Top Ten DAFs of 2009: Heartbreaker T.J. at 1

Manufacturer: Integrity
Series: Dynamite Girls
Character Name: Heartbreaker T.J.
Box Year, if Noted: 2009

Why is T.J. on the Top Ten list?

Well, she's pretty and pose-able. I like her side-glancing eyes -- having attractive side-glancing is no small feat. Her overall coloring pleases - whoo hoo for red pepper lips instead of pink or tomato red. The red pepper color looks more sophisticated. And add a plus for her pouty-shaped mouth ... it gives her a stubborn, aloof air.




Why is T.J. first on the Top Ten list?



Let's see, Mai has the best articulation; Luchia has the most glamour. How did T.J. shoot ahead to Number One? The two winning factors are the Pout and the Connection.

The Pout is easy: it gives T.J. "attitude." "Attitude" as in hands on her hips and taking a stand and NOT backing down. The fight is on. Mai has a little attitude, too, but she's younger. Think teenager flouncing out a petulant "whatever." Luchia has Attitude Galore, but her attitude comes from confidence, maturity, and a little ennui. Luchia has world-weary captured. Arched eyebrow and curled lip ... how bored she is. T.J. has that I'm-not-getting-my-way-and-somebody's-gonna-pay look.

What cinched T.J.'s place though is the Connection. Not T.J. being brown-skinned or dark-eyed or dark-haired. But T.J. having small breasts. Luchia and Mai are both bosomy. T.J., on the other hand, revives the teenaged me. Back when I was "tall, thin, with not too much up there" as one stranger informed me many years ago. Like I needed him to tell me that. Think narrowed eyes rolling. Head shake. Back to the present. So that feature sets T.J. apart from the other top three. Did anyone see that coming?

Both Integrity Toys dolls, Fashion Royalty W Club 2008 Bewitching Hour Luchia and Dynamite Girls Heartbreaker T.J. can be found on eBay and possibly in online shops. They can be in stock one day and gone the next so my suggestion would be for interested buyers to do a Google or a Bing search for the dolls to have the most current information.

For those interested in reading other Top Ten Dolls/Action Figures/Toys, see the post initiator, Shaun Wong's blog for incredible photography and interesting reviews. Other doll and action figure collectors participating in the Top 10 of 2009 Reviews include:

Corsetkitten
Mick
Smidge Girl

Top Ten DAFs of 2009: Bewitching Hour Luchia at 2

Manufacturer: Integrity
Series: Fashion Royalty, W Club 2008
Character Name: Bewitching Hour Luchia
Box Year, if Noted: 2008

Why is Luchia on the Top Ten list?

1. She is gorgeous.

2. She has attitude.

3. She reminds me of a blond Emma Peel.

4. She has better articulation than I am accustomed to (think basic Barbies).

When I showed a relative a photo of Bewitching Hour Luchia, I was told that I would not buy that doll because that doll was the sort that men buy. Cocked my head to the side and looked at the doll again. Bouffant blond hair, [her] flesh-colored mini dress, black slatted knee high boots ... I could almost understand why my relative had that thought. In some circles, Luchia might look like a high priced um call girl. Hmmm .... Well. Okay, she still reminds me of Emma Peel of the Avengers, only Luchia's back story came from an American Anglophile. She should be in action movies where she should know umpteen martial arts AND fencing and spy stuff.


Why is Luchia second on the Top Ten list?

The doll that placed first has two advantages over Luchia.

Top Ten DAFs of 2009: Girl's Mission Mai at 3

Manufacturer: Aoshima/Skynet
Series: Girl's Mission
Character Name: No. 4 Mai
Box Year, if Noted: Alas, I did not note the year

Why is Mai on the Top Ten list?

Oh me, oh Mai! This teen wonder nearly made number one on the Top 10 List. Cute, solemn, intelligent face. Slightly heavier build. Can she pose? Can I write my name? (Yes to both.) I had considered buying the Aoshima/Skynet Girl's Mission dolls for years before finding Mai on sale at HobbyLink Japan. I wrestled my credit card away from the Barbie-Momoko-Fashion Royalty factions to make the purchase. Am I glad that I did? Yes, I am.

Sometimes, you have an instant connection with a doll or action figure. He or she or it talks to you. I looked at Mai, and her story unfolded. She's the younger sister of Ladies' Mission Street Nun Kyoko Tenryu. Since her parents are dead and her sister is a sister (I love puns), Mai lives at the East Philadelphia Orphanage. She has a pet rat, Willow. More to unfurl in future posts.

Why is Mai third on the Top Ten list?



Mai is one of the best poseable dolls I have: 18 points of articulation. Yes, she could have had smaller hands. Yes, she could have had tighter ankles. Yes, she could have had less frizzy hair. Of those three "problems," the big hands bother me the most. Otherwise, Mai would have topped the List.


Mai is still available at Nouveau Toys for $89.95 BEFORE postage.

Other doll and action figure collectors participating in the Top 10 of 2009 are

Corsetkitten
Mick
Smidge Girl

and the Top 10 blogger who issued this online challenge, Shaun.

This is my last post of 2009. Happy New Year to All.

Top Ten DAFs of 2009: Olga Tañón at 4

Manufacturer: Haschel Toys
Series: Not applicable
Character Name: Olga Tañón
Box Year, if Noted: 2000


Why is Olga Tañón on the Top Ten list?

Her face. Okay, the doll is not traditionally pretty. Her nose is long; her mouth is wide. But just as Kajol stands out on a shelf, so, too, does Olga. I would say that none of my other dolls look like her, but one does: Mattel's Kate Jackson doll from the late 1970s. Shrug. Still, Olga provides ethnic variation. And she looks snarky-smart.



Why is Olga fourth on the List?

Limited articulation. She trumps Kajol a point because Olga's knees do bend, but otherwise, think standard Barbie twist and turn body. Since her torso is a little wider than Barbie's torso, Olga cannot wear many of the modern Barbie fashions. (The outfits do not completely close.) She may have to borrow Candi and Janay fashions. Or I might get unlazy enough to make her some outfits.

I bought Olga from Beautiful Dolls where she is available for $29.99.


Information about the human Puerto Rican singer Olga Tañón can be found on her website or on her Wikipedia page.

Top Ten DAFs of 2009: Kajol at 5

Manufacturer: Spin Master Ltd.
Series: Bollywood Legends
Character Name: Kajol
Box Year, if Noted: 2006

Why is Kajol on the Top Ten List?

One, she is gorgeous. Two, she's an ethnic doll who looks ethnic. Three, in her leaf green and gold outfit with her long gold scarf, she stands out on any shelf. Yes, the Priyanka Chopra doll is lovely, too. But Kajol packs a bonus with her tooth-baring smile. Where Priyanka seems smug and aloof, Kajol seems warm and welcoming. If Tiara Gold is the "Sunshine Girl," Kajol is la femme dorée, "The Golden Woman." Here's another photo to confirm that subjective statement.




Why is Kajol the fifth doll on the List?

One, limited pose-ability. Two, excessively tiny feet. She has the same body as Priyanka Chopra. Three, the gold dust on her clothes sheds. Most of all, the limited pose-ability places Kajol in the middle of the List. Straight arms and straight legs translate to toy soldier stiffness. A doll this lovely cries for articulation, but she has little in that vein. And she will be a tricky doll to match if I should decide to re-body her onto a more pose-able body. All but one of the dolls ranked higher than Kajol have more articulation.

Kajol, like the other Bollywood Legend dolls, came from Fairy Dust Dolls Ltd. through Amazon.co.uk. Postage to the United States from the United Kingdom was costly, but that was the only way that I knew to get these dolls. If anyone knows of a U.S. source for these dolls, please send that information in a comment.

Top Ten DAFs of 2009: Tiara Gold at 6

Manufacturer: Mattel
Series: High School Musical III
Character Name: Tiara Gold
Box Year, if Noted: 200? - I threw out the box; will check in stores


Why is Tiara on the Top Ten List?

Note: Tiara is only available with Sharpay Evans in a double doll set.

Here is a variation on my usual answer that the doll or action figure is good looking. I mean the Tiara doll is pretty. But she made the Top Ten DAFs of 2009 List because she has one of the brightest smiles of all the dolls I have bought this year. I consider her my "Sunshine Girl."

Having collected Barbies and other fashion dolls and action figures, I have many teeth-exposed smiles/grins and many blonds. (That's why I become delighted when I find a like-able doll who is not blond. Sigh.) Not one of them though, seemed as effervescent and lit as Tiara. There is something in her smile that pulls her out of the ordinary.


Why is Tiara sixth on the Top Ten List?

Mostly, Tiara is at the sixth spot because five other dolls had a little something more to offer than she did. To a lesser degree, her arm positioning is stuck in welcome mode if lifted up or as coy-maidenly if set down. That quirky feature doesn't completely detract from her charm, but it keeps her in the bottom of the Top Ten DAFs List.

Tiara Gold can be found at Walmarts or at discount stores like Ross. I bought mine for about $7.00 at a Ross store. You might also find her elsewhere, but Walmarts and Ross were the last places I saw her. I've seen the Tiara-Sharpay set described as "rare" in a recent search, but I have seen several at Walmarts and at Ross.

Top Ten DAFs of 2009: Power Team Combat Engineer at 7

Manufacturer: M & C Toys
Series: Power Team Elite
Character Name: Combat Engineer (actually, his job title)
Box Year, if Noted: No Date


Why is Power Team Combat Engineer on the Top Ten List?

Another easy reply: he is a good looking guy. Good looking AND intelligent-looking. Piercing black eyes. Serious mien. Furrowed eyebrows - see the vertical lines between his eyebrows. Furrowed they are. This guy does a lot of thinking. Or so I imagine, LOL. Look at his beautiful high cheekbones and the refined flare of his nostrils. Sigh. And the slightly dry lips - note the textured lip surface. M & C Toys knows how to sculpt a dreamy male head.

Granted his body is not quite as gorgeous as his face. The arm muscles look as though they were drawn by a heavy handed artist. Alas, he has glove hands - no bare hands but permanently gloved hands. Guess they did not want him to lose the gloves, given his drilling work, etc. The Combat Engineer has a sturdy build and weight. He can be posed; he can stand alone.


Why is Power Team Combat Engineer seventh on the Top Ten List?



Spots seven and eight could have gone to either Hrithik or to the Engineer. However, the Engineer had the edge and the higher rank because his body is sturdier, he's got those high cheekbones, and his clothes and accessories are better than Hrithik's. In spite of his having a longer and bigger head, the Engineer wins.

Once upon a time, you could find M & C Power Team action figures at K B Toys stores. Sigh. Now you can check Big Lots! stores, eBay, and other collectors for Power Team figures.

Top Ten DAFs of 2009: Hrithik at 8

Manufacturer: Spin Master Ltd.
Series: Bollywood Legends
Character Name: Hrithik Roshan
Box Year, if Noted: 2006


Why is Hrithik Roshan on the Top Ten List?

This won't be difficult: Hrithik Roshan is on the Top Ten List because he is a good looking action figure. Oops, did I write action figure? I did. Hrithik is poseable therefore he is an action figure. Or is he a poseable doll? He did come with an extra outfit as shown in the photo above. The doll or action figure discussion can wait for another post .... You can see boxed Hrithik and Hrithik in his original clothes here.


Why is Hrithik eighth on the Top Ten List?



He's cute, poseable, AND an ethnic male. Attractive ethnic males are hard to find [at this scale] LOL. However, he's a little frail. I can pose him, but I do so carefully. My Hot Toys and Power Team guys have more substance to their bodies. Hrithik doesn't have odd proportion problems. His two outfits scream cheap: the gauzy shirt is the worst, but as long as I am happy with the figure, the clothes can be given away or sold. With Esther and Priyanka, I had definite "problems" with their doll bodies. With Hrithik, it's more that other dolls and action figures outranked him points-wise than that he has serious detractions.


I bought my Bollywood Legend dolls from Fairy Dust Dolls Ltd. through Amazon.co.uk. Postage to the United States from the United Kingdom was costly, but that was the only way that I knew to get these dolls. If anyone knows of a closer to the U.S. source for these dolls, please send that information in a comment.

Top Ten DAFs of 2009: Priyanka at 9

Manufacturer: Spin Master Ltd.
Series: Bollywood Legends
Character Name: Priyanka Chopra
Box Year, if Noted: 2006


Why is Priyanka Chopra on the Top Ten List?



Priyanka has not only a pretty face, but a pretty ethnic face. She has a discernible nose, wide mouth, and full lips. Her eyebrows are heavier than usual; her face is broader than usual. Notice her warm complexion and red streaked black hair. Bye bye Steffie and Teresa faces for this Indian doll. Long live la difference!

Also, check the beautiful red scarf and the navy velvety bodice and the vivid red full skirt. I love this colorful outfit. The earrings and bracelets add to the festive air of her outfit. She should dance. I expect the extras from a Bollywood movie to spring from the shelves and to gyrate around her. Music and pagentry wherever she roams.


Why is Priyanka the ninth doll on the List?



Proportions again. Her head is a little large. Surprisingly, her feet are smaller than the current high-heeled Barbie's feet. Her feet are the same size as the Smartees dolls' feet: tiny. Then her limited articulation keeps Priyanka on the lower end of this List. Her knees do NOT bend. Her arms can move up and down from her shoulders, but the inability to bend her knees disappoints me. Straight-legged dolls are tricky to pose seated.

Also, the glitter on the outfit sheds easily. The left earring breaking off, I'll excuse as my clumsiness.

I bought my Bollywood Legend dolls from Fairy Dust Dolls Ltd. through Amazon.co.uk. Postage to the United States from the United Kingdom was costly, but that was the only way that I knew to get these dolls. If anyone knows of a closer to the U.S. source for these dolls, please send that information in a comment.

Top Ten DAFs of 2009: Esther at 10

Manufacturer: One2Believe
Series: Tales of Glory
Character Name: Talking Esther Messenger of Faith
Box Year, if Noted: 2007


Why is Esther on the Top Ten list?



Esther has a strong face. More handsome than pretty. Her face stands out among my other dolls because most of them are pretty or beautiful. Perhaps Esther is a little androgynous? Yes, only where androgyny in playscale figures usually shows as feminine males (the Takara Jenny boyfriends), Esther appears masculine female due to her straightforward gaze, strong nose, and firm chin.

If you press Esther's midsection, she "talks" about her life as a wise, beautiful, and brave woman who helps her people. (Note: she isn't immodest about her assets: "People say that I am as wise and as brave as I am beautiful." "People" say that about her. "Hmmm," I think.) I have accidentally set off her speech when moving her. Interesting that she is one talking doll who actually talks.


Why is Esther the tenth doll on the List?



Proportion. Esther's head is large, and her calves seem short to someone [me] accustomed to fashion doll proportions.

You can find Talking Esther Messenger of Faith at One2Believe.com for $19.99 at this time. Do check to see if you can find her on sale elsewhere though: I bought mine for half that price from KBToys.com before they went out of business. Other sellers might sell this doll series for less.

I would be happy to read any comments or to answer any questions about Esther that I can.

Preparing for a Top 10 DAFs of 2009 Post

Shaun Wong issued an invitation to collectors to submit a Top 10 list of favorite dolls and or action figures received in 2009. The challenge has been accepted by Corsetkitten among other collectors.

I've decided to post about my Top 10 Dolls and Action Figures (DAFs). Now while I hope that I have not yet exhausted my purchases for this year, for this article, I am going to draft a post based on what I have now. If I need to amend the list, I'll do so. But for now, here are the steps that I am taking to produce my Top 10 list.

1. List the DAFs bought in 2009
2. Note the DAFs I most enjoy having from that list
3. If more than 10, go through that list a second time. Do any have back stories?
4. Determine the Top 10 by liking, back story, and times handled
5. Rank the DAFs from 10-1
6. Photograph the Top 10 in one photo
7. Photograph each of the 10 individually
8. Provide the DAF name, series if any, and where available if available still
9. Discuss why/how each gained DAF that position
10. Type and proof choice responses then upload to my blog

These are the steps I imagine taking to produce my Top 10 list.