While the head and hands will be vinyl - you have a choice of two different types of body - one is referred to as Cortex and the other as Vinyl. Both body types are pre-built.
We recognize that every consumer has unique needs, and our goal has never been to create a one-size-fits-all solution. As we prepare to release the Smart Doll guys, we want to set clear expectations by providing all the essential details—including drawbacks—so customers can make an informed purchase decision.
Limited Availability & Pricing
The Smart Doll guys will be produced in limited runs, much like our now-discontinued Cyber Shell girls. This is due to several factors:
- We currently have only one set of master molds, meaning each casting cycle produces just one body set, which increases manufacturing costs.
- We are using the original molds, but they were not designed for efficient production. While the quality was acceptable by 2017 standards, our expectations have since evolved. Additionally, most of the scoring grooves for cutting flash no longer meet today’s standards, requiring components to be cut freehand—a time-consuming process. As a result, extra processing time is needed to cast, cut, and refine each component to meet our current quality standards.
While we’ve maintained the same pricing for our Smart Doll girls since 2017 - and will continue to do so for as long as possible despite rising costs - this is no longer sustainable. The Smart Doll guys require significantly more processing and production time, so their price will match that of the Cyber Shell girls to account for these additional costs. This additional processing time also affects how often we can release them.
We understand that some may see our pricing and limited availability as artificial scarcity or greed. While we empathize with this perspective, our approach is shaped by the realities of small-scale production, higher manufacturing costs, and limited resources. Unlike larger, more established manufacturers with teams in the hundreds, we operate with a much smaller team and cannot achieve the same economies of scale. We’re also glad that other companies offer products that better align with different values, priorities, and budgets—reinforcing that our approach is not about creating artificial demand but rather a reflection of our production constraints.
Sofubi Mold Challenges
Our original plan was to redesign the molds to improve aesthetics and streamline component cutting, but persistent challenges with electroplating have made this difficult. Over the years, many slush casting facilities in Japan have shut down—not only due to COVID-19 but also as a result of generational business transitions. The few remaining mold makers specializing in this process are disappearing, further limiting our options.
Meanwhile, larger toy manufacturers have shifted production to China, where the industry has surpassed Japan in both quality and efficiency. As a result, we now rely on suppliers from the automobile industry—one of the few strong manufacturing sectors left in Japan. However, since toy production is not their expertise, we must provide extensive guidance, adding time and complexity to the process.
Although some one-stop facilities still exist, their numbers have dwindled, resulting in long wait times with no guarantee of success. In Japan, completing a single mold can take up to a year, whereas in China, the same process could likely be done in weeks.
Electroplating sofubi molds remains particularly challenging due to high failure rates and limited available facilities. Since electroplating, sandblasting, and soldering must often be handled by separate vendors, lead times are further extended, adding to production uncertainty.
We manufacture Smart Doll in Japan due to our geographical location, not because we believe Japanese manufacturing is inherently superior. In fact, given the high failure rates, fragmented processes, and long production times we face, Japan’s manufacturing quality is not necessarily better than elsewhere. That said, we remain committed to local production, and as long as we continue manufacturing in Japan, we will continue to navigate these challenges despite the higher costs and extended timelines.
The Guys the Limit
To revive the Smart Doll guys, we’ve undertaken extensive restoration work on the molds, which have deteriorated after years in storage - somewhat like restoring an ancient artefact! This process primarily involves removing rust and re-sandblasting the interior to restore as much of the original matte finish as possible.
Following restoration, we conducted extensive usability and production research to find a balance between what is feasible for us and what benefits the consumer, given that creating new molds was not an option. However, this process has introduced certain limitations we understand may be dealbreakers for some customers. To ensure transparency, we want to highlight these concerns upfront.
- Arm & Leg Imperfections – Years of storage caused dents inside the arms and legs, which transfer to the final cast (see images 4 and 5). This damage is irreversible.
- Surface Shine – Despite restoration efforts, some areas remain shiny, particularly under the bust (see image 8).
- Soft Sofubi Body – The guys use a full soft-body made from the same squishy sofubi grade as our full soft peach-body girls. This resolves an issue where the upper arm shape previously caused detachment. The soft material also allows for easier reinsertion of the shoulder joint.
- Limited T-Pose Capability – The arms cannot extend fully in a T-pose (see image 1). This is intentional—not only to prevent arms from detaching in a T-pose but also because the circular shoulder cut prevents deformation when the arms are lowered.
- Shoulder Adjustment Required – When positioning the arms beside the body, the shoulders may need to be swiveled back into place (see images 2 and 3).
- Visible Cutting Groove – Since the upper arm socket is now circular instead of a slit, the previous cutting groove remains visible, which may be aesthetically unappealing to some (see image 7).
- Foot Proportions – The feet are disproportionately small but can wear any Smart Doll footwear (see image 6).
- Loose Hands – The hands have a large internal cavity—because the guys have big… hands. While we’ve thickened the sofubi as much as possible to improve grip, making it any thicker would result in a completely filled cavity, preventing frame insertion. As a result, while the hands fit well, they will feel loose when posing.
- Dressing Difficulty – The full soft-body has a grippy texture, increasing friction when putting on or removing clothing. Dressing the dolls requires more patience than with hard-body versions.
- Limited Apparel Options – While Smart Doll footwear fits the guys’ default feet, we do not plan to release an extensive clothing range due to limited production. We are making some jeans and T-shirts and will also provide free sewing patterns so customers can create or even sell their own designs.
- Potential Foot Upgrade – We are working on restoring the original, larger foot mold (image 15), which has a more proportional shape. However, finding shoes to fit them may be difficult. If the restoration is successful, we will offer the larger feet separately.
- Large Forehead – Like all Smart Dolls, the head has a pronounced forehead, which may not appeal to those who prefer a wig-free display (see image 9).
- Shorter, Stronger, and More Stable – The previous Smart Doll Guy was taller but had a wobbly chest due to the need for additional Jeton joints at the time. This release brings him closer to our original intended height while improving overall stability.
- Increased Staining Risk – The full soft sofubi body is more prone to absorbing pigments compared to hard-grade sofubi. Folks should take appropriate stain prevention measures.
- Shin Aesthetics - We’ve previously heard feedback about the recessed appearance on the back of the shins (image 10) and the back of the neck (image 11), with some feeling it affects the overall aesthetic. Please note that this aspect remains unchanged in this release.
- Elbow Resetting - The elbows may need to be reset by gently pushing them back into the upper arm—just like with Smart Doll girls. However, be careful not to apply excessive force when adjusting the elbow, wrist, or ankle joints, as the soft-grade sofubi material can become deformed under pressure.
- Shoulder Frame Misalignment – The larger cavity in the upper arms increases the risk of twisting the shoulder frame, often when users test flexibility by rotating the upper arm shell 180 degrees without the frame moving in sync. This results in the shoulder frame being flipped (image 13), preventing the arm from resting naturally at the body’s side. To fix this, remove the arm and rotate the shoulder frame back 180 degrees. If needed, use a hairdryer to soften the vinyl, but be cautious to avoid burns.
- Shoulder Insertion – The upper arm is now made of soft-grade sofubi, making it easier to grip the internal frame and push it into the shoulder joint. However, it can still be challenging. Check this article for a guide on effectively inserting the arms.
- Foot Insertion – If the foot socket isn’t fully secured, the shin may push the foot out of place during posing. To prevent this, ensure the socket is inserted deep enough onto the shin shaft so that it locks onto the ridge at the end, keeping it firmly in place. Aim to insert the foot so that the ankle fully covers the ball joint for a secure and natural fit.
Final Thoughts
The Smart Doll guys use the Evolve frame, which provides a more cohesive experience than the Gen 2 frame. Their soft-body design also enhances flexibility around the crotch, allowing for dynamic poses like the “hero landing.” However, the reality is that the drawbacks of this product outweigh the benefits.
We recognize that our Smart Doll guys may not compare favorably to other products on the market, and we’re actually relieved that alternatives exist for those seeking different options. Our priority remains transparency—ensuring that customers have all the information they need to decide whether Smart Doll guys align with their expectations and needs.
Folks may want to check of these reviews which also highlight the concerns for buyers.