BlytheLife.com opened in July 2010 and is a blog and resource hub for all things Blythe!
A Look at Body Image
Written on May 20, 2015 at 12:00 pm by MichelleFiled under: Article
The fascinating part of collecting Blythe and the Blythe community as a whole is that people are able to customize their dolls to suit their liking. For the longest time, I primarily had stock dolls or dolls that were nearly completely stock save for a few eye chip changes. And that’s the way I liked it. It wasn’t until Halo came into my life that I had a doll that had a body that was not factory issued.
Halo came to me on a Licca body and that’s how I kept her, Cameo (who was customized by the same customizer) also came on a Licca body. All of my Kenners are on original or original-hybrid bodies (either completely vintage or Kenner torso with Takara pelvis and legs). All of my stock/mostly stock Blythes are on their original bodies. And then there are my customized Blythes. They came to me on Licca bodies, and on Licca bodies they will stay. While I generally do not like the look of Licca bodies (the noodle arms and legs, when bent, leaves a lot to be desired at times), I quite like the look of my customized dolls on Licca bodies.
Are you a Licca body fan or a stock body fan? Or do you prefer something else?
Beyond the Takara and Licca bodies, there are also many other types of bodies out there. Some that I have encountered, others that I have not. Off the top of my head, I am aware that people have put their Blythe’s heads onto Pure Neemo bodies (of all the varieties), Obitsu bodies, and Mimi Bobeck. There are many other types of bodies out there that people have opted to pop their dolls onto for a great variety of reasons.
One of the many reasons that I prefer to keep my dolls on Takara (and Licca) bodies is the fact that I don’t want to have to start a new wardrobe for a different body type (or height). If I had a doll on a Mimi Bobeck body, I would need to have a whole new wardrobe for the doll because nothing I already have would fit. That’s also the issue that I ran into when I got my first Middie, Kitty Brighton, because I honestly had nothing that would fit her and it was frustrating at the time because I was on a self-induced budget cut on dolly spending (and I still am), so I ended up giving myself the challenge of creating the majority (or all) of her wardrobe.
This frustration is also realized in shoes. Different bodies also mean the possibility that my shoe collection might not fit. That’s one of the issues that I ran into when I first got a Blythe on a Licca body. Some of my favourite shoes and boots just would not fit because the Licca fit is just a smidgen wider and longer, so some of my absolute favourite shoes that are dainty and small? The toes can’t even squeeze in because the shoes just weren’t wide enough. For Middies, this meant that I needed to scope out some Kelly-sized shoes, because their feet ended up swimming in a ridiculous manner in the shoes that I already had. Not that I particularly minded ‘needing’ to buy more doll shoes, we all know how much I love those tiny things!
I guess in a way, I’m a bit fickle when it comes to bodies. While I might like the look of some of the alternatives to stock or Licca, I’m penny pinching in a way that makes it unlikely for me to put one of my dolls on a different body because I don’t want to be limited in clothing selection for a doll, or not be able to use some of my favourite shoes on for a doll just because of her body.
My girls are all on their stock bodies, which are Licca and Takara. I tend to think of the stock Licca girls as slightly “younger” than the stock Takaras. If I ever have a custom, it’ll depend on her “age” as to which body she has. Whilst I can see the decided advantages of the flexible neemo bodies in photography – my personal preference for stock girls means they’re not for me.
I am a big fan of the Pure Neemo Flection bodies. They are pretty and pose nicely. I tried the Licca bodies but had some bad luck with the plastic around the arm holes cracking. I also didn’t like the way they looked in dresses with those noodley legs. I liked the way the upper body looked, though, kind of elf-like. I tried Licca arms on the Takara body but the arm holes on that body cracked as well. PN bodies are nice to dress, too, as things slip nicely over that hard plastic.
I must say that I adore the Takara body for the look but not the issue of upper inside arm cracks! I don’t know why but all of my Takara bodies (2007-2008) have this problem, for that reason alone I will be trying licca and PN as alternatives 🙂
I may be wearing out my welcome but I’ve been trying to demystify Blythes before I buy one and so far, thankfully, sister Blythers have been very helpful.
What I think I’d enjoy having is a fully articulated doll so it can be posed. I’m less worried about strict authenticity or re-sale concerns. If I could afford to commission my ideal Blythe I’d do so.
So, which body has the jointed limbs? I’ve seen them for sale – the “nude” factory ones, but still have no body name in case there is a better, safer way to buy one.
Any ideas or info will truly be appreciated. Thanks!
Victoria
Obitsu and Pure Neemo have jointed limbs 🙂
Thanks, Michelle!
I think I have my work cut out for me.
Hello again, Michelle
I forgot to ask: where does one buy the PN body? Thanks!
You can find Pure Neemo bodies in online hobby shops, and online via eBay, etc. Doing a Google search will help your search.
I’m not really partial to either, but definitely the stock body has a more mature look.