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.Know Your Options: Doll Brands Beyond Smart Doll
As interest in Smart Doll continues to grow, we’re seeing more people discover us—some for the first time. While that’s exciting, we think it’s important to encourage folks to explore the full landscape of doll brands before making a decision.
Smart Doll was never designed to be the catch-all answer for every collector. Over time, we’ve received feedback from customers who appreciated our concept but later felt that our limited availability, customization options, pricing, or even the shift toward diversity in our lineup—including semi-real faces, pear-shaped bodies, darker skin tones, and representations of vitiligo, facial scarring, and acne—weren’t the right fit for them.
And that’s okay.
Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, our goal is to foster the growth of the doll community—even if that means guiding you to brands that may align more closely with your preferences. Many of these makers offer wider availability, more traditional anime aesthetics, expanded customization, and more accessible price points. They’re often supported by larger teams who can offer services our compact crew of fewer than 20 simply can’t.
So, in the spirit of helping you make the most informed decision, we’d like to introduce a few of these excellent brands—both in Japan and overseas. We hope this gives you a broader view of what’s out there and helps you find what truly resonates with you.
Notable Doll Makers in Japan
Japan has a rich and diverse tradition of doll-making, ranging from traditional hina dolls to highly articulated fashion and character dolls. Below are 8 prominent contemporary doll makers from Japan:
- Volks: Best known for their Super Dollfie line of resin ball-jointed dolls (BJDs), Volks is a pioneer in the modern doll scene and remains one of the most respected names in the industry. They are also widely known for their Dollfie Dream series—vinyl dolls with anime-inspired aesthetics. The Dollfie Dream line offers extensive customization, character collaborations, and a wide range of accessories, making Volks a key player in both resin and vinyl doll markets.
- Takara Tomy: Creators of Licca-chan, a beloved fashion doll often dubbed “Japan’s Barbie.” First released in 1967, Licca remains extremely popular among children and collectors alike.
- Obitsu Plastic Manufacturing Co.: Specializes in highly poseable vinyl doll bodies and heads, widely used by hobbyists and customizers. Obitsu bodies are often used with heads from other brands like Parabox.
- Azone International: Known for their Pure Neemo line, which blends articulated bodies with anime-style aesthetics. Azone collaborates with various anime properties and creates highly detailed outfits and accessories.
- Bandai: While primarily known for action figures and model kits, Bandai has produced character-themed dolls like Pretty Cure and Sailor Moon, often aimed at younger audiences.
- Good Smile Company: Globally known for Nendoroid and Figma—stylized, articulated figures that blur the line between dolls and action figures. Good Smile is also the distributor of Blythe in Japan (manufactured by Hasbro), although they do not produce the dolls themselves.
- Parabox: Offers a wide selection of doll heads, eyes, wigs, and Obitsu-compatible bodies. They’re often used by DIY enthusiasts for building customized BJDs or anime-style dolls.
- Petworks: Formerly part of Sekiguchi, Petworks created the Momoko Doll, a 1/6-scale fashion doll known for its elegant styling and minimalist realism. They also produce the Ruruko line.
Notable Doll Makers Outside Japan
Here are 10 well-known international doll manufacturers offering a wide range of products, from playline to collectible dolls:
- Mattel (USA): Creator of Barbie, one of the most iconic fashion dolls globally. Mattel also owns Monster High, Ever After High, and American Girl (see below).
- Hasbro (USA): Primarily known for toys and action figures. Their doll offerings include Baby Alive, My Little Pony dolls, and formerly Jem and the Holograms.
- American Girl (USA): A Mattel subsidiary focused on historical and contemporary character dolls paired with storybooks. Known for cultural depth, high quality, and educational content.
- MGA Entertainment (USA): Makers of Bratz, LOL Surprise, Rainbow High, and Na! Na! Na! Surprise. Their designs often emphasize fashion and pop culture.
- Madame Alexander (USA): A legacy doll company established in 1923. Famous for character dolls, literary figures, and collectible lines with detailed attire.
- Playmates Toys (USA/HK): More recognized for action figures (TMNT, etc.) but produced Hearts for Hearts Girls, dolls that focus on global cultures and storytelling.
- Zapf Creation (Germany): Makers of Baby Born and Baby Annabell. Focuses on realistic baby dolls with interactive features.
- Integrity Toys (USA): A boutique brand producing Fashion Royalty, Poppy Parker, and other highly stylized, adult collectible dolls with striking fashion and articulation.
- Tonner Doll Company (USA): Known for high-end collectible fashion dolls, though as of 2018, they ceased operations under the original founder. Some dolls are still traded among collectors.
- Ruby Red Fashion Friends (Hong Kong/USA): A relatively new brand gaining popularity for high-quality vinyl dolls with anime-influenced aesthetics and expressive eyes.
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