

 

I'm really looking forward to seeing what his faceup will look like. Eiji is definitely one of my personal favorite molds to see custom faceups of.

 

I remember the wait for my Eiji and my obsessive refeshing of the tracking no. while always looking for more photos and videos of him, so I'm glad my pictures are helpful ^__^ I actually ran down the steps of my apartment to meet the postman, who seemed somewhat bemused and amused xD

 

As far as eyes, are you thinking you'd prefer animetic eyes cf. glass/BJD-style ones?

There are custom eye makers who could likely make the right color eye for you in the appropriate iris dimensions if Danny doesn't release the right shade soon, fwiw.

Thank you thank you! ^__^ Customizing wigs is a lot of fun! I'm always so happy when people like him ^___^

 

You should definitely do an unboxing post! It's really nice to be able to record the moment, both for your own memories, and also for others who are anticipating an Eiji and/or enjoy watching the development of a custom character!

 

I'm really looking forward to seeing what his faceup will look like. Eiji is definitely one of my personal favorite molds to see custom faceups of.

 

I remember the wait for my Eiji and my obsessive refeshing of the tracking no. while always looking for more photos and videos of him, so I'm glad my pictures are helpful ^__^ I actually ran down the steps of my apartment to meet the postman, who seemed somewhat bemused and amused xD

 

As far as eyes, are you thinking you'd prefer animetic eyes cf. glass/BJD-style ones?

There are custom eye makers who could likely make the right color eye for you in the appropriate iris dimensions if Danny doesn't release the right shade soon, fwiw.

 

Haha, refreshing the tracking number page - that's me!

So far I can't really find any good animetic eyes in the size I want - so for now I ordered a pair of 16mm BJD eyes. Hopefully they look ok! I do really want animetic eyes in the size of the SmD guy eyes though. Do you know any custom eye makers? I've come across Sprouty Doll so far but they only make standard bjd eyes.

In the Members Shops, Freya21 does custom eyes, and Lizanna (juu-yuki) is going to do a custom sizes event for Lizanna eyes in October and may be able to make some of her designs in Eiji sizes. I know there is another shop, not afaik a member's, that does custom eyes, with a name like Elf something--I'll try and see if I can find it.

In the Members Shops, Freya21 does custom eyes, and Lizanna (juu-yuki) is going to do a custom sizes event for Lizanna eyes in October and may be able to make some of her designs in Eiji sizes. I know there is another shop, not afaik a member's, that does custom eyes, with a name like Elf something--I'll try and see if I can find it.

 

Thank you for the info! I've never tried Freya's eyes yet, but I've had Lizanna eyes before and they're lovely ^^ I'll be on the lookout for the custom sizes event! I'll also check Freya's out.

Congrats!!

 

I always thought that your avatar looked so much like Eiji, I am not familiar with the character Seiya or the anime but Eiji seems to be the perfect choice for Seiya!

 

I love Eiji and what people has done with him, he is a great doll and highly admire Danny. I don't have any character for Eiji or else I would get him in a heartbeat!

 

I wish I could help you out with the eyes but I have only purchased from white dolly story and Lizanna. Clockwork angel is an amazing artist, I bet she will do a great job on your boy!

 

@Ie-Aester: those are some wonderful shots of your boy

Congrats!!

 

I always thought that your avatar looked so much like Eiji, I am not familiar with the character Seiya or the anime but Eiji seems to be the perfect choice for Seiya!

 

I love Eiji and what people has done with him, he is a great doll and highly admire Danny. I don't have any character for Eiji or else I would get him in a heartbeat!

 

I wish I could help you out with the eyes but I have only purchased from white dolly story and Lizanna. Clockwork angel is an amazing artist, I bet she will do a great job on your boy!

 

@Ie-Aester: those are some wonderful shots of your boy

 

Thanks so much! Funny how you always thought my avatar looked like Eiji - I'm glad! I too have only purchased from WDS and Lizanna before, but I'm sure I'll work something out eventually ^^

I'm really flattered you like my Kaito so much! I hope your Eiji brings you just as much joy

 

All I can really say is that for a while after I first got him it was difficult to pose his arms and they'd fall off a lot, but I know now it's because I was moving them wrong and wasnt supporting the joints properly...I'm used to peg-jointed dolls so it took some getting used to. It might not be an issue for you if you've had a DD though. I've never heard of anyone else having this problem so I'm probably just really dumb lol.

Wait wait that happens to me too, particularly with the left arm! I thought maybe the socket on mine was just wonky O_o Would you be able to describe how to avoid that?

Do you have a problem with a forearm falling off? If so, have you seen some kind of tick ring on the forearm peg? I had this problem with my Kizuna. The fix was to remove the ring form the forearm's peg and put in on the arm's peg (it's a bit tricky, because the peg is inside the arm, but you can do this with some tools - tweezers or something). Then you put the forearm back inside the arm and it should be more stable - at least for a while.

My Eiji just arrived!! I'll try to post pics here this weekend ^w^ No arms falling off yet, thankfully!

Hurrah, congratulations!