Mirai SmartDoll Info thread (UPDATED)

On the flip side, what would the best way to put a smart doll head on a DD? I guess you can drill/carve a larger hole in the head, but that's rather.. permanent lol

 

I also have a kind of random question about the Mirai frame.. Mostly because I want to mod Eiji/Crimson to be a bit shorter if realistically possible, but it also applies to the girl bodies as well since they use the same frame. ^^

 

How is the shin portion of the inner frame constructed?

Does the rod/dowel-like part circled come clean off, or is it permanently stuck to the rest of the skeleton?

 

I'm thinking that if there is a part in the Mirai frame's legs that can easily be removed and shortened, then it should be relatively simple to shorten the legs from the bottom of the outer vinyl of the shins and trim the inner frame to match, like the mod that was brought up in another thread.

I've been curious about doing such a mod for the girls as well, so I opened up poor Eiji's leg (eheh >_<) and took a look at the construction.

 

First you have to remove the calf from the thigh, and after that it takes a good bit of pulling and pulling to get the attachment part of the shin out:

As you can see, it is attached with a screw. I opened the screw and found that there are actually two small ridges sticking out of the shin piece which also keep it securely in the joint:

The ridges fit into grooves in the surrounding part of the plastic.

I couldn't pull the frame out any further so I couldn't investigate more. But the dowel isn't glued in place, I am pretty sure.

 

Long story short, it should be possible to do the mod, but it will be complicated. You will probably have to sand down the two ridges that fit into the joint before cutting down the top of the joint, meaning you'll lose the extra tightness/security that the ridges provide. Also, the dowel is a bit smaller (one of the sides has been flattened) where it goes into the joint so you will also have to replicate that with sanding (but that shouldn't be too hard).

Thanks so much for the helpful pictures and insight, Ie-Aster (and Eiji)! It's nice to know others were interested in doing this too.

 

The first image shows the frame being pulled out from the bottom of the shin right? Looking at pictures of the Mirai frame, it seems like the plastic surrounding the knee joint is too thick to be able to slide out from the bottom of the shin easily.

 

Alternatively, would it be possible to slide out the outer vinyl of the shin and leave the frame from the knees down exposed? There seems to be two screws holding the knee and shin of each leg together.

 

 

Perhaps if both were unscrewed it would be possible to remove the dowel without needing to mod the the parts surrounding the joint?

 

I hope that makes sense! Sorry if anything is kinda weird lol since I don't have a smart doll myself(yet);; I'm not sure if Danny would let foreigners participate in the workshops, but if he does I'd definitely want to try it out xD Building dolls from scratch and learning about how their joints work are some of my favorite parts of this hobby.

You may want to take a look at this video - it shows the frame pretty well:

Interesting part starts at 9:23

Wow, I never thought that video was about assembling the Mirai frame! Thanks so much Mysha! That clears up all questions I have about the leg portion.

 

So it is possible to completely remove the dowel-like segment of the shin frame, but both the top and bottom are critical for it to function properly... this is a problem lol. I really wouldn't want to cut off either. Maybe it would possible to trim the dowel in the middle and reattach the parts, but that would likely affect strength and stability? I wonder if super glue + epoxy putty around the cut is enough keep it strong.. xD

Maybe it would possible to trim the dowel in the middle and reattach the parts, but that would likely affect strength and stability? I wonder if super glue + epoxy putty around the cut is enough keep it strong.. xD

Perhaps you could find a metal (or plastic) tube of the right inside diameter to sleeve tightly over this new butt joint in the leg dowel.

Great idea, K-2. I still want to wait to see how Danny's progressing with the buff body before deciding on Crimson for sure, but at least I have a plan for modding him now. ^^"

I'm sorry for replying so late >_< but glad to see that you got the questions you had answered!

 

I'm pretty sure that Danny does let foreigners into the workshops, I know that the seamstress for Puppy52dolls made her own Ebony in a workshop and I've seen people on twitter ask him about when the timings will be so that they can schedule their Japan trip such that they can go to one.

 

It's definitely true that the joint can't (or at least without heat, I didn't try that) be pulled out the bottom of the shin (where I was pulling) beyond where I pulled it, but it can't go out the top at all because the top only has a small slit for the connection to the thigh frame and nothing else will fit through. It would probably be a lot easier to do the mod while assembling the doll, I think. Or at least to have the experience of building the doll first, so that you have a better understanding of the assembly process.

 

I would really love to do a workshop too, I really like making things, and it would be wonderful to be able to make a doll all the way up from the basic frame and body assembly.

He's got photos of foreigners doing it, that's for sure. The page where you can book a slot is only japanese but I'm pretty sure if you asked him he would book you in.

 

I'm not sure how often he does them but it's always on a sunday. My bday is Sunday this year and MAN is it tempting. Can't be this year though because Rin is going to drain my wallet (especially if I have to get her aftermarket) but it's still a constant thought at the back of my mind for if I end up staying longer than one year. Especially because he's apparently let people do the workshop to make the body only (someone made an Eiji body only). I think I'd wait till he has more characters and head sculpts - I'm eager to see what happens with Kana and Haruka.

It's really not that busy there, as long as you show up several hours before closing (because it takes time), you can walk in and start making one. They're very eager to make money and will gladly accommodate you. For reference, this is the "workshop."

For reference, this is the "workshop."

 

That pic reminds me...

Were the bags and boxes pdf ever released?

 

EDIT:

For those that wonder how the magnet situation is. There were no magnets installed in my Chitose.

Here is how they are doing it now:

 

More pictures:

1 2 3 4

Danny just announced this in his newletter and on Twitter :

 

ABOUT MIRAI & KIZUNA

Most of our customers are first timers who find the braids on Mirai & Kizuna difficult to manage. Our Smart Dolls were designed from day one to be taken outdoors and yet Mirai's long wig and Kizuna's braids make it difficult for the outdoors. For this reason, both Mirai and Kizuna's wig will soon change to the Medium version so if you want them in their current wigs then get them now.

 

On the one hand, I agree that Mirai's long hair is a bit troublesome outdoors. On the other hand, her long hair with braids are sorta her signature look. So it's sad that she'll no longer come with it.

Yeah, I think its a bit disappointing because changing the default outfits was already a bummer and now she looks even less like Mirai. And maybe its just me but I think the 'reasoning' is kinda...dumb? I mean, braids arent THAT difficult for a newbie, especially when you consider how many people got Miku as their first DD, who has far more 'user unfriendly' hair than a braid. Furthermore, if he caters too much to 'newbies', isnt he going to end up alienating people who arent newbies? I already know quite a few people who wanted to get Mirai now no longer want to if they can't get her original fullset.

 

I think what really bugs me about the changes is that they would make sense from a money-saving point of view if the dolls were getting cheaper. But...they aren't. They've gone up 2000 yen recently. One of the major plusses smartdoll had over DDs was that the non-limited fullsets had so much more to offer than Volks standard DDs, but now they're getting less impressive. It's now better to just get the 'essentials' versions of the girls with only the panties/camisole...which is much more expensive than Volks' standard girls who come with just the panties/slip dress, when they really ought to be similarly priced.

 

True, you can still get the original Mirai wig but now you have to pay extra for it. Having to pay extra to have Mirai...look like Mirai is just weird to me. I think a better way to do this would be to give people the CHOICE, have a drop-down menu to select which wig for example. I'm sure there are newbies that feel patronized at the implication that they can't handle a wig with braids, too. Danny's free to make whatever decisions he wants with his own business, I just hope this doesn't come back to bite him.

I didn't like how they changed the default outfit to a brown shirt and brown pants and I think replacing the wigs on Kizuna and Mirai were a dumb move. Hell they even removed the cute bow on the panties for all the girls. These are slowly becoming more dumbed down and yet still expensive, I hope he doesn't remove joints next because people some how hamhand them or to save $ or whatever.

 

I'm glad I grabbed Kizuna in April before all this crap came up.

I'm quite sad to see the wigs go too. I just bought a second hand Marai because she came with her original fullset. I have wanted one for awhile now, but I held off because of the fact that she no longer came with her default outfit (orange shirt and blue jeans)...and when I saw the pre-owned one go up for sale I jumped on it. For me, her overall look (outfit and wig) really made me want to buy her.... and I likely wouldn't have bought her had she come with a short standard wig and the white shirt and brown pants.

They just look a bit to plain and to similar when they are all dressed up in the same (now default) outfits and the wig changes will likely make them look even more 'standard'.

I think a better way to do this would be to give people the CHOICE, have a drop-down menu to select which wig for example. I'm sure there are newbies that feel patronized at the implication that they can't handle a wig with braids, too.

 

A dropdown menu does seem like a *much* better idea than this change >___<

 

I also really dislike how...standardized the SmD girls are getting. I mean, I realize if they all came in unique outfits people would want to get, iunno, Chitose's outfit for their Kizuna or what have you, but you could always have the default outfits also sold separately...

It seems like a lot of the emphasis on their original character designs and backstories is vanishing and the dolls are becoming more of just pretty models for fashions (the whole "fashion doll" idea)

Which I'm sure is more appealing to some people, but not to me, eheh. If Chitose had come in her lab coat outfit and her character had been more developed and such I would have been a looot more likely to get her. I'm a sucker for scientists. (Though even if his original character were more developed by SmD, my Eiji would have still been customized--and given that people customize character DDs all the time, I think the same would still happen with SmDs)

 

And yeah, the original fullsets were great and so much more appealing (those jeans!) than the current one, whose colors don't even suit all the girls >__<

For me, maybe since I'm more used to the resin bjd world, a neutral doll is default. So, even though I may appreciate full sets and pre-designed characters, I always want to make the doll "my own". I wouldn't even mind buying a Smartdoll blank or at least without eyes and wig, because I will be changing those last two anyway.

 

Having said that, I understand that people may be disappointed in this decision, because it appears to be happening for streamlining reasons. I suppose it's becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with the demand for highly detailed individual outfits/wigs for Smartdoll, hence making the default stuff simpler.

For me, maybe since I'm more used to the resin bjd world, a neutral doll is default. So, even though I may appreciate full sets and pre-designed characters, I always want to make the doll "my own". I wouldn't even mind buying a Smartdoll blank or at least without eyes and wig, because I will be changing those last two anyway.

 

Yeah I definitely think a blank doll or a doll with just the undergarments, eyes, and wig is something that they should have/continue to have--I also would have rather bought my Eiji without eyes and wig but with opened eyes--but if a company is going to offer both a minimal-version doll and a fullset, I think the fullset should be something actually special and distinctive.

Yeah, I think its a bit disappointing because changing the default outfits was already a bummer and now she looks even less like Mirai. And maybe its just me but I think the 'reasoning' is kinda...dumb? I mean, braids arent THAT difficult for a newbie, especially when you consider how many people got Miku as their first DD, who has far more 'user unfriendly' hair than a braid.

 

This! I come from the Pullip hobby, where many of them come with the dreaded Untouchable Ringlets of Doom, so it makes me confused that anyone would have that much trouble with a straight wig with a single tiny braid xD

 

Add my voice to those disappointed in this change. Not just because the character's personalities are being detracted from, but because it would be so much easier to just make the wig optional when purchasing, so everyone is happy. Making me buy the doll with a wig I don't want then pay 5500 yen for the one I do is just too costly -_-

 

I love Danny and his work ethos towards Smart Dolls, I really do, but I wish he'd discover drop down menus already! Bust size is another trait I wish was optional, like BJDs.

This is not a matter of dropdown menus. This is a matter of resources. Right now they are preparing standard fullsets and can ship them straight away. If anything would be made optional, then they would have to prepare the sets on demand and - believe it or not - it would increase costs (additional effort to complete every order) and time to deliver your order.

Other thing is that they could have two fullsets - original Mirai and newbie-friendly Mirai etc.

This is not a matter of dropdown menus. This is a matter of resources. Right now they are preparing standard fullsets and can ship them straight away. If anything would be made optional, then they would have to prepare the sets on demand and - believe it or not - it would increase costs (additional effort to complete every order) and time to deliver your order.

Other thing is that they could have two fullsets - original Mirai and newbie-friendly Mirai etc.

 

I get you about the bust option, but a menu for the choice of wig shouldn't be any more effort. The dolls come bald off the production line, and then during packing the team could just put in whichever wig the buyer chooses, along with whatever else they might have purchased additionally in terms of accessories/clothes. I've heard of people successfully asking for their Smart Doll to come with different eyes installed than default, so I don't think Danny's team mind being a little flexible.

 

It just feels like adding options might be a better idea here than taking them away (or making them more expensive). That kind of thing can often alienate a fanbase, make them less likely to buy. Your idea of a 2 sets for level of buyer expertise is what I wish he'd do

 

Tbh I wonder how many newbies complained about the braid for Danny to consider it a serious enough problem to take action, hm o_O

Tbh I wonder how many newbies complained about the braid for Danny to consider it a serious enough problem to take action, hm o_O

 

I suspect it's actually a cost-saving measure -- honestly I think all of the changes are -- and he's just putting a marketing spin on it.

I figure this was secretly a cost cutting measure. Sorta lame because earlier this year you can get and smd in more colorful clothing, a styled wig, and panties with ribbons sewed to them at a decentish price. Now a basic dd with a slip dress seems like a better deal.

Tbh I wonder how many newbies complained about the braid for Danny to consider it a serious enough problem to take action, hm o_O

I'm thinking this is a big part of it. Newbies asking for free replacement wigs, wasting customer service time. So just do the nuclear option and just ship a simpler wig that will generate fewer complaints, which fortunately (for Danny) probably happens to be cost-saving anyway.

 

/ThisIsWhyWeCantHaveNiceThings

I have never heard of anyone doing that.