General Questions about d'coords

- What is the general variety of sculpts available? Do they try to always have at least some d'coord exclusive girls around?

- What about body types? I would guess mostly DD and MDD/Mochi with a few DDdy and DDP thrown in.

- Which stores have the most variety available?

- Are there usually tan and sws girls no matter what time of year you go?*

- Are the outfits usually seasonally themed? From recent clothes releases, or can older outfits show up too?

 

*(I reeeeeally want a tan girl, but my mom doesn't want to go until October and she's the vacation planner here.)

I'm not confident that Japan will even be allowing tourists by October. 

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- Are there usually tan and sws girls no matter what time of year you go?*

Contrary to what everyone seems to think, the skin colors for D'Coord are not seasonal. Tan and Semi-White are available year round.
In addition, Tan option parts (like hands and bust parts) are available year round.

2 hours ago, That_Dollfie_Dude said:

I'm not confident that Japan will even be allowing tourists by October. 

Would agree, realistically I wouldn’t try to plan trips to Japan before 2022 and I’d probably even give it some time into 2022 - vaccine roll out here is extremely slow (currently around 3%).

4 hours ago, monkeypizzasonic said:

What is the general variety of sculpts available? Do they try to always have at least some d'coord exclusive girls around?

I’d wager they always have out one or two from what I’ve seen but they use plenty of non exclusive sculpts.  I’ve actually usually found myself drawn more to non-exclusives.
 

4 hours ago, monkeypizzasonic said:

Are the outfits usually seasonally themed? From recent clothes releases, or can older outfits show up too?

Dcoord outfits are now one of two standard sets - either a brown dress with knee high socks and cardigan or a doll point employee uniform.  This doesn’t change with seasons.  You can get an idea of the outfits from this blog - https://www.volks.co.jp/blog_nest/akiba/2021/05/25/014896.html 

4 hours ago, monkeypizzasonic said:

Which stores have the most variety available?

 

Between Yokohama and Tokyo, I’d give Yokohama the edge - realistically, visiting both stores in a single day is quite feasible so it’s not something I’d stress over too much.  Can’t speak to Osaka as I haven’t been.  

4 hours ago, monkeypizzasonic said:

What about body types? I would guess mostly DD and MDD/Mochi with a few DDdy and DDP thrown in

From what I’ve seen, varied, generally there is the most of MDD.  But the rest are fairly evenly represented.  I actually think there’s a tendency in Tokyo for more DDP than DD and DDS.  DDdy may have the least rep but only slightly.  I don’t think I’ve ever been where at least one of each type wasn’t out but I’ve been going when there are no tourists.  I’d wager in normal times the dolls would be more likely to sell out so you’d want to go early in the day/at store opening.  

Edited May 26, 2021 by abs2891
Osaka note

I did mean October 2022 btw...or 2023 if it comes to that. (Even flying a few states over was stressful, I'm not gonna be ready for overseas trips for a good while yet.)

@Subaru I did see something like that on another thread from a few years ago, just wanted to re-confirm that was still the case.

@abs2891 Thanks for all the info! What I'd really like is a DDH21 in tan, but I can always make one in sws at DollPoint and grab another sculpt in tan from the d'coords if I can't find one. I'd also prefer MDD as they'll be easier to take back with me, so glad to hear there's a lot of them. 

 

2 hours ago, abs2891 said:

I don’t think I’ve ever been where at least one of each type wasn’t out but I’ve been going when there are no tourists.  I’d wager in normal times the dolls would be more likely to sell out so you’d want to go early in the day/at store opening.  

What are the best times/days to go for no tourists (besides early morning, of course)?

How fluent does one need to be in Japanese to get a Dream Choice built at one of their shops?

I mean, I speak some Japanese, but not enough yet to be considered fluent at all.

1 hour ago, OccultBeast said:

What are the best times/days to go for no tourists (besides early morning, of course)?

In general, I'd say during weekdays is best, as most people are at work that time. However, I've seen DollPoint Akiba basically empty, early on weekends as well (if it's not a release day for new clothes, etc.).

The current situation is a bit different compared to before the pandemic as Akiba used to be overrun by (mostly Chinese) tourists. Usually not too many of them made their way to DollPoint, but we'll have to see how the situation will play out after the pandemic.

The Volks store in Yokohama seems to always be relatively empty. Granted, it's in a fairly hidden part of the shopping center it's in.

 

59 minutes ago, ChrisFhey said:

How fluent does one need to be in Japanese to get a Dream Choice built at one of their shops?

I mean, I speak some Japanese, but not enough yet to be considered fluent at all.

Iirc, they have copies (and/or cheat sheets) of the relevant paperwork in English available as well as a big binder with pictures of all the optional parts you can use. So I guess you should be able to somewhat communicate with the clerk with a combination of English, pointing and gesturing.

If you speak a bit of Japanese, that should still help a fair bit.

In general, those two things are probably the ones that might not come across easily, if communication is limited. So look out for those:

• Some options may currently be out of stock, which is not marked in the binder but the clerk will tell you when you get to that stage. (When I built my Dream Choice, they were out of a couple of wigs.)
• Also, if you get a Dream Choice, you are able to purchase a second wig from the Dream Choice catalog as well.

 

3 hours ago, abs2891 said:

I actually think there’s a tendency in Tokyo for more DDP than DD and DDS.

Last time I stopped by, I was surprised by the amount of DDPs they had as D'Coords. That's either just for the current batch or a new (not unwelcome) trend. Usually it's several MDDs, a good few of DDs and DDSs and then one DDP and/or DDdy thrown in.

Edited May 26, 2021 by Tierparkzone

15 minutes ago, Tierparkzone said:

Iirc, they have copies (and/or cheat sheets) of the relevant paperwork in English available as well as a big binder with pictures of all the optional parts you can use. So I guess you should be able to somewhat communicate with the clerk with a combination of English, pointing and gesturing.

If you speak a bit of Japanese, that should still help a fair bit.

In general, those two things are probably the ones that might not come across easily, if communication is limited. So look out for those:

• Some options may currently be out of stock, which is not marked in the binder but the clerk will tell you when you get to that stage. (When I built my Dream Choice, they were out of a couple of wigs.)
• Also, if you get a Dream Choice, you are able to purchase a second wig from the Dream Choice catalog as well.

That's good to know, thanks.

I'm still working on my Japanese, but it would be pretty neat to have a bit of a fallback if necessary, at least.

12 hours ago, monkeypizzasonic said:

- Which stores have the most variety available?

 

The Volk's Store in Akiba has a decent selection, but I think it depends on what you are looking for at the stores.  I have only been to Tokyo and we didn't have time to visit in Kyoto.  I got my first dream choice without an appointment.  We waited for a half hour and they saw us.  There is someone there that speaks English, so that was very helpful (less stressful).  I cannot remember if the book was in English, but it didn't matter.  Some things I can read, but my Japanese isn't that good.

I've also gone to Mandarake Shibuya and Complex (around Akihabara).  Shibuya store has someone that speaks English and they have had items not listed on their website.  I went there this week and got some hands (brown) that weren't on the website.

 

 

12 hours ago, monkeypizzasonic said:

- Are there usually tan and sws girls no matter what time of year you go?*

 

The brown skintone is available April to September.  I love the skintone!  I am getting a DD Boy and MDD girl soon before we leave Japan.  The hands are only available during the time period, so I make sure to get extra.  I do not understand why they don't sell the tanned unless they know it will get sold out fairly quickly...

 

 

Edited May 27, 2021 by Shamrock
fixed spelling error

4 hours ago, Tierparkzone said:

Last time I stopped by, I was surprised by the amount of DDPs they had as D'Coords. That's either just for the current batch or a new (not unwelcome) trend. Usually it's several MDDs, a good few of DDs and DDSs and then one DDP and/or DDdy thrown in.

Good to know.  I definitely found it surprising, though quite cute - will have to see if the trend holds.

 

4 hours ago, Tierparkzone said:

• Also, if you get a Dream Choice, you are able to purchase a second wig from the Dream Choice catalog as well.

 

Also can do this with eyes ^^

Would agree that even with limited to no Japanese you’ll be alright given the pictures etc. one other complicated thing they might do is if the extra wig costs more than the other, they’ll ask if you’re fine to put the more expensive on the dolls certificate of authenticity.  This is why my DDBs certificate has him wearing a ponytail.

4 minutes ago, abs2891 said:

if the extra wig costs more than the other, they’ll ask if you’re fine to put the more expensive on the dolls certificate of authenticity.

Is there a reason for this?

7 minutes ago, ChrisFhey said:

Is there a reason for this?

Because one wig is included in the Dream Choice package price, while the second one costs it's list price. So it makes sense to put the more expensive one into the package.

12 minutes ago, abs2891 said:

Also can do this with eyes ^^

But in contrast to the Dream Wigs, most eyes can be bought separately at the store anyway.

32 minutes ago, Tierparkzone said:

But in contrast to the Dream Wigs, most eyes can be bought separately at the store anyway.

Yeah, only useful when you’re going for T-type 

Is DDdy harder to get for D'Coords then? I really want a tan DDdy (or any, really!) 😞 and I've seen some lovely ones as D'Coords, but maybe I'd be best off with dream choice.

7 hours ago, Shamrock said:

The brown skintone is available April to September.  I love the skintone!  I am getting a DD Boy and MDD girl soon before we leave Japan.  The hands are only available during the time period, so I make sure to get extra.  I do not understand why they don't sell the tanned unless they know it will get sold out fairly quickly...

That's Dream Choice, the question was about DCoord. Dream Choice having 'seasons' has made everyone think that tan parts are seasonal no matter what, but the ONLY reason they limit tan and semiwhite times for Dream Choice is simply so that the staff have less to keep behind the counter - because the dolls are made on the spot for you. Both SW and tan are year-round in DCoord - my tan DCoord was purchased in March (although that was before Dream Choice existed). The parts are NOT only available during that period, they are also year round - when I lived there I picked up extra tan hands every time I visited, regardless of season.

Tan is also a limited colour for SDs that can only be gotten from the special Kyoto store, so its limited for both DD and SD. It's a lot newer for DD, and it tends to take a lot of time to roll things out to regular availabilty, but my general impression was that tan just isn't as popular as Flesh and SW in Japan. It's definitely popular with proxy orders though, so I'm still hoping they eventually give GL access to it in some form whether its an annual limited preorder or more regular online Dcoord lotteries.

@barasuishou you'll only want a DCoord Dy if you specifically want the 11, 15 or 18 head (and imo only 15 would work as Dy), or the limited school/Doll Point Staff uniform you can only get with the DCoords. Otherwise Dream Choice would be easier to get exactly what you want.

Edited May 27, 2021 by Monty

6 hours ago, Tierparkzone said:

Because one wig is included in the Dream Choice package price, while the second one costs it's list price. So it makes sense to put the more expensive one into the package.

Ah, I see. That makes sense, and is quite nice.

I'd expect shops around here to do exactly the opposite so they could charge you more. 😄

1 hour ago, Monty said:

That's Dream Choice, the question was about DCoord. Dream Choice having 'seasons' has made everyone think that tan parts are seasonal no matter what, but the ONLY reason they limit tan and semiwhite times for Dream Choice is simply so that the staff have less to keep behind the counter - because the dolls are made on the spot for you. Both SW and tan are year-round in DCoord - my tan DCoord was purchased in March (although that was before Dream Choice existed). The parts are NOT only available during that period, they are also year round - when I lived there I picked up extra tan hands every time I visited, regardless of season.

Tan is also a limited colour for SDs that can only be gotten from the special Kyoto store, so its limited for both DD and SD. It's a lot newer for DD, and it tends to take a lot of time to roll things out to regular availabilty, but my general impression was that tan just isn't as popular as Flesh and SW in Japan. It's definitely popular with proxy orders though, so I'm still hoping they eventually give GL access to it in some form whether its an annual limited preorder or more regular online Dcoord lotteries.

Ah ok.  That makes sense. Thanks for clarifying. 

Another question: are d'coords usually about the same price as a basic Dream Choice version of that doll would be?

Dream Choice Price - includes slip dress or undershirt/short for boys

 

 

Dcoord from what’s on the blog - tax included

 

MDD - 62,700

DDP - 66,000, another was 63,800

DDS - 62,700, another was 63,800

DD - 63,800, another was 66,000

DDdy - 66,000

 

Not feeling very mathy, but Japan consumption tax is 10% so just estimating in my head, if you knocked that off Dcoord, most are very close in price, though that 66,000 DDP is an outlier.  Considering that dcoord come with a full outfit - I think they’re technically the better deal, but only if you like the outfit and the doll.  Advantage of choice is obviously you get exactly what you want doll wise (unless you want a dcoord exclusive head).

Edited May 27, 2021 by abs2891

Also not a factor for you I think but just putting as a note, boys aren’t available via dcoord (which is too bad bc I think a boy version of the store employee outfit would be cute)

I do have a question as I'm also shopping for a D'Coord. Do all of the D'Coords now come in the "D'Coord Uniform"? Or do some still come in random volks outfits? I ask because one of my proxies told me she couldn't even give me a rough estimated cost because it's random what outfits etc they came in. I was under the impression that they all come in the D'Coord uniform sets now. I kinda miss when they used to be in random outfits, it made each one more unique and personable in my opinion.

45 minutes ago, Xenokitten said:

I do have a question as I'm also shopping for a D'Coord. Do all of the D'Coords now come in the "D'Coord Uniform"? Or do some still come in random volks outfits? I ask because one of my proxies told me she couldn't even give me a rough estimated cost because it's random what outfits etc they came in. I was under the impression that they all come in the D'Coord uniform sets now. I kinda miss when they used to be in random outfits, it made each one more unique and personable in my opinion.

Yes, Dcoord now only come in one of two standard outfits, though it seems prices can have some variance as you can see from the amounts above, but not so much she couldn’t give the rough high end estimate of 66,000 yen if you ask me, though I guess they could just be being very conservative.
 

My only other thought is that your proxy is also including the dream choice models they have out on display.  These are in random outfits and prices vary.   For example this pretty DDdy is out right now in Akiba, but, she is not a dcoord - she’s a dream choice with a full set outfit assembled by the staff.  The boy is the same.  A dcoord will have a Certificate that says D’Coord at the top, not Dream Choice.

 

, 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 27, 2021 by abs2891

On 5/27/2021 at 10:14 PM, abs2891 said:

A dcoord will have a Certificate that says D’Coord at the top, not Dream Choice.

I got some examples now lol (also, can see tan, SW and flesh out at the same time ^^)

 

 

 

 

I see both the models I want in those photos lol. DDH-11 and 18. I wish my proxies would have been at the store at that time (assuming they are recent pics)  I really like the 11 on the MDD - I think it's the first time I've seen that head on an MDD. But ultimately I don't care which body it has as I can always buy a body (as long as it's not tan) Although if it is tan (and I don't like the body she comes on) then I have an "excuse" to order another dream choice (to swap the heads) haha.