some newbie questions about Mariko!

Hi guys!

 

I'm very new to vinyl dollies and only have 1 Smart Doll so far, so please excuse my ignorance

 

While browsing YouTube videos, I fell in love with a DDS called Mariko Summer Festival Version. She's the first DD I've ever felt strongly about, and I'd love to save up for her. My questions are:

 

- what's the difference between a DD and DDS?

- does Mariko Summer Festival Version have the same faceup as the student version? They seem identical to me, so is it only the outfit which sets them apart?

- please don't sugarcoat it; what are my actual chances of finding and affording a Mariko Summer Festival, given that she seems to have been a limited edition? I saw a couple on eBay for $1000+ but that's out of my price range. Does one ever show up for, say, $850 max? Because if not I'd rather just forget her as a 'grail' and not torture myself xD

 

Thank you!

Here's a quick photo of a DDS small bust next to a DD med bust, to show the size difference. The DDS is just a little bit shorter and smaller around in the torso. They can still share most of their clothes.

 

 

As for finding a Summer Festival Mariko for around original list price, don't give up, it isn't impossible! The first thing I would do is post a "want to buy" thread here at the DD forum. You might find someone who has decided they don't want theirs and is willing to sell it to you. You never know unless you ask! If you have the capability of buying on the overseas auction sites like Mandarake and Yahoo Japan, you may find one at a good price there, possibly with staining issues that you can fix. Sometimes you have to do extra work for your grail! I would also post WTB ads on local UK forums, you never know who might have one in their closet.

 

Personally, I think that finding a sympathetic private seller is your best chance. I was able to find a Saber Alter II around list price, near mint and still in her box with extra hands, from a kind forum member here who knew I wanted one. I have seen beautiful fullset dolls from three or four years ago come up for sale at reasonable prices. Mariko was popular, but people's tastes sometimes change.

 

Good luck!

Linda S.

galatia9

Mariko and Mariko Summer Festival Version are basically identical, except for the outfit!

 

Same:

- Skin tone (Semi-White Skin)

- Body (DDS with M-Bust)

- Eyes (metallic gold, 22mm)

- Wig (braided pigtails)

 

Different:

- Outfit & accessories

 

It should be noted that almost ALL Dollfie Dreams are "limited edition;" there's a very small number that aren't limited. The bigger question is how popular a particular doll is.

 

Looking at Y!J, Mariko Summer Version should be $750-$950 depending on condition, seller, etc. eBay is a TERRIBLE place to look at prices; almost everything there is massively overpriced.

There've actually been three releases of the Mariko sculpt! The ones you would potentially be looking for are Summer Festival and Student versions. The Teacher version (which is the original release) is actually slightly different, as it's a white skin doll instead of semi-white like the later versions. Be sure to clarify this if you make a WTB thread!

 

If you don't mind a slight markup, you can always keep an eye on Mandarake. Be careful, though, since not all of their dolls are fullsets or mint condition. Mine came without her clothes or wig and some staining damage, which doesn't bother me, but if you're dead set on one specific release, then that's something to keep an eye for.

Ms. Mariko is actually quite different from the other three.

 

- Skin tone = White skin, not Semi-White Skin

- Body = DDS with L-Shapely, not M-Bust

- Eyes = Probably the same? 22mm metallic gold

- Wig = Short bob, not braided pigtails

- Face-up = Similar, but more blush and pinker lips

 

It does look like Jungle has a Mariko Summer Festival for a not-terrible price:

http://jungle-scs.co.jp/sale_en/?page_id=121&id=1307428

If you're on Facebook and are part of the Dollfie Dreams Adoption Group someone is selling their Mariko Festival Ver. for $520+shipping. She's not fullset but she comes with a wig, dress, skirt (all seller's choice), default eyes, and a pair of Ronronshuka eyes. Slight staining on head. Here's the link

 

https://m.facebook.com/groups/309674845752190?view=permalink&id=1295114393874892&fs=2&ref=bookmarks