bjd_wtf (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} bjd_wtf) wrote,@ 2006-10-30 21:38:00 |
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Chapter Seven: Volks & FCS
Volks stands alone in the BJD community for many reasons; one of which is the great attention they pay to their fans. Not only did they start this craze, but they offer the widest variety of dolls of any company in the market. They are the most recognized name and the most experienced. This doesn't mean they are the best; just the first. They are also the only company whose dolls come with built in UV protection as a standard feature.
"Yo-Tenshi, Dolpa and More!"
Volks isnt just set apart because they were the first, or because they have the Full Choice System. Volks is in a league of it's own because of all the special things that they do for their customers. One great example is Dolpas. A Dolpa is a 'doll party' or convention where you can buy special Limited dolls or attend special events. Prizes are given away at Dolpas and the famous Volks Tea Parties. The prizes are usually a special kind of doll, even smaller than a MSD called Tenshi. A prize can also be wigs, shoes or some other Limited item. Volks has created a culture to surround their dolls in and it's getting more elaborate all the time as the BJD craze spreads into other countries.
Tenshi are small sexless angel-bodied dolls that come in several varieties.
School Heads are special heads that can only be acquired by attending a Volks faceup class. There are three heads so far: A, B and C.
Special Events/Cruise/Tea Party/Dream FCS
Crazy Cool Limiteds...i.e..Chii, Shinku, ect.
Tenshi No Sato/Sumika
"Yo-SD through SD16"
Volks offers several lines of dolls in the resin BJD category. The newest and most mature is the SD16. They are taller than all the other Volks lines at 70cm and have the most adult and detailed bodies yet. So far SD16s are only available as Limited dolls. The molds so far are Yukinojo Sarawagi, Olivia Morgan and Amelia. Volks has not announced if the SD16 line will ever be available as a standard doll line or as an FCS option.
SD13 is the next step down in height at approximately 60cm. There are several standard models as well as Limiteds. Their bodies portray a 13 year old in appearance, hence the name.
SD10 is less mature in appearance but is roughly the same size as an SD13 at 58cm. When you hear someone refer to a Volks as an SD, it is this line they are probably referring to as this was the original line and is the "standard" SD. An SD10 has the undeveloped body of a 10 year old.
SDC are about 16" and Limited. SDC stands for Super Dollfie Cute.
MSD are 41.5cm. There are several standard models as well as Limiteds.
YoSD, Yo Tenshi and Sei Tenshi are about 26cm.
"Full Choice System"
As if Volks didn't already offer beautiful dolls, they also offer something called the Full Choice System, or 'FCS'. The idea of the FCS service is to allow you to build your dream doll. There is a wide variety of choices to make that include head, eyes, wig, and many body options as well as skin tone. You can order special customized faceups and you receive the famous Zoukiemura glass eyes with your doll. FCS dolls are available in Super Dollfie size and Mini Super Dollfie size.
There are two main options if you would like to order a FCS doll: Sato and Sumika. Sato is also known as Tenshi No Sato and is the home of many very exclusive choices that you cannot get in a Sumika, such as sunlight skin and certain heads. Sato is located in Kyoto, Japan and has a beautiful store, restaurant and gardens in which you can take photos of your Volks dolls. Tenshi No Sumikas are more plentiful. There are quite a few in Japan as well as one in Los Angeles, California. Orders for FCS dolls must be placed in person. You can travel to Tenshi No Sato or any of the Tenshi No Sumikas yourself or you can hire a shopping service to order for you.
Here is a list of FCS resources to give you an idea of how FCS works and what you can get. It is strongly recommended by Volks to come in and make all the choices yourself because they go to alot of trouble to make it a very personal and very exciting experience, but if you have to, it's okay to ask or hire someone else to go for you. If someone orders for you as your proxy, be aware that you may not get exactly what you want, especially if they are not a doll person. Volks is not responsible for these types of mistakes and will not fix them.
Cassiel's FCS page
Aimee's FCS page
Usagi665's FCS page
FCS dolls can also be given naming cermonies, or "Omukae". It is also known as a greeting ceremony or welcoming ceremony. The ceremony itself is free, but must be arranged with the store ahead of time because they totally close the store during the ceremony which means no one in or out so there may be strangers watching you receive your doll. This ceremony celebrates your adoption of a special doll just for you. Omukae ceremonies are also the only time that cameras are allowed to be used in the Volks stores. you can also have a memorial photo taken of you and your doll after the ceremony that will be mailed to you later. Of course, everything is a little different and more ornate if you do your Omukae at Tenshi No Sato instead of a Sumika. You can also do the ceremony at another time later down the road, or with a non-FCS doll, as long as it is a Volks doll.
Music is played to set the mood. Your doll is laid on the "altar" in a box surrounded by flowers and a clear lid is placed over top which remains until the end of the ceremony. The store manager comes out wearing a nice velvet robe over his suit and speaks a standard blessing using you and your doll's names. The general jist of the words during the ceremony are that your 'angel' has come down from heaven to be your lifelong companion and to give you happiness and inspiration. Since the words are in Japanese, it's hard to encapsulate it all in English, but it probably adds to the ethereal feeling of the entire ceremony. You then blow out candles to 'breathe the life into your doll'. Special clothing sets are available for purchase, just for this ceremony that can not be bought separately. Volks goes to a lot of trouble to make this ceremony very beautiful and touching. You announce the name of your new 'son' or 'daughter' and they become yours.
Other Volks-Specific Links:
Super-Dollfie.Net
Volks stands alone in the BJD community for many reasons; one of which is the great attention they pay to their fans. Not only did they start this craze, but they offer the widest variety of dolls of any company in the market. They are the most recognized name and the most experienced. This doesn't mean they are the best; just the first. They are also the only company whose dolls come with built in UV protection as a standard feature.
"Yo-Tenshi, Dolpa and More!"
Volks isnt just set apart because they were the first, or because they have the Full Choice System. Volks is in a league of it's own because of all the special things that they do for their customers. One great example is Dolpas. A Dolpa is a 'doll party' or convention where you can buy special Limited dolls or attend special events. Prizes are given away at Dolpas and the famous Volks Tea Parties. The prizes are usually a special kind of doll, even smaller than a MSD called Tenshi. A prize can also be wigs, shoes or some other Limited item. Volks has created a culture to surround their dolls in and it's getting more elaborate all the time as the BJD craze spreads into other countries.
Tenshi are small sexless angel-bodied dolls that come in several varieties.
School Heads are special heads that can only be acquired by attending a Volks faceup class. There are three heads so far: A, B and C.
Special Events/Cruise/Tea Party/Dream FCS
Crazy Cool Limiteds...i.e..Chii, Shinku, ect.
Tenshi No Sato/Sumika
"Yo-SD through SD16"
Volks offers several lines of dolls in the resin BJD category. The newest and most mature is the SD16. They are taller than all the other Volks lines at 70cm and have the most adult and detailed bodies yet. So far SD16s are only available as Limited dolls. The molds so far are Yukinojo Sarawagi, Olivia Morgan and Amelia. Volks has not announced if the SD16 line will ever be available as a standard doll line or as an FCS option.
SD13 is the next step down in height at approximately 60cm. There are several standard models as well as Limiteds. Their bodies portray a 13 year old in appearance, hence the name.
SD10 is less mature in appearance but is roughly the same size as an SD13 at 58cm. When you hear someone refer to a Volks as an SD, it is this line they are probably referring to as this was the original line and is the "standard" SD. An SD10 has the undeveloped body of a 10 year old.
SDC are about 16" and Limited. SDC stands for Super Dollfie Cute.
MSD are 41.5cm. There are several standard models as well as Limiteds.
YoSD, Yo Tenshi and Sei Tenshi are about 26cm.
"Full Choice System"
As if Volks didn't already offer beautiful dolls, they also offer something called the Full Choice System, or 'FCS'. The idea of the FCS service is to allow you to build your dream doll. There is a wide variety of choices to make that include head, eyes, wig, and many body options as well as skin tone. You can order special customized faceups and you receive the famous Zoukiemura glass eyes with your doll. FCS dolls are available in Super Dollfie size and Mini Super Dollfie size.
There are two main options if you would like to order a FCS doll: Sato and Sumika. Sato is also known as Tenshi No Sato and is the home of many very exclusive choices that you cannot get in a Sumika, such as sunlight skin and certain heads. Sato is located in Kyoto, Japan and has a beautiful store, restaurant and gardens in which you can take photos of your Volks dolls. Tenshi No Sumikas are more plentiful. There are quite a few in Japan as well as one in Los Angeles, California. Orders for FCS dolls must be placed in person. You can travel to Tenshi No Sato or any of the Tenshi No Sumikas yourself or you can hire a shopping service to order for you.
Here is a list of FCS resources to give you an idea of how FCS works and what you can get. It is strongly recommended by Volks to come in and make all the choices yourself because they go to alot of trouble to make it a very personal and very exciting experience, but if you have to, it's okay to ask or hire someone else to go for you. If someone orders for you as your proxy, be aware that you may not get exactly what you want, especially if they are not a doll person. Volks is not responsible for these types of mistakes and will not fix them.
Cassiel's FCS page
Aimee's FCS page
Usagi665's FCS page
FCS dolls can also be given naming cermonies, or "Omukae". It is also known as a greeting ceremony or welcoming ceremony. The ceremony itself is free, but must be arranged with the store ahead of time because they totally close the store during the ceremony which means no one in or out so there may be strangers watching you receive your doll. This ceremony celebrates your adoption of a special doll just for you. Omukae ceremonies are also the only time that cameras are allowed to be used in the Volks stores. you can also have a memorial photo taken of you and your doll after the ceremony that will be mailed to you later. Of course, everything is a little different and more ornate if you do your Omukae at Tenshi No Sato instead of a Sumika. You can also do the ceremony at another time later down the road, or with a non-FCS doll, as long as it is a Volks doll.
Music is played to set the mood. Your doll is laid on the "altar" in a box surrounded by flowers and a clear lid is placed over top which remains until the end of the ceremony. The store manager comes out wearing a nice velvet robe over his suit and speaks a standard blessing using you and your doll's names. The general jist of the words during the ceremony are that your 'angel' has come down from heaven to be your lifelong companion and to give you happiness and inspiration. Since the words are in Japanese, it's hard to encapsulate it all in English, but it probably adds to the ethereal feeling of the entire ceremony. You then blow out candles to 'breathe the life into your doll'. Special clothing sets are available for purchase, just for this ceremony that can not be bought separately. Volks goes to a lot of trouble to make this ceremony very beautiful and touching. You announce the name of your new 'son' or 'daughter' and they become yours.
Other Volks-Specific Links:
Super-Dollfie.Net
