Cross World Connections recently announced that Blythe dolls will have a new distributor starting July 2021.
Takara Tomy will no longer manufacturer Blythe after July 2021. But will continue to offer after-sales service for dolls made by them.
The new company taking over the operations for Blythe dolls is none other than the popular hobby manufacturer, Good Smile Company.
Yes, you read that right.
Good Smile Company will be the manufacturer & wholesale distributor for Blythe dolls while Cross World Connections will remain as the creative directors and producers for the dolls.
I don’t know about you but I’m strangely excited by this news (maybe more than I should be).
I have no idea what it all means or how things will change for the better, hopefully not for the worse.
But I’m remaining optimistic about this relationship.
This news is very surprising but has the potential to be beneficial for collectors, Blythe, Cross World Connections and Good Smile Company.
Only time will tell.
Over to You
What are your thoughts about Good Smile Company becoming the new distributor for Blythe dolls?
Are you excited about the possibilities or worried about Blythe’s future?
Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Source: Blythedoll.com
I’ve been collecting Blythe since 2001. I think the Good Company is pumping out too many dolls and the designs are mediocre. They belong on the Home Shopping network. Nothing like the beautiful charming Blythes I prefer.
Hi Blythe Collector,
That’s impressive to be in the Blythe hobby during the beginning.
You’ve been on quite a ride, I imagine.
So sorry to hear the latest generations of Blythes are not meeting the standards you’re used to seeing from Blythe.
According to Junko Wong, she and CWC Tokyo are still the creative director and creative producers of Blythe.
I’m not sure if you’ve seen this but Good Smile has a form where you can submit suggestions or opinions you may have about Blythe.
Opinions and requests regarding Blythe Form Here
The form is in Japanese.
With a translator it’s easy to fill it out.
There are 4 sections:
Name
Email
Questions
Request
Let GSC know how you feel.
They may not be aware there’s an issue or that there are Blythe fans dissatisfied with their version of Blythe.
At the very least, you passed your opinion/request to the company.
Hopefully, they’ll take it into consideration during future releases.
Thanks Blythe Collector for taking the time to share your feelings about GSC Blythe.
Tatyana
I am a Blythe Doll Fan in the US but the prices are just way too high is there any way to produce a Blythe doll that real people can actually afford?
Hi Sue,
You ask a very good question, “is there any way to produce a Blythe doll that real people can actually afford?”
Judging by her prices and most of the doll prices nowadays, I think it takes a lot of funds to create/design these dolls.
I have no idea what’s all involved in bringing a doll to the market but I’m starting to realize they may be charging these amounts because that’s what it takes to stay in business.
Everyone involved is getting paid for their time and contribution. It adds up.
I’d rather have the companies do what they can to remain operational than to go out of business by under charging.
I don’t want to think the companies are being greedy but are rather trying their best to stay operational and bring us cute dolls.
Like most things, the prices are going up and rarely do they come down.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on Blythe dolls.
I’ll continue to send dolly wishes that they’ll make dolls that more collectors can add to their collection 😁
It was a pleasure chatting with you,
Tatyana
I am excited at the prospect of easier to acquire dolls in the states. I won’t hold my breath for any lower prices, but it certainly would be nice. Someone mentioned possibly more licensed Blythe collabs and I think that might be fun. I keep hoping GSC will release Tokyo mew mew figmas/nendoroids and I have no evidence they ever will, but the concept of Tokyo mew mew Blythe?? I can dream! Manifest it lol
Yes! 🙌 Big Noodle. Manifest it!
Hopefully we’re only moments away until they announce the new GSC x Blythe doll.
Sending dolly vibes that your dreams will come true.
Come back anytime to chat with us about dolls,
Tatyana
I hope they make Blythe doll prices lower. I’ve given up collecting because the dolls are all out of my price range. Crossing fingers.
Jane Miller, that seems to be the dream for collectors.
Let’s see if GSC can make our dreams come true 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to share your opinions on Blythe’s new distributor.
If they eliminate the “lottery” for special Blythe dolls, I will buy more. I find that whole lottery system confusing and difficult to manage as an international collector. I understand that CWC controls the quantities and thus the lotteries, but maybe GSC can talk them out of it? (BTW – if they choose to do a lottery just to give you a chance to buy, then that means they are purposefully producing quantities below market demand which makes NO BUSINESS SENSE AT ALL. I understand the reasoning behind general limited runs….but this is a different scenario. Anyone have any insight?)
And might this be the end of greasy wigs?
You bring up some interesting points, Amy.
There’s certainly room for improvement. Let’s see if Cross World Connections will embrace the chances or keep things the same old same old.
Thank you for taking the time to share your opinions on Blythe’s new distributor.
As I understand your frustration I think it makes a lot of business sense. Making products limited and exclusive just rises the demand and interest of people, making them more desirable. A lot of Japanese doll companies successfully use this strategy…
Hi Inari Passenger,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the Good Smile and Blythe partnership.
Oh wow, this was pretty unexpected! I’ve been in the Blythe hobby for 11 years now and never thought they would no longer be produced by Takara Tomy…..none the less be produced by GSC ( for some reason I would think Sekiguchi would want to take over Blythe). Hopefully this means that they would be easier to get in the states ( every time I go to Target, I always see Nendoroids and I used to collect Figma figures when I was in middle school and they were a breeze to get) and I hope this means they will be cheaper in price and not continue to sell in the Harmonia Bloom price range….. It would be an absolute dream if Blythe can go back to $80 a doll like when Takara first started producing them in 2001….
J, I was shocked by the announcement but I’m even more shocked when you say Blythe dolls use to retail for $80.
Seriously, I can’t wrap my mind around $80 for Blythe. I thought getting a Blythe under $200 before shipping was a steal but $80 seems like a dream.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts about Blythe’s new distributor
Okay, I’m super excited about this! Squee! GSC stuff is pretty easy to get ahold of in the US as others have said, and in my experience the products they sell are good quality (not just their own lines but also Max Factory, Phat!).
I’ve been holding off on getting back into Blythe since I sold my one Neo Blythe and larger Petit collection years ago (foolishly). But I’ve been wanting to pick up one again recently. Now I think I’ll just wait for this to happen and see what comes from it. I’m optimistic, hoping for better pricing and availability, or at least better availability and quality.
Plus they may do some new Petit dolls or hybrid them with Nendoroids?! IDK but the possibilities are really exciting!
I’m with you Jessica.
I’ll take better availability and quality for sure.
Though I am concerned about Blythe’s price . . . will it stay the same, go up or go down slightly?
I’m filled with so much anticipation. Is it July yet? 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to share your opinions on Blythe’s new distributor.
I really hope the quality of hair will come back as well as lower prices as 10 years ago, when blythe were cheaper and hair beautiful and not greasy.. i haven’t been in the hobby for nearly a decade, and today as I come back I am schocked by the bad quality of current materials comparing to blythe dolls made from 2001 to approximately 2010. And they are really more expensive.. this is abuse! To me it’s good news to know blythe will no longer be manufactured by takara
Hi Elise,
Thank you for sharing your experience with Blythe from her early days.
I wasn’t aware of her back then but I’m beginning to feel like I missed out on some really fun releases and prices 😉
I don’t know if we’ll see a drop in her price with GSC being the manufacturer but I’ll settle for improvements in quality. It’s nothing like getting a new doll and having so many quality issues.
Hopefully, within a few months all our questions & concerns will be answered.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts about the new partnership between GSC & Blythe.
Tatyana
P.S. welcome back to the doll hobby
It’s pretty easy to get Good Smile products in the States. I’m hoping the change will make Blythes a bit cheaper and easier to get here too.
Easier access to Blythe dolls would be a-m-a-z-i-n-g, Kristen.
Hopefully, all the answers will be revealed in July (exciting).
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts about Blythe’s new distributor.
Wow ? much like you I’m not sure how I feel about this, I’m not a Blythe collector myself so this doesn’t really affect me. My assumption is maybe more licensed Blythe dolls? Ten bucks down on the first one being a Nezuko doll ??
I also wonder what this means for the Harmonia Bloom line, which I honestly haven’t seen much in the collectors circle other than complaints about pricing.
Mariana that’s too funny about “another” Nezuko doll.
There’s a lot of potential for collectors to benefit from this new partnership . . . that’s assuming the companies keep the collectors in mind while protecting their bottom line.
I’m excited to see what the 1st Blythe will be under GSC’s manufacturing process.
I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts about Blythe’s new distributor.