Guys and Dolls: Who and What Got You Started in the Hobby?

Is it wrong that this thread title makes me think of this?

 

Not really, I was under the impression that was what the title of the thread was deliberately making a pun on.

 

Wahahaha! I didn't even know there wasa song like that.I just thought it sounded good. The song is rather spot on

Started with Anime figures in 2008. Started BJDs in early 2012. Got our first DD Shirakawa Kotori in

August, and I joined this site. For me, DDs are a connection with the enjoyment of Anime.

 

As a man recently retired, I'm pretty set with who I am. Close friends now know of this relatively new

hobby. My former co-workers knew I regarded my hobbies as investments as well as a source of

enjoyment. I've frequently stated that my excess figures, model trains, & airplane kits would

eventually be sold at generally increased values as a means of funding retirement. I'm sure that as some learn of my dollfie hobby, they'll evaluate it as another dual intention of mine.

 

My family certainly has little or no influence over me regarding my interests and pursuits at

this stage of my life. Had I developed an interest while younger, there probably would have been

some concerns expressed. However, they all have their own problems with which to fully occupy

their attention to be much bothered by anything I chose to do.

 

I overcame my personal objections to the Dollfie prices by comparing them against what some of my

other hobbies have cost me. I've also been surprised at the amount of enjoyment I have been

deriving from the various elements of the hobby while sharing it with my wife. We're discovering a

wealth of information & resources via sites such as this. So far the dollfie community has been very

accepting of anyone showing an interest. I hope to be a part of that tradition continuing.

 

( I realized after posting that I hadn't really answered the question of who and what. "Who" is probably Danny Cho and those participating on Figure.FM. "What" is an SD16 Ami Ayase which absolutely fascinated & captivated my attention. Obtaining her became an intense focused effort which was amazingly short. For DD, the Santa outfitted Shirakawa Kotori & Sayaka were my first temptation, but the tipping point was seeing Aoi dressed in the Volks Wine Red party dress. Bought the dress first, so had to fill it...but Kitori actually arrived as our first. ...and Yukino is arriving before Aoi. I feel a little like I've let her down.)

Edited February 14, 2013 by Guest

Always nice to meet other collectors who came into the hobby a bit later on and can share with hobbies with the spouse.

Always nice to meet other collectors who came into the hobby a bit later on and can share with hobbies with the spouse.

 

Ditto. Ain't it wonderful when your spouse/significant other shares one's enjoyment of similar things?

Always nice to meet other collectors who came into the hobby a bit later on and can share with hobbies with the spouse.

 

Ditto. Ain't it wonderful when your spouse/significant other shares one's enjoyment of similar things?

 

Indeed. Always heard the term opposites attract, but people who are opposite of me drive me crazy. Husband and I have a lot of things in common, and we have a ton of fun together.

Always nice to meet other collectors who came into the hobby a bit later on and can share with hobbies with the spouse.

 

Ditto. Ain't it wonderful when your spouse/significant other shares one's enjoyment of similar things?

 

Indeed. Always heard the term opposites attract, but people who are opposite of me drive me crazy. Husband and I have a lot of things in common, and we have a ton of fun together.

 

For Raven and I, it is the first hobby that we severely have in common. Both of us love video games, but the style of games we like often don't mesh. With DD he finally has a reason to care and learn about by sewing and craft type hobbies I've always had. It is a wonderful feeling.

 

~Sister Kyoya

Gundam, Macross and Saint Seiya from age 4 to 14. Mostly only interested in the mechs except Saint Seiya's Shaina did got me interested in "curves". Then Evangelion got me obsessed with Asuka so I got really interested in anime girls. I've seen PVC and resin statues but didn't have the guts to walk in and buy from stores until I got my 1st pvc, Hellsing's Seras Victoria, some time during college. When I discovered eBay and HLJ, the figures kept arriving to my room. From Shuraki, Gundam Seed, To Heart, PlayArts to Odin Sphere, Persona, Figma and Tony Taka's.

 

Didn't really cross the border to owning a "real doll" until last year. I was aware of DDs from figure.fm but I wasn't attracted to anything that looked doll-ish. Beatrice and Rina got me interested since their head sculpts are very different and Tony's Sakuya made me enter the hobby.

 

To summarize:

What - anime with lots of killing -> anime girls -> PVC figures -> Beatrice

Who - Kousuke Kitahara

You count Gundam and Macross as "anime with lots of killing"?

 

Sure people die, but the entire point of these stories are for everyone to get along and stop the killing...

 

Maybe I'm being a bit facetious, but this just seems really incongruous to me.

- Short Version:

Basically me wanting to finally see my blog mascot with my very own two eyes instead of keeping her in my mind. She's been stuck in my brain and I wanted to summon her, to let her loose into the world. I can't draw, and I had numerous failed attempts at commissioning people to draw her up for my blog. Highly irritated, I bought DD Miko and turned her into Varakitsu. I summoned Vara and now gradually turning her into my blog mascot.

 

It appears I actually summoned her nicely, even adding proper accessories and such. People have been kind while I haven't received any negative comments on how I'm treating my lovely foxy. Though, I may have accidentally pissed one or many comrades off in my half-sleepy state.

 

(Kodama, Haku, and those beautiful high-res shots on tumblr.)

 

---

 

- Long Version:

 

I blame figure.fm and Danny Choo for showing DD Saber (Fate/Stay Night) to me. It was well out of my price range and I had no real way of affording it at that time. I was stuck with Figmas, Nendos, and my all time fav - Busou Shinkis. I even had a fully detailed dream of Saber in a park and her accessories placed around the lush green forested area in an opening roofed off by the canopy of the trees. She was sitting on something, possibly with a waterfall. Next day I asked figure.fm and questioned, yet didn't get a Dollfie then. Saber was out of my reach still.

 

I observed Kodama build up his dolls, went to anime conventions to see each dollfie grow, while even loosely considering getting such. I held off for a few years because of price range and such. I didn't want to purchase a Dollfie for the sake of doing so. I wanted to own a Dollfie that I will actually care for and actually own. Seeing as how GSC didn't want to make Caster Fox in a Figma or Nendo form I acquired her in a Pureneemo form. Something in Caster triggered a need to summon Varakitsu, and that time came when I saw Kodama add a nice vampire outfit to his vampire girl (Glenda), as well as other girls of other folks.

 

I wanted to basically see Vara in a physical form so now I got her, and proud that I do have her. She is forcing me to break out of my habits and to think in a different way. And what also got me into getting her was the part of getting custom outfits and the like. Still proud to have her though.

 

-----

 

Pardon the wall of text. But ya, you asked and I posted heh.

Like several people, it was "That damned Danny Choo!"

 

*Warning, War and Peace length story coming.*

 

About two years ago I had gotten into the otaku hobby with encouragement from a friend who knew I passively liked anime. Shortly after I started collecting figmas and nendos. one day on amazon I discovered the Mirai Suenaga figma which led me to Danny's site...... that was when I saw His Saber and Ryomou DD's....I'm pretty sure I puked a rainbow like the little rage guy. there were two blocks preventing me from getting her though. price, and the fact that I knew my family would NOT approve of their hunting, off-roading-army vet, manly son playing with dolls. but then I realized that I never really cared what anybody else did with their personal lives as long as they were happy, so it shoulden't really matter what anybody thought of me. I eventually caved and got my first DD. my family doesn't really understand it, and they do tease me from time to time but it's more just razzing than mean spirited so it doesn't really bother me. I was really nervous when I brought Saber out in public for the first time. but people nowadays seem to be more open-minded and accepting and all I got were compliments. one family even wanted a picture with her. (another guy gave her money-true story) so I'm much more comfortable now. This forum is even better because I can actually talk dolls with like-minded people.

I am glad your family isn't mean spirited about it, Silverwing.

I am glad your family isn't mean spirited about it, Silverwing.

 

Yeah, early on I used to hide Ericka due to being afraid of being judged. turns out, they were not as close minded as I thought. It's a relief.

 

My girl friend collected Pullip Dolls she has many of them in the room, I think they look very nice and one time we went to shopping and we went to see some clothes for her dolls and then I saw a 1/3 DD on display..... oh my god she was very very very sexy and pretty.... Then I told my girl friend that I will definitely get one. She bet I won't after hearing the prices.... Then I bought a Volks DD Saber in April this year... Love her so much.... I've been a fan of the Stay Fate Night series and loved Saber in so many aspect...

 

Then ever since I buy her outfits and stuff pretty often... Shes like my daughter now

 

PS: Originally I collected a little bit of PVC figures and I have a lot of Gundam Models that I airbrush.. My GF told me to learn to do make ups for my girls... In fact I am very interested in learning to do her nails and make some nice high heels for them.

 

LOVE U SABER!

 

KYF

Hi! I'm new here...and not a guy...but I saw the title of this and had to drop in just to see why you were asking the question. Being, shall we say, "older" (I can retire in a few years!) I can't really understand why anyone would have a problem with guys who have these awesome dolls! Some of the best clothing designers in the world are men and nobody questions them about playing around with "girl stuff" and it certainly doesn't make them less than a man or whatever other dumb ideas people might have!! My son is into collecting things that don't necessarily interest me (especially his Dr. Who stuff), but that doesn't bother me. It's his money and his choice, and he's my son so why wouldn't I support his interests by checking out his latest purchases and listening to him talk about them? (Besides, it makes buying him birthday and Christmas presents a lot easier when you know it's something he will really like!! LOL) I wouldn't be the least bit bothered if he wanted to buy some dollfies...in fact, I would be glad to make some outfits for him! Sometimes I think when someone mentions being 'sexist' we only think about it in terms of women. It is sad to realize that this works both ways, but I'm glad to see that it is slowly changing. More power to all of you for being willing to pursue something that interests you regardless of what anyone else might think or say!

Like Baldylox, I blame Danny choo

I saw a few years ago on his site when he got saber and at the time my reaction was " cool.......I guess"

And over the years so dollfie's popping over over the net still thinking " cool.....I guess

But then I saw Lilly Saber on Danny Choos' site again and I had to admit it she was gorgeous

unfortunately I wasn't able to get her, But the graphic novel cafe up in Auckland was get Saber nero and Alter II in so Saved up enough to get Claudius and got her in August last year And I say full kudos to volks she's perfect in every way And then a few months Aeris (twice the fun/trouble)

As for my family they thought it was a bit odd that a burly plumber had taken interest in dolls ( what can I say I like Beautiful things especially when It has taken time and effort to craft to perfection)

As for my friends depends who you talk to some are jealous especially or Aeris.

And some couldn't care less

Back in 2006 or so, I discovered ball-jointed dolls. I was into anime and manga and just happened upon them while web surfing. I unfortunately don't remember how I found pictures of them, but I do remember it was because of anime. I stumbled across Dream of Dolls website and favorited it. I was in love but knew they were expensive and was unsure when/if I'd be able to buy one. After that I became hooked and started to do research. However, I took a hiatus when I went to college. I'm sure I looked up pictures and such, but I didn't really get back into my searching mania until I graduated. I then researched more into Volks, who I already knew about but never did any in-depth research/searching. So finally when I joined doll communities, I ended up stumbling across Dollfie Dreams and like many others I found Danny Choo. He was probably a big factor in me discovering and falling in love with Dollfie Dreams. His pictures really made me excited to one day have my own girl. And now here I am, and I want so many more! :p

My girlfriend got me into them, mostly by flooding my messenger with links to pictures. I started with resins under the intent of using them for pose reference. Then when our interest moved onto DDs my interest in animation and anime drew me to these girls. I still like using these dolls for artistic purposes but I find that I do less of this then my original intentions might suggest.

A dear friend of mine had Leena when i met her around the time i was 22 or 23. I was fascinated because i had never seen anything like her. Shes still an incredibly important friend to me to this day, last year she sent me Leena due to she had adopted another dollfie and she knew how desperately i was seeking to get one myself. Of course she, and only a handful of others know i even have her in my possession.

I first started out with resin BJD due to a friend showing me a site cause the eyes scared her XD I was in love and started to save for one. It wasn't until really a couple years back I started looking at DD's. I admit that at first i found them to be odd and wasn't too sure how I felt about them. I had come across a couple pictures here and there and never really knew what they were until a chance labelling of a picture. So I decided "meh let's do this" and found a DD for sale. After I finally got her home I was utterly in love. In no short order I got four of them home XD with plans for more o.o I'm just so enchanted by them.

And for the most part, it's just a couple friends and my brother who knows about them XD Though several of my friends are creeped out by their eyes so I have to turn their heads away when they visit.

It's scary to see how much influence Danny C has had

on many of us dollfie dreamers

A random image search for Suigintou from the anime "Rozen Maiden" introduced me to BJDs in general. A few clicks later, I became quite enthralled with the realism of the faces and downcast at the cost. I found my first doll, Volks MSDG Sora, on eBay, though it took a week of contemplation before taking the plunge. I bought my first DD a year later, MDD Illyasviel. I had never seen a vinyl doll in person before, so I was quite surprised by how light yet how possible they are. Long story short, I have quite the collection now.

It's scary to see how much influence Danny C has had

on many of us dollfie dreamers

 

The man IS kind of a geek god. Where the Tokyo dance trooper leads, the rest of the world follows!

I'm currently a figure collector by heart. Still saving up for my doll. At first, I didn't really liked the idea of having a DD in my collection because they give me the creeps. ;A; But one day, my figure collectors group had a display in a convention and someone brought along a DD Saber Alter 2nd ver. I was like, "OMG! That's the most beautiful doll I've seen." And then everything followed. I started researching about DDs! I really fell in love with the Saber line.

I personally started with SDs and found myself curiously looking over towards the vinyl end after searching for bodies. I love how its very 'build-a-bear' kind format which is an option that SDs don't have!

I was wandering around myfigurecollection and was instantly hooked

This is also how it happened to me. I see these beautiful renditions of characters I loved and instantly became fascinated.