Understanding Features Of The BJD Doll

By Paulette Mason


From the earliest of times, people have held a special affinity for figurines that take on the human form. These come in a myriad of styles from the simple toys loved by children to the display only manikins treasured by collectors. Of all the various types available, the BJD doll is definitely one of the more unique genres.

These dolls have quite a few features that serve to set them apart from other types that are available. The most prominent difference is the ball joints for which the manikins are named. These are what make it possible for the figure to be very articulated and posed in positions that are more closely resembling those of actual humans.

The average ball jointed figurine will have several points of articulation, including the ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, wrists, neck and, in some cases, the waist. This configuration allows for smooth, easy movements and comfortable humanoid pose ability. What holds everything together, however, are strong elastic cords stretched throughout the body.

Their unusual looks are another reason many people find them so attractive. Made mostly in the Asian nations of China, Japan and South Korea, the style has often been explained as a realistic human representation but with a definite anime' influence, especially in the face. Hauntingly beautiful, these items are not really meant to be playthings for children, but rather as treasures for enthusiasts and adult collectors.

It is possible to find these products in lightweight and cost efficient materials like plastic and vinyl, though they are mostly constructed using cast Resin which is quite hard and dense. They can be a bit more expensive than other types of dolls, rarely found for less than $100, and often carrying price tags in excess of $1200. Typically, one can expect to pay about $600 for a quality product of this sort.

The ability to customize each piece is one of the many things that draw dedicated collectors to this style of figurine. Almost every aspect of these dolls can be individually selected, optimizing the personalization experience. The customer can choose all the details from skin tone, body type and age while purchasing parts like heads, eyes, hair, hands, feet, clothing and accessories separately to build their perfect manikin.

Size is another area where these products have a wide variety of choices. The smallest options, commonly known as Pocket Fairies, stand roughly four inches high and though they are undeniably adorable, their facial features have a limited amount of detail. At the other end of the spectrum are the incredibly detailed manikins that stand and impressive 27.5" tall.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about this genre of manikin is the way they can be made to represent the human form at practically any stage of maturity, from the toddler phase to adulthood, with an uncanny accuracy and detail. The majority of these forms are made to be anatomically correct and to properly represent their intended age development, though those emulating young children are often made without any genitalia. Clients can even order different styles of interchangeable breastplates in order to get a particular look.




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