Coloured versions of CJ characters are limited

 

Danny posted this on Twitter : "Got way too many Anime, Hollywood n game Smart Dolls lined up so color variation CJ characters will be limited editions."

 

So get that milk Twilight and tanned Mirai and Kizuna whilst you can.

It's too bad, but hopefully this will make room for more variety.

I'm a bit disappointed by this news but I also hope it will open doors for more products since production won't be going to an endless supply of various versions of each character. I better hurry and make up my mind if I want tea Mirai or Chitose. I was hoping we would see a tea Julia, but that might not happen for a while now if at all.

We got to meet and chat with Danny during our trip to Japan and we asked about his characters and who and what is available and why. His main answer was that when he puts out these various iterations of girls he uses sales and display room interest as a gauge for what people want and are buying or interested in buying.

 

So looking at it like this, the reason all these different colored Chitoses and Mirais and Kizunas are going away soon is because they don't sell as well as his original versions of them do. In order to keep costs down, save inventory space and make other new things, he's clearing out the slow sellers and won't keep them in stock until he decides to make random runs of them for sales in the future as limited releases. It doesn't mean these girls will go away completely, it just means that they won't be as readily available as his regular lineup of characters.

 

He also said that some girls he's previewed as coming out *may* not come out at all due to lack of interest shown online and in the showroom. As an example, he has a girl with purple eyes in the showroom and when I asked if those eyes were available yet, he said that there hadn't really been enough interest shown for them to do a big run anytime soon. He said he might do a small amount of them to sell in the store or online to get a better gauge of interest but as it sits now, not enough people have even mentioned them to him. So basically when he comes out with a new head or faceup, he'll put it in the showroom and online, let people make comments and then make a decision from there on whether it gets released. He made it a point to show us a girl with tan skin, a different head ( can't recall the name of it ) and a different faceup and wig and said she's not going to be put into production due to lack of interest in her. We all thought she was gorgeous and that she'd sell well but even tho she was front and center in his store, she didn't grab many peoples attention.

 

It might sound like an odd way to figure out how to sell things and what may or may not sell but it looks like this is how he does it and why we sometimes see or don't see things being sold.

 

 

Billy

He also said that some girls he's previewed as coming out *may* not come out at all due to lack of interest shown online and in the showroom.

 

This explains why many SmD things were never released, such as the Smart Doll mini aka pocket doll. Or specific wigs which were showcased but never released.

 

Although I do find this tactic odd, he should consider selling a few number of the said products(not if they are licensed characters of course). And see what sells and what doesn't. Instead of just relying on showroom/online interest. Worse what can happen is him loseing out on some profit if his newer products get put into discount.

We got to meet and chat with Danny during our trip to Japan and we asked about his characters and who and what is available and why. His main answer was that when he puts out these various iterations of girls he uses sales and display room interest as a gauge for what people want and are buying or interested in buying.

 

So looking at it like this, the reason all these different colored Chitoses and Mirais and Kizunas are going away soon is because they don't sell as well as his original versions of them do. In order to keep costs down, save inventory space and make other new things, he's clearing out the slow sellers and won't keep them in stock until he decides to make random runs of them for sales in the future as limited releases. It doesn't mean these girls will go away completely, it just means that they won't be as readily available as his regular lineup of characters.

 

He also said that some girls he's previewed as coming out *may* not come out at all due to lack of interest shown online and in the showroom. As an example, he has a girl with purple eyes in the showroom and when I asked if those eyes were available yet, he said that there hadn't really been enough interest shown for them to do a big run anytime soon. He said he might do a small amount of them to sell in the store or online to get a better gauge of interest but as it sits now, not enough people have even mentioned them to him. So basically when he comes out with a new head or faceup, he'll put it in the showroom and online, let people make comments and then make a decision from there on whether it gets released. He made it a point to show us a girl with tan skin, a different head ( can't recall the name of it ) and a different faceup and wig and said she's not going to be put into production due to lack of interest in her. We all thought she was gorgeous and that she'd sell well but even tho she was front and center in his store, she didn't grab many peoples attention.

 

It might sound like an odd way to figure out how to sell things and what may or may not sell but it looks like this is how he does it and why we sometimes see or don't see things being sold.

 

 

Billy

 

It does seem odd to me but I can understand why he does it this way. It's really too bad for fans that are less vocal online and who may not be able to travel to the store.

oh geez I guess I better comment 1000x more to support my faves

 

I understand the rationale behind this sort of strategy, but it still hurts if you're the slow and steady type when buying dolls.. I'll probably be missing out on milk Twilight then. I wonder which counts as the original version of Kurenai/Twilight/Moonlight anyway.. since Kurenai was announced first(and never released, right?) but Twilight was the one to go on sale. All I want is a milk skin version of this sculpt in the coming years, Danny.

 

Interesting how much importance he places on interest in the showroom. I must've gone on a really slow day because I had the whole place to myself the entire time I was there. xD Well either way, I hope this opens the door for more interesting nice sculpts in the future! Maybe one of newer dolls will fit what I'm looking for more.

This is actually good strategy I have seen deployed few times. If it does not sell you do not make it. Of course it is sad a lot of people will not be able to get doll they want, but I can definitely see the reasoning behind this approach.

 

I was also wondering whether these prototypes displayed at store are actually being sold? I think I have seen a few photos on twitter of Twilight before her official release for example.

This doesn't seem strange at all. Interest generates sales. Auto manufacturers do this all the time. They will create a one of a kind show car (sometimes not functional) and take it to the auto shows to see if it generates interest. Based on interest or lack thereof, many of these cars are never seen again, while some make it to market, often heavily modified. Being a small manufacturer, Smart Doll has to be careful what they put their money into, so feedback from the doll buying public is a very important step on the road to final production.

I completely understand why Danny would do this from a business perspective, but y u do dis I really want Milk Twilight and I was planning to get her when I would be able to work again. It's not like I can't afford her now, it's just that I don't want to splurge when I have scale figures pre-ordered (and no job!). I'll have to think deeply about my life decisions...

I really want Milk Twilight and I was planning to get her when I would be able to work again. It's not like I can't afford her now, it's just that I don't want to splurge when I have scale figures pre-ordered (and no job!). I'll have to think deeply about my life decisions...

 

 

Ditto... I wanted Twilight in Milk but I JUST bought Eiji from Mirai ><

Oh well, hopefully aftermarket prices aren't bad.

Don't fret too much guys and girls. Like I said, just because he's limiting the different skin tones of his main line of dolls, that doesn't mean you won't ever be able to get them in the future. He said he'd do small runs of them again so it's not like they'll never be made again.

 

As for Pocket Dolls, they may be on the back burner for now, but we specifically asked him about those ( because my GF wants one BAD ) and he said they would be made.... just not soon. They worked on a bit of a different system than the regular Smartdolls do so there's no separate inner skeleton and outer vinyl shells. The one we saw and held was very similar to an Azone or Pure Neemo in heft and feel. So again, don't fret.... it'll take some time but the Pocket Dolls are still on track to be made!

 

I took lots and LOTS of pics inside the Mirai store and once I get home and situated, I'll be posting them all to Flickr and here so look forward to those sometime next week!

 

 

 

Billy

I understand the rationale behind this sort of strategy, but it still hurts if you're the slow and steady type when buying dolls.. I'll probably be missing out on milk Twilight then. I wonder which counts as the original version of Kurenai/Twilight/Moonlight anyway.. since Kurenai was announced first(and never released, right?) but Twilight was the one to go on sale. All I want is a milk skin version of this sculpt in the coming years, Danny.

 

Kurenai was announced to be 'in production' on the 22nd of February so it looks like she will be released soon-ish. Twilight got released first 'cause more people were interested in her.

 

Tbh I think it makes sense from a business point of view to get rid of the slow sellers. I admire Danny for trying to have everything available at first but it's unrealistic and impossible to keep everything in stock all the time.

But does this mean that those two new boys might not happen after all?

But does this mean that those two new boys might not happen after all?

Well I doubt this, since they do indeed get much attention in social media and in the showroom. So I can assume they will be out. Danny only had said "Maybe this spring" on his last post about them.

I took lots and LOTS of pics inside the Mirai store and once I get home and situated, I'll be posting them all to Flickr and here so look forward to those sometime next week!

Billy

 

Hurry up! I can't wait to see them!

But does this mean that those two new boys might not happen after all?

Well I doubt this, since they do indeed get much attention in social media and in the showroom. So I can assume they will be out. Danny only had said "Maybe this spring" on his last post about them.

 

 

If by two new boys you mean the newer head sculpts he's shown us then don't worry.

 

I'm allowed to say this about them.....

 

 

 

Those are the new Eiji sculpts. The old heads will be phased out ( Danny didn't say how this would be done but I'd guess when the older ones are sold out ) and once that's done, the new sculpts will be rolled out as Eiji 2.0. ( Not the name he told us he'd use, just me making that up )

 

As for the cocoa boy people asked about, he was upstairs "resting" as Danny put it. Presumably he was getting some new work done or adjusted or something because he wasn't on the showroom floor when we were there. But Danny said the cocoa skin boy *should* be available this year, he just wouldn't pinpoint a time for us.

 

 

 

 

 

Billy

Ah, that's good to know. Thanks for letting us know, baldylox!

 

I hope (not that there's much chance of this but still) that there's a way to buy just the Eiji 2.0 heads soon. Even if it's just offered for sale to those with the 1.0 Eiji. There's no way I could afford or even have space for a full new Eiji, but I'd very much like to "upgrade" my Eiji's head.

 

(also, baldylox, if you happen to remember--does 2.0's head, especially around the eyes, seem wider than 1.0's?)

So geez, Eiji's had THREE heads now? And now he looks even less than his original design but I don't mind so much about that.

I guess i do kind of mind that I feel like I got some 'imperfect' Eiji now. I doubt he'll offer discounts to existing owners, but even though I really like the new sculpt, it somehow feels disheartening to have it 'confirmed' that Danny saw a problem with the old one, when I'd been trying to not listen to everyone who had a problem with the old sculpt considering how much he cost me. 8') I'm actually tempted to redo Kaito on a DDh09 or something just so that he fits in better with Rin and Miku, but I have the nagging little feeling at the back of my mind that there's an actual possibility Volks could make Kaito DD for real and I'd rather wait that out and see. (and I'm definitely prepared to wait because thats easier on my wallet lol)

(I'd also feel kinda bad about it, because my Eiji was my first big vinyl and I've definitely had a lot of fun with him. A new faceup combined with the new neck piece would definitely help though...)

Ah, that's good to know. Thanks for letting us know, baldylox!

 

I hope (not that there's much chance of this but still) that there's a way to buy just the Eiji 2.0 heads soon. Even if it's just offered for sale to those with the 1.0 Eiji. There's no way I could afford or even have space for a full new Eiji, but I'd very much like to "upgrade" my Eiji's head.

 

(also, baldylox, if you happen to remember--does 2.0's head, especially around the eyes, seem wider than 1.0's?)

 

 

You're welcome! I have no idea what his plans are for the new version of Eiji other than to sell them as whole dolls. He didn't say anything to us about it but I know he's not into selling just finished heads because he's been asked that before and said no. I wouldn't rule it out for him to offer upgrades to Version 1 Eiji owners but I can't say because we didn't discuss that with him so I don't want to get anyones hopes up. As for the width differences, I really have no idea. I took some good closeups of the 2 guys he had in the showroom tho so once I have those pics up online, I'll share them here.

 

So geez, Eiji's had THREE heads now? And now he looks even less than his original design but I don't mind so much about that.

I guess i do kind of mind that I feel like I got some 'imperfect' Eiji now. I doubt he'll offer discounts to existing owners, but even though I really like the new sculpt, it somehow feels disheartening to have it 'confirmed' that Danny saw a problem with the old one, when I'd been trying to not listen to everyone who had a problem with the old sculpt considering how much he cost me. 8') I'm actually tempted to redo Kaito on a DDh09 or something just so that he fits in better with Rin and Miku, but I have the nagging little feeling at the back of my mind that there's an actual possibility Volks could make Kaito DD for real and I'd rather wait that out and see. (and I'm definitely prepared to wait because thats easier on my wallet lol)

(I'd also feel kinda bad about it, because my Eiji was my first big vinyl and I've definitely had a lot of fun with him. A new faceup combined with the new neck piece would definitely help though...)

 

I'm not sure what you mean about 3 Eiji head designs.... I've only ever seen the original and these two new ones he showed us. And by two I mean it was one head on two different colored bodies.... normal and tan skins. Both heads were identical as were the faceups.

 

We didn't go into any of his sales ideas for the new boys, he only said he wouldn't release the new version until all the old ones were gone. He didn't say how many he had left or what his plans were for them so I can't help out there.

 

I took lots of pics of the showroom so once I have them uploaded to Flickr, I'll be sure to make a thread here about it so people can see what he has there and what we all talked about..... well, what we're *allowed* to talk about.

 

 

Billy

I was referring to the old prototype Eiji that was offered as a full doll without a faceup way back before Eiji first came out - it was a different sculpt, and I think the only person here who owns that one is SisterKyoya. So counting that one, Eiji has now had 3 different sculpts (even if only two were 'proper').

I was referring to the old prototype Eiji that was offered as a full doll without a faceup way back before Eiji first came out - it was a different sculpt, and I think the only person here who owns that one is SisterKyoya. So counting that one, Eiji has now had 3 different sculpts (even if only two were 'proper').

 

Ahh okay. I was like "When did I miss another version of him?"

 

Yeah, I wasn't counting that pre-production version since that wasn't sold at retail, only to people working on clothing for him before his general release.

 

 

Billy

Ack nuuuuuuuuu.... I was really looking forward to those guys and the only thing that could potentially have thrown me was Kirito, but I'm still more interested in this guy. But now I'm anxious if we might have to wait til an unknown number sell out...

Ack nuuuuuuuuu.... I was really looking forward to those guys and the only thing that could potentially have thrown me was Kirito, but I'm still more interested in this guy. But now I'm anxious if we might have to wait til an unknown number sell out...

 

Right? I may be quite interested in getting Kirito to turn into Katsudon Yuuri, but Yuuri NEEDS Victor, and Eiji 2.0 is basically the perfect Victor bait. I don't like not knowing how long it'll be before Yuuri can get his Dorky Skate Husband.

Oh dang, I completely missed the part about how he won't release the new guys until after he sells through all of his Eiji stock. And that those new guys really are Eiji/Crimson 2.0. Where did he say that? I mean, I still have a ways to go before I can afford a new guy anyway, but still.. I want to get him before summer ends.. ><"