Late Bjd Unboxing: Smart Doll Mirai or the Giant of Vinyl

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As it was revealed in a previous post, we have a "new" doll, who arrived about seven years ago.

She did have a proper unboxing and we did make her feel at quite home, but due to Anna's negligence, we haven't spoken of it until now.

So, let us take a stroll down memory lane and view these lovely older photos back when we first received Mirai, the Smart Doll.

Here we are when Mirai arrived on November 25, 2018. 

The shipping box appeared deceptively small, and the brand "Smart Doll" wasn't a familiar company to me. Likely because they don't manufacture resin dolls like myself. Anna neglected to mention until later that they are vinyl dolls similar to Dolfie Dreams made by Volks.

None of us quite knew what to expect.

Inside the box was a novelty tote bag with a humorous caption.

I suppose it is a bit stylish, but maybe a little too casual for my tastes.

Here we have Usagi peaking in to see her "new friend".

Inside we discovered Mirai securely wrapped in bubble wrap and in a kneeling position along with another box full of wonders.
 

It included a couple of accessories that I've been told are included with all Smart Dolls, plus some items Anna chose to purchase along side Mirai (Like the Japanese flashcards, sadly they've been discontinued).

And here is Mirai, freshly unwrapped and beaming. She was so thrilled to finally come to her new home.

At her full height of 60 cm (23.6in), she towers over us all. She is the same size as a 1/3 scale or SD sized ball jointed doll.

Anna has stated that one of the reasons she chose to purchase Mirai instead of a larger resin doll is because vinyl dolls are much lighter in weight.

And here is her wig. It seems all Smart Dolls come with their own wig at no extra cost. Quite convenient, especially for doll owners who may forget to order such necessities in a timely matter.

Anyway, the wig is a snug fit and was already cut and styled to suit Mirai's face.

Anna ordered a second of eyes in a purplish hue, unfortunately to this day she has yet to use them. 

It is a shame, because we have confirmed that it the simplest thing to installed new eyes in a Smart Doll. Perhaps I could use them, except they are much too large my own purposes.

Mirai came with a custom stand to help with balance. It came packaged with this helpful instruction card.

Although some of the instructions seem peculiar, what does it mean "don't feed after midnight"?

The stand fits Mirai well and is most useful and practical. 

Standing beside her, her remarkable height seems even more incredible.

Sakura was bold enough to ask Mirai to lift her.

Mirai was only to happy to indulge the child. She actually offered me the same experience, but I politely declined.

There arose a slight problem when it came time to present the "new doll" dress. It was a tad too short and much too tight for a 1/3 scale doll like Mirai.

Anna quickly improvised a substitute. She cut off the sleeve to a long-sleeved knit top.

Not quite what I had in mind, but at least Mirai was decently dressed.  Anna did mention that it reminded her of the Disney animated film, The Little Mermaid.

And that in a nutshell, is how Mirai came into our home.

Now seven years later, here is Mirai today.

Anna made her a form fitting sundress using this sweet pink polka doll cotton, trimmed with some of my favorite lace. The style is similar to many dresses she has made for myself and the other dolls (see Of Bjd Fashion: Dresses to Sew and a Tutorial).

Due to Mirai's unique measurements, Anna had to sew in an extra set of darts to get just the perfect fit. 

To complete the ensemble, Anna also made Mirai a pair of sandals just like my own fine pair, only much larger (see Of Bjd Fashion: Improved Lace Sandals with a Tutorial).

Mirai has settled into our doll family, the children are particularly taken with her.

"Mirai! How can I be as tall as you?"

"Sakura, why do you want to be taller?"

"I want to be as big as you! Or even bigger like Anna! Then I could eat as much donuts as I want, and even lift Ghost Lady above my head! Right?"

"...Um, Sakura. I don't think Hikaru would be happy about that..."

Oh, you are quite right about that Yuna.

And Sakura, for the thousandth time, my name is Hikaru. Not Ghost Lady!

Sigh.

That is all for today my dear readers, be at peace.

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Bjd Unboxing: Surprise! Hujoo Nano Freya

Anna came home with a surprise for us.

A new doll!

Anna says she took advantage of the Black Friday Sale at the Junky Spot and bought a brand new ball jointed doll.  All without breathing one word to me.

Still, what’s done is done.  Let us see who we have inside this rather small package.

“…Um, what kind of doll is it, Miss Hikaru?”

I’m afraid I don’t know, Yuna dear.  Anna has yet to mention any details.

“Could it be an Alien, Miss Ghost Lady? Or a bunny or a kitty…”

Enough Sakura.  And my name is not Miss Ghost Lady.

Shiro seems to have taken a particular interest in this package.  I wonder why.

Inside the box, we find more packaging, documents….

…Chocolate…

…And a tail?

“Yay! It is a kitty and it’s purple!”

Settle down Sakura!

Well, I shall allow Anna to explain this strange occurrence.

This is the Hujoo Nano Freya, a very tiny cat doll.  It’s only about 12 cm. and normally available in white or grey, but I got the special edition purple version. 

It’s a doll I’ve been eyeing for awhile.  There were only two reasons why I didn’t get one sooner.  First, it’s been out of stock at the Junkyspot for a while.  And second, I couldn’t decide between white or grey. 

So imagine my surprise when I got an email about the Junky Spot Black Friday Sale with this lovely little kitty in purple or “grape”.  Since I couldn’t decide between the other colors, why not get this one?  And on sale to boot.

It is a little different compared to the other dolls, and not just because it’s a cat.  It’s made from ABS plastic instead of resin, making it much cheaper to buy and possibly a little less fragile.  But the way it poses it a little tricky at least for me. 

I found the one foot seems to constantly want to point downward.  And I’ve been having trouble getting the poor thing to stand on its own.

But with a doll this cute, why would you want to do anything but hold it.

Anyway, the name of the company is proudly printed on the back of the head.

And trying to open the head is a little bit of a struggle. 

I found out it takes 12 mm. eyes that aren’t included.  Yep, no freebie random eyes so the poor kitty will have to have be blind until I can buy a pair.

So that is how this purple feline ended up at our doorstep.  Getting past the shock, I suppose it is something of a novelty to have such a doll.

Shiro seems quite taken by this new doll.  They do seem to see eye to eye, in more ways than one.

“…It’s so tiny, but its still cute..”

Here let me take a good look at our new little friend.

“…Um, I think you’re scaring the kitty, Miss Hikaru…”

Quite a skittish cat, why in the world would it find me frightening?

“Here little kitty, kitty.  Want to be friends? :)”

Well, it looks like Usagi isn’t as scary as Hikaru, right little kitty?

(I am not scary!)

(You are first thing in the morning.)

Anyway, the little cat seems to have settled down, but it still needs to be dressed.

So I will now present the “new doll dress”.  Given to every new ball jointed doll to wear until something more befitting is sewn for them.

“But Miss Ghost Lady, that is waaaay too big for the kitty.”

But it’s a tradition.  And besides that, the cat needs something to wear.  What else is there?

Yuna has saved the day, by lending the kitty her new blouse (see Of Bjd Fashion: Birthday Surprise Outfits Part 1 with Raglan Sleeve Top Tutorial).  It’s short enough to make a cat sized night gown.

I suppose that will do for now, even if it breaks our little tradition.

Don’t worry Hikaru, that dress will get worn very soon.

…Dare I ask why?

Because I bought another doll from the sale.

Oh dear me, another one!

To be continued tomorrow….

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