The MLP Arena

Pony Talk => Off Topic => The Dollhouse => Topic started by: Carrehz on August 06, 2021, 07:08:50 AM

Title: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on August 06, 2021, 07:08:50 AM
MH IS BACK!!!

https://creations.mattel.com/pages/monster-high-drop-beetlejuice

(For some reason that link just leads to a 404 for me, idk if maybe it's region-locked or if they just took the page down for w/e reason, it worked fine when I checked it w/ Google Cache tho. I found a repost of it here (https://rudy-ogon.livejournal.com/18906244.html), in case anyone else can't get it to load up)

They're so pretty!! I've never seen Beetlejuice but I know the characters, these are great adaptations! I remember a lot of us wanted a BJ/MH crossover back on the old MH Arena when the crossover line first started ^^ It's nice to see MH back. I've been REALLY missing the good ol' MH days lately.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - Beetlejuice and Lydia Skullector dolls!
Post by: brightberry on August 06, 2021, 10:37:57 AM
oh wow! I used to love the Beetlejuice cartoon and Lydia was my favorite.  I also saw the movie and while it's good, the characters aren't as lovable.  I'd love to have these dolls.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - Beetlejuice and Lydia Skullector dolls!
Post by: lovesbabysquirmy on August 06, 2021, 07:25:39 PM
Beetlejuice .... Beetlejuice ....
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - Beetlejuice and Lydia Skullector dolls!
Post by: Taxel on August 07, 2021, 12:20:09 AM
I love them, and would love to have them, but a limited item that's gonna sell out in seconds just frustrates me now. I'm so over LE stuff.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - Beetlejuice and Lydia Skullector dolls!
Post by: Mori_LeStrange on August 14, 2021, 03:08:37 PM
I was able to get them! :biggrin: I was able to take an early lunch sat out in my car watching the count down.

Was anyone else able to get them before they sold out?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - Beetlejuice and Lydia Skullector dolls!
Post by: Carrehz on August 14, 2021, 06:04:07 PM
Oooh, lucky!! Congrats! :D I didn't go after them, can't justify the price right now. I hope you post pics when they arrive! :)
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - Beetlejuice and Lydia Skullector dolls!
Post by: ridi on August 16, 2021, 06:04:39 AM
I like them a lot, but comparing them to the older playline two-pack dolls, these are definitely overpriced. :huh: They even look less detailed, what with the unhemmed clothes and the unpainted details on the shoes.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - Beetlejuice and Lydia Skullector dolls!
Post by: Lilithdrff on September 11, 2021, 05:08:14 PM
These are cute, though not as detailed as I would expect for a collector set.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - Beetlejuice and Lydia Skullector dolls!
Post by: Heart Of Midnight on September 12, 2021, 10:12:04 AM
Wow how wonderful dolls!  :inlove:  :blink: These would be nice to have, but I don’t have the extra money for these... So I just stay to dream about these and admire the pictures.  :)
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - Beetlejuice and Lydia Skullector dolls!
Post by: starrynights on September 13, 2021, 01:49:13 PM
I hope this leads to a revival of the playline dolls!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - Beetlejuice and Lydia Skullector dolls!
Post by: Carrehz on September 14, 2021, 07:02:33 AM
Me too! I really miss Monster High.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - Beetlejuice and Lydia Skullector dolls!
Post by: The-Extravagant-Pony on September 14, 2021, 11:46:17 AM
I hope this leads to a revival of the playline dolls!

Evidently there will be! I just hope that they’re not the reboot dolls
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - Beetlejuice and Lydia Skullector dolls!
Post by: Wardah on September 15, 2021, 05:41:13 AM
I hope this leads to a revival of the playline dolls!

Evidently there will be! I just hope that they’re not the reboot dolls

They won't be but they won't be the originals either. It's going to be a new reboot. I'm hoping they do a good job.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - Beetlejuice and Lydia Skullector dolls!
Post by: The-Extravagant-Pony on September 15, 2021, 10:51:14 AM
I hope this leads to a revival of the playline dolls!

Evidently there will be! I just hope that they’re not the reboot dolls

They won't be but they won't be the originals either. It's going to be a new reboot. I'm hoping they do a good job.

Exactly. I'm just hoping that they look decent. If so I'm definitely buying them! Hopefully they're closer to the original rather than like Barbie now -_-
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - Beetlejuice and Lydia Skullector dolls!
Post by: Wardah on September 15, 2021, 08:37:01 PM
I hope this leads to a revival of the playline dolls!

Evidently there will be! I just hope that they’re not the reboot dolls

They won't be but they won't be the originals either. It's going to be a new reboot. I'm hoping they do a good job.

Exactly. I'm just hoping that they look decent. If so I'm definitely buying them! Hopefully they're closer to the original rather than like Barbie now -_-

I personally hope they take the good things of both the original series and the reboot and maybe throw in something new. For example I liked how they added molded details to the bodies like scales on Lagoona and fur on Clawdeen. I especially liked the molded stitches on some of the Frankies and was forever sad that she never had an articulated doll with them.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - Beetlejuice and Lydia Skullector dolls!
Post by: starrynights on September 15, 2021, 08:43:20 PM
I personally hope they take the good things of both the original series and the reboot and maybe throw in something new. For example I liked how they added molded details to the bodies like scales on Lagoona and fur on Clawdeen. I especially liked the molded stitches on some of the Frankies and was forever sad that she never had an articulated doll with them.
I would love if they used articulated versions of the molded detail G2 bodies
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: Carrehz on October 26, 2021, 12:19:54 PM
New doll!!

http://creations.mattel.com/pages/mc-drop-monster-high-skullector-greta-gremlin

Greta from Gremlins 2!! OMG she's gorgeous, I need her ;A; I love her little claw-hands.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: lovesbabysquirmy on October 26, 2021, 04:54:23 PM
*sigh*  way too Limited Edition.  I would buy them right off the shelves IF they weren't like $80+
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: Heart Of Midnight on October 26, 2021, 05:00:33 PM
Oh, she is so beautiful!  :shocked: :dribble: One of my favorite characters in the Gremlins 2 movie.  :inlove:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: Poster on October 26, 2021, 05:02:09 PM
Very happy about this doll, though I have no idea if I'll ever actually own one.  ^^; I've been a huge Gremlins fan since I was a little kid, and I've always thought something at least gremlinesque would make for a great MH doll.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: Carrehz on October 26, 2021, 05:17:20 PM
Yeah, I've never ordered anything from Mattel's collector site but I've heard how crazy it is trying to get stuff from there... fingers crossed, eh?

Gremlins suits MH really well ^^ I love how they did her little Gizmo pal, he's clearly Gizmo but he's still in the MH style, they did a great job mixing the two styles there.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: nessa16 on October 27, 2021, 08:12:44 AM
I am so excited for her! I miss MH and really hope I can manage to get her. It’s been awhile since I last tried to get one from MattyCollector. This is the first Skullector doll I have actually liked.

Post Merge: October 27, 2021, 08:13:36 AM

*sigh*  way too Limited Edition.  I would buy them right off the shelves IF they weren't like $80+
Probably doesn’t matter but she is $60…

Post Merge: October 27, 2021, 08:28:45 AM

How was the 2017 Cleo/Ghoulia pack sold? That is the one I regret not being able to get…didn’t know where or when to find it. Not even that many on eBay and seems hard just to search it. MH Merch has it under collector edition dolls but all the eBay listings say SDCC. Anyone know? Anyone lucky enough to get one?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: Carrehz on October 27, 2021, 01:02:16 PM
I really regret not getting the Cleo/Ghoulia set too :( Didn't have the funds at the time and now they're so hard to find...

It's been a long time and the threads discussing it are gone now (I really miss the MH Arena), but if I remember correctly, it was sold on Mattycollector, but we all sort of assumed it was meant to be a SDCC exclusive and they pulled it at the last minute and sold it online instead? Something like that. I don't know if they ever actually confirmed it was meant for SDCC or if that's still just speculation. I do remember there was something weird about its release though.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: brightberry on October 27, 2021, 03:02:21 PM
I really regret not getting the Cleo/Ghoulia set too :( Didn't have the funds at the time and now they're so hard to find...

I wish I had too!  It was so cute and I really did want them.  That had to be my favorite Ghoula.

Not as interested in the Gremlin.  I love her ears but I think I can pass.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: nessa16 on October 29, 2021, 09:07:33 AM
Got her!!! So, excited!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: Mori_LeStrange on October 29, 2021, 09:13:14 AM
I was able to get her! I'm so excited. But, I wish these had bigger runs. They sell out so fast.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: Carrehz on October 29, 2021, 09:25:59 AM
Congrats guys!! I got her too! :D

She sold out in four minutes! Geez! I dunno how all the hardcore limited-edition doll collectors do it, waiting for everything to go through about killed me XD I wish they had bigger runs too, I knew she'd sell out fast but I wasn't expecting her to go THAT quickly.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: Sakuyamon on October 29, 2021, 11:55:04 AM
I was able to get Greta too! Gremlins2 was my fav Gremlin movie and she was definitively my fav except for Gizmo of course. I love her red jacket, it is a nice nod to her red dress and it work well with her red lips and leopard pattern dress. And its just adorable that she come with Gizmo! And he is a perfectly recreated too! Only thing that would make it better if Gizmo had a red little fabric ribbon on his head XD

The overall series is really fun, even if Im not crazy about the other movie monsters I still find it fun to see how they adapt them to the dolls. I am still hoping that they will do Godzilla and Mothra!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: Carrehz on October 29, 2021, 02:43:04 PM
OMG yes, Godzilla and Mothra would be great! Especially Mothra, I bet she'd translate really well into the MH style :lovey:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: brightberry on October 29, 2021, 02:57:41 PM
Congrats to everyone that got her!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: Sakuyamon on October 30, 2021, 08:19:26 AM
OMG yes, Godzilla and Mothra would be great! Especially Mothra, I bet she'd translate really well into the MH style :lovey:

I know, right?! I actually made MH ocs years ago because I wanted to see them be in the franchise but back then, this line didnt yet exist.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: Carrehz on November 14, 2021, 04:06:37 PM
Sorry if this is old news (I don't have an Instagram account, I usually get my dolly news from here lol) but it looks like Monster High is officially getting a fullscale reboot + new cartoon (and live action movie? uh) next year!

https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/1787-now-official-monster-high-coming-back-with-animated-series-and-live-action-movie-on-nickelodeon-in-2022.html

I hope the dolls are good. Interesting that Clawdeen seems to be the protagonist this time round, instead of Frankie.. I wonder why? No complaints here anyway, Clawdeen's my favourite out of the original/core characters ^^
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: Wardah on November 15, 2021, 11:55:12 AM
Sorry if this is old news (I don't have an Instagram account, I usually get my dolly news from here lol) but it looks like Monster High is officially getting a fullscale reboot + new cartoon (and live action movie? uh) next year!

https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/1787-now-official-monster-high-coming-back-with-animated-series-and-live-action-movie-on-nickelodeon-in-2022.html

I hope the dolls are good. Interesting that Clawdeen seems to be the protagonist this time round, instead of Frankie.. I wonder why? No complaints here anyway, Clawdeen's my favourite out of the original/core characters ^^

In the first reboot it was Draculaura who became the main protagonist. I'm guessing they are going with Clawdeen because diversity?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: TwistedRiver on November 16, 2021, 01:08:28 AM
I never watched the shows or kept up on the characters much, but I loved the dolls. I just wish I'd snagged up more when I had the chance. Now finding them with all their limbs intact seems to be pretty costly if you are wanting the dolls that had the best articulation.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: tailrustedtealeaf on November 16, 2021, 09:42:33 AM
I care way more about Clawdeen than I do Draculara so I wouldn't mind if she were the main character. Would be cool to see these in stores again even if I don't buy them.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: Esbayne on January 19, 2022, 09:10:25 PM
Finally got all my dolls out of storage again! <3
So excited to have them all set up again after so long. (because of moves.)

I agree with how crazy they were second hand now.
I'm so grateful for all the ones I got back in the day.
I thought about checking up on Basty Claro just cause I missed her back in the day (/didn't want her back then lmao) and WOW even she is CRAZY expensive! Holy crap!
I wonder how many of them sell at these prices vs sitting there forever overpriced, ala G1 MLP being sold by non-collectors. Especially because I'm sure a lot of 2nd hand dolls are probably being sold by people who have kept them from their childhoods.

I got the Beetlejuice ones for Christmas, I adore them!
I JUST found out about Greta today. I totally want her too. XD

Excited about a reboot for sure!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: Taffeta on January 30, 2022, 03:07:13 PM
Just reading over that page, the story feels a bit like they rehashed the Halloween original story with the human/monster theme, though of course they may do it totally differently. I've always been meh to Clawdeen as a character, but think she's probably better than Lala as a focal point, given that precise fact. I liked Frankie more but I hated what they did with her in the last reboot. I was pretty meh about the whole of that though, except a few of the dolls (mostly Lagoona because her hair was nice). I did think she was a good main character in the original, though, because she didn't know anything to begin with.

They say they want to push diversity. I think that's a key part of what MH was originally, but whether they really mean it or not will depend on whether Ghoulia comes back/is changed and how they handle it. Another reason I disliked the last reboot was her removal. I don't know for sure why she was removed, but she represented those who communicate differently, and those kids need a role model too. Especially at the moment.

On the Ghoulia and Cleo set mentioned some time back. I have the set. A friend in the US (who is also here) got it from Mattel for me because US had free shipping and to the UK they were charging a fortune in postage. Friend got it shipped to me for a more reasonable rate. It's the last MH thing I bought but I don't regret it, even though the box takes up some space.

I also don't really like the collector dolls being released. At least, I have nothing against the dolls, but the idea of collector MH dolls themed off existing horrorish stuff I don't like much. I'd rather MH was MH.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: Wardah on January 31, 2022, 09:13:11 AM
They say they want to push diversity. I think that's a key part of what MH was originally, but whether they really mean it or not will depend on whether Ghoulia comes back/is changed and how they handle it. Another reason I disliked the last reboot was her removal. I don't know for sure why she was removed, but she represented those who communicate differently, and those kids need a role model too. Especially at the moment.

Tbh it's the same reason Applejack always got left out. Her color scheme wasn't marketable enough. She was more a favorite of adult collectors than little girls and there's more of them than there is of us. While I'd love if Ghoulia returned, I'd also be ok if they added a new character that filled the same role. Tbh I kinda liked how in the reboot Frankie got some of Ghoulia's traits because it made her more interesting but I wish she'd gotten more than just the smart nerdiness.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: Taffeta on January 31, 2022, 12:34:39 PM
They say they want to push diversity. I think that's a key part of what MH was originally, but whether they really mean it or not will depend on whether Ghoulia comes back/is changed and how they handle it. Another reason I disliked the last reboot was her removal. I don't know for sure why she was removed, but she represented those who communicate differently, and those kids need a role model too. Especially at the moment.

Tbh it's the same reason Applejack always got left out. Her color scheme wasn't marketable enough. She was more a favorite of adult collectors than little girls and there's more of them than there is of us. While I'd love if Ghoulia returned, I'd also be ok if they added a new character that filled the same role. Tbh I kinda liked how in the reboot Frankie got some of Ghoulia's traits because it made her more interesting but I wish she'd gotten more than just the smart nerdiness.

Applejack sold better here than some of the others, most notably Pinkie Pie. It's my impression that it was the bronies who dissed AJ, not the kids. It's certainly the G4 fans I've seen most of the negatives from but I've seen and heard kids in stores here asking specifically for AJ. I never heard a single kid ask for Pinkie Pie. It's true that older collectors probably liked her more and showed here favour, but I didn't ever see that from the bronies.

I didn't like any part of Frankie coopting the smart aspect of Ghoulia. I've said it before, but Ghoulia worked as a character not just because she communicated differently but becadue she broke the mould, being a smart zombie. Something that wasn't the standard. Frankie didn't add anything in that regard in G2. She was just smarter. And while it made sense n context with Frankenstein and all. But it was so bland it didn't really push any boundaries.

I guess I want to see them put their money where their mouth is and embrace diversity on all levels.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: Wardah on January 31, 2022, 03:03:34 PM
They say they want to push diversity. I think that's a key part of what MH was originally, but whether they really mean it or not will depend on whether Ghoulia comes back/is changed and how they handle it. Another reason I disliked the last reboot was her removal. I don't know for sure why she was removed, but she represented those who communicate differently, and those kids need a role model too. Especially at the moment.

Tbh it's the same reason Applejack always got left out. Her color scheme wasn't marketable enough. She was more a favorite of adult collectors than little girls and there's more of them than there is of us. While I'd love if Ghoulia returned, I'd also be ok if they added a new character that filled the same role. Tbh I kinda liked how in the reboot Frankie got some of Ghoulia's traits because it made her more interesting but I wish she'd gotten more than just the smart nerdiness.

Applejack sold better here than some of the others, most notably Pinkie Pie. It's my impression that it was the bronies who dissed AJ, not the kids. It's certainly the G4 fans I've seen most of the negatives from but I've seen and heard kids in stores here asking specifically for AJ. I never heard a single kid ask for Pinkie Pie. It's true that older collectors probably liked her more and showed here favour, but I didn't ever see that from the bronies.

Eh marketers are often wrong of course but if they think something "won't sell" they won't do it.

Quote
I didn't like any part of Frankie coopting the smart aspect of Ghoulia. I've said it before, but Ghoulia worked as a character not just because she communicated differently but becadue she broke the mould, being a smart zombie. Something that wasn't the standard. Frankie didn't add anything in that regard in G2. She was just smarter. And while it made sense n context with Frankenstein and all. But it was so bland it didn't really push any

Frankenstein's monster isn't exactly depicted as smart either. I do sometimes wonder if Ghoulia would have eventually returned if the reboot lasted longer. She could have become best friends with Frankie.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: Taffeta on January 31, 2022, 03:06:51 PM
I was talking about Frankenstein, which is the name Frankie Stein came from. Not his monster. :) Smart Frankie combined both concepts.

Not sure what you mean about marketers and AJ, or in fact, Ghoulia. Is there some data that I'm missing?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: Wardah on January 31, 2022, 08:07:54 PM
I was talking about Frankenstein, which is the name Frankie Stein came from. Not his monster. :) Smart Frankie combined both concepts.

Not sure what you mean about marketers and AJ, or in fact, Ghoulia. Is there some data that I'm missing?

I just mean like the "girls must like pink" kind of ridiculousness. AJ and Ghoulia were probably the least "girly" in their respective franchises.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: Taffeta on February 05, 2022, 08:28:52 AM
I was talking about Frankenstein, which is the name Frankie Stein came from. Not his monster. :) Smart Frankie combined both concepts.

Not sure what you mean about marketers and AJ, or in fact, Ghoulia. Is there some data that I'm missing?

I just mean like the "girls must like pink" kind of ridiculousness. AJ and Ghoulia were probably the least "girly" in their respective franchises.

Ah. You mean the people who forcibly associate girls with pink even though not all girls like pink? The ones who flood Lala and Pinkie Pie in the market till everyone is sick of the sight of them...Got it.

Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: Leave a Whisper on February 05, 2022, 10:52:28 AM
I thought the Venus flytrap girl, amanita girl, robo girl, and Abby were the coolest of the bunch. Oh and Spectra.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: brightberry on February 05, 2022, 11:12:29 AM
I still love Robecca and Scarah doll wise.  I didn't watch the show but Frankie was my favorite doll to collect.  I liked that she wore a lot of plaid.

I probably won't watch this show either.  There is just too much other stuff I want to watch, read and do.  But if the dolls are good, I'll buy those.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: Taffeta on February 05, 2022, 02:14:59 PM
I guess you mean Abby as literally the coolest?? xD

I liked her, she amused me xD.  Although her eating out of date sweets was gross. xD

I feel like with the dolls specifically, it's often a particular version of the doll from a particular set that I end up grabbing. I'm kind of picky even with my favourites.

I really like the Gloom and Bloom line. Especially Cleo and Jinafire. I'm not too crazy about either as characters though. And Ghoulia is my favourite, but I don't like or have all the Ghoulia dolls. The original and the Sweet Screams are my favourites, probably.

I like Abby the character but there are only a couple of Abby dolls I really like.

I love Lagoona and Rochelle as dolls but their hair is so often sticky, it makes me sad.

I don't even own Clawdeen, I don't think O.o. I may only have Lala because there is a Japanese themed one. But I have a few Frankies...

As a kid I hated pink things. As an adult I don't. I'm typing this sitting on my bed which is currently covered in a fluffy pink duvet. But I've never understood the pink drive.

Oh, the moth girl. Her doll is very pretty :D So is Isi. I don't know if Isi even has a character. I don't remember her at all...
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/02 Haunt Couture Collector Ghouls!
Post by: Carrehz on February 17, 2022, 09:42:19 AM
THE GHOULS ARE BACK!!!! :frolic:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CaFOQv8Fi6P/

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Ahhh they're gorgeous!! Draculaura's cape thing reminds me of Lydia from the Beetlejuice cartoon :> I LOVE their eyes, they're so shiny.

Frankie is the first to be released, she's going up for sale on mattelcreations.com TOMORROW (18th Feb) at 9 am PT for $75. No info on when the other two are dropping but I'm assuming they'll all be the same price. (Hopefully they don't get released too close together.. I'd love all three but not sure if I can swing it... I definitely need Clawdeen!!)

Apparently two more characters (this (https://www.instagram.com/p/CaFVO0BFFFD/) page says it'll be Cleo and Lagoona but not sure if that's confirmed or just a rumour) will be available later, and they are going to release regular playline dolls too, they're just kicking the reboot off with these collector dolls right now.

Not gonna lie, I wish they'd announced them a little earlier instead of 24 hrs ahead of the first one going up for sale, give us more time to plan, raise money, etc but aaaaa I'm so excited that MH is back!!!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/02 Haunt Couture Collector Ghouls!
Post by: Taffeta on February 17, 2022, 10:13:47 AM
Cleo and Lagoona make sense. I think those were the original five characters announced (girl wise), weren't they?

I'd still want Ghoulia to happen, but even so.

They look a lot more like they ought to look. Like G1 faces?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/02 Haunt Couture Collector Ghouls!
Post by: Leave a Whisper on February 17, 2022, 10:17:10 AM
The pic is not showing up for some reason?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/02 Haunt Couture Collector Ghouls!
Post by: Carrehz on February 17, 2022, 10:26:26 AM
I might have linked it wrong, I'm not great with Instagram honestly. Does this one work?

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Yeah, the first dolls were these three, Cleo, Lagoona and Deuce. Then I think the next two were Ghoulia and Holt? I'd definitely expect Ghoulia to be added in sooner rather than later.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/02 Haunt Couture Collector Ghouls!
Post by: Leave a Whisper on February 17, 2022, 10:32:16 AM
I might have linked it wrong, I'm not great with Instagram honestly. Does this one work?

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Yeah, the first dolls were these three, Cleo, Lagoona and Deuce. Then I think the next two were Ghoulia and Holt? I'd definitely expect Ghoulia to be added in sooner rather than later.

Yes it does. Thank you.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/02 Haunt Couture Collector Ghouls!
Post by: Taffeta on February 17, 2022, 10:36:42 AM
I thought so. It's a long time back but even though I didn't buy any dolls for the longest time, I do remember the MH launch and watching the first things on YT.

If Ghoulia happens I may scrape together funds. I can't justify any of the others, not even though I love both Lagoona and Cleo as dolls.

I do like their outfits.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Greta Gremlin!!
Post by: Leave a Whisper on February 17, 2022, 10:54:34 AM
I guess you mean Abby as literally the coolest?? xD

I liked her, she amused me xD.  Although her eating out of date sweets was gross. xD

I feel like with the dolls specifically, it's often a particular version of the doll from a particular set that I end up grabbing. I'm kind of picky even with my favourites.

I really like the Gloom and Bloom line. Especially Cleo and Jinafire. I'm not too crazy about either as characters though. And Ghoulia is my favourite, but I don't like or have all the Ghoulia dolls. The original and the Sweet Screams are my favourites, probably.

I like Abby the character but there are only a couple of Abby dolls I really like.

I love Lagoona and Rochelle as dolls but their hair is so often sticky, it makes me sad.

I don't even own Clawdeen, I don't think O.o. I may only have Lala because there is a Japanese themed one. But I have a few Frankies...

As a kid I hated pink things. As an adult I don't. I'm typing this sitting on my bed which is currently covered in a fluffy pink duvet. But I've never understood the pink drive.

Oh, the moth girl. Her doll is very pretty :D So is Isi. I don't know if Isi even has a character. I don't remember her at all...

I liked her colors and dry wit. I liked Venus Flytrap because she's so vibrant. I thought the pirate and amanita dolls were super pretty. I'm not a doll person, but was very tempted.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/02 Haunt Couture Collector Ghouls!
Post by: nessa16 on February 17, 2022, 06:00:55 PM
I like them but not enough to spend $75 each on them. I’m glad of the reboot but wonder what quality/prices we’ll get playline if these are $75. Cleo would probably be the only one I get, if any.

Taffeta, you are so lucky to have snagged that Ghoulia Cleo set from 2017. I honestly would be happy just to get that Cleo. Cleo is my favorite doll to collect.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/02 Haunt Couture Collector Ghouls!
Post by: Leave a Whisper on February 17, 2022, 06:23:52 PM
I like them but not enough to spend $75 each on them. I’m glad of the reboot but wonder what quality/prices we’ll get playline if these are $75. Cleo would probably be the only one I get, if any.

Taffeta, you are so lucky to have snagged that Ghoulia Cleo set from 2017. I honestly would be happy just to get that Cleo. Cleo is my favorite doll to collect.

Why is matel deliberately pricing out little kids?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/02 Haunt Couture Collector Ghouls!
Post by: lovesbabysquirmy on February 18, 2022, 06:21:53 AM
I like them but not enough to spend $75 each on them. I’m glad of the reboot but wonder what quality/prices we’ll get playline if these are $75. Cleo would probably be the only one I get, if any.

Taffeta, you are so lucky to have snagged that Ghoulia Cleo set from 2017. I honestly would be happy just to get that Cleo. Cleo is my favorite doll to collect.

Why is matel deliberately pricing out little kids?

these are COLLECTOR dolls, that's why ;) 
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/02 Haunt Couture Collector Ghouls!
Post by: Leave a Whisper on February 18, 2022, 07:02:38 AM
I like them but not enough to spend $75 each on them. I’m glad of the reboot but wonder what quality/prices we’ll get playline if these are $75. Cleo would probably be the only one I get, if any.

Taffeta, you are so lucky to have snagged that Ghoulia Cleo set from 2017. I honestly would be happy just to get that Cleo. Cleo is my favorite doll to collect.

Why is matel deliberately pricing out little kids?

these are COLLECTOR dolls, that's why ;)

Ohh.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/02 Haunt Couture Collector Ghouls!
Post by: Carrehz on February 18, 2022, 09:08:50 AM
And she's out! Did anyone else get one? :D She's still in stock surprisingly, I thought for sure she'd be gone by now (Greta sold out in 4 mins IIRC). Maybe Mattel have actually listened to collectors for once and have stocked more than usual?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/02 Haunt Couture Collector Ghouls!
Post by: Mori_LeStrange on February 18, 2022, 09:16:27 AM
I got one!

I'm surprised but happy to see she's still in stock. I hope everyone that wants her can get her.

I hope that means the other 4 collector dolls that are coming out are easy to get as well.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/02 Haunt Couture Collector Ghouls!
Post by: brightberry on February 18, 2022, 10:13:45 AM
Congrats guys!

I'm thinking hard about it!   :lol: But I don't think I will. I love my Frankies but I don't know if I want to spend another $60 for this one. I hope this one goes away soon so I can stop being tempted.  :lol: :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/02 Haunt Couture Collector Ghouls!
Post by: Leave a Whisper on February 18, 2022, 11:50:16 AM
Congrats guys!

I'm thinking hard about it!   :lol: But I don't think I will. I love my Frankies but I don't know if I want to spend another $60 for this one. I hope this one goes away soon so I can stop being tempted.  :lol: :lol: :lol:

 : :biggrin:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/02 Haunt Couture Collector Ghouls!
Post by: Taffeta on February 19, 2022, 10:45:08 AM
I remember with the IT Jem dolls, there were a mix of capacities. They had too many Stingers, and not enough of Regine and Astral. I remember Regine was literally gone on release day pretty much. I got the last one in the store I got her from and I swear I only got her because she was in Europe and people stateside didn't want the shipping cost.

Congrats anyone who snagged her :D

I like Cleo as a doll too. One day I'd like to find the ILF one, but I was really stoked to pick up the G&B one at the last carboot sale before I left London.

And Ghoulia is Ghoulia :D But yeah, I had the help of a friend who made it possible without breaking the bank.

I found my photos of them. It helped knowing they were from 2017 :) Here's one :D They're still sealed in the box, hence behind the cello. They also live behind a bunch of MIP ponies, so I can't get at them easily.

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And the story thingy on the back, which I love :D
Spoiler
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Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/02 Haunt Couture Collector Ghouls!
Post by: nessa16 on February 21, 2022, 03:26:40 PM
And she's out! Did anyone else get one? :D She's still in stock surprisingly, I thought for sure she'd be gone by now (Greta sold out in 4 mins IIRC). Maybe Mattel have actually listened to collectors for once and have stocked more than usual?

I think it's because she was a pre-order whereas Greta was available at the time of ordering and shipped out soon after.  These are supposedly shipping in June.

Congrats guys!

I'm thinking hard about it!   :lol: But I don't think I will. I love my Frankies but I don't know if I want to spend another $60 for this one. I hope this one goes away soon so I can stop being tempted.  :lol: :lol: :lol:

She was actually $75 I think, more than Greta was.

@Taffeta :drool: that Cleo...I was under the impression when she came out that she would only be available at SDCC and then last minute I guess they put her online.  I never knew that until she was long gone.  Kicking myself for not looking into it a little more at the time.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/02 Haunt Couture Collector Ghouls!
Post by: Taffeta on February 21, 2022, 03:46:01 PM
Iirc the set was something like $40 or $50 on the mattel website with free shipping in north America. I remember shipping here was $50, so I had a friend in the states get one and send it over for about half that amount.

I don't remember how well publicised it was though. I don't think it was at the convention in the end...maybe it was but I thought it went direct to online.

I;d have expected it to sell out at sdcc.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/02 Haunt Couture Collector Ghouls!
Post by: Carrehz on February 22, 2022, 05:19:42 AM
Yeah, the Cleo/Ghoulia set was online-only. As I recall, it was originally produced with the intention of being a SDCC exclusive, and then switched to an online release late into production.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/02 Haunt Couture Collector Ghouls!
Post by: Zapper on March 06, 2022, 01:00:41 PM
Whenever they make one of those Skullector dolls I breathe a sigh of relief if I don't want them - and I haven't wanted a single one so far. This could change if they made a really awesome Cleo, however.

I have no credit card they accept so I guess I couldn't get one the normal way, even if I tried.

I wanted MH to be back for years but nowadays I am at this point where I am happy saving money. When MH was at its height I was constantly putting "doll money" aside and I didn't even put my dolls on display most of the time. It was like this dirty secret. Some girls smoked pot, I bought dolls.

MH made me dollcrazy and no other toyline has managed to do so since then. If MH came back "better than ever" I'd risk a relapse. So as long as these dolls stay expensive and overseas I am good :lol:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/02 Haunt Couture Collector Ghouls!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on March 16, 2022, 12:37:30 PM
I am super sad and nostalgic for MH, but these dolls so far aren't grabbing me. HOWEVER they look SOOOOO much better than the horrible G2 creations, and if it means I get my sweet, well-meaning clumsy Frankie back AND they don't forget Ghoulia, all the better!

Show me an Abbey. I might cave  :P
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/02 Haunt Couture Collector Ghouls!
Post by: Carrehz on March 18, 2022, 07:50:19 AM
Clawdeen drops TODAY in about an hour and a half (5 pm 4 pm UK time), same page as before. Woulda posted earlier but I only found out about it myself literally about 15-20 mins ago, for some reason they didn't announce it on the Monsterhigh Instagram itself >_< Really wish they'd announce them a couple of days in advance...

Edit: Sorry - she drops in 30 mins - for some reason the main MH page says "1 hour 22 mins" and the actual page says "22 mins", not sure what's up with that...
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 18/03 Haunt Couture Clawdeen
Post by: Ponyrama_95 on March 22, 2022, 02:54:49 AM
I ordered Clawdeen two minutes after the end of the countdown, I received an email with the order number but still no confirmation message on the shipment. I hope I have had time to win one, this was the first time I bought something in preview : D: D

Does anyone know if these dolls are numbered? About how many Clawdeen in this limited edition have been produced?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 18/03 Haunt Couture Clawdeen
Post by: brightberry on March 24, 2022, 06:07:15 PM
Congrats Ponyrama!  I hope she comes soon.  I don't know how long it will take to ship but I don't think they send them out immediately.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 18/03 Haunt Couture Clawdeen
Post by: Carrehz on March 25, 2022, 05:01:35 PM
Congrats Ponyrama! I got her too, I got my confirmation email the other day.

I'm not sure if they've said how many dolls are being produced. Re: shipping, from what I've heard, they're shipping them out in batches, so they're not all shipping out at once.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 18/03 Haunt Couture Clawdeen
Post by: Ponyrama_95 on March 26, 2022, 01:53:51 AM
Thank you for replies! :) :) :)
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 07/04 Haunt Couture Draculaura
Post by: Carrehz on April 07, 2022, 10:15:12 AM
Draculaura drops TOMORROW at 9 am Pacific Time (5 pm UK time)!!! Apparently they announced it on the 5th but I only just saw it... annoying since I signed up for their newsletter but I never got any emails, grr. >( But oh well.

I notice the drop page mentions "bringing back 5 original ghouls" so I guess the other two in the line will be coming sooner rather than later? Still no pics of them though.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 07/04 Haunt Couture Draculaura
Post by: Ponyrama_95 on April 08, 2022, 09:37:44 AM
I was able to order one!! Who else?
I'm so happy!!! Draculaura is one of my favourite character, she went sold out in less than 10 minutes!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 07/04 Haunt Couture Draculaura
Post by: Carrehz on April 09, 2022, 08:24:01 AM
I got her, she's on backorder though. Was worried I wouldn't get home in time to order her, went out to a movie yesterday and it let out later than anticipated >_< luckily I got back just in time.

My Clawdeen arrived today and OMG she's gorgeous!! I can't wait for Draculaura to arrive; Clawdeen's my favourite character but I think Draculaura's the prettiest of these three HC dolls. :lovey:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 07/04 Haunt Couture Draculaura
Post by: Ponyrama_95 on April 12, 2022, 03:19:23 AM
My Draculaura is on her way and my Clawdeen has just arrived! She’s so cool, I’m super happy!
I’m waiting for the next release  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 07/04 Haunt Couture Draculaura
Post by: brightberry on April 12, 2022, 10:27:15 AM
Congrats on your dolls!

I really hope they have a play line Scarah eventually.  I always thought she was the spookiest of the monster high gang.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 07/04 Haunt Couture Draculaura
Post by: Zapper on April 13, 2022, 08:01:20 AM
My Draculaura is on her way and my Clawdeen has just arrived! She’s so cool, I’m super happy!
I’m waiting for the next release  :biggrin:

Ponyrama, could you share photos of your dolls in-hand once you get them? I would greatly appreciate it. I'm curious!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 07/04 Haunt Couture Draculaura
Post by: RDfan on April 25, 2022, 06:16:40 AM
Does anyone have any clue how I'd curl the Haunt Couture eyelashes?? My Draculaura arrived with hers bone straight (and not tilted up either), but I really don't want to risk damaging them... What do y'all think is my best bet? Not-quite boiling water?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 07/04 Haunt Couture Draculaura
Post by: nessa16 on May 15, 2022, 09:06:01 AM
Anyone manage to find the creeproductions? Apparently, our Walmarts aren’t seeming to get them.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 07/04 Haunt Couture Draculaura
Post by: brightberry on May 19, 2022, 12:38:56 PM
My nearby Walmart doesn't either.  I think they never will as they compressed the toy section and never seem to have the latest dolls on the shelf. The employees also seem perpetually confused by dolls.  Apparently, automotive is also responsible for the toy section.  Not kidding! They really are.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 07/04 Haunt Couture Draculaura
Post by: Carrehz on May 19, 2022, 06:14:12 PM
Does anyone know if the repros will come out here in the UK? I was looking around and I saw a post on Reddit (I think it was) where someone had contacted Mattel UK and they'd claimed they had no idea if they were going to be released here dor not... but then on Fri 13th they went up on Mattel's UK website and (from what I can tell) sold out immediately >_< I don't know if I'll even pick up any of the repros but it's annoying to not know if they'll be released here or not.

I think I heard it's only some Walmarts that are getting them, which is even weirder, what's the point of bringing them back but only in select stores? o.O
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 20/05 Creeproductions!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on May 23, 2022, 12:53:32 PM
Remember that Wal*Mart own Asda in the UK! Don't give up hope just yet!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 20/05 Creeproductions!
Post by: Carrehz on May 25, 2022, 05:22:30 AM
Yeah, that's what I was wondering.. I think someone asked ASDA and they said they didn't know, but that doesn't necessarily confirm or deny anything. Just gotta wait and see.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Carrehz on June 04, 2022, 10:39:48 AM
I'm late in reporting this - my computer's been away for repairs all week so I couldn't get on the Arena - but the latest Skullector doll is Universal Movies Dracula :) Did anyone else get her? I wasn't going to, but I ended up caving - I figure, she'll probably arrive around my birthday, so... :silly:
(and if anyone else here did get her - was the checkout process a nightmare for you, too?! She didn't go up on the site until about a minute past when they said she would, it wouldn't add her to my cart, then it kept throwing errors and taking me back to the main Mattel Creations homepage... -_- I was surprised to get her tbh, after all of that I thought for sure I'd have missed out.)

In playline news: Super Impulse are making World's Smallest Monster High figures!!!

https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/2562-monster-high-micro-figures-dolls-from-super-impulse.html

OMG I'm so excited for these. SI's stuff is sooooo good. And I love how they're including Ghoulia!! I can't wait for these to be released. It's a bit of a shame only Ghoulia comes with her pet, an itsy-bitsy Crescent kitty would be so cuuuuute! Though I guess I can see why they didn't do that, I can't even imagine how tiny they'd have to be to be properly in scale to the dolls xD
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: nessa16 on June 04, 2022, 07:48:41 PM
I did manage to get her. It was nerve wracking with the errors for me, as well. I had to do the captcha multiple times and it put me in a queue for checkout. I was half expecting it to sell out or kick me out.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Zapper on June 05, 2022, 12:20:26 AM
I realize they are basing their Scullector dolls on movies, but a female version of Dracula seems so redundant considering the inspiration for the original novel was a story about a female vampire, Carmilla, and MH already has a female Dracula: Draculaura (and she even has the name Laura, Carmilla's love interest).

Is this line already losing steam? I thought it was supposed to do dolls they wouldn't have done during MH's playline days. But this is a disappointing reveal. Cool box design, tho.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Carrehz on June 05, 2022, 05:43:38 AM
Yeah, it would've been cool if she was Carmilla. I guess Universal Dracula is more mainstream though. It doesn't bother me that she's a girl since all the other Skullectors have been up to this point, and eh there's already plenty of merch for male!Drac.

I agree she is pretty underwhelming compared to the previous Skullectors though. She feels more like a regular playline character than the others did. (Except for her shoes. Oh god, the shoes! :lovey:)
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on June 06, 2022, 12:31:26 PM
It's a pop culture staple, they will go with name brand versions. I for one am happy to have it, and the detail in the shoes is to DIE for!!! The colours really appeal to me, makes he still sad we didn't get a Gory Fangtell or Nega-Draculaura officially :c

Ghoulia BETTER get a doll, I'm sick of her being neglected.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: brightberry on June 06, 2022, 01:24:53 PM
I think she's amazing!  I was looking to get her but I broke my finger the night before and wanted to you know, sleep in.  It's ok though. I'm not hurting for dolls.   :P
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Carrehz on June 09, 2022, 09:03:21 AM
I wish they'd make a Gory doll too! Her and Fawn the deer girl were the two cartoon-only chars I really wanted dolls of.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Leave a Whisper on June 30, 2022, 05:51:45 PM
Monster High’s live-action movie is a freaky, fang-tastic musical - Polygon
https://www.polygon.com/23189621/monster-high-live-action-musical-trailer

Well then.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Zapper on July 02, 2022, 04:35:08 AM
Monster High’s live-action movie is a freaky, fang-tastic musical - Polygon
https://www.polygon.com/23189621/monster-high-live-action-musical-trailer

Well then.

"My name's Frankie, projouns: they/them"
What. Frankie is very obviously female, they didn't even try making her look androgynous? So why?

This looks like it had no real money put into. The special effects look like it came out in 2015. This movie is several years too late and tries too hard to do "current teen trend" such as the introduction with pronouns stuff. Frankie's pronouns don't even exist in several languages so I am curious how this is gonna get translated.

Mattel is doing a Barbie movie with a Hollywood star directed by an Oscar Winner and for MH we just get... this. It's Jem all over again, isn't it.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Wardah on July 02, 2022, 03:01:45 PM
Monster High’s live-action movie is a freaky, fang-tastic musical - Polygon
https://www.polygon.com/23189621/monster-high-live-action-musical-trailer

Well then.

"My name's Frankie, projouns: they/them"
What. Frankie is very obviously female, they didn't even try making her look androgynous? So why?

This looks like it had no real money put into. The special effects look like it came out in 2015. This movie is several years too late and tries too hard to do "current teen trend" such as the introduction with pronouns stuff. Frankie's pronouns don't even exist in several languages so I am curious how this is gonna get translated.

Mattel is doing a Barbie movie with a Hollywood star directed by an Oscar Winner and for MH we just get... this. It's Jem all over again, isn't it.

The actor who is portraying Frankie is trans so that might be why.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Leave a Whisper on July 02, 2022, 05:48:05 PM
Monster High’s live-action movie is a freaky, fang-tastic musical - Polygon
https://www.polygon.com/23189621/monster-high-live-action-musical-trailer

Well then.

"My name's Frankie, projouns: they/them"
What. Frankie is very obviously female, they didn't even try making her look androgynous? So why?

This looks like it had no real money put into. The special effects look like it came out in 2015. This movie is several years too late and tries too hard to do "current teen trend" such as the introduction with pronouns stuff. Frankie's pronouns don't even exist in several languages so I am curious how this is gonna get translated.

Mattel is doing a Barbie movie with a Hollywood star directed by an Oscar Winner and for MH we just get... this. It's Jem all over again, isn't it.


 :shrug: I have no idea
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on July 03, 2022, 12:23:59 AM
I thought it was a pun on the fact that Frankie is technically made up of different body parts, so the they/them pun would be hilarious in that context. They don't need to be particularly androgynous, they can identify as NB and still dress feminine.

Her skin is a weird shade that's throwing me, but I'm glad they've kept her hetrochromia. I'm going to go through it and screencap who I think is who, but looks like we have Cleo and Ghoulia and Abbey for sure, as well as Heath (urgh) and Deuce. The fact Deuce doesn't have his snek hair is a 0/10 for me, even with no budget. Cleo's hair looks offffffff GIRL WHERE IS YOUR GOLD STREAKS ITS YOUR SIG LOOK **AND** YOUR FAV COLOUR!!

I am amused they didn't give Draculaura her squeaky voice. I preferred the lower-pitch 2d animation voice to the higher pitches they used in the 3d movies

'Holy Headless Horsewoman!!' ... does that mean Headless Headmistress Bloodgood ISN'T a Headless Horsewoman? I have questions, Clawdeen

It just doesn't seem to gel with MH's original message of being freaky-fabulous, I don't know what they're going for in this story. Plus, we covered the 'there's a normie in here' aspect in Ghouls Rule; it was Jackson, and he IS technically a monster, just with a normie side.

Post Merge: July 03, 2022, 01:38:14 AM

As promised, here are some screens! Along with my hesitant identification. Everything is under a spoiler as it will be quite image heavy. Can confirm that it looks like ALL SIX ORIGINAL GHOULS APPEAR!!!

Spoiler
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Headless Headmistress Bloodgood. I think I see a seam around her neck, so chances are her head DOES come off at some point.

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Deuce Gorgon and Heath Burns

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Frankie Stein

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Clawdeen Wolf

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Draculaura

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Deuce Gorgon (no snek hair? No shades? 0/10)

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GHOULIA YELPS!!!!! RED ALERT WE HAVE GHOULA I REPEAT WE HAVE GHOULIA!!!!!

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Cleo De Nile and Lagoona Blue (honestly, I was confused who she was but seeing her ear fins and mermaid tail earrings in a later shot confirms this is supposed to be Lagoona).

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The obviously Normie teacher. He's a VERY good candidate for Jackson Jekyll/Holt Hyde and I am betting that's who he is supposed to be. If they make him Viktor 'Sparky' Frankenstein I'm calling nonsense.

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... 'goona what u doin

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IS MY GURL ABBEY BOMINABLE!!!!!! SHE'S HERE!!!!!!! Movie saved, best monster is here, we can go home now

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Ghoulia, Heath and Abbey. Proof that Ghoulia at least won't be a cameo, even if I wish Mattel would stop pairing my girl with this idiot

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Proof my earlier identification is correct and Riverdale's Jughead IS supposed to be Deuce. What did they do to you man. Also, why aren't you wearing shades instead of regular glasses.

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Ghoulia waking up? C'mon girl, G2 left you behind but you're back in the game!

Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Zapper on July 03, 2022, 04:04:11 AM
Monster High’s live-action movie is a freaky, fang-tastic musical - Polygon
https://www.polygon.com/23189621/monster-high-live-action-musical-trailer

Well then.

"My name's Frankie, projouns: they/them"
What. Frankie is very obviously female, they didn't even try making her look androgynous? So why?

The actor who is portraying Frankie is trans so that might be why.

And in real life this actor introduces herself/himself with "hello, I am *insert name here* and I am trans"? I doubt it. Nobody talks like that irl, it's a social media thing. That's why Clawdeen has to do it, too.
It's the modern equivalent of asking "a/s/l"? If that happened in a kids movie back then I would have raised an eyebrow, too :lol: It's very "we studied kids online behaviour to understand what they want, so how do you do fellow kids?" Nothing but pandering to an online crowd.

I have met people who ID as "divers" irl since I live in Germany and we have this recognized officially on papers. None of them stated it to my face upon meeting them, they didn't tell me pronouns. They just said "hi, I'm *insert name*" like a normal person in real life would :lol:

That being said, I wonder what the new cartoon will be like. I hope they get a bigger budget than this movie got for FX and costumes.

Post Merge: July 03, 2022, 04:37:27 AM

Oh, almost forgot... since I am on a roll bashing this movie for looking cheap:

https://www.syfy.com/face-off/photos/spotlight-challenge-monster-high#209392

This is what special FX make-up artists did with the MH theme on SyFy's show Face off. Some of these designs that artists came up with on the spot look better than what is presented in this movie. They look close to the original characters, too. Some of the people in the movie look like Halloween cosplay.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on July 03, 2022, 05:36:07 AM
I disagree that a/s/l is the same as pronouns, that is quite frankly a different ball park entirely. A/S/L is for cyberchat in an adult context and a good indication of what thw questioner wants. Pronouns is just simply stating preference, and it can be a HUGE asset to avoid misgendering. My first name is genderless, I put she/her in my email signature to indicate I am female, and I imagine it would be extremely useful for those with genderless, ambigious, or names that are not commonly heard and have no gender typically associated with it. Leslie/Lesley is a very good example, I've met both male and female Lesleys and always hesitate with pronouns until an indication ia given.

So, in this context Frankie is female presenting so  they want to get it right from the start with Clawdeen by clarifying they prefer they/them, which is cool, and Clawdeen also clarifies she prefers she/her. It's simply pronouns, nothing more, they aren't graphically explaining why they prefer those pronouns or whats in their pants, I am all for pronouns being normalised. My old name was CONSTANTLY leading to me being misgendered, so I am 100% on board with this.

And yes, I do meet people irl who introduce themselves with names and pronouns, especially in LGBT+ spaces, and I see pronouns in my work and private emails as well as have mine in my signatures
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Carrehz on July 03, 2022, 10:44:09 AM
Huh, I guess if the actor is trans then that's why they changed Frankie? I'm just confused if this means they've changed the character overall or if this is just for the live action film. It looks like this film has a lot of other stuff that's wildly different (Lagoona is pretty much unrecognizable) so... ???? maybe it's just for the film? I dunno.

I'm tired of this new film already, I just want to see the dolls :P
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on July 03, 2022, 11:02:16 AM
WILL there be new dolls released in time for the movie? Or tie-in dolls? It kinda feels like a feeler for how interested people are in MH, which is sad because the film doesn't showcase what made MH so popular in the first place

EDIT: I looked at the trailer again, why is Lagoona the only one with her skin colour not put in? Everyone else who has inhuman skin tones like Lala, Frankie, Ghoulia, Heath and Abbey have the right or roughtly right tone, why is 'Goona not ... Blue?!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Esbayne on July 04, 2022, 10:29:07 AM

The obviously Normie teacher. He's a VERY good candidate for Jackson Jekyll/Holt Hyde and I am betting that's who he is supposed to be. If they make him Viktor 'Sparky' Frankenstein I'm calling nonsense.

According to IMDb his name is "Mr. Komos."

Interestingly, Operetta is also on the page, but listed as uncredited.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1447981/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm


Personal opinion- I think this looks like a train wreck. XD
The costumes are.... So embarrassing, and I don't get the design choice for Lagoona. I will say Abbey looks pretty good, but she doesn't look like Abbey. I thought it was Ghoulia in a different outfit at first.
The Lagoona roar was... also SO embarrassing lol, I'm hoping that's not a done special effect but the fact it's in the trailer makes me think otherwise. Again, didn't even realize that was Lagoona, thought it was Clawdeen because.... WHY is she not blue???
I'm also willing to bet Ghoulia talks, because I've seen several screencaps of her that looked like she was mid-sentence, and I don't get why Draculaura's a sorceress now..? It seems like they watered down all their personalities, and then stuck random extra stuff in to pad it out, lol.

I haven't been particularly impressed by the dolls, either- I love the collectors' but Dracula was *very* underwhelming, especially for the price- and the HC ones just don't tickle my fancy enough for their price & quality, either- not to mention distribution/quantity issues.

It just doesn't seem to gel with MH's original message of being freaky-fabulous, I don't know what they're going for in this story. Plus, we covered the 'there's a normie in here' aspect in Ghouls Rule; it was Jackson, and he IS technically a monster, just with a normie side.

I have to agree with this.
It does also feel very "how do you do, fellow kids?" I saw from another post above.

Post Merge: July 04, 2022, 03:54:44 PM

Just saw it’s been confirmed Ghoulia talks normally.
Oof.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Carrehz on July 05, 2022, 07:02:10 AM
Re: Operetta, I'd take that with a grain of salt unless you can find it somewhere else, since anyone can add stuff to IMDB.

Lagoona feels like they're trying to ape Rainbow High and those sort of dolls - she'd look right at home in those doll lines. It's not even that it's a bad design, it's just.... not Lagoona? At all??? I don't get why they didn't just make that one a new character. The others mostly look different too but they're still at least somewhat recognizeable. (Well except Deuce.. WHAT happened to him!!)

I don't get the sorceress thing either... Why does she have to be a vampire AND a witch? If they wanted a witch char why not bring Casta back, or again just make a new character? She feels more like a Bratzillaz character honestly. (Lol, didn't a lot of the Bratzillaz have two-coloured hair with the colours split down the middle, too?)

Just saw it’s been confirmed Ghoulia talks normally.
Oof.

What!!!!! Are you freaking kidding me!!!

edit: Whoops, forgot to reply to this one before, sorry.

WILL there be new dolls released in time for the movie? Or tie-in dolls? It kinda feels like a feeler for how interested people are in MH, which is sad because the film doesn't showcase what made MH so popular in the first place

There was a leak of a new Cleo floating around recently (I don't have the pic to hand atm) and I've heard rumours of leaked product listings etc but not sure how much stock to put into those. But there are playline dolls coming up, yeah. I haven't heard if there'll be movie dolls or if the new dolls will be out in time for the movie though.

Also apparently the movie's leaked, I don't know where to find it though.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Wardah on July 10, 2022, 11:58:54 PM
I don't get the sorceress thing either... Why does she have to be a vampire AND a witch? If they wanted a witch char why not bring Casta back, or again just make a new character? She feels more like a Bratzillaz character honestly. (Lol, didn't a lot of the Bratzillaz have two-coloured hair with the colours split down the middle, too?)

The idea of a witch being a type of monster is kinda offensive to people who practice witchcraft irl. (Which is actually really trendy these days) At least they are treating it as a human thing here.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Carrehz on July 11, 2022, 05:16:23 AM
I just realized who the new Lagoona reminds me of... She's a dead ringer for Radia Rainbowfish (https://enchantimals.fandom.com/wiki/Radia_Rainbow_Fish/merchandise) from Enchantimals. Hmm.

Anyway, new doll leak:

http://venivididolli.blogspot.com/2022/07/news-monster-high.html

From what I understand, one of the Mattel staff put this on their site and then I guess took it down, but yeah it's legit.

Would like to see more photos before I make any real judgements.... but Draculaura looks cute (though man what's with that giant Lydia Deetz hat?), Clawdeen isn't bad but definitely not Clawdeen (looks more like a younger Clawdia tbh) - hate the giant glasses - I don't mind her having glasses in general (again, makes her seem more like Clawdia, but I could get on board with it) but I'm just not a fan of giant glasses in general. Wolf nose is cute. I dunno, she's cute in her own right but really doesn't look like Clawdeen, more like a sister or something.

Not a fan of this Frankie at all... she (they? still not clear on if that's just for the movie or if they've changed pronouns across the board... confusing) looks too real somehow?? like, the face reminds me of those "live action movie" dolls you get if that makes sense... not a fan... and why is she grey?? and no neckbolts?? wha..

Disappointing that it looks like the classic-style MH molds are only going to be used for the collector dolls. :/
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: starrynights on July 11, 2022, 04:52:24 PM
I...I actually think I really like them. I like their faces a lot. I hope the rumor of a Toralei being made is true. Hopefully she won't be all smiles though
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: PastelSnake on July 13, 2022, 11:04:33 PM
The Nickelodeon Facebook Page shared this:

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I like how the characters look more... diverse? Same with the dolls. I really dig Draculaura and Cleo looks pretty too. Toralei looking really feisty! I do hope we'll get Abbey too at some point...
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Carrehz on July 14, 2022, 11:54:27 AM
Well, they were pretty diverse before.

I can't stop laughing at how close Lagoona is to that Enchantimals design. |D Like damn. Apparently she's Latina now, not Australian? Weird change - why not just make Skelita more prominent? No idea why they've changed Lagoona so much, at this point she might as well be a whole new character. Very odd.

is that a Golbat on Deuce's shirt? XD

Heath looks REALLY weird, like he's from a whole other show - he reminds me of those weird, cheap-looking CGI European cartoons that pop up on Boomerang (and sometimes Cartoon Network over here) - dunno if that explanation'll make sense to anyone but me, but that's where my brain immediately went, lol. I mean he looks more like Heath than the live action version, that one was completely off, but like, art style-wise he looks different to the others? hm. Something about Cleo looks off too, can't put my finger on it.

Where's Ghoulia?

I've heard rumours that Ghoulia and Toralei are both getting Walmart-exclusive dolls - dunno if it's legit - just passing on the gossip. I'm surprised to see Toralei here so early on. Looks like they've taken the notch out of her ear? :/ Her face markings are different too by the looks of it. Also it feels like they took away some of her edge, but ALL of them feel like that so I guess they're just being consistent. They're not bad designs, per se, but they're very "safe", not what I'd have expected from Monster High. Maybe they're just playing it safe for now until they know whether or not it'll be a hit, I dunno.

Still don't get the Witch Draculaura thing, though.

Also I found that leak of the new Cleo doll so here it is:

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What I heard was that this is legit, but it may be a mock-up or test doll and so the final doll may be different... again, I don't know anything concrete, I'm just passing on what I've heard here. Anyway, I love the canopic jar-esque drink cup, that's a fantastic detail. The pet is cute (I'm a sucker for Anubis), but what happened to Hissette...?

Gah, I hope we get proper photos of the dolls soon!!! It's hard to really form a proper opinion just from these tiny/leaked photos and cartoon pictures.

edit: Woop, speak of the devil. Deuce photo! Source is doll.girle @ Instagram.

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Not much into the boys, but he looks good! And oh, it's a snake on his shirt, that makes sense XD
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: SweetNightmare on July 14, 2022, 02:55:19 PM
Really don't like what they're doing with Frankie, I was mostly planning on buying her but gosh, the shaved head, too many colors on her outfit (the leaked doll didn't look that good) and male voice actor? No thank you.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on July 14, 2022, 03:28:14 PM
Really don't like what they're doing with Frankie, I was mostly planning on buying her but gosh, the shaved head, too many colors on her outfit (the leaked doll didn't look that good) and male voice actor? No thank you.

Iris isn't male, Iris is non-binary.

The doll looks interesting for Cleo, Lagoona's changes are still baffling to me. Still looks a lot better than the live action across the board so far, I'll probably be another luddite that prefers G1 but hey, any new gen won't take away from the gen I adore. Again, WHERE GHOULIA??
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Carrehz on July 15, 2022, 07:10:32 AM
Thing is that it's not even that I hate the new Lagoona - well the cartoon one at least :p the live action design isn't bad in and of itself but it's not remotely monster-like. The live action designs in general are so bad though. No, the cartoon design is nice in general, but it's so different that I don't get why they didn't just go ahead and make her a whole new character!

I saw a post somewhere that said she looks a lot like the little sister G2 gave Lagoona (I forget the name... Ebbie? Kelpie? The Howleen-aged sister), and omg they're right XD She's her but with Nefera's hairdo.

I also saw some people saying this gen feels like it's skewing younger than previous gens, I think that's what I haven't been able to put my finger on. It does feel younger.

Yeah so far I definitely prefer G1, but I don't feel "OMGHATEKILLITWITHFIRE!!!" about G3 either, if that makes sense?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Zapper on July 15, 2022, 11:32:33 AM
I don't look here for a few days and all of a sudden there is a doll leak, character design reveals for the cartoon and more! Wow.

I am positively surprised by Clawdeen (cute wolfy look, unlike the Halloweenstore version in the movie). Lala and Cleo look cute and Cleo is darker now?
I still need to go "hmmm" on the dolls for a while longer. Heath is just weird. Also he is the son of Hades now? Is this a link to Deuce being the son of Medusa? Medusa was a woman cursed to become a monster, the theme fits. But Hades is no monster, it's a place. And well, a deity. This is C.A. Cupid "daughter of Eros" stretching it. They couldn't have thought of a fire related monster, like a dragon?

Lagoona is a big no. Pink skin, just no :lol:

Frankie being grey instead of green is also a no from me. These things might sound like nitpicks but Frankie being green was a cute nod to the Hammer version of Frankenstein's monster. I'm also not doing the "you have to refer to Frankie as plural now!" - my brain just can't handle it. If you feel outraged by this, just imagine I am referring to Frankie of yesteryear. She looks female, too, in cartoon form. If I hadn't seen the voice actor I wouldn't have known. It's like Tina and Linda from Bob's Burgers. Voices don't always have to match what you see on screen, ya feel?

Also hope that Clawdeen can be gay now, as intended. Clawdeen deserves finally having her romance subplot.

Also read in an article that Toralai is now an uppercrust monster purist. Don't make me root for Toralai, Nickelodeon... HADES IS NO MONSTER. Kick Heath! :lol:
Looks like they fused Gory and G1 Tora to get G3 Tora.

PS: Talking about G3 in regards to MH feels so weird, heh. The franchise isn't that old.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Carrehz on July 15, 2022, 12:45:29 PM
I can't quite get used to using the generation terms for MH either x) It still feels like G1 came out yesterday.

I didn't know they'd changed Heath's parentage, that's really weird. Especially changing it to Hades of all things, do they WANT to get the crazy soccer moms on their backs shrieking about "references to the devil!!111" or other such nonsense? :P I can understand changing his parents to something more specific than "uhhh fire elemental" but why not just make him a salamander or somesuch? =_= I wish they'd stop having deities as parents... I still think having Posea be the 'daughter of Poseidon' was pushing it - at least they handwaved C.A. eventually by saying she was adopted.

What's throwing me off about Cleo's new skintone is that it almost looks like she's literally bronze, like a statue. Shiny. Not sure if that's what they're going for or if the lighting/shining/whatever in that pic is just a bit off or w/e. I mean I guess it'd be interesting if she IS meant to be like a statue now, I just want to know if that *is* the idea or if I'm just seeing things :P
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: brightberry on July 15, 2022, 03:20:14 PM
I really like Deuce's new look. 

I like the others too but kind of miss their drama faces.  Which is funny because I hated those faces at first.  Those dolls were judging me.  Of course they grew on me and I'm sure these will too if I let them.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: BubbleTea on July 15, 2022, 04:55:15 PM
Quote
I'm also not doing the "you have to refer to Frankie as plural now!" - my brain just can't handle it.

In english "they" isn't necessarily plural, it can also be used to refer to someone of an unspecified gender, and in this case, g3 Frankie doesn't have a gender.

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anyways, I think this reboot is fine. It could be much worse (flashbacks to g2). I also really like Lagoona! Even though blue makes more sense for her, I do like her in pink. I just don't like her hoodie lol  >_<
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 04/06 Skullector Dracula!
Post by: Zapper on July 16, 2022, 10:17:46 AM
What's throwing me off about Cleo's new skintone is that it almost looks like she's literally bronze, like a statue. Shiny. Not sure if that's what they're going for or if the lighting/shining/whatever in that pic is just a bit off or w/e. I mean I guess it'd be interesting if she IS meant to be like a statue now, I just want to know if that *is* the idea or if I'm just seeing things :P

The cartoon has some of them with different skintones to the dolls, which is weird. I just now noticed that cartoon Frankie is more blueish when her doll is grey. Cleo's doll looks more pale than the cartoon version, even with the light shining at her she'd be darker if they had went with the cartoon look. Too bad, a dark shimmery Cleo would have been interesting.

Also, are my eyes deceiving me or are her leg wraps stark white on the doll? Looks like she broke a leg.

PS: Justice for Hissette. It was actually dark and kinda twisted that Cleo had a pet snake when the historical Cleopatra died by snakebite and Cleo is undead, technically. I always liked her pet the most.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 16/07 Deuce/Cleo doll leaks, new cartoon designs
Post by: Carrehz on July 17, 2022, 07:18:04 AM
The subtle in-jokes like that were one of my favourite things about MH. Like Deuce's pet being named Perseus "after someone Mom used to know, she doesn't find it funny". I never made that connection with Hissette before! I love it.

They're being really inconsistent with Frankie's skintone... and yeah I think a shimmery/shiny Cleo doll would've been interesting too. It's weird how inconsistent/all-over-the-place the designs are atm, I guess they're still ironing out everything.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 16/07 Deuce/Cleo doll leaks, new cartoon designs
Post by: Lady Frostbite on July 17, 2022, 11:05:08 AM
We're all forgetting that Hissette is actually one of Deuce's mom's first grey hairs, so it's extra sweet! Monster High was also a fan of some of the more morbid sides of the monster theme, such as Frankie's bodyparts flying off.

If I could ban one thing, it would be making children or connections to Greek Gods. It's BORING and TRITE, do something else!!!!!

It's interesting there's no siblings out yet ... I am disappointed in Lagoona, I respected her sporty nature that was different from the Fearleading Squad and of course the pun about her Australian accent because she's 'from Down Under' (LOL). Now she's just another rainbow mermaid thing, close to Meeshell from EAH.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 16/07 Deuce/Cleo doll leaks, new cartoon designs
Post by: Carrehz on July 18, 2022, 04:22:56 AM
I didn't know that about Hissette! That's adorable. I guess they've broken up Cleo and Deuce so there's no need for a connection there... or at least, they'd broken up in the Haunt Couture diaries... Not sure what to think of that, it's weird since HC was definitely in the G1 continuity but G3 is its own thing? So I dunno why they put that detail in the new diaries... idk maybe they have plans for it further down the line.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 16/07 Deuce/Cleo doll leaks, new cartoon designs
Post by: Zapper on July 18, 2022, 07:48:52 AM
I guess they've broken up Cleo and Deuce so there's no need for a connection there... or at least, they'd broken up in the Haunt Couture diaries...

This is sad. Monster High diary canon was my favorite and I still have most of the booklets even though it's easy to look them up online nowadays. It would be interesting if a second wave of HC would get made and there was some conclusion to this? Lol, I'm an adult but I care about my favorite doll couple. To me this is worse than the time Mattel made Barbie date that surfer guy and kick Ken to the curb :lol: :P
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 16/07 Deuce/Cleo doll leaks, new cartoon designs
Post by: Carrehz on July 18, 2022, 09:58:21 AM
I'm sad to see them broken up too!! At first I thought "okay, they seem to be leading up to something here, let's just see where they're going with it..." but then G3 turned out to be a reboot/separate continuity/whatever, so now I don't know WHAT to think. They were MH's power couple, they were together right from the start!! I hope there is a second wave of HC that wraps the story up somehow :(

Post Merge: July 19, 2022, 09:43:31 AM

(Sorry for the double-post)

SDCC 2022 Frankie (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/2609-mattel-san-diego-comic-con-2022-monster-high-exclusives.html)

B+W version of Power Ghouls Frankie (Voltageous). She's nice enough but not my thing personally, I didn't really care for the original Voltageous either though. Kinda burned out on the black-and-white versions of the dolls too. But it's cool to see we're getting a SDCC doll already, I guess. She's pretty, just not my style.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 19/07 SDCC B+W Voltageous Frankie
Post by: Zapper on July 23, 2022, 01:41:29 PM
SDCC 2022 Frankie (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/2609-mattel-san-diego-comic-con-2022-monster-high-exclusives.html)

B+W version of Power Ghouls Frankie (Voltageous). She's nice enough but not my thing personally, I didn't really care for the original Voltageous either though. Kinda burned out on the black-and-white versions of the dolls too. But it's cool to see we're getting a SDCC doll already, I guess. She's pretty, just not my style.

I actually really like this. Once again amazing box design! MH making a SDCC return is a good sign. Let's see whether they'll be smart enough to keep the G1 a.k.a. Skullector bodies and heads for the future...
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 16/07 Deuce/Cleo doll leaks, new cartoon designs
Post by: Lady Frostbite on July 23, 2022, 02:42:18 PM
I'm sad to see them broken up too!! At first I thought "okay, they seem to be leading up to something here, let's just see where they're going with it..." but then G3 turned out to be a reboot/separate continuity/whatever, so now I don't know WHAT to think. They were MH's power couple, they were together right from the start!! I hope there is a second wave of HC that wraps the story up somehow :(

Post Merge: July 19, 2022, 09:43:31 AM

(Sorry for the double-post)

SDCC 2022 Frankie (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/2609-mattel-san-diego-comic-con-2022-monster-high-exclusives.html)

B+W version of Power Ghouls Frankie (Voltageous). She's nice enough but not my thing personally, I didn't really care for the original Voltageous either though. Kinda burned out on the black-and-white versions of the dolls too. But it's cool to see we're getting a SDCC doll already, I guess. She's pretty, just not my style.

I quite like it! I always loved the B&W Skull Shores doll, so this looks really good. I won't be getting it because I'm not a Frankie collector, but really hoping it sells well!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 19/07 SDCC B+W Voltageous Frankie
Post by: Carrehz on July 24, 2022, 06:51:53 AM
I was pleasantly surprised to see them back at SDCC already :) I hope they keep that up.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 19/07 SDCC B+W Voltageous Frankie
Post by: Carrehz on July 28, 2022, 09:21:40 AM
Oh I keep forgetting to post this...

Haunt Couture Lagoona and Cleo were shown off at SDCC:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CgSEguZuUzh/

No release date yet as far as I know.

Not as impressed with them as I was with the first three HC dolls (they're good but I don't think they're quite "collector doll" level) but I might need to get Cleo... waiting on more photos in better lighting before I make a decision either way.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 28/07 SDCC previews: HC Lagoona and Cleo
Post by: Lady Frostbite on July 28, 2022, 11:09:40 AM
Is it just me or does Cleo's face look ... 'off' for Cleo? A comment mentions she looks like a EAH doll and I kinda agree
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 28/07 SDCC previews: HC Lagoona and Cleo
Post by: Carrehz on July 28, 2022, 01:46:08 PM
I thought it looked weird, too - not bad but not Cleo - but I didn't want to say anything until we had better photos. The lighting at SDCC was soooo bad X_X
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 28/07 SDCC previews: HC Lagoona and Cleo
Post by: Zapper on August 03, 2022, 06:24:34 AM
I've been trying real hard to find good photos of the new HC dolls but all I could find were grainy youtube videos with annoying commentary full of yaaaas gurrrrl talk. The instagram link isn't working for me :(

Of what I could see I like them but they are thankfully not must-haves. I was afraid I'd love Cleo so much I'd have to hunt her down, but phew!

Btw, I read rumors that Deuce and Clawdeen are dating in the new movie and o - m - g please don't. I know the original diary canon mentioned Clawdeen briefly being with Deuce but can we please make this girl a lesbian now after 10+ years of Mattel not being okay with it? Geez. Hope it's not true.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 28/07 SDCC previews: HC Lagoona and Cleo
Post by: freezestime on August 03, 2022, 08:47:44 AM
I think Cleo and Lagoona are using their G2 faces, unlike the first wave of HC
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 28/07 SDCC previews: HC Lagoona and Cleo
Post by: Carrehz on August 07, 2022, 08:43:50 AM
https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/2417-new-monster-high-2022-dolls-masterpost-collector-new-core-plasets-and-more.html

The new Coffin Bean playset has been found, no photos of the playset itself yet (? Not on that site, at least) but that page has lots of photos of the box, which also have a good view of the new G3 dolls!! I like these MUCH better than the last few leaks we've seen - they've toned down the eye size which was really bugging me - Frankie still looks a bit "off" to me (can't put my finger on it, she just looks weirdly proportioned to me somehow? don't think it's her prosthetic.. which is a cool idea, I love them giving a prosthetic limb to a major character!! Don't much care for how her name is scribbled across it though, that's a bit weird) - but the others look great, I love Draculaura's sideglance and Clawdeen's freckles. Lagoona having a gradient on her legs is a cool idea... I like this design in general, it just still doesn't feel like Lagoona to me, you know? I wish they'd just made this design a new character altogether.

I still miss the skinny noodle bodies but I understand that's not the style these days, as long as they keep 'em for the Skullector dolls then I don't mind. :p

The pets are cute, kinda generic, but cute. I like the kitty thing.

I must say though - WHAT went wrong with the box art?!?! That's so ugly!!! I don't get it, usually Mattel's box art looks good even if the doll itself isn't up to much.

Also I might as well copy/paste the list of other dolls that are coming out, not sure where this info first came from but it's been floating around for a while, so I think it's legit?

Quote
Deuce Gorgon doll (Amazon exclusive)
Ghoulia Yelps doll (Target exclusive)
Toralei Stripe doll (Walmart exclusive)
Frankie and Deuce 2 pack doll set
Creepover Party dolls
Skulltimate Secrets dolls

Gore-ganizer with Draculaura doll
This Monster High doll and playset inspires spooktastic storytelling and styling play with a posable Monster High doll, lots of accessories that inspire storytelling and styling play, and a carrying case with a monsterric look and a compartments to help keep pieces organized.

Beauty salon playset with Lagoona Blue doll
This Monster High doll and beauty playset inspires spooktastic styling for both the doll and kids with hair chalk and 20+ hair accessories that fit into the included shell-shaped case. The doll wears a fintastic loungewear look and has a face mask and an eye mask for spa day play.

Monster High Bedroom Playset
Monster High car playset 2022
(no descs for these two)
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 09/08 Lots of new G3 photos!!
Post by: Carrehz on August 09, 2022, 10:53:45 AM
That link above now also has LOTS of in-hand photos of G3 Draculaura, as well as stock photos of 3 Creepover Party dolls (it also now says there'll be a Twyla in the line too?!? :O Ooooh.. oh yeah I can see her on the boxart now! omg her bunny ears ;A;) and 2 budgets!!

Quick thoughts:
- Very glad Frankie is back to being properly green instead of that weird grey colour they had her as before
- I repeat: GOD the box art is so ugly!! It looks really cheap and bad, more like placeholder art than finalized packaging artwork. Really not sure what happened here :( It doesn't match the dolls at ALL and usually Mattel has good box art? the heck??
- Pleasantly surprised to see the Creepover dolls also come with their pets, wow. The dolls themselves are pretty meh, definitely not as cute as the classic Dead Tired dolls. They also look budget-y to me, which would be fine if it wasn't for the fact that these are more deluxe-scale prices I think..
- They really have no idea how to make Count Fabulous look like a bat, huh. Eagerly anticipating more photos of my favourite pet Crescent. Watzit is still a frankenpuppy, but otherwise looks totally different and is called "Watzie" now?? I don't get it, why the change. I guess it makes it easier to differentiate between the two though.
- The budget Clawdeen looks GOOD, they've struck that sweet spot where the dolls still look cute and fashionable while still keeping it a budget model. I always liked the idea of the budget dolls, but the old ones tended to be pretty boring and cheap-looking. Budget Frankie looks a bit knockoff-y to me? Something about her face. They seem to be going back and forth a lot on what exactly she should look like.

Hope we get pix of Twyla too, I didn't expect her to be back so soon. Ahhh I missed this, the sudden flood of new info out of the blue <3 <3 <3
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 09/08 Lots of new G3 photos!!
Post by: brightberry on August 31, 2022, 07:47:16 PM
OOooo I love the new B&W dolls.  I hope I actually find them.  I never saw any of the Creeproducions.  It was disappointing.

I think these come out in October.
https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/2591-monster-high-black-white-dolls-2022.html
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 09/08 Lots of new G3 photos!!
Post by: Carrehz on September 01, 2022, 01:03:35 PM
Yessss they're gorgeous!! I really REALLY want that Clawdeen. I love how they come with their pets, and how their hair is longer to the original dolls, really makes them stand out more.

I never saw the Creeproductions, either :( I think Mattel's UK website had them in stock for like 5 minutes.. but so far I've yet to see any of the new dolls in an actual brick-and-mortar store.

Photos of G3 Lagoona have FINALLY popped up (top of the page) and there's some pics of the new Toralei too (lower down, probably easiest if you just CTRL+F to find it):
https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/2417-new-monster-high-2022-dolls-masterpost-collector-new-core-plasets-and-more.html

Lagoona is noticeably different to the prototype shown on the Coffin Bean box, that's a bit disappointing. Sad to see she doesn't have webbed hands now :( And I get why she has scales on her head, but they still look weird to me.. it feels like they're not sure what to do with her, her clothes are all different colourschemes and it's all a bit odd, like they're trying to do 20 things at once. Still don't get why they didn't just make her a new character. And man they wrecked poor Neptuna, she looks sooo weird now..

Toralei... hm... well you have to keep in mind, the werecats are my favourite characters, so I'm gonna be picky... I think she's nice in general but really doesn't feel like Tora! She feels very "unfinished" too, she really needs some stockings or leggings or SOMEthing to bring it all together. And WHERE ARE HER STRIPES!!! Two barely-visible stripes mostly hidden by her hair just isn't gonna cut it!! She looks weirdly bare without her stripes. :/ Clothes remind me of those Wild Hearts Crew dolls... and is Sweet Fangs just straight-up a recycled Cave Crew pet mold??? she looks a LOT like the pets from that line... googled around a bit and couldn't find any CC pets that matched, but damn if she doesn't look like a misplaced CC pet.. the aesthetic of the pets this gen is so weird, they don't look bad but they don't really look like they belong with the dolls, either? They look like they're from another line.

It seems like they've merged all the werecats together... Toralei has a microphone (Catty) and a beauty mark (Catrine).. have seen some folks say her hairline reminds them of the twins too, which yeah I can sorta see. Very odd... and it looks like she's in a band now? Hissfits.. is that a Jem ref (Misfits)??

Also I miss the notch in her ear. :( I don't get it, the other dolls have lots of molded AND painted details on them, why skimp on the painted details for Toralei...? :/ I do like her in general but ngl she's disappointing compared to the other G3 dolls.

edit: Also there's some weird-looking new plushies at the bottom of that page, not really a fan of those.

Also
https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/2562-monster-high-micro-figures-dolls-from-super-impulse.html
Tiny MH figures!! Eeeeeee. I wish Draculaura had her hair streaks (if they can do it for Frankie...) but otherwise these look really good.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 09/08 Lots of new G3 photos!!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on September 01, 2022, 01:53:35 PM
The pictures are still loading for me, bear with me!

I don't get why Frankie is Abbey blue rather than ... well, Frankie coloured

I don't like what they did to 'Goona :c This is not the saltie I liked!

I LOVE the addition of the prosthetic leg on Frankie tho! Inclusive AND fits her backstory!

I DON'T like Clawdeens big oversized eyes :C :C :C :C :C NOOOO

Cleo looks good, but her eyes seem a little off-colour? Like they're sunfaded or poorly colour printed or like she's ... dead?

Thats ... not ... Toralei??? That's literally Caterine De Mew?????

I'm not feelin' it :c Still doesn't seem to get the creepy-cool feel of the original. I'll still watch for an Abbey or Catty Noir. I'm very sad for Lagoona's complete redesign

Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 09/08 Lots of new G3 photos!!
Post by: Ponyrama_95 on September 02, 2022, 04:59:38 AM
does anyone know if the MH Reef Drama dolls will be a Target exclusive? or will they be sold on the mattel website?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 09/08 Lots of new G3 photos!!
Post by: Carrehz on September 02, 2022, 07:30:26 AM
I'm not a fan of Frankie's new colour, either - in general, not just compared to the original mint green. It just doesn't look good to me.

Re: Lagoona, honestly idk why they didn't just make her a whole new character. Apparently she's now Latina instead of Australian, so like... you've changed her this much, just go the full mile and give her a new name. I saw some peeps point out that "Lagoona Pink" looks pretty similar to Kelpie (G2 Lagoona's little sister) so... why not just make it her? Gah. I dunno. The design itself is okay (not my style, but to be fair, G1 Lagoona was never one of my favourites either), a bit too cluttered with various elements, but okay... but it's just Not Lagoona.

for Cleo's eyes, it looks like they're glossy/shiny like her body is? it's a bit weird, it does make her look dead. which maybe is the point since... well, technically she is? ^^; If that was the intention then I could get on board with it, I guess. It looks weird but it's not a dealbreaker for me.

See I really do like this Toralei in general, I just hate it as a "Toralei" doll, if that makes sense. She's a great generic werecat but she's just not Tora. Although I did see more pics of her today and it turns out she DOES still have stripes on one arm and leg, they just packaged her in a way that hid her leg stripes lol. So fair enough there, I still wish she had some face stripes though :/ Swap out the beauty mark for some stripes (nothing against the beauty mark, but that's Catrine's thing!) and I'd like her a lot better.

I agree that these still don't quite hit the mark for me, either. They're better than the first prototypes that popped up but they still feel a bit too.... safe? They just don't have the edge that old MH did. I get that they're not gonna be 100% the same as G1, cause y'know it's a different year, trends, etc have changed, they need to keep up with the times etc etc BUT I still think they're just missing that certain something.

does anyone know if the MH Reef Drama dolls will be a Target exclusive? or will they be sold on the mattel website?

I don't think they've said how these are going to be released yet, I hope they're not exclusives though, or if they are, that they're easier to get a hold of than the Creeproductions. I reeeally want that Clawdeen <33
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 09/08 Lots of new G3 photos!!
Post by: Mori_LeStrange on September 21, 2022, 11:38:54 AM
does anyone know if the MH Reef Drama dolls will be a Target exclusive? or will they be sold on the mattel website?

They are not exclusives. I haven't seen them in physical stores yet. But both Entertainment Earth and Big Bad Toy store has listings for the Reel Drama dolls. Pre-orders are sold out right now on both. But it looks like they should be in stock in October.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 09/08 Lots of new G3 photos!!
Post by: Carrehz on September 21, 2022, 02:04:32 PM
More news!

Stock photos for Reel Drama (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/2591-monster-high-black-white-dolls-2022.html)
Haunt Couture Cleo and Lagoona (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/2378-monster-high-collector-2022-re-release-of-core-dolls.html) in case anyone missed 'em

But also GHOULIA!
Youloveit has photos (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/2417-new-monster-high-2022-dolls-masterpost-collector-new-core-plasets-and-more.html), CTRL + F or scroll down to find Ghoulia. (There's also finally official stock/promo photos of everyone else, as well as confirmation that Clawdeen's pet Crescent IS still a kitty - I was wondering about that. She looks more like a fox now.)

She's.... green? (Is this why Frankie's blue now?) Again I'm getting Enchantimals vibes from a G3 MH redesign; she almost reminds me of Tamika Tree Frog (https://enchantimals.fandom.com/wiki/Tamika_Tree_Frog). She's a skater now? I guess?? To be fair, I suppose they were never really consistent with her fashion sense (or whatever you'd call it) in G1. I don't know. She's cute, I guess, but she's just not Ghoulia. I do like her accessories though (glad to see brain puffs and DeadFast making a return) and the new Sir Hootsalot is really sweet.

There's also a new Frankie/Deuce Coffin Bean-themed 2 pack, which is okay. The best part of it IMO is Perseus and his little motorbike :lmao: Best part of G3 so far!
And also a Ghoul Spirit 6 pack. I'm glad to see another Toralei and Deuce (3 boy dolls right off the bat is nice), but my god, those outfits are ugly XD What a hot mess. Not only are they ugly, but there's no cohesive theme to them or anything, they don't look like a set. They just look like they tossed a bunch of random dolls together... I would not know this was meant to be a sports/cheerleading themed set if I hadn't seen the box. And WHERE are Deuce's glasses?!?!?

Also take a close look at the stock pics for Sig Clawdeen. They've made a running change to her so there's two versions: The first version has crescent moons and pawprints all over her shirt, while the new release has stripes and full(?) moons. I think her face-up is slightly different too. Weird that we're seeing changes like this already. I'll keep an eye out for comparison photos.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: brightberry on September 21, 2022, 02:09:53 PM
I think the g3 looks pretty good.  I don’t know if I will actually buy any but, I love how sassy Draculaura looks.


I hope I can get the Reel monsters.  They look so amazing.  I totally missed the pre-sale.  So, hoping they show up in my stores.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Lady Frostbite on September 22, 2022, 08:49:55 AM
Ghoulias pic didn't.load??

EDIT: They loaded on a browser at home. I'm just happy she's here if I'm honest, I felt like she did have a style that was almost 50's -ish but not as Rockabilly as Operetta, I'm not sure if I can articulate it properly here. I think the skateboard will be the logical extension of the scooter; something that lets her get about quickly due to her zombie-speed gait without looking out of place in the halls of MH.

I don't feel the new faces at all, and the revamp 'Goona got still makes me sad :c I had a quick look at the animation, it's like a hybrid of 3D and stop-motion and slightly weirded me out

Reel Monsters look SO GOOD!!!!!

EDIT: I really think I'll need to get ALL members of this, I REALLY hope they release all six original ghouls (YES INCLUDING GHOULIA) and I really really REALLY super-hope we get characters like Abbey as well! I would KILL for a Catty Noir in this style!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: alkevin on September 22, 2022, 11:18:46 AM
Lagoona doll reminds me of Andrea from Reboot.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Crystal-Sushi on September 22, 2022, 08:06:52 PM

EDIT: I really think I'll need to get ALL members of this, I REALLY hope they release all six original ghouls (YES INCLUDING GHOULIA) and I really really REALLY super-hope we get characters like Abbey as well! I would KILL for a Catty Noir in this style![/color]

Well Abbey's trademark has just been renewed, along with a few others (most random being Hexiciah, Robecca's dad!) but if this is for G3 or a new Creeproduction we'll have to wait and see~!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Taffeta on September 23, 2022, 12:34:23 AM
I'm just catching up on this, and I am not really sure what to make of Lagoona - I like the doll but I don't see Lagoona in it. I'm not sure if I'm going to be going after these at all, and I agree with the stuff Carrehz said about Ghoulia - she has a particular look that this doll doesn't have. But I am glad that she's part of the line. Depending on what they do to her in terms of character/if they do animation with her.

Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Carrehz on September 23, 2022, 07:26:09 AM
I was hoping you'd see the update Taffeta, I know you're a Ghoulia fan :) Yeah I'm glad to see her, but this new doll is... it's like how I feel about Lagoona Pink, she's cute but she's just so different idk why they didn't just make her a new character.

I hope we get photos of G3 Twyla soon... I'm really anxious to see her. She was one of my favourites.


EDIT: I really think I'll need to get ALL members of this, I REALLY hope they release all six original ghouls (YES INCLUDING GHOULIA) and I really really REALLY super-hope we get characters like Abbey as well! I would KILL for a Catty Noir in this style![/color]

Well Abbey's trademark has just been renewed, along with a few others (most random being Hexiciah, Robecca's dad!) but if this is for G3 or a new Creeproduction we'll have to wait and see~!

Oooh exciting news! :O And wow, Hexiciah, he's a character I didn't expect to see again. That's really interesting.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Taffeta on September 23, 2022, 12:39:53 PM
It suggests them digging into Robecca's background a bit :D

Yeah, I am so bad at checking this forum :'( but I'm glad I saw it. I do feel a little vindicated about Ghoulia returning, but if she starts speaking in standard English then it will probably bother me.

I don't want to comment too much on the others given that I'm sure they're observations people have already made all the way up the thread, but is there a reason why Frankie with Deuce in a 2 pack?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Carrehz on September 23, 2022, 12:43:45 PM
Agreed that Ghoulia shouldn't speak English (or any sort of "human" language!).

Re: Frankie/Deuce, I don't think they've answered that one yet - I've been wondering about it, too. :/ I'm not sure if Cleo and Deuce are together in G3 or not. I know the Haunt Couture storyline has them breaking up (I saw scans of Cleo's diary and
Spoiler
from what I remember, it ended on a note hinting that they'd probably get back together sooner or later
) but HC and G3 seem to be in separate continuities, so I'm not really sure what's going on there.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Lady Frostbite on September 28, 2022, 07:04:47 AM
I think its against forum rules.to show but I screenshotted someone selling a Reel Lagoona on ebay already at a shocking price. Supposidly in hand but its a stock image. Came up in my recommendations.

Still REALLY hope they show up for everyone in the UK. How uuuhmazing would it be to go into Smyths on Christmas and pick up a brand new MH doll again???
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Esbayne on September 29, 2022, 06:02:53 PM
I do feel a little vindicated about Ghoulia returning, but if she starts speaking in standard English then it will probably bother me.

I don't want to comment too much on the others given that I'm sure they're observations people have already made all the way up the thread, but is there a reason why Frankie with Deuce in a 2 pack?


Unfortunately it has been confirmed Ghoulia speaks in this gen. :(
I don't like her redesign, tbh.

Also, Frankie and Deuce are a couple now, or so I've heard.



MY BOYFRIEND FOUND THEM FOR ME! (-all but Toralei. A few weeks ago, I found only TWO Toraleis shoved behind some Care Bears, they were the only MH in the whole toy section. Grabbed one, of course!)
He went to Fred Meyer for a few groceries after work today, and texted me asking what I needed. Recently, since G3 first debuted, when he goes to any store I've been asking him to "go monster hunting" for me if he has time... XD (We even went on a trip to his best friend's house recently and went to the store, and I dragged his girlfriend to go look for them with me in the doll aisles. XD Now she's saying she wants "just one..." Yeahhh, good luck with that, all of us here said that once... XD)

WELL TODAY THEY WERE FINALLY ABOUT! He gave me a call saying "THEY'RE HERE." and described the ones he saw to me and asked me which ones I wanted. (They had them all except Toralei!) ("Um... Dracula, person...? Frankenstein... person? Werewolf person... mummy person... Uhhhh.... pink... Luh-goo-nuh" person...?")
He said he walked up on them AS they were being stocked- He walked into the aisle, took a look around, almost left- but he saw a clerk bringing out a big box of something, and he said he saw the little skull and was like "OHP!" and did a little jog over to them. XD

I got Frankie, Lagoona, and Draculaura! Not a fan of Cleo or Clawdeen's redesigns so I left them, tbh. They look way more like budget dolls than the others, in my opinion.

If anyone's interested, I can take pics of them all next to their G1 (and G2, for Drac & Lagoona) counterparts!

Also, a cute little homage to G1, on Lagoona's box of "goldfish," there's art of G1 Neptuna!
They also have lots of cute details- Not as much as G1, but they're still there. Frankie, for example, has a charging port on their leg.

Also I have to say, the pets for this gen are GORGEOUS. I didn't think I'd like them, but man are they pretty. Frankie's dog I gave to her G2 little sister, Alivia, because I hate Alivia's pet. X) Have to say, it got me to like Watzit for the first time ever- now I want G1 Watzit to have them side-by-side, and he was always my least fave of the pets.

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pic he sent me in store- he said they will always be on end-caps- from my experience when I found the Toraleis, this seems true

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girls he brought home for me

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one comparison so far
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: brightberry on September 29, 2022, 07:20:00 PM
WOW! They look amazing.  I love hearing about the little details.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Taffeta on September 30, 2022, 07:34:03 AM
I feel like if I said everything I thought about the possibility of Ghoulia speaking in this gen, it would probably get me in trouble with Loa.

It undermines the need for kids to see nonverbal people and people with communication challenges in positions of prominence and acceptance. It strips those kids of representation and inclusion in a line that originally promoted celebrating differences, rather than hiding them.

It's a backwards step given that represented differences are becoming more common in toy lines (not just wheelchairs, but other things like prosthetics, vitiligo, different body shapes).

I have a lot more thoughts, but I'm gonna stop there since there's no point in expressing them to people who probably already get it better than Mattel do.

On the dolls...it's interesting to see the comparison.

I'm not really feeling this gen, dollwise, that much yet. I haven't seen them, mind you, but I'm also about to go through my G1 MH dolls and sort out who I want to keep for the long haul and who I don't. I don't really have space in my collection for more of the same characters, and if they've changed the core of who Ghoulia is then she's just another doll.

I had a couple in G2 that I really liked - Lagoona and Rochelle in particular were very pretty in G2. I'm not really on board with pink lagoona, but she is the only one different enough that I might want to look at her.

I dunno. We'll see.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Esbayne on September 30, 2022, 10:21:22 PM
BIG post incoming with LOTS of photos!
Feel free to skip to photos, this is just hype about details & my own opinions.

Sooo I ended up loving them so much I asked my boyfriend if he could stop after work and get the last two! XD
I texted him asking if he could check back for me again today and grab Cleo, because I was kinda regretting not grabbing her... He replied "Okay sure thing, what about the wolf? Or do I have to wait and go grab her tomorrow? hahaha" :lmao: omg... SO I said screw it, sure, grab her too. XD (it's my money so no worries lol, going to be my "fun" budget for a while lol!)
Now all I'm missing are Deuce and Ghoulia, and I'm going to be hunting Deuce down even harder now, and by god did I hunt for these HARD! Ghoulia's growing on me rapidly, even if her face does look Barbie-esque, the glasses fix it. My main gripe for her is the skirt, but I have a pair of tights that would replace them perfectly. Still REALLY don't like her media character really just for the fact she talks now.

So I'll say it, I like G3.
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I'll say it.
I LOVE G3.
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And I gotta say, I was NOT a big G2 fan.
But I find thinking of G3 as an alt-universe really helps. It's *not* MH, but it *is* MH, in its own ways.
I still don't like ANY of the media so far. Some of the live-action outfits look cool, but not many. I don't even like the box art, or even the box itself!! But the dolls are stunning once you free them from their plastic prisons.
One cool thing about the box though, is they all come with a little 3D plastic insert of the Monster High logo with the skullette, in the front of the box. I've been ripping them all out and keeping them. The first one I put on my doll shelf, and it honestly looks really cool in my opinion! Idk what I'll do with the rest, but... Something. XD

They honestly strike me as a more refined, higher quality version of G2. Holding them next to each other, they look like they could possibly be from the same line. G1 vs G3, or even G1 vs G2, not so much. They're both very much more "MH Lite" than G1.

I do think it's cool Frankie's neutral now, because it works so naturally for them being made of both male/female corpse parts- Honestly I think that's a really cool touch, and something I could've even seen being around in G1, had that been more acceptable then. (I mean, they wouldn't even admit to characters being gay back then!)
I LOVE thick Draculaura, and how wildly different all their faces and bodies are now. I mean- they ALWAYS were, but these ones are all different from each other in different ways than G1 one. These ones have expressions, and of course the different body types.
My one major gripe with Frankie that I've seen others mention- their head looks shoved down too far. Also, they don't have neck-bolts anymore. I initially overlooked that until today, and I do really miss it. Their leg is really cool though.

They ALL have chest joints! It makes them so much more poseable.
Their feet are slightly bigger with a little less of an arch, so they can lend themselves to both chunky flats & heels. So they can share most shoes with G1, but some might be a tad tight/loose. Clothes is a bit more different- obviously ones like Drac, forget it, she just can't share clothes with G1. MAYBE a stretchy skirt or shirt. But even the thinner ones have a hard time closing in the back, but stretchy stuff or stuff that doesn't need to close as much, like dresses, you can kinda get away with.

Their body paint. Is. DELICATE. Holy mother of crap is it delicate, I thought people may have been exaggerating a little but NO. Their faces and arms are totally fine, but their legs chip SO easily. My Toraelei has a few scratches on her stripes, and Goona-
OH. MY. RA, GOONA.
If you get her, be so, SO careful with her. It's unreal. Infact, I hate to say it- but unless you're dying for the OG, wait til later when they perfect her paint, because I'm fairly certain they will. (G1 had some bad paint problems in the beginning too, I like to think they're experimenting and this will be ironed out later...) Her lower legs are blue and spray painted to a pink fade, and seriously- her legs rubbed together just a little, and she has a HUGE scratch in the paint now. Like HUGE. I feel like even moisture might take it off, it's bad. Willing to bet when the days come of seeing these gals pop up second-hand, most Goonas will have 100% blue legs.
I adore her, but man I have to be so careful with her. Another doll knocked her over and she got ANOTHER scratch. So. Goona will be living like Bubble Boy from now on, I guess, until I get another one if they perfect her paint later down the line. I prefer the blue anyway, but I like the fade, so I want to preserve it.
Frankie, I honestly haven't had issues with YET, but I say that because I've heard other people still have.

They are very sturdy and don't feel so delicate/their arms and hands don't fall off like AT ALL, and have really big notched pegs holding them all in, but they pop out nicely. They're also not as stiff as G2, but they can still hold a pose really well, for the most part. Ones with long hair have a harder time, cause their hair is honestly THICKK and very heavy. Some of their hair feels better than others, but it's all pretty nice overall- better than G2's was, and closer in quality to G1 I'd say.
ALMOST of my gripes about their redesigns have faded upon seeing them in person.

Their pets are ADORABLE, their accessories are honestly nearly on par with G1- very detailed, all the bags open and things fit inside, Frankie came with a polaroid camera and two little TEENY tiny *plastic* not cheap paper but REAL little plastic photos, and they have itty bitty photos of the dolls photoshopped onto backgrounds, with labels "Boo York!" and "Scaris!" so more G1 homages! I'm loving the tiny very subtle nods. Also all of them come with extra clothes!

Really, REALLY miss the stands though, being that they're more expensive now (inflation, I get it, but plz) and if some of them, GOONA, fall over they'll be damaged. I'm wondering if it has to do with the body types? But that seems easy to overcome. I hope they change their minds on that somehow in the future, because I can't even use my extra G1 stands on them because of the waist/height differences.

SO. That novel out of the way...

PICTURES!!
Now these aren't going to be the best pictures because I had to take so many of so many things. But let me know if there's anything you want more of!
Beware, these are GIANT if you zoom in, but I kinda did it on purpose so you *can* zoom in!

Here's the only one I won't spoiler, cause it's a solo pic. All 5 of my G3 beauties together!
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YES I redressed Toralei and I'm sorry I didn't put her back in her OG clothes but I was feeling lazy about fiddling with all their clothes tonight. Not much is different, but I tied her hair up because it is SOO long and thick and heavy, put her in some jeans (G1 boy jeans! Custom made, but still- Fun fact, G1 boy pants fit G3 girls like a glove! Not much else though.) and some boots from Howleen. (tiiight squeeze but they fit, her heel pokes out a tad but the jeans cover it.)
No one else has been redressed or tweaked... Yet. However I did put some of them in the extra clothes that they came with, like their coats.

On to the more detailed pics!
We'll start off small.
Pets!

Spoiler
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All G3 pets (minus Deuce & Ghoulia of course)
The pets, even in G2, used to feel kind of soft and slightly rubbery, they could bend- In G3 they are HARD hollow plastic, like they make a "tink" noise if you tap against them with something else, if you know what I mean?

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JUST Cleo's pets, G1-G3. Shockingly she's the only one who's had her pet entirely changed with EVERY gen. Honestly? I love every single one of them, so I don't mind, lol. Her pet is 1000% my fave of G3.
The new dog's name is Tut. I... Don't like it. XD I'm just calling him Anubis.
G3 - G2 - G1

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old Neptuna vs new/Lagoonas pets. X) I like the frogs to feel included, okay? XD
Probably the most jarring redesign so far, but I think he's gorgeous.

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Old Sweetfang vs new "Sweet Fangs" as they're calling him.

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I... Don't have a normal Crescent. This one's from Freak du Chic Clawdeen.
Okay, I lied, maybe THIS one is the most jarring redesign. He looks more like a wolf than a cat to me now, or some sort of weird hybrid.

I don't have OG Watzit or Count Fabulous, sadly.

Next!
Draculaura through the ages
Spoiler
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G3 - G2 - G1
My G2 is ratty, sorry. She lives in the Box of Shame with all my extra bits and bobs, and ugly dolls.

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Weird pic, I fully know- it's because again, I was feeling lazy about fiddling with their clothes, and the main goal was to show you their hip differences. I'll get a photo of their chest joints eventually, but it's exactly the same as the 24" ghouls.
They have ENTIRELY new hip joints though, nothing like anything we've seen before in MH. I forgot to get pics but can if anyone's really interested.

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Her ears stick out now! Infact, all of their ears do!

vs:
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This is the G2 cause G1's ears are tucked into her tight pigtails, I don't want to ruin them.

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How she fits in with the rest of the vampire family. (those glasses on the far right Elissabat are actually hers!)
ALL of my G1's are kinda dusty right now, sorry lol. I dust the dolls but not the stands as often...

Cleo, G1 vs G3!
Spoiler
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I chose Boo York Cleo for this because she was aesthetically the closest I had.

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Her ears also stick out!

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Cleo vs G1 Cleos & Nefera
Mad Science Cleo was sad she missed the photo shoot but I wasn't willing to redo it, I already put them all back lmao.

Lagoona! All 3 gens duke it out!
Spoiler
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You can see the scratch I was talking about on her leg. 😭 It got a little worse after this photo because I absent mindedly let her legs touch again. Astounding how fragile that paint is. BE SO VERY CAREFUL WITH HER!

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G1 - G2 - G3

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Goona 'n' Pals
(G2 sister, Kelpie, redressed)

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Last minute photos, because I forgot she DOES have a hood like G1! I hadn't really noticed until I unboxed her so it was a cool surprise.

Frankie!
Spoiler
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Her head looks VERY low on her body, compared to even the other ghouls. The shirt doesn't help as it rides up.

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leg

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leg again

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Her power outlet!! My fave part.

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No neck bolts. :(

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All My Franken, & G2 little sister Alivia. (as a heads up she is entirely redressed other than her shoes.)

Toralei, in some new digs!
Spoiler
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Again wearing G1 boy pants & Howleen's shoes. G1 boy pants fit G3 girls like a glove, it's amazing, really.

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G1 vs G3. G1 is also heavily redressed here, wearing the shirt (under the jersey- this was [?sports theme?] Toralei) & shoes that came with THIS G3 Toralei! You can see how the G3 shoes KINDA fit them, but looks slightly off.
Also, I *painted my G1 Toralei's nose.* She used to not ever have her nose painted, because she was the first werecat & they hadn't decided on that. Later, when they introduced more, they gave them noses, but didn't revert Tor's design- I always hated that so I always painted her nose on every doll of her I got. Keep that in mind!

Last, but not least, but certainly least when it comes to redesigns:
Clawdeen!
Spoiler
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With the vest on that she came with. Helps her look.... Eh... Better? I guess? Still not great. The overalls make her look super young. NO fierceness left in this gal. G1 Clawdeen had the energy of a warrior princess almost, this girl... Does not.

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Warrior of the playground, maybe.
She still has a gorgeous face, though, it really grew on me. I wanted to redress her but didn't have any suitable clothes that would fit.
I also love her loose curls but wish she had some super tight ringlets. I might have to do them myself, but I want them tighter than straw curls & have to figure out what I'd use.

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Wolf Pack
G1 Clawdeen is entirely redressed in custom stuff, heads up.

Extras:

Spoiler
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Chillin' like villians on some G1 furniture

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Literally don't know where they're going to go now, they have overflown onto the floor & have now taken my portable table... Ponies control the other half of the room. I'm screwed. XD

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The 3D logo thing. It worked well for me hanging the disco ball off of, too! Idk what I'll do with the rest but I feel I could keep them and do something interesting with them.

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Here you can see SOME of their accessories: They came with a lot! These are all my faves, ones that made me smile, and the G1 subtle nods at the bottom. The polaroids both fit into the camera at the same time, in a little slot at the top. Sad they don't spit out of it, but it'd be needlessly complicated for just a tack-on accessory, anyway. Also, all of their clothes in box came attached to these little hangers- I thought it was SO cute! I kept all the ones I could but unfortunately a couple ripped. Also, all of their iCoffins are different now! Cases, maybe? :P

That's it! Sorry for the LOONG post but hope you liked the photos & let me know if you want more of anything!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Carrehz on October 01, 2022, 06:40:33 AM
Oooh thanks for all the pics, Esbayne! Great review ^^ The G3 girls are definitely growing on me. Clawdeen looks so YOUNG though!! It's really noticeable in your pic of her with the rest of the wolf pack - she's adorable but she looks like Clawdeen's younger sister, or even just a younger ver of Clawdeen herself. It's weird since no one else really looks younger (G3 Toralei looks older than her G1 counterpart, IMO) so idk what happened there...

I love your Toralei redress. :3 Definitely need to get my paws on her. and your Alivia redress is soooo cute omg *w*

I hadn't seen the Polaroid + photos before! That's awesome! I do really like the accessories in this gen.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Taffeta on October 02, 2022, 11:05:09 AM
That display is epic, Esbayne :) I have three shelves behind glass for my jem dolls (which needs some fixing since Roxy has fallen over again, sigh), but my MH dolls are miserable in comparison - they have one shelf and the end of another and that's about it. I'm in the process of downsizing them, though.

On the new dolls. I like Clawdeen's hair. I've never owned Clawdeen, because even though I liked her as a character, I never felt like her doll reached out to me. I'm not sure this one does either, but the hair is a nice change for me personally.

The new Cleo is quite pretty too. Lala's face looks kind of odd, though it might be the angle of the photo. The size difference between them is a bit jarring as well.

Toralei's expression weirds me out, as does the decision to include her in the main line over Ghoulia who I believe is a store exclusive. Not that I'm interested in G3 Ghoulia for reasons expressed above that I won't repeat. Not to make a pun or anything but 'she's dead to me' :P

 I agree that these seem more an evolution from G2 than a flip back to G1.

What's nice, though, is the attention to detail and small accessories. That's something from G1 which I think is important.

My main problems with G2 were the way they tried to make them 'less scary', the neutral themes rather than spooky ones, the unnecessary siblings/children/family aspect that we didn't need after years of just accepting that Lala is 1600 and Frankie an unspecified number of days old). I really liked the Lagoona and Rochelle dolls, though. I've reaffirmed that opinion since sorting my shelf because even though the faces are not quite the same, Rochelle was always cute and the both of them in G1 suffer so badly from hair goop which, despite all my attempts, was a battle I've never won with any doll.

The lack of Rochelle (so far) and the changing of Lagoona's colouring is kind of a blow for me.

Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Carrehz on October 02, 2022, 12:13:16 PM
First off:
Howliday xmas Draculaura doll, looks like she's G1 style?
https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/2736-monster-high-howliday-winter-edition-draculaura-doll.html
Basically like those fancy Christmas Barbies. I don't think she's exclusive to anywhere.

Also, a new playset has shown up, Clawdeen's bedroom!
https://amzn.to/3fCFSEN
It's really pretty, but not a patch on the bunk beds she had in G1. I think it'd look cooler if it had a curtain/canopy or something.
Interestingly, the little photo accessories seem to show prototypes of the dolls, inc. BLUE LAGOONA?!? What!!! She looks SO much better, omg. Interesting that Draculaura has her sunhat here too, like the other proto we saw. Not sure if it's the same doll as that proto, or if it's an in-between model. Hmmmm.

Re: Taffeta - Toralei is a store exclusive too, as is Deuce. Deuce = Amazon, Toralei = Walmart, Ghoulia = Target.
I hope the girls at least show up here in the UK eventually (I imagine Deuce'll just be an Amazon exclusive here too? maybe he'll show up at TK Maxx, I've seen some other Amazon exclusive dolls turn up there in the past). ASDA usually got the Walmart exclusives but I'm not sure if we got all of the Target MHs or not :s Argos got some of them and I think Smyths got some too? Not sure.
I suspect Ghoulia's a store exclusive since her G1 dolls tended to shelfwarm, I could see them being worried about history repeating itself and deciding to play it safe by keeping her to one shop.

My problem w/ G2 was that it was all too same-y. I remember seeing a post by Garrett Sander where he said that's why basically why he left, he didn't like how they were going against the concept of the brand ("be yourself, be unique, be a monster"). So far G3 feels like they're at least trying to keep that idea in mind, it's closer to the original idea than G2, but it's still a bit too "soft" for me. Which is not necessarily bad, I mean... I love Enchantimals and they're just fluff :lol: But I generally want a bit more 'bite' from MH, you know?

I loved the idea of younger sibling dolls (the molds themselves were a bit hit or miss) but I didn't like how they just threw new characters into the mix willy-nilly and ignored the established family set-ups (how the heck could Cleo have a baby sibling?!?!). Plus it was weird how the siblings often didn't even match the pre-existing characters, like Clawdeen's siblings being much more wolf-like and Draculaura's little sister having bat wings??
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Lady Frostbite on October 02, 2022, 10:01:06 PM
I am all for Christmas themed dolls, especially if they are G1 themed, looking forward to seeing more in the style!

I dearly hope the Reel Monster dolls come over to the UK, I still really want them and if they are at Smyths that would be great as I would love to toy-hunt in person again. I'll brave the Christmas rush for my ghouls!

I still don't feel this gen, especially with Lagoona and Toralei, but again I might be persuaded if Abbey or Catty show up. I think I'm going to be that annoying fan that is purely G1!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: NinaMarie on October 04, 2022, 09:08:47 AM
As a Ghoulia fan who owns almost every release I am disappointed. She looks bland. I know common criticism of G1 was she looked harsh and mean. I thought it gave her character. This new Gen has her looking like a generic backgrounder. Ugh that skirt bleh
I didn’t really care about the main girls previously, besides Ghoulia I had 1 Clawdeen and 1 Cleo. I was into the more monstery dolls with scales and bones and multiple limbs. So I find it strange how into this Draculaura I am. Changing her height and shape made her really cute to me. I like her style.
Despite my Ghoulia disappointment I think this new Gen is overall pretty cute and fits in with current doll aesthetics. Like the thicker bodies, always thought the original were just a tad too spindle-y. Love the chest joint. Not sure I will get into the media as that never was a thing for me previously.
Looking forward to seeing what else they do.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Taffeta on October 04, 2022, 09:36:54 AM
If Toralei is also a store exclusive that makes some sense, although it still feels like Ghoulia is in that odd awkward place where she's part of the main group and yet somehow not part of it at the same time? Which is admittedly how she was treated in the original line, but always felt a bit odd to me.

The only Ghoulia I ever remember seeing in stores was the one with Slo Mo, though, and that was only because Brent TRU sometimes pulled older stock out to clear it and you'd find 4 different ILF releases side by side. Thinking back it feels as though they were withdrawing Ghoulia from the line even before G2 happened. It never occurred to me much before this, but it does seem that way.

I'm still torn about whether I'm happy she's back or sad she is given the changes.

I think the Howliday Lala looks pretty G2/3 to me. I was doing a comparison with Esbayne's picture and that's how it appears.

Speaking of altered dolls in G1, it will be interesting to see if we see Spectra again. Going through my dolls I was reminded of the weirdness over the Shriekwrecked (? - ghost special narrative) line Spectra who had two different facial expressions. Then there was Ari in G2 instead of Spectra, so I'm curious to see whether that's another character who comes back with a new look.

Do we know why they decided to go pink with Lagoona BLUE? :/

Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: shockponie on October 04, 2022, 09:54:42 AM
I haven’t been active in quite awhile, but I had to see what my fellow G1 peeps are thinking. :heart: (I was mascarah on MH Arena if anyone remembers me, lol.) I’m loving some dolls (Clawdeen! And Draculaura’s body sculpt) but not persuaded by others (Ghoulia almost looks like Frankie in the face?).


Do we know why they decided to go pink with Lagoona BLUE? :/
This is my burning question. It startled me!

 I have been doing a lot of Halloween decor hunting (too much, probably :lookround:) the past couple months, and I always check the toy section of Walmart, Target, and Kroger. I don’t think they’re in my area yet. I’m just chomping at the bit and want to see them in person.  :satisfied: I know I’m not alone.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Carrehz on October 04, 2022, 01:48:02 PM
Yesss Mascarah I remember you!! :D I miss the MH Arena.

I think Ghoulia looks too similar to Frankie, too.. and I do think they started sort of phasing her out in G1, or at least using her less than they maybe originally intended to. I think I said this before, but I suspect it has something to do with Skull Shores Ghoulia - that one shelfwarmed everywhere (not even kidding - I remember seeing MULTIPLE photos of shelves full of JUST that doll, hell I think I TOOK a photo like that myself. And I've heard she turns up at yard sales etc a lot too) - I think after that, they maybe started considering her a 'risky' character that didn't sell as well. idk how to word it, hopefully that makes sense. personally I think that was just a prob w/ that particular doll and not the character... but what do I know. *shrug* I think the character was always present in G1 but I did notice them scaling back on her dolls after a while.

I saw a screenshot from the new cartoon thing the other day that had Spectra! And designs are floating around for Clawd, Abbey and I think Manny Taur too - I've seen a description of the cartoon that has a bio for him, and I've seen a pic of a minotaur-looking dude, but that char looks SO different to OG Manny that I'm not sure if it's meant to be him or not... I didn't post the Clawd/Abbey designs since I wasn't 100% sure if they were official or not, I think they were though. I'll admit, I never really paid attention to any of the media apart from the diaries, I haven't really been keeping up with them this gen either. :s But yeah Spectra's back, apparently.

And Lagoona Pink is driving me insane!!! Especially since it looks like they changed her halfway through - the Clawdeen's bedroom playset has some little Polaroid photo accessories that clearly show a BLUE Lagoona. :| I'd bet it's stupid toymaker logic "we need to make it pink or it won't sell!!!" - like pink Princess Celestia - that's usually why chars randomly change colour. -___- They changed her so much that I honestly don't know why they didn't just make her a new character altogether.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Lady Frostbite on October 04, 2022, 02:38:29 PM
I wonder if they'll do a gimmick with 'Goona, like when she goes in water she changes colour??

Could you share the Abbey design? I think I've seen the Manny one in passing
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Carrehz on October 05, 2022, 07:58:28 AM
I couldn't find the Manny one again, but here are Abbey/Clawd:

Spoiler
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Dunno if there's better quality versions out there, this is all I've seen

Also I found the article that confirms Spectra + others are coming back:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nickelodeon-and-mattel-debut-sneak-peek-and-key-art-for-monster-high-all-new-animated-series-premiering-friday-oct-28-301632608.html
I'll quote the relevant bits here:
Quote
Valeria Rodriquez (The Valley of Tears) as Spectra Vondergeist – This ghostly girl makes up for her translucent appearance by being super chatty. She just wants to be seen!
Scott Menville (Teen Titans Go!) as Romulus – Romulus is the current head of the were pack at Monster High, though he's still got a bit of learning and growing to do.
Cole Massie (Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers) as Finnegan Wake – Charming and chill, Finnegan is a merman who uses a wheelchair to get around on land. He has a beautiful singing voice, just like his aunties, the sirens.
Victoria T Washington (Dropouts) as Howleen – Howleen is a natural leader who values integrity over the pack mindset and always speaks her mind.
Jordan R. Coleman (A Million Little Things) as Manny Taur – Big, bull-headed Manny looks like a brute, but he's the gentlest kid at school. With his penchant for solving puzzles, he's one of the only students that can compete with Draculaura for honors as a top student.
Krystina Alabado (Sesame Street Mecha Builders) as Nefera De Nile – Nefera is the mummy who has it all – beauty, popularity, royalty, and a heart of gold (literally, she dipped her heart in gold and keeps it in a jar).

Howleen not being referred to as "Howleen Wolf" has me worried she won't be Clawdeen's sister here..... And Manny sounds like a real "in name only" thing. :/

Also more new dolls!

https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/2740-new-2023-monster-high-innovation-series-1-skulltimate-secrets-dolls.html

Did the other girls have birthdays before? I know Draculaura's bday being Feb 14th is from G1 but I don't remember anyone else getting birthdays.
Frankie's hat is... interesting *cough* and this Cleo reminds me of Chel from Road to El Dorado. Lagoona looks better than her sig doll, but I still don't like those forehead scales... Draculaura's okay, I guess.

but OMG I love this Clawdeen!! Very pretty, I really want her. She's the first G3 doll I've gone "OMG I really want this!!" over.
Also if you look closely, Hissette is on one of the pictures on Cleo's locker, next to her new pet Tut!! So Hissette's still around? :O Intrigued to find out what's up with that!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Lady Frostbite on October 05, 2022, 08:13:28 AM
NEFERA has a HEART OF GOLD? ... Did Nefera write that???

And ... eh, Howleen DID speak her mind but she was no leader, she was just an irritable kid trying to find her voice and look whilst being one of many siblings, I felt that side was better sounding than this so far.

Nice leather daddy had Frankie lol

Those shoulder bows are awful, the REAL Cleo would never

Frankie just looks ... CHEAP in that new look? Like she looks too bright and plastic?

I'm not liking that Abbey one bit so far, they all look so young and that's pretty offputting. I know the dolls got some flack for looking more mature than the girls were supposed to be, but that's kinda the point; high schoolers look grown-up to younger kids, hell it's a recurring theme that Howleen wants to seem more grown up than she actually is.

EDIT: Those are her TUSKS not FANGS, dios mio, don't mislabel my girl okay. They came from her lower jaw and notably curved upward, she's the only monster I can think of that had tusks (werewolves and vampires had fangs, Venus had upper and lower fangs)
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Taffeta on October 05, 2022, 12:56:09 PM
Meh, I'm still not moved on these. Clawdeen's hair is pretty but I still don't feel inspired by any of them. I noticed Cleo has the G2 leg style design still. Lala's face still bothers me. Lagoona's hair increasingly reminds me of Danse from Jem, but otherwise I just have no clue why the change in her design. Lala is already pink. We don't need more pink.

Frankie is also disturbingly blue in this release.

I'm coming to feel like the shades of the plastic are what's irritating me about these. There's the expressions as well to a degree, esp in this release with Cleo's eyes, but the plastic looks cheaper than the original dolls had. It probably is, which is probably the reason. But it's hard to explain exactly what I mean other than the shades seem less nuanced.

Abbey's a character and a doll I always really liked, so it will be interesting to see her, I think G2 ditched her completely? But I'm still happy being a spectator on this line for now.

They really are going at it with the releases mind you. That's quite a lot of dolls for a relaunch right at the start.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Lady Frostbite on October 05, 2022, 01:01:56 PM
Abbey had a party doll in G2, I know because I bought her and I think photographed her for the forums.I even remember exactly where I took the picture  :lol: She had her collector doll in G2 that was so utterly garbage I never want to talk about it again.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: shockponie on October 05, 2022, 02:56:41 PM
Lagoona looks better than her sig doll, but I still don't like those forehead scales...
First of all :hug: It feels nice to be remembered. I completely agree with you on this. The hat helps. (Heh, sorry Goona baby.) Ah yeah, shelf warmer skull shores Ghoulia. What a shame. I thought she was redeemed with her SDCC releases, but now as Frankie Jr? Meh. They should have at least given her more of an underbite and non-brown brows.  :shrug:

They really are going at it with the releases mind you. That's quite a lot of dolls for a relaunch right at the start.
I was thinking that too! They’re sure jumping in with both feet, eh? Well we’ll see how it goes.

NEFERA has a HEART OF GOLD? ... Did Nefera write that???
Hahahahaha! I’m dying. For real though! Maybe she’s worked on herself.  :snicker:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Esbayne on October 06, 2022, 06:34:26 PM
Ahhh thank you Carrehz & Taffeta!! :lovey:

@Taffeta I’d love to see your Jem display! I don’t think I ever have!
I think Lala looks weird because of her bangs. They are much too long… I’m toying with the idea of trimming them. I saw someone cut them into normal bangs- I like the widow’s peak, but it did look very good. Actually, I pushed her bangs out of the way and she is STUNNING without them, omg. It changes her face entirely. I like both ways but do feel the bangs hinder her natural beauty- I’ll take a pic if anyone’s interested!

Re: G2 sibs:
I liked SOME of the siblings in G2, you can see a few I have in some of my photos. Pretty much Ebbie Wake, Pawla Wolf, & Kelpie Blue. The rest made no sense to me. (I also made Ebbie Finnegan’s little sister. She was Lagoona’s sister, like what!? Yeah I agree adding random mishmash body parts to the siblings like wings/tails/etc is bizarre. Pawla’s wold tail pops off so I popped it off, and just headcanon the “puppies” are fluffier… XD Think I may acetone her nose off though, just have never been brave enough to do it cause she was hard for me to snag back in the day.)

Also, yes, Toralei & Deuce are also exclusives! I SNAGGED BOTH TODAY. Ordered online- they’ll be here in about 2-4 days!

The Howliday one is ADORABLE but I’m not going to get her! She just looks too basic for me at this time, maybe I’ll change my mind later on, but she IS so cute!

Also Shriekwrecked was G2, Taff! ;D <3
(It was the cutest line that came from G2!)
Haunted was the ghost line you’re thinkin’ of, with the Spectra variant!

Also, I LOVE the new locker ghouls! Oh gosh I almost regret buying regular Frankie because I like this one more. XD I know some people are not liking her hat but I immediately just thought biker/“leather daddy” XD/Judas Priest when I saw it, really just Judas Priest and maybe that’s why I like her so much. XD
This is a TON of releases at launch, it’s crazy! But it’s really making me feel optimistic about the line, too.

Also, about the quality of the dolls- They really don’t feel cheap at all! They feel on par with G1.
G2 felt cheap as HECK- hard, thin, kinda scruffy plastic, dry hair, etc, but the G3 dolls feel like very quality materials.

I can’t wait to see the new ghouls they’ve been copywriting again!! Optimistically nervous.
About Nefera’s “heart of gold,” I think she’s probably going to be snooty, and they were using her “gold dipped organs in jars” as play on words. XD

Apparently the Nick movie came out tonight! And YIKES from the clips I’ve seen, lmao!! Still gonna watch it cause I’ve watched them all at this point and morbid curiosity always gets me. (Also have a guilty pleasure for bad movies… XD)
I do really love the actor they got for Frankie though, it’s pretty spot-on to how I’d imagine them in a live action- Albeit better makeup. XD :sheepish:

Also, MASCARAH I TOTALLY REMEMBER YOU!!
I was… Esbayne on the MHArena! XD
I miss it so much too.

Post Merge: October 06, 2022, 08:30:57 PM

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Not my photo but apparently this is going on for Ghoulia’s special release for a month.

Post Merge: October 06, 2022, 11:11:40 PM

I watched that live action movie tonight because it premiered and I was morbidly (hah) curious.

……….uh.


………
Frankie was adorable. I love their new character.
Abbey had a cute costume.
The…. Cuckoo clock was cool.


…………….
That’s all I have that’s good to say.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Taffeta on October 07, 2022, 12:19:35 AM
Ah, Haunted! That's right. I'm genuinely terrible remembering 99% of the lines by their actual names in any generation MH xD. Thanks for the correct :)

(re the Jems, this is very out of date now as I have reorganised them a bit and put some away to make room for some of the IT dolls, but this is the kind of thing...)
http://www.etherella.com/photoshoot/ (http://www.etherella.com/photoshoot/)

That's interesting on Ghoulia's box. I'm not a fan of her being verbal, but I'm now wondering what they're pitching her character at and whether this relates.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: shockponie on October 07, 2022, 09:14:49 AM
I think Lala looks weird because of her bangs. They are much too long… I’m toying with the idea of trimming them. I saw someone cut them into normal bangs- I like the widow’s peak, but it did look very good. Actually, I pushed her bangs out of the way and she is STUNNING without them, omg. It changes her face entirely. I like both ways but do feel the bangs hinder her natural beauty- I’ll take a pic if anyone’s interested!

Also, MASCARAH I TOTALLY REMEMBER YOU!!
I was… Esbayne on the MHArena! XD
I miss it so much too.

I watched that live action movie tonight because it premiered and I was morbidly (hah) curious.

……….uh.


………
Frankie was adorable. I love their new character.
Abbey had a cute costume.
The…. Cuckoo clock was cool.


…………….
That’s all I have that’s good to say.

I’m interested in seeing a pic of Lala without bangs in the way, Esbayne! :hug:

I think I might try the movie but I’m super skeptical.

I ordered Clawdeen from Amazon, and she arrived last night with a MAJOR case of eye wonk. One of her eyes spread down to her cheek. I was like, “Oh no, here we go again.”  >_< Needless to say, I’m doing an exchange.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Carrehz on October 07, 2022, 09:29:13 AM
That's interesting re: the Ghoulia donation thing, it's a nice idea too. Very curious to see what direction they take her in this time.

I like the idea of Ebbie being Finn's sister much better than her being Lagoona's :)

and YES that's where my mind went for Frankie's hat too XD I'm so glad it's not just me thinking it, haha.

I agree the Nefera thing is a pun rather than literal (or - no - it IS literal - ahhh, you know what I mean :lmao:). I'm excited to see Nefera, I hope they don't mess her up... she was one of my favourites. her dolls were always gorgeous.

I'm afraid to look into the movie, from what I've heard of it XD
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Lady Frostbite on October 07, 2022, 11:05:14 AM
It confuses me that if Nefera isn't an antagonist, Toralei isn't an antagonist, Manny isn't an insufferable jerk ... who are the ghouls against? What's the story? I mean, the animated series/movies had differing threats that were usually other monsters or inter-ghoul drama. Even when Toralei wasn't a direct antagonist, she was still annoying the heck out of the other ghouls (see: Scaris). A couple were originally either enemies or suspicious until they showed their true colours or misunderstandings were cleared up (Cleo, Abbey, Operetta).

I'm saying that only because Toralei isn't showing signs of being one atm, I might be wrong. Just seems like it's all buddy-buddy, when original MH was a little more catty (lol) than that. Where's our token bad-girl ghoul?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Carrehz on October 07, 2022, 11:45:13 AM
Nefera's description is a bit vague to tell if she's still an antagonist or not. I hope she is.

Toralei I'm not sure about... her expression makes me think she's still meant to be at least "less nice" than the others. I haven't been really keeping up with the cartoon info though so I don't know if they've said otherwise.

Manny being made into a bookish nerd though is just baffling.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Esbayne on October 07, 2022, 12:30:24 PM
Lol no prob Taffeta, I totally get them mixed up sometimes too! XD There’s soo many lines through the gens now, and some were so similar! Haunted had a pirate in it, and Shriekwrecked sounds so ghosty!

I love your Jem collection! I never knew there were spinoffs & Mexican ones either!

As for Ghoulia’s personality, she really doesn’t have much of one anymore.
She had about 4 appearances in the movie- One where she huffs about someone saying “our best lives” to get them to say “and undeaths” or something like that, one where she obnoxiously shrieks and cackles to Clawdeen telling her to ask the school itself questions (There are SEVERAL things they definitely yoinked from Harry Potter- One of those things is the school being “alive” and can move around like the room of requirement. When it happens it looks very much the same. Seriously, if you watch it, try to keep an eye out for all the things that are pretty much HP to a T, lol. I can think of 4 things off the top of my head that were very obvious), and two where she groans and makes some snarky comment from her “bed,” aka a grave in the graveyard. Even her doll description is very basic compared to the other ghouls, she’s basically just a “gamer gurl” and that’s that. On top of that, she comes off very snooty.
But, they made almost ALL of the characters really snooty & pretentious, I freaking hated it. It was over the top Disney-Channel-bully kind of drama, just senseless mean-girl crap. It was very cheap and one note.

@Carrehz- :rofl: Glad it wasn’t just me either! XD
And thank you! I’ll have to take pics of them sometime, they look SO much like siblings right next to eachother! I think maybe she would’ve been a good candidate but he was a bit more of an obscure side character in G1, and not even in G2. Also, “Ebbie Wake” in my opinion has so much more of a ring to it than “Ebbie Blue!”
Also I’d say give the movie a shot, if you can kick back, have some bubbly and stand to cringe for about an hour and a half. XD It was soo much longer than I thought it’d be. Some things I was literally squinting at the screen like 🤨
I’d seen them all at this point so I was like well, might as well, was interesting just to see the… direction they’ve taken it…. If anything. XD

@Lady Frostbite- Toralei is definitely meant to be an antagonist, but she hasn’t come in yet. I think she’s just going to be in the animated series, she might’ve been to hard to CGI animate. Clawdeen & Deuce’s CGI was… Just…. OOF. Wowwww…. lol. Think that’s why Lagoona looked like she did. So I’m kinda glad they didn’t try to do Toralei.
The antagonist in the live action is VERY random.

@Shockponie- Here’s Lala with no bangs!
Sorry her hair’s messy. They’ve literally just been sitting on a table since I took the first photos, but their hair is so long it gets so messy so easily, lol. I also need to find the brush I use for dolls, idk where it went… It looks kinda crappy still, I used her headband so I could keep my hands out of the photos and get better-ish pics. (I don’t keep her like this, I keep her bangs down flat)
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Also, Goreganizer Draculaura has straight bangs for another different look.

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Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: shockponie on October 07, 2022, 09:39:31 PM
@Esbayne Ohhh, her face up is beautiful under those long bangs! Thanks for sharing.
I just noticed Goreganizer Lala's freckle heart makeup. Cute touch.

Poor wonky eyed Clawdeen that's going back
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Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Taffeta on October 08, 2022, 09:40:03 AM
Can I spare a moment to despair of the way that even toy lines that are meant to be promoting diversity always end up in the niche 'popular crowd' category no matter what the original intentions? Are the creators all from that troll group of society or are they all just wishing that they had been? I've never understood this. I mean, I like EQG, but I'm still twitching at the fact Friendship Games at Equestria High was done by a popularity contest and that was pitched as the 'good' option vs the 'best performers' option from the rivals.

I watched a few clips of the Rainbow High/Shadow High stuff on YT and the same thing is there. There's the 'attitude', and so on and so forth. It's not that all the characters (I really only watched like 2 clips) are obnoxious, but they're just not very original, and there's so much posturing and showing off and whatever.

It sounds like the same kind of thing with MH. I would just really like it if a series that revolves around monsters actually paid attention to what that means.

On the HP stuff. Meh. I've kept well out of the drama around JKR because I think her stance is nuts, but I was always kind of peripheral to HP. I saw the films, they were fun, I didn't get that caught up in it. Some of it was a lot like Worst Witch anyway, and some of the stuff like the moving staircase and magic rooms and whatever were contrived plot devices that were a distraction from the actual story. I don't really think MH needs to overlap those themes, because it's not about magic, it's about monsters.

I would say RIP Ghoulia. But you know.

Moving on.

I think it's Lala's eyes that bother me. She does look better with the fringe swept back, but there's something not pleasant in her expression. She's pretty, but not...pleasant. Lala in G1 might have had a less conventional face, but I always thought her expression was quite sweet. I've put away most of my G1 Lala dolls - I don't have many and she's not one of my favourites - but I still have my first one on the shelf (with the sailor hat? I had to piece her outfit together bit by bit as I got her second hand) and I just feel like she looks a lot nicer. Like she's a vampire, but you'd still hang out with her, because she's harmless.

The Goreganizer Lala has a nicer expression imo, but that's a stock photo so I don't know if I want to trust it.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: shockponie on October 10, 2022, 08:30:37 AM
My new Clawdeen arrived with better eyes. So cute! People are already discussing variants, so I thought I'd mention Amazon comes with the crescent shirt (not the tiger striped one).
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Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: brightberry on October 10, 2022, 01:06:58 PM
What a cutie!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Taffeta on October 10, 2022, 01:19:36 PM
Can I just say I keep trying to call Goreganizer Lala "Gorgonzola Lala".

Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Carrehz on October 10, 2022, 03:39:11 PM
Ahh thanks for that shockponie! I was wondering which ver of Clawdeen Amazon had... trying to convince myself I don't need both variants... x)

Can I just say I keep trying to call Goreganizer Lala "Gorgonzola Lala".
:lmao:

New Skullector dolls dropping this Friday, Frankenstein('s Monster) and his Bride:
https://creations.mattel.com/en-gb/pages/monster-high

Very cool, not ones I need personally, but I like 'em. For once I actually like the boy doll better than the girl! I love his big ol' hands. And the little ballerinas in Bride's shoes are gorgeous.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/09 G3 Ghoulia, multipacks + more stock photos
Post by: Esbayne on October 10, 2022, 03:52:37 PM
OH NO, I LOVE THEM. I didn't think I would tbh because I haven't liked several of the Skullectors overly much. (Really I just love the Beetlejuice & Greta ones. Greta evaded me. :( )

Oh well, I won't get my hopes up. The Skullectors ones have been horrible with scalping issues and selling out in literal seconds to bots, and Mattel doesn't seem to care.
The last one they apparently dropped at a super random time, without announcement- or maybe that was the Reel Drama ones- either way, the Skullectors ones are suffering from the same issues. Tons of people missed them, but they are being resold for inflated prices galore. And yet people I see in the community keep buying them from these guys, while in the same hand complaining about prices online. :rolleyes:

I do see these ones seem to launch at a much more reasonable time, though- and do seem to be limited, though people use bots to run multiple accounts.
So not getting too excited, but would never say no to being able to snag these guys! I do really love the boy and the girl's hair and shoes are *chef's kiss*
I might see if I can!

Edit: I SNAGGED THEM. 🙊
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 11/10 Skullector Frankenstein + Bride 2-pack
Post by: Esbayne on October 13, 2022, 04:44:38 PM
It took a little longer than it was originally estimated, but Deuce & Ghoulia are here!!!
Deuce came two days ago.

I took his jacket off & replaced his shoes with G1 "Mansters Game Night" Deuce's shoes. (that Deuce wears leather boots lol)
I knew I didn't really like his jacket, but it does look nicer in person. The orange snake on the right arm is jarring. I didn't expect to hate his original shoes so much, but I haaate them. UGH they're hideous!! So I put him in these. SLIGHTLY loose but overall the boys can exchange shoes G1-G3 better than the girls.

Ghoulia I put in a pair of tights from I🖤Fashion Wydona. These have always been one of my favourite items of clothing in my MH clothes collection, but I've never had anyone to put them on that really rocks them. So when I saw G3 Ghoulia released, and her ugly skirt, I knew I HAD to get her, literally to wear these tights. XD And MAN DOES SHE ROCK THEM!! Worked out great. She looks so much better in these.
Not sure why, but they fit her much better than any of the other G3 ghouls. (tried them on Frankie before)
Her body looks identical but maybe it's slightly slimmer because the tights fit great on her. She was made for these. XD
Also excited I got one of the limited "$1 for charity" dolls too.
She came with a little "Switch!" The thumbsticks are skulls and it's SO cute lol, that her skateboard are my fave accessories so far. (I wish I could give it some clever name but I can't think of any puns for Nintendo or Switch. XD Wish it was a Gameboy, cause I could call it a Graveboy, at the very least lmfao.) THE DECAL ON HER SKATEBOARD IS DEADFAST!!! Like the exact same decals used for her SDCC release!! I'm adoring the G1 references soo much.
Weird fun fact, she is almost IDENTICAL to G1 Frankie's green. Not sure why, kinda weird. XD You don't realize how blue G3 Frankie in real life is til you put them together.

Not entirely feeling like taking tons of photos of them right now, so for now I'll leave this!

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The complete G3 collection of "original ghouls" are they are now. The only one I wish I'd waited on is Frankie- I ADORE that Fearleading Squad version of her and really prefer it. I'm wondering if someone would be willing to sell her (and Deuce's shoes from that pack... XD I prefer them too!) to me if they got the 6 pack, but that seems like it might be a tough deal to find.

(edit: oh I forgot I also put Frankie in a pair of I🖤Fashion Iris' tights, Drac in Frights, Camera, Action! Honey's hat. I did a bunch of redressing recently lol. Stole all of G3 Clawdeen's accessories & split them between G1 Clawdia & Clawdeen lol...)
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 11/10 Skullector Frankenstein + Bride 2-pack
Post by: Leave a Whisper on October 14, 2022, 07:32:43 AM
I like it. It's classic, nice to see Frankie's parents. Just wish they wouldn't price out kids, that's unfair.


Mattel Releasing 'Bride of Frankenstein' Skullector Dolls from Monster High | All Hallows Geek
https://www.allhallowsgeek.com/mattel-releasing-bride-of-frankenstein-skullector-dolls-from-monster-high/
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 11/10 Skullector Frankenstein + Bride 2-pack
Post by: Esbayne on October 14, 2022, 08:56:21 AM
Oh myyyyy, someone found an animation image of Nefera.

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Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 11/10 Skullector Frankenstein + Bride 2-pack
Post by: Lady Frostbite on October 14, 2022, 01:19:59 PM
That's Nefera at Cleo's age in the original MH, that's my headcanon I make the rules and baby Neffa is that thing
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 11/10 Skullector Frankenstein + Bride 2-pack
Post by: Carrehz on October 14, 2022, 03:38:44 PM
That doesn't look.... too bad. I wonder if she'll get a doll.

Just wish they wouldn't price out kids, that's unfair.

the Skullector dolls are collector items aimed at adults, they're not really intended for the younger set ;)
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 11/10 Skullector Frankenstein + Bride 2-pack
Post by: Esbayne on October 14, 2022, 04:43:19 PM
WHAAAAA

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A leak. When I first saw this I thought it was the unreleased G2 Howlin' Hoodies doll and just scrolled on by. Seeing it again...

TWYLA'S BACK!?

Give her a better outfit and I'm buying her ASAP.
(new Dustin is creepy though... XD)

I like it. It's classic, nice to see Frankie's parents. Just wish they wouldn't price out kids, that's unfair.


Mattel Releasing 'Bride of Frankenstein' Skullector Dolls from Monster High | All Hallows Geek
https://www.allhallowsgeek.com/mattel-releasing-bride-of-frankenstein-skullector-dolls-from-monster-high/

I mean... They are collector's dolls. :) MLP does the same thing, or really any line with an additional collector's series. Kids aren't generally collectors, and the higher price point allows for higher quality. Does this Frankenstein pack really have that compared to previous collectors'? Eh... Debatable. Definitely higher quality than Dracula was from G2. XD But definitely lower than G1 Hexiciah. (comparing parents)
They are still very cute though.

That being said, I grabbed one!
I had them bookmarked for release time, which was 8am my time- when I start work. But, as predicted, I'm always groggy and forgetful in the morning and totally thought I'd missed them drop- (my plan was- if I check and they're there, it was meant to be and GRAB THEM. If not, wasn't meant to be.) Well I checked anyway at 9:30- they were still there!! I grabbed them as fast as possible. The more I think about it, the more excited I am to get them, and can't wait to receive them! Browsing the MH Mattel forums, it seems almost everyone who was able to get on within about 2hrs was able to get one, which is miles better than all the previous releases where they just immediately sold out in seconds due to bots. They had some anti-bot checks in place this time.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 11/10 Skullector Frankenstein + Bride 2-pack
Post by: Carrehz on October 14, 2022, 05:32:09 PM
TWYLA!! Finally!!! I've been waiting for this <3 Her bunny hood is so cuuute! She looks great. Probably my favourite G3 doll so far... others I've thought "Well, she's nice, but.." or "I like her, but that one thing.." but Twyla's just perfect <3

I like Dustin's mold, but I'm not sure about those eyes XD

Congrats on snagging the 2-pack Esbayne! :D It's good to hear that they seem to be making it easier to get a hold of these.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 11/10 Skullector Frankenstein + Bride 2-pack
Post by: Taffeta on October 17, 2022, 02:34:55 PM
Congrats Esbayne :)

The Twyla does look pretty. But wow, they keep on coming, don't they??

ETA - saw a trailer for the live action MH film today. Discovered it was somewhere in my cable subscription packages so watched it.
Spoiler
There's a lot of very cringey awkward moments in it, frankly. Ghoulia is basically not Ghoulia. I really kept watching it pretty much only for Frankie, who I actually really enjoyed. I am not quite sure what was going on with Lala's swift character switcharound and Cleo, just generally. There's not a lot of character depth going down in that film, but Frankie was cool.

The less said about Lagoona the better.

Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 11/10 Skullector Frankenstein + Bride 2-pack
Post by: shockponie on October 24, 2022, 10:23:04 AM
Congrats Esbayne :)

The Twyla does look pretty. But wow, they keep on coming, don't they??

ETA - saw a trailer for the live action MH film today. Discovered it was somewhere in my cable subscription packages so watched it.
Spoiler
There's a lot of very cringey awkward moments in it, frankly. Ghoulia is basically not Ghoulia. I really kept watching it pretty much only for Frankie, who I actually really enjoyed. I am not quite sure what was going on with Lala's swift character switcharound and Cleo, just generally. There's not a lot of character depth going down in that film, but Frankie was cool.

The less said about Lagoona the better.

I saw the movie over the weekend too! It was actually better than I expected with how much I heard people hated it. But I definitely have mixed feelings.

Spoiler
Clawdeen was perfect imo. I loved that actor. Frankie was my favorite though too! G3 has given me a new appreciation for Frankie. Abbey was cute, but I wanted more of her.

Was it just me, or did some of the songs go hard? Coming Out of the Dark was awesome, and Three of Us has also been stuck in my head.  :whistle: Put us all together there’s no getting in the way, no messin with the three of us!

Not that it didn’t have its shortcomings. Lagoona and Ghoulia were …weird to say the least. And IDK how to feel about Deuce. I pretty much hated Cleo. I was about Lala practicing magic. Jekyll as the teacher was an “interesting” decision.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 11/10 Skullector Frankenstein + Bride 2-pack
Post by: Carrehz on October 25, 2022, 06:21:40 PM
I think Nick are teasing a sequel to the movie already? If I'm understanding things right - there was something about it on the official Monsterhigh Instagram page, but I have less than zero interest in the film (or any of the media really, tbh I'm just here for the dolls) so idk I didn't look into it much.

But yeah speaking of, NEW DOLL NEWS!

Stock photos for the Creepover dolls, inc. nice HQ photos of Twyla (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/2749-monster-high-creepover-party-dolls-twyla-draculaura-clawdeen-and-frankie.html). She's SO CUTE. I'm impressed at how many accessories these dolls come with, too.
I notice that Frankie's description here uses "she/her". I wonder if that was an error or if she's she/they now or something. (I hope I worded that properly.) Seems to be an official desc? Hm.

Clawdeen Boutique Dress Up Studio playset (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/2755-monster-high-clawdeen-wolf-boutique-dress-up-studio-with-doll.html). omg this is soooooo adorable... love the doll, too. the outfits are kinda eh but yeah definitely need this one.

Day Out/Budget dolls (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/2751-new-monster-high-day-out-dolls.html) - We had low quality stock pix of at least some of these before, I don't remember if all of them had been revealed or not. But yeah higher quality pics are up now. I like this Frankie MUCH better than the sig one, the outfit and everything is so much better. Neutral on the Draculaura, Clawdeen I think I'd need to see in person.

Ghoulmobile car playset (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/2750-monster-high-ghoul-mobile-car.html). Cars don't really interest me much tbh, the pet is sorta cute though.

Speaking of pets, the designer for the G3 pets apparently posted the original designs + notes on their Instagram recently, I found these on Tumblr but I've put them together + reuploaded them myself to repost here (I figured that'd be easier than trying to get Instagram to work XD). I'll put 'em under a spoiler cut since they're kinda big.

Notable things from these posts though: Despite earlier reports saying she was still a cat, G3 Crescent is actually a wolf pup. So that's why she looks so weird. idk why they changed her species, but... alright then....
Also the Coffin Bean cat is unofficially named Gooby, omg XD I love it!

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Finally - leaked cartoon designs for the TWINS!!! Again, under a spoiler in case anyone doesn't want to see leaks or whatever. I found these here (https://modern-alebrije.tumblr.com/post/698756575586828288/meowlody-and-purrsephone-development-art-source), that post links to a Reddit post as the source but said post has since been taken down... So as usual with leaks, take with a grain of salt. They look legit to me though.

Spoiler
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Interesting how they seem to have ditched the idea of the twins dressing identically. Purrsephone A is my favourite of the two designs - neutral to the height diff but I don't care for the purple tint the second design seems to have - it'll be interesting to see what the final designs look like. The twins were my first dolls so I'm excited to see they're back. They don't feel the same as the G1 designs, but that's a given x) Setting that aside, though, they don't look THAT much different, and they look nice. I hope we get official shots of them soon - and DOLLS! They need dolls!!

Also I think they're sorta overdoing the catscratch motif thing, but also Tora seems to be in a band now, right? so maybe the twins are in the band too and it's just the band's logo or whatever. if that's the case, then that makes sense + I've got no problem with it.. basically I just hope there's an actual reason for them all having the same motifs and it's not the designers being lazy and recycling stuff. :silly:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Clawdeen Boutique, Ghoulmobile playsets
Post by: Taffeta on October 26, 2022, 07:31:28 AM
Judging by the end of the film, I'm anticipating there is going to be a sequel, since
Spoiler
It ends with some witch (?) looking in her crystal ball and deciding Lala is the one who can bring down the vampires.
So presumably making Lala the focus of the next story, since Clawdeen's is resolved already, and maybe Frankie if there's a third.

They're throwing so much money at this it's almost scary.

Shockponie, I didn't really get any of the songs stuck in my head. They mostly seemed pretty awkward and forced into the narrative, honestly. :/ I'm kind of concerned as well by continuity since
Spoiler
In the graveyard, Ghoulia told them to shut up so she could sleep, so then they have a whole loud song about stuff in the same graveyard, where they're meant to be in secret...and nobody notices?

Twyla looks pretty. I'm still not much for these dolls, and am surprised given the effort of the movie that we haven't seen
Spoiler
A human/wolf Clawdeen release as yet - though maybe I'm just ahead of myself
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Clawdeen Boutique, Ghoulmobile playsets
Post by: Carrehz on October 28, 2022, 08:45:53 AM
I still don't get the
Spoiler
human/werewolf Clawdeen thing. Aren't werewolves part human to begin with? :silly:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Clawdeen Boutique, Ghoulmobile playsets
Post by: Lady Frostbite on October 28, 2022, 11:04:15 AM
I still don't get the
Spoiler
human/werewolf Clawdeen thing. Aren't werewolves part human to begin with? :silly:

Spoiler
Kinda, but Clawdeen was never really shown with a human side in the original MH anyways lol It was more like during full moon she became stronger/faster/more feral, something that has been used to her advantage in sports and (when she was an enemy) by Cleo to try and sabotage her fashion walk
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Clawdeen Boutique, Ghoulmobile playsets
Post by: Taffeta on October 28, 2022, 02:55:37 PM
I still don't get the
Spoiler
human/werewolf Clawdeen thing. Aren't werewolves part human to begin with? :silly:

Thank you for nailing the thing that was chewing at me.
Spoiler
Although maybe that's the point, only in reverse?

There was just so much not really explained, but the one that got me most was what the heck class are these students actually in? Clawdeen and Frankie are freshmen, ok. But then if Lala and Cleo and Lagoona and co are not (Ghoulia mentions spooking freshmen, too), why are they all in the same class? Is this some multi-grade lesson that they all take? Does the monster world have different rules about class entry based on species? More questions!

Also, there's an announcement about night feeders reporting to the cafeteria. Isn't that what Lala is? I mean original Lala was a vegetarian, but she threatens to drink Clawdeen and Frankie's blood at the start, so...? Is a vampire not a night feeder then?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Clawdeen Boutique, Ghoulmobile playsets
Post by: brightberry on November 02, 2022, 11:32:26 AM
Spoiler
In a private high school I took classes with seniors as a freshman.  They were doing it just to complete some credit.  I don't know if that's what is going on here.

I got so close to getting a b&w Draculaura on Target.com.  But when I hit checkout, the page wouldn't load.  When it finally did, she was no longer in my cart.  I don't blame Mattel too much for this poor distribution.   It's the retailers that order the dolls and they are the ones responsible for getting them into stores and sold.  But when they don't even have enough for their own site. Bleh.

Walmart.com makes me mad though.  The dolls are sold out but they show the scalper listings on their site.  Obviously letting scalpers get their products first is too profitable for Walmart for them to do anything about it.  They get the initial sale and whatever percentage from the scalper's sale.

So I guess I'm going to miss out on these too.


I did get the Gore-ganizer Draculaura.  She's exceptionally cute and has a lot of personality with her side-glancing eyes and poseability.  But so far she's the only one I want.

Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Clawdeen Boutique, Ghoulmobile playsets
Post by: Carrehz on November 04, 2022, 12:54:41 PM
That sucks that everything's being plagued by scalpers :( I wish shops would figure out a way to stop that already.

Mattel Creations are running a fan vote poll thing to decide who the next collector doll will be! It looks like there'll be a different category to vote on each week, so this week we decide the character, next week we vote on hair + makeup, etc. Going to be interesting to see how things shake out here.

https://creations.mattel.com/pages/monster-high-fang-vote

The characters in the poll are Robecca, Venus and Rochelle. Disappointed to not see anyone else (I was hoping for Toralei!) but oh well. I voted for Rochelle. Who are you guys voting for? :)
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Clawdeen Boutique, Ghoulmobile playsets
Post by: shockponie on November 04, 2022, 02:32:11 PM
That sucks that everything's being plagued by scalpers :( I wish shops would figure out a way to stop that already.

Mattel Creations are running a fan vote poll thing to decide who the next collector doll will be! It looks like there'll be a different category to vote on each week, so this week we decide the character, next week we vote on hair + makeup, etc. Going to be interesting to see how things shake out here.

https://creations.mattel.com/pages/monster-high-fang-vote

The characters in the poll are Robecca, Venus and Rochelle. Disappointed to not see anyone else (I was hoping for Toralei!) but oh well. I voted for Rochelle. Who are you guys voting for? :)

I voted for Venus, but I would also love a Rochelle! I never connected with Robecca in the past, but I’m always open-minded. I haven’t been able to get the reel drama ghouls either. I’m frequenting wallyworld for the creepover line, but I don’t think they’ve been spotted in my state yet. That’s all that’s been going on with me lately.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 26/10 Clawdeen Boutique, Ghoulmobile playsets
Post by: Taffeta on November 04, 2022, 02:36:36 PM
In G1, I didn't think I liked Venus, but when I was sorting out my dolls, I realised that I have...quite a few of them. o.O. And I didn't want to part with any of them. So I guess...I liked her more than I realised?

I love Rochelle as well. Honestly, zombie shake was one of my first acquisitions for both characters and I love it so much they are actually zombie shaking on my shelf with Ghoulia still, despite my having changed them all around.

Rochelle would probably just edge it as she was always a favourite doll of mine in G1 (aside the hair gook :() but Venus would be epic as well, especially if they made a lot of her vines.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 05/11 Skullector doll Fang Vote
Post by: brightberry on November 07, 2022, 08:39:21 AM
I love Venus and Robecca.  I picked Robecca but I wouldn't mind it being Venus.  I like the idea of her being covered in vines.

Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 05/11 Skullector doll Fang Vote
Post by: Lady Frostbite on November 07, 2022, 11:19:53 AM
I picked Robecca as I liked her backstory and design, despite not being a steampunk person at all, and I liked her dad as well. Actually, wasn't the copyright to Hexicah renewed?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 05/11 Skullector doll Fang Vote
Post by: shockponie on November 08, 2022, 06:49:36 PM
Eeee, I am psyched to have found the creepover girls today!

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I just love Lala's space buns and pj's.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 05/11 Skullector doll Fang Vote
Post by: brightberry on November 08, 2022, 07:08:02 PM
@shockponie Congrats on the Creepovers!  They do look adorable.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 05/11 Skullector doll Fang Vote
Post by: gabumon on November 13, 2022, 06:48:18 PM


excited they are back! saw some locally!  I’ve never collected MH but always admired.  can anyone recommend a good site for MH info? toy timelines? generations?  i want to catch up before i decide to jump in.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 05/11 Skullector doll Fang Vote
Post by: Carrehz on November 14, 2022, 03:59:35 PM
Rochelle won the Fang Vote! The next poll opens on the 18th.

Also OMG have you guys seen these pins from Hot Topic?? https://www.hottopic.com/product/monster-high-characters-blind-box-enamel-pin/19323795.html They're sooo pretty... if anyone gets an extra Clawdeen, LMK! I would love to buy her, can't find any on eBay though :(

(Speaking of Clawdeen pins - has anyone bought any of the "Teen Monster Doll" pins or prints that Garrett Sander's selling on his site (https://garrettsander.com/)? I bought a Clawdeen Teen Wolf Doll pin and got it yesterday, it's so cute! He included a handwritten thank-you note too which was nice :) Unfortunately he doesn't ship outside of US/Canada so I had to get mine sent to a family friend, but it was worth it!)

Congrats on the dolls shockponie :D

Gabumon - MH Merch (http://mhmerch.com) is a fantastic resource :D And I'm sure we could help out if you have any questions.

We're on G3 atm. G2 aka "Welcome to Monster High" was short-lived and followed on directly from G1 (It's like G3/G3.5 of MLP, they redesigned near the end of the line). G3 is the current line that's just coming out now, but they're also continuing G1 with collector dolls, repros, etc.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 05/11 Skullector doll Fang Vote
Post by: Taffeta on November 15, 2022, 02:08:18 PM
I'm happy Rochelle won. I didn't get a chance to vote, but I would have voted for her :D
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 05/11 Skullector doll Fang Vote
Post by: Lady Frostbite on November 16, 2022, 09:15:43 AM
Oh noooooo the pins are so cute!! I would adore a Clawdeen one but I really hope they do a wave 2. Let's home we get G1 Monster High nostalgia in the future!!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 05/11 Skullector doll Fang Vote
Post by: shockponie on November 20, 2022, 04:58:11 PM
Rochelle won! Now onto the hair and makeup vote. I would've liked to see the hair vote separate from makeup, but maybe that's me being particular. Haha.

I gave my Lala ponytails and had fun taking her photo!
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Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 05/11 Skullector doll Fang Vote
Post by: Taffeta on November 21, 2022, 12:46:05 AM
I have noticed that these are now showing up on amazon.co.uk, although they are more expensive than I had expected. I'm not looking to buy any of them, thankfully, but they're listing around £29 :/

Lala looks cute, shockponie :D I love her pose.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 05/11 Skullector doll Fang Vote
Post by: Carrehz on November 21, 2022, 08:25:10 AM
Oh, hopefully that means they'll show up in shops here sooner or later, then. :o It'd be lovely if they showed up in time for Christmas.

shockponie - She looks sooo cute like that! ^_^ Great pose too.

edit: Speak of the devil - I just checked and the 5 signature dolls, plus the car and Clawdeen's bedroom playsets, are up for preorder on Smyths Toys. Says they're expected in stock on 01/01/23.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 05/11 Skullector doll Fang Vote
Post by: shockponie on November 21, 2022, 10:23:41 AM
I just did the conversion, and that means they cost like an extra 15% there, sheesh. Hopefully they’re cheaper in stores than amazon uk.

Thanks for the nice comments! I miss photographing the ghouls. I’m happy to pick it up again.
And bonus, she was super easy to balance!  :satisfied:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 05/11 Skullector doll Fang Vote
Post by: Lady Frostbite on November 21, 2022, 10:40:09 AM
I hope so too, as well as hope the Reel Monsters make their way over, I need me some monochrome creepy cool G1!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 05/11 Skullector doll Fang Vote
Post by: Taffeta on November 22, 2022, 12:40:54 AM
I just did the conversion, and that means they cost like an extra 15% there, sheesh. Hopefully they’re cheaper in stores than amazon uk.


It's doubtful. We always have a price hike on stuff from the US, and especially at the moment since our currency has gone down in comparison to where it would normally have been.

I'm trying to remember but I think Monster High dolls used to retail between around £16 and £20ish. It's been a while though. BUT with inflation, a weaker currency, import duty and so on...I guess that's where we're at.

There's also the small problem of supplier here I guess. Amazon is probably representative of the recommended retail price in the UK, and Smyths will probably be roughly around that price to begin with. Entertainer don't stock Monster High dolls. There are certain things they refuse to stock on 'religious grounds', and that's one of them.

And toymaster franchise stores aren't in every part of the country.

Eta: I just checked and the placeholders on Smyths' website are also saying £29.99.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 05/11 Skullector doll Fang Vote
Post by: Charcoal Flower on December 16, 2022, 09:32:10 PM
I wish, I had know about this earlier.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 05/11 Skullector doll Fang Vote
Post by: Carrehz on January 07, 2023, 01:04:24 PM
Smyths Toys has MH in stock! G3 has hit UK!!!

They have sig Clawdeen, Frankie, Cleo, Lagoona and Draculaura (the one I went into today had sold out of Draculaura completely, or maybe just hadn't put any out? they seemed to be halfway through a store reset, so idk... but they did have a shelftag for her), Clawdeen's bedroom, and the Ghoulmobile. Clawdeen is the second version with the stripey shirt, so I guess we probably won't get the moon shirt version over here, aw.

Having seen them in person now: Cleo's alright but still doesn't do it for me (I still hate that her bandages aren't painted - I like the idea of molded-on bandages, but without paint it looks weird/wrong), Frankie looks better in person than in photos (I love her loooong legs, I just wish her neck wasn't so short), Lagoona looks worse (I'm just not a fan, sorry XD)... excited to see Draculaura. the car playset is meh... Clawdeen's bedroom I liked a little less than I did from the photos, but I still want it :p Though I thought it was a bit overpriced considering it doesn't come with a doll or anything. Might try and wait for a sale.

but Clawdeen herself is gorgeous omg :lovey: I've been having a bad day and she really cheered me up. Her little freckles are sooooo darling. I so missed going on monster hunts! <3 I hope more of the line shows up over here soon.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 05/11 Skullector doll Fang Vote
Post by: shockponie on January 09, 2023, 12:00:28 PM
Aw, yay!!!  I’m glad she’s showing up in the UK. I totally agree with you, Carrehz; Clawdeen is so pretty. Love her!

I am eager to see the Skulltimate Secrets line. I want Frankie in that hat.

The leaked scarisian Lala set looks a bit boring to me, but I’d have to see it in person.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 05/11 Skullector doll Fang Vote
Post by: Lady Frostbite on January 09, 2023, 12:57:32 PM
Here's the listings for those interested (https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/fashion-and-dolls/monster-high/c/SM06010429).

So i take it £30 is the new normal for dolls now?  :huh: I'll keep watching as I'm still hoping for the throwback B&W dolls, I will absolutely get those!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 05/11 Skullector doll Fang Vote
Post by: Leave a Whisper on January 10, 2023, 11:13:51 AM
MH Drop - MH Skullector Elvira Doll – Mattel Creations
https://creations.mattel.com/pages/mh-drop-mh-skullector-elvira-doll

Elvira was always so cool
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 05/11 Skullector doll Fang Vote
Post by: Carrehz on January 10, 2023, 02:00:17 PM
I don't care for the new Draculaura set, either. Pretty boring and not too different to the other G3 Lauras.

I LOVE Elvira!!! Sooo pretty. Her face translated really well into the MH style.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 10/01 Skullector Elvira
Post by: brightberry on January 12, 2023, 01:13:51 PM
Elvira is such a cute idea for a monster high doll! I really like that they made one.

I also still keep hoping they'll re-release the b&w dolls.  I got a giftcard for Christmas and got the Draculaura because I like her boxart most.  But I want all of them.

I saw a listing a month ago of someone with 50 b&w clawdeens with damaged boxes.  It kind of makes me wonder if something happened to the shipment and Walmart didn't want to put them on its shelf? 

I do think G3 monster high is wonderful.  But my shelves are full of my G1s and I don't want to get rid of anyone.  My biggest regret in this decision is the coffin bean.  I adore it.

Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 10/01 Skullector Elvira
Post by: Carrehz on January 21, 2023, 04:41:05 PM
Sainsbury's also has the signature MH dolls! :) They didn't have much stock (just one of each character, minus Frankie who I assume had already sold) but it's great to see them showing up in more stores.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 10/01 Skullector Elvira
Post by: Taffeta on January 30, 2023, 08:54:45 AM
I saw the new MH in Smyths today, a whole section of them plus Clawdeen's bedroom playset or something. I have to be honest, I'm not attracted to any of them. Lala looks worse in person than I thought she did in photos, and I already thought she looked odd. I can't get used to Frankie's change in colouring, and while Clawdeen is probably the best of them, she didn't really grab me. But eh, that's saving me some money.

I think maybe it's to do with the colour saturation on the dolls. It's very "there" somehow, it's not as subtle as on the G1 dolls. Not sure if that even makes sense but anyway. They look a lot cheaper than the G1, but are more expensive.

Still, it was nice to see them. The doll aisle in our Smyths is basically LOL surprise - Rainbow High - MH - Miraculous Ladybug *lol*
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 10/01 Skullector Elvira
Post by: brightberry on February 08, 2023, 01:00:06 PM
I just saw these on youloveit.com

https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/2863-monster-high-skulltimate-secrets-fearidiscent-series-2023-dolls.html

I have to say that these look amazing to me.  I really like Frankie and Draculaura.  But the others are looking good too.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 10/01 Skullector Elvira
Post by: Lady Frostbite on February 08, 2023, 01:08:11 PM
OOO Frankie and Clawdeen look UUH-mazing, Lagoona look SO much better! I still find the blue-pupil look on Cleo really offputting, she looks dead ... no pun intended. I think this is the closest we're gonna get to a winter line.

I would have killed for a G1 winter line ... *crai*
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 2/8 Fearidescent
Post by: shockponie on February 08, 2023, 01:32:25 PM
Oh cool! I adore that Frankie! *swoon*
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 10/01 Skullector Elvira
Post by: Carrehz on February 09, 2023, 07:37:48 AM
They're... okay. Don't really have any strong feelings about them either way tbh. This gen is very same-y :/
Clawdeen's about the best of the lot, though idk if I'd want her. I do like her tops though.

I like the canopic jar details inside Cleo's locker, is that Hissette on one of them??

Also I don't get why they're called "Fearidescent" since there aren't really any iridescent details on them...?

I forgot to post this before. New Mattel Creations line, Haunt Couture Midnight Runway:

https://creations.mattel.com/en-gb/pages/monster-high

Frankie's being released tomorrow (Feb 10th) and Cleo and Spectra will be released later. fingers crossed Cleo releases last cause I really like her <3 The others are alright, I like Frankie's jacket.

Also apparently the World's Smallest MH figures are out since I've seen some pics of those around. I hope I can find them online for a good price, I really want them! They're so tiny and cute!! People are whining about them being "ugly", not sure what sort of quality they expect for something that's about the size of a pinky finger... lol.

According to this (http://venivididolli.blogspot.com/2023/02/news-monster-highrainbow-high.html), Amazon also briefly had listings up for Abbey, Clawd and Skulltimate Secrets series 3 feat. Frankie, Draculaura (how many Skulltimate dolls do these two need???), Toralei and Twyla. Hope we get pics of those soon!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 10/02 HC Frankie, Skulltimate Secrets S2
Post by: shockponie on February 15, 2023, 09:06:15 AM
Does anyone want to see my SS Frankie?
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This set is so fun; I love the little coffee. Mismatched shoes.  :P
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 10/02 HC Frankie, Skulltimate Secrets S2
Post by: brightberry on February 15, 2023, 12:56:53 PM
@shockponie  Wow, that looks really cute!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 10/02 HC Frankie, Skulltimate Secrets S2
Post by: Lady Frostbite on February 20, 2023, 02:16:24 PM
SO I SAW SOME UPDATES AND THERE IS AN ABBEY AND OH MY RA YOU GUYS SO LOOKS SO AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not sure if I can post here let me get the tumblr link but I am D Y I N G  she is so perfect and beautiful  :cry:

https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/2871-monster-high-2023-new-student-dolls-abbey-bominable-and-clawd-wolf.html

There is more but ABBEY!!!!!!!!!!! ABBEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 10/02 HC Frankie, Skulltimate Secrets S2
Post by: shockponie on February 21, 2023, 07:17:07 AM
@Lady Frostbite :freak: She looks awesome! Definite must have.  :lovey:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 10/02 HC Frankie, Skulltimate Secrets S2
Post by: Carrehz on February 21, 2023, 09:19:38 AM
Hehe I was wondering when you'd see her Lady Frostbite :)

I think I'll pass on both of them Clawd might tempt me when I see him in person... I'm not a big fan of the boys, but I find it hard to resist the wolves. something about his face bugs me though, his eyes look kinda dead, esp. compared to Abbey :/ Abbey isn't one I'd want myself but I do think she's one of the best G3 dolls yet.

There's also a new party line :) Monster Ball: https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/2797-monster-high-monster-ball-dolls.html

Best Draculaura yet IMO, I think she's really cute, esp. her hair. Lagoona and Cleo do nothing for me. And CLAWDEEN omg omg omg <3 <3 <3 I love her tux!!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/02 Sig Clawd/Abbey, Monster Ball line
Post by: Lady Frostbite on February 21, 2023, 12:45:03 PM
Ghoulfriends this Abbey is giving me so much joy  :cry: I could honestly cry, she's so PERFECT!!

Lala's dress is fun, I wonder how it would look on G1 Catty??

Lala's dress and Clawdeen's tux are very Why Do Ghouls Fall In Love, they're pretty much remixes.

I STILL don't like that film over Cleo's eyes, it makes it look like there's a sheet of protective plastic I need to peel off to show the real colour underneath!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/02 Sig Clawd/Abbey, Monster Ball line
Post by: Leave a Whisper on February 21, 2023, 12:51:37 PM
Who is Sig Clauwd?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/02 Sig Clawd/Abbey, Monster Ball line
Post by: shockponie on March 01, 2023, 11:45:49 AM
I'm not trying to ignore your question, LaW, but I'm unsure what you're asking. This new signature Clawd?

Here's my Skulltimate Secrets Lala clutching her candy lollies!
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She's pretty cute but in desperate need of a bang trim. Or shall I say a fringe trim?  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/02 Sig Clawd/Abbey, Monster Ball line
Post by: brightberry on March 01, 2023, 02:40:21 PM
Shockponie, your new Draculaura is so cute!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/02 Sig Clawd/Abbey, Monster Ball line
Post by: Carrehz on March 02, 2023, 08:20:27 AM
I STILL don't like that film over Cleo's eyes, it makes it look like there's a sheet of protective plastic I need to peel off to show the real colour underneath!

Ahh this is a great description of it!! I don't like it either, I don't get why they did that. It just looks so weird!

Love that photo shockponie!! :)
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/02 Sig Clawd/Abbey, Monster Ball line
Post by: Carrehz on March 16, 2023, 09:33:10 AM
Mattel Collector are starting a MH "Fang Club"...

https://creations.mattel.com/en-gb/pages/monster-high-fang-club-membership-faqs

From what I understand, this is what it's going to be about:
- Membership is $10 per year, which isn't too bad.
- Club members will be able to buy exclusive items that won't be available to any non-club members
- Club members get priority to buy certain MC exclusives
- It says membership is available to "any of the countries listed in the "Country" field that appear during the checkout process" so I think it's available to non-US fans.

I've heard there's going to be a club-exclusive Ghoulia doll, but I can't find that on the site itself? But it's possible it's on there and I'm just missing it, tbh I find the MattelCollector site difficult to navigate.

Not sure how to feel about it. The starting price seems pretty reasonable but who knows how expensive the actual dolls will be, not to mention we haven't even *seen* them yet... personally I think I'll wait for more info and go from there. What do you guys think?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/02 Sig Clawd/Abbey, Monster Ball line
Post by: Taffeta on March 17, 2023, 03:11:05 AM
I'm not really a fan of the new style, so won't be pursuing it, but I'd definitely find out what, if any, additional shipping costs incur for fans outside the US. Sometimes Mattel have had very high shipping charges in the past.

Personally, I'm not interested in what they're now passing off as Ghoulia in the new reboot. I'm on the fence whether I'd been tempted by an old school Ghoulia doll release now, actually, given that they've (in my opinion), so thoroughly reinvented the character. I feel her reboot is cowardly :/

I know that the colouring and expressions on some of the dolls bother me (Frankie is TOO BRIGHT, and Lala's expression is weird to me), but I think the dilution of Ghoulia is a big reason I can't support this new release. I don't like that they're using her as a dangle to get people interested in the club, when she was popular previously for all the things she no longer is.

Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/02 Sig Clawd/Abbey, Monster Ball line
Post by: Carrehz on March 17, 2023, 10:13:37 AM
I think the club dolls will probably be G1-style, going off the previous Mattel Collector releases.

I agree that it's pretty lame of them to have the first club exclusive be a... well not a "new" character, but one they haven't released a collector doll of yet. I mean, I get why they'd do that, but it still kinda bites.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/02 Sig Clawd/Abbey, Monster Ball line
Post by: Esbayne on March 17, 2023, 12:22:44 PM
I'm pretty peeved about it, because it will not help curb bot scalping as they claim. From what I've heard from the Barbie members of the same program, and it does not guarantee you're able to purchase from them, many, many people still end up having items sold out while they're checking out.

From the MH FAQ, even:

Quote
"Am I guaranteed the chance to purchase each version of the member-exclusive items?

Since all items offered as member exclusives are limited in the quantities produced (excluding made-to-order items), we can’t guarantee every member will be able to purchase each of the items. Your membership does include access to a priority window for select sales that gives members the opportunity to purchase items on Mattel Creations before non-members. In the drop page for each sale, we’ll specify when the priority window begins, if such an opportunity exists.  Note that the priority window time may vary, but may only last as long as the item remains available; once the item has sold out, the priority window ends.

Additionally, members may have the chance to purchase exclusive made-to-order items — available ONLY to Fang Club members. For these items, we produce only the quantity ordered by members, so as long as you place an order for one of these items within the priority window for ordering, you’ll receive one.

NOTE: Membership only guarantees the opportunity to purchase any item we offer; it does NOT guarantee an actual purchase. Also, having an item in your Shopping Cart does NOT guarantee the item is still available and does NOT guarantee an actual purchase. Your purchase is only confirmed once you have both completed your Shop transaction AND received an order number."

So that, on top of the fact that these dolls usually sell out in minutes, and also the fact I've found almost all of them very cheap looking/seeming, (including HC, and omg do not get me started on that Valentine's "Collector's" pack.) this is a very hard no for me. Not going to pay Mattel more money to keep screwing me, lol.
I do not have high hopes for the Ghoulia doll. I love that it'd be Ghoulia, but gatekeeping her behind the membership feels in poort taste- I get they're trying to incentivize people to join, but feels a bit like a rug pull on top of the fact I have a sneaky suspicion she's going to look pretty cheap and half-inspired, too. Maybe I'll eat my words though, I mean, I'd like to- I was totally blown away by Abbey when I thought her doll would be pretty basic, but also that's playline G3, not G1 collector's, and I've been very seldom impressed by the G1 collector's dolls as a whole. I think they had way more potential than they're seeing.

So, kinda bummed this is how they'll be moving forward with things as it seems it will cost more to solve nothing; though I would love to eat my words on that as well lol. I'll wait and see from the sidelines how this goes for a while before trying it out. Though a majority of people I saw in another online MH community were complaining in every direction about this, how scummy it is, etc, but then ending the post with, "But of course I still bought it anyway because I'm afraid I'll miss out even if I don't like them." Which of course people are entitled to spend their money as they please, but all that does is fuel this very practice they hate & complain is scummy. I don't get it.

Also, why they wouldn't make all orders made-to-order instead of these mad-grab drops of a few hundred is beyond me.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 21/02 Sig Clawd/Abbey, Monster Ball line
Post by: Carrehz on March 17, 2023, 01:51:28 PM
Though a majority of people I saw in another online MH community were complaining in every direction about this, how scummy it is, etc, but then ending the post with, "But of course I still bought it anyway because I'm afraid I'll miss out even if I don't like them."

I don't understand that attitude... people can do what they like with their own money, but personally there's very, very few things I'd pay out for totally sight-unseen... just saying "there's an exclusive Ghoulia" isn't enough for me - I want to see her before I pay up XD I don't really get the "FOMO" angle because c'mon, there'll be leaks, lol, there's no way the club-only pics, etc aren't going to get shared outside of the club the second they drop. If it's anything like MC's regular exclusives the club stuff will be announced before it actually goes up for sale, I imagine there'd be enough time to sign up for a membership last-minute if they do make something that appeals to you... If that makes sense. I dunno, I've never quite understood the attitude of "I'm complaining about this but I'm buying it anyway".

For me there's not enough info available for me to have strong feelings about the club either way. It doesn't sound like something I'd be interested in... To be honest I've had a hard time getting really excited about MH lately in general :/ Most of G3 is very samey (and they're taking forever to release over here!), and the G1 collector dolls are pretty (well.. mostly, don't get me started on that Cleo/Deuce set) but it's exhausting going through the buying process. I'm not sure how they could fix the scalping, bot etc problems cause you're gonna get those no matter what, but they definitely need to try harder to sort it out.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: brightberry on March 18, 2023, 06:48:20 PM
I don’t plan to do the club.  It sounds kind of neat but, I would hate to miss out on a doll after paying $10.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Esbayne on March 20, 2023, 11:13:07 AM
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Sneak peeks of the new Ghoulia exclusive.

I'm.... still not jumping out of my seat to go buy that membership lmao.
That's all I have to say.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Lady Frostbite on March 20, 2023, 01:35:30 PM
I don’t plan to do the club.  It sounds kind of neat but, I would hate to miss out on a doll after paying $10.

Pretty much this. If this was G1 I'd be up for it, but until I see more Abbey or other dolls I'm interested in, this isn't really worth it. And I say that as someone who is willingly part of a band's fanclub despite not having used her discount for ages.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Taffeta on March 20, 2023, 02:43:31 PM
Remembering the chaos with the IT dolls and Jem...I'm also not a fan of this kind of exclusive membership doll acquisition thing for that reason.

With IT, I remember there were a lot of IT non Jem fans who were members and who didn't like/want the Jem range - but bought them on early release anyway to scalp off Jem collectors. Certain characters were very limited in their release, which meant that by the time they went on general sale, a lot of actual Jem fans missed out and prices soared. They made too many Stinger dolls, so those prices stayed lowish, but I remember that there was utter chaos over the Regine/Danse/Video/Clash release.

...I have never been so glad to be in Europe, since I was able to get the last Regine from one French seller. Nobody in the US wanted to deal with European shipping, but we were still in the EU then so no import duty. I also by some fluke whim got Danse and not Clash, who I'd originally been intending to get. And boy was that the right decision. I was able to get Clash later, but Danse? Sold out.

I deboxed Danse but my Regine is still in her box because of the scary prices she was selling for after that melee.

IT have weird rules about when you can sign up to their exclusive club thing, so if you miss that you're toast. It's some narrow window every year in January. I don't know if Mattel works that way, but it's possible you may have to make a decision on signing up long before you know if that year's products will appeal to you.

@Esbayne, the teasers for a new collector Ghoulia still don't do much for me. I have a fair few original Ghoulia dolls from G1 on my shelf, and I have the two-pack with Cleo,  which I adore. But it's kind of an ideological thing for me as well.

My feelings about Ghoulia's reboot are really complicated...but I feel like Mattel should've stuck with her as she was, not tried to change her. I don't know what they were going for with the G3 reboot, and that's problematic for me. I read one blog that suggested her actress was autistic, which may or may not be true - but it's not about that. It's about the character as a whole. Ghoulia speaking zombie for me wasn't about the fact she didn't speak in human words. It was about communicating differently and yet still being an active, accepted part of the group regardless. I think Mattel could've handled her reboot in a lot of ways that still recognised that difference - but I don't really understand Ghoulia as a character any more.

Frankie has taken over some of it. They're clearly complicated because of their construction - but it's not the same thing. It makes me feel that releasing G1 Ghoulia stuff is now kind of a cop-out, because the G1 Ghoulia that represents has been diluted :/

I think I might be more worried, based on the movie, if Mattel was trying to make G3 Ghoulia somehow on the spectrum.

But this is just my personal opinion. Of course I wouldn't judge anyone for making different choices or having a different view.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Esbayne on March 21, 2023, 06:32:35 PM
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....................

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...............Kaaaaaaaaaaaay..... :blink:

I cannot wrap my mind around this design choice, personally.
I'm glad some others seem to like it so far.
Very glad I didn't jump on the membership blindly.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: brightberry on March 22, 2023, 01:38:47 PM
I like the doll's overall look.  Kinda feel queasy looking at her boots.  But, it's still a beautiful doll.

I think I would drop everything if they ever make Scarah.  I don't know what she's like in the cartoons, but I love her dark 70s vibe and hollow eyes.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Carrehz on March 24, 2023, 10:21:00 AM
I can't decide if I like the new Ghoulia or not... I love parts of her, but all those pieces added together? not sure. If that makes sense. The "Statue of Liberty" headband is a bit weird XD But I love the spine/ribcage accessory (would've preferred it in different colours, bone coloured maybe, but it might've been too gory/visceral that way? though idk if it would've been any worse than Cupid's ribcage wings...), the catsuit is cool and I LOVE the boots, they're a touch too gory for my taste but the mold is awesome and I hope they use it again. But when you put all these pieces together, I dunno if it really works for me? She's not bad, she is pretty, but, I dunno, she's definitely not one I'd go to the trouble of getting. Not sure if I'd get her if she was a regular release, tbh.

It is lovely to see Ghoulia again though. :) I hope they bring back more old favourites soon, I'd kill for another Scarah too.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Taffeta on March 25, 2023, 01:09:59 AM
Not to gross anyone out or anything, but I'm trying to work out if her earrings are worms...

Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Carrehz on March 25, 2023, 08:44:21 AM
I think they are, yeah. Pretty sure she's had worm earrings before.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Taffeta on March 25, 2023, 10:24:08 AM
I think they are, yeah. Pretty sure she's had worm earrings before.

Not with brain boots. ;)
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Lady Frostbite on March 25, 2023, 01:44:47 PM
It was the enemy zombie girl from G2 that had worm earrings, forgot her name and don't care to look it up
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Esbayne on March 25, 2023, 03:15:20 PM
Ghoulia also had the worm earrings in a fashion pack, but yeah Moanica got worm earrings as well.

Apparently she sold out in less than 24 hrs.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Crystal-Sushi on April 04, 2023, 06:23:48 AM
Apparently she sold out in less than 24 hrs.

She was actually up for a decent amount of time for a Mattel Creations drop (discounting outliers like HC Clawdeen and Midnight Runway Frankie) - usually it's under 5 minutes and I believe the shortest were the first two (Pennywise/Grady Twins) in under 1 minute?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Lady Frostbite on April 10, 2023, 01:20:24 PM
MOANICA D'KAY Man I totally forgot her name  :P

I spotted new 'Goona in B&Ms on Saturday, it's weird seeing MH there again.

Abbey is up for order on Entertainment Earth, I'm watching Smyths like a hawk. When/if she comes into stock, I NEED to personally go get her!!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Crystal-Sushi on April 11, 2023, 02:59:41 AM
Fang Vote Rochelle fully revealed - for a price of $90 USD I think it's a bit too high personally as I don't see anything that would make her more expensive than the Haunt Couture ghouls. She's also missing the gloves from her concept art for some reason?

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Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Carrehz on April 11, 2023, 11:24:21 AM
I think she's pretty, but not $90 pretty. I do like those black lips and the long plaits, but I've never really cared for that style of dress.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Taffeta on April 12, 2023, 01:50:05 PM
She's a beautiful doll, but 90$ in a cost of living squeeze post-Covid is a bit ouch.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: brightberry on April 12, 2023, 03:14:04 PM
I love everything about her but the pink foil.  But, that's me looking for reasons not to get her.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Crystal-Sushi on April 13, 2023, 07:31:04 PM
For context, here's the image that everyone actually voted on versus the actual doll - aside from missing the gloves, I think she'd look better with the more pastel tones?

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Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Carrehz on April 14, 2023, 08:37:57 AM
Thanks for the comparison! Yeah, I like the pastel colours better, and the gloves really bring the outfit together! Maybe they were having trouble getting them to look good, gloves can be tricky. I could see them not wanting to faff about with fiddly little fabric gloves. But it would've been nice if they'd come up with *something* else to put on her arms, as it is they look a bit bare compared to the rest of her.

I read somewhere she was made-to-order which might explain the higher cost?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Esbayne on April 14, 2023, 12:12:59 PM
The doll, herself, is stunning. I also love her shoes! But that dress is.... Somethin' else. It screams "candy shop window" or "wrapping paper" to me, not really Victorian stained glass. The pinks are far too vibrant. Allso I can tell what that fabric feels like just from that picture and I hate it. XD

I thought about getting her to put different clothes on her, but for $90 that's just not going to happen. Especially with the missing gloves. I understand gloves can be hard to do, but it's a $90 collector's doll? Hell they could've even gone the cheap G1 route of the moulded on elbow gloves, at the very least. The cost of these dolls seems to increase with every release, but the quality honestly seems to go down. 🙃 However that is nice if they're finally doing made-to-order so these dolls don't completely sell out in less than a day, but that's still quite the steep price hike. Not to mention the new membership they just rolled out, as well.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Esbayne on April 22, 2023, 09:53:31 AM
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So Chucky & Bride will be the next addition to the Alumni series.

I won't be getting them but think it's super cool for Child's Play/Chucky fans. Hopefully those clothes are nicer quality than they look though.

I'd really love to see them do the Evil Dead at some point! Since their hands can pop off, including Ash's swappable hand extensions would be really easy... >.>
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Carrehz on April 22, 2023, 03:21:12 PM
Oh cool! I think Tiffany's been rumoured for a while but I didn't know it'd be a two-pack, that's nice. Her dress does look pretty poor quality though >_<

They don't interest me personally but it's nice for fans, I'm surprised it took them this long to do! Seems like an obvious crossover haha.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: brightberry on May 04, 2023, 10:02:25 AM
I can't believe how quickly they sold out!  :shocked:   
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Carrehz on May 05, 2023, 07:53:19 AM
Mattel really botched up this release >_< They've NEVER released dolls on a Monday before, and usually they give at least 24hrs' notice before the drop! What the heck happened?! I get that May 1st is an important date to the series (I guess?) but why not just do the full reveal then and release them on Friday as usual? Looks like a lot of people missed out because of this -_-
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Lady Frostbite on May 29, 2023, 08:51:01 AM
I'm not a fan of the Rochelle ... She REALLY doesn't click for me, is it the maxi-dress? I just feel like Mattel really got into having a ton of plastic stuff added to dolls from about the Exchange students lines onwards, and it was REALLY offputting, especially in the Boo York line (more excusable for the Great Scarrier Reef for bodies for the seaghouls but this is more pointing at the accessories).

I don't know, it feels like they're making the ghouls more like Buckaroo with the plastic add-ons rather than letting the clothes shine or keeping the accessories small and spare.

G3 Abbey is up on Smyths (https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/fashion-and-dolls/monster-high/monster-high-abbey-bominable-yeti-fashion-doll-with-accessories/p/223923) and you better BELIEVE I'm keeping an eye on when my closest has her in stock, I can't WAIT To see her in person!!

(Clawd is there too but I'm here for best frosty ghoul!)
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Lady Frostbite on June 08, 2023, 05:37:08 PM


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Monster High Fan-Sea Lagoona Blue - Entertainment Earth Exclusive (https://www.entertainmentearth.com/product/monster-high-fansea-lagoona-blue-entertainment-earth-exclusive/mthnf86r)

I spotted a new 'Goona on Entertainment Earth

Again with the plastic!! WHy!??!?! The dress looks like it has a really interesting pattern but the plastic accessories are just TOO much!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Carrehz on June 09, 2023, 03:26:04 AM
Haunt Couture Midnight Runway Cleo is going up for sale on Mattel Creations on 16 June at 9 am PT, it says she's available 24 hrs "before anyone else" if you're in the Fang Club; I assume this means 24 hrs before 16/06 but the wording was kind of vague x) Haven't looked into it more than that cause I can't afford her atm and don't want to tempt myself, haha.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Crystal-Sushi on June 19, 2023, 05:30:44 AM
Lots of new G3 stuff coming up!

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Amped Up Frankie Stein

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Faboolous Pets/Beasties at The Maul - Clawdeen & Draculaura 2-Pack

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Skulltimate Secrets S3 - Neon Frights - Ghoulia, Frankie and Draculaura. This line also includes Toralei and Twyla!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: shockponie on June 19, 2023, 08:34:44 AM
I really want that Amped Up Frankie and the maul 2-pack. I have Abbey on the way to me rn.
So hyped!! :squee:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Carrehz on June 19, 2023, 03:01:50 PM
Ooooh excited to see the new Toralei <33 Hope pics of her turn up soon.

LOVE Frankie's keytar omg, I want it!! Reminds me of Jem! And I hope we get more pics of the 2-pack soon, that Crescent bag (backpack?) looks so cute!

UK peeps - Smyths Toys has Abbey and Clawd in stock! Abbey is sooo pretty, I love her face. And I like Clawd a lot more than I was anticipating, I just wish they'd made his hair a little shorter, it looks good but it covers his ears a bit too much xD But I have a feeling I'll be getting him eventually.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: shockponie on June 19, 2023, 07:21:49 PM
I kept checking the target app to see when Monster Ball would show up in my area, and today was the day! I chose Clawdéen.  :inlove:
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Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: shockponie on June 21, 2023, 08:05:21 PM
I miiiight've got Monster Ball Lala today.  :shifty:
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Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: brightberry on June 21, 2023, 09:23:09 PM
Oh, your Draculaura is so pretty! She's my favorite from the group.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: shockponie on June 27, 2023, 10:51:33 AM
Thanks @brightberry! She's cute. I also unboxed my fearidescent Lala:
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Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Moonbreeze on June 28, 2023, 06:40:13 AM
I found them in the wild in NL! €35 but hey, at least no importing :D I got Draculaura today
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Lady Frostbite on June 28, 2023, 09:39:57 AM
The new ghouls don't have stands right? I haven't unboxed Abbey yet
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: shockponie on June 28, 2023, 09:58:31 AM
@Lady Frostbite Yay, you got Abbey! No stands. I wish they did.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Crystal-Sushi on July 02, 2023, 02:08:54 AM
The rest of the lineup for 2023 -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CuGPmlOohUX/

Apparently we're getting Venus and Catty as a part of the core line, two NEW characters as a part of the Midnight Runway line (aside from Spectra), a new SDCC doll, and two more Fang Club exclusives!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: shockponie on July 03, 2023, 10:42:10 AM
The rest of the lineup for 2023 -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CuGPmlOohUX/

Apparently we're getting Venus and Catty as a part of the core line, two NEW characters as a part of the Midnight Runway line (aside from Spectra), a new SDCC doll, and two more Fang Club exclusives!

Hm, interesting. I’m psyched about Venus! Also looking forward to seeing g3 Meowlody & Purrsephone.  ^.^
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Carrehz on July 07, 2023, 07:45:39 AM
Hooray for more kitties!! Intrigued to see all the other dolls, too.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Lady Frostbite on July 08, 2023, 06:22:49 PM
Oh. My. Ra. Please, PLEASE let Catty be beautiful and pink/black and NOT have a horrible fringe! That fringe ruined so many good dolls ... I still have my 13 Wishes and Londoom (redressed in a teeny corset), I passed on Geek Shriek when I shouldn't have, I didn't like the Rock Star one or that new ghoul at school one. Catty was my second favourite in looks after Abbey.

I REALLY wish they had stands though :C Do we think Mattel will make stands in the future? Has anyone checked which stands fit them?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: brightberry on July 24, 2023, 03:29:18 PM
I really want to see Venus!

I don't know if the new Skulltimate Secrets have been mentioned:
https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/2937-monster-high-skulltimate-secrets-neon-frights-series-3-dolls.html

From all of these, I like Ghoulia most.  Twyla is cute too.  I hate the giant lockers though.

Oh and I am excited about Cleo and Draculaura from these sets:

https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3074-monster-high-faboolous-pets-beasties-at-the-maul-2-pack-clawdeen-wolf-and-draculaura-dolls.html
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Carrehz on July 25, 2023, 07:32:33 AM
Oooh Draculaura's getting some yellow in her colour palette again! :o Didn't expect that to come back. I love her pocky accessory and laptop <3
(omg is she watching Why Do Ghouls Fall In Love???)

AND YES NEW TORALEI AAAAA LOVE her hair, not sure about the crescent moon (?) earring (looks like more of a Clawdeen earring.. and the other earrings are... cogs?? wha..), and her teacup is adorable. very diff. vibes to my beloved G1 Tora BUT I dig it. I just don't like her boots - I love the style, but the colour blends in too much with her body :/

LoveloveLOVE Ghoulia's face omg. she still feels like a whole new character to me, though. Ahhh is that a Comic-Con parody sticker on her laptop? <3 Hate those game controller earrings and I'm not sure I'm really feeling any of her clothes in general (I'd have to see more pics), but I looove her face and hair. I think I want this one <3

And Twyla is just darling! Argh, I really want a G3 Twyla. I wish the sleepover dolls would come over here already.. I saw them when I was in America earlier on in the month and she's so pretty!

I don't think this year's SDCC doll was posted:
https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3108-monster-high-comic-con-2023-exclusive-doll.html
Freak du Chic Draculaura (G1 style). Not one I'd want personally, but it's nice to see MH at SDCC again...

OMG HISSETTE'S BACK!!! Yesssss!!!!! I missed her, Tut is cute and all, but.. Hissette <333 Ahhh she's cute. I like Cleo's outfit there but I still just can't get into G3 Cleo, I just don't like how shiny they made her :s But I really want her pets haha.

that pic of Clawdeen w/ her arm around Draculaura is so darling! ahhh, I'm gonna need that 2-pack. (Still don't get why they had to change Crescent into a wolf, though.) now if only the stores around here would stock more MHs...! x)
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: NovelNerd on July 25, 2023, 09:13:39 AM
I have not managed to grab one of the new dolls yet. Did all of you see the YRU shoes that were released over the summer? They have been having short bursts of re-releases because they sold out so quickly. I couldn't drop the money on the shoes but they are incredibly cute.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Zapper on August 04, 2023, 06:47:40 AM
I felt the need to post again after saying a while ago that I was out of the MH collector zone. Well, I'm semi back in :lol:

I was initially very happy that the new MH didn't appeal to me. I still have no urge to get into the show or movies (I stand by my opinion that they look super cheap and some character changes didn't serve any purpose such as witchy Draculaura) buuut they finally released a Cleo I couldn't resist and that was the blue-haired Fearidescent one.

I loved her overall look so much and she was one of the few new MHs available in my country in physical stores. She was still way too expensive. I didn't like paying for a big plastic locker and the fact her face was obscured annoyed me. I got two with uneven eyes, so I just chose the one with less flaws and returned the other one.

Now here's the thing: there seem to be no clues as to how many future lines will be available here in Germany. So far we got Sig, Fearidescent, the new Coffin Bean and the car. That's it. No store or Amazon exclusives either. Amazon doesn't stock them.

Would anyone be up to becoming my personal shopper? I am interested in Abbey and the future Venus but I have no confidence in ever being able to get them here. The face-up situation bothers me a lot so ordering from Amazon.com would pose another challenge.
I used to trade and buy for others back in the day but sadly the doll market here has been pretty bad and we are no longer getting any exclusives I could get for you. So it would be on a simple pick-up (product price + shipping costs) basis. Maybe if you are going to pick out your own dolls, just get one for me as well? I'd appreciate it.
Get in touch with me here or via PM if you feel like it  :)
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Carrehz on August 06, 2023, 03:01:56 PM
New dolls:

Blurry photo of Howliday Winter Edition Clawdeen (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3063-monster-high-howliday-winter-edition-clawdeen-wolf-doll.html)
Hoping for better pics of her soon.

Next Skullector doll is Annabelle (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3169-monster-high-skullector-annabelle-doll.html). I've heard of this series but I'm not familiar with it past the name, so can't really comment. I like her hair, though.

Scare-adise Island beach dolls (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3176-monster-high-scare-adice-island-dolls-draculaura-clawdeen-wolf-frankie-stein-lagoona-blue-and-heath-burns.html) - Clawdeen and Heath - there's listings for Frankie and Laura too but no pics yet

Don't care for Clawdeen's outfit at all... I like her book though. She's one I'd really need to see in person, I think. (Though I'm starting to wonder if that'll ever happen :/)
Heath's outfit is... not one I'd pick for a beach line (on a fiery character!!), but aside from that nitpicking :p he's pretty nice!! not one I'd want personally, but I like him. Especially surprising given I HATE his cartoon model. He's just a really nice doll, I love how they did his hair.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on August 07, 2023, 12:51:21 PM
.. why is he wearing a hoodie on the beach. Like, plz.

Clawdeen's look is very odd, the colours just don't seem to suit her very well at all? That might change if we get a better photograph but I'm not feeling it.

I don't get why the dolls aren't in actual swimsuits, I think Clawdeen's outfit IS one with pants on top, but why doesn't it show the full suit? Seems weird for a BEACH line of all things.

The lines seem pretty thin on characters, like they're sticking with Clawdeen and Lala and leaving out Frankie or keeping her slot rotating between her, Cleo or 'Goona. I didn't feel it was as heavy with that with G1, even if the marketing made it seem that the core ghouls could be whittled down to removing Ghoula, then Lagoona, then Cleo, then Clawdeen, then a showdown between Draculara or Frankie.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again - 17/03 MattelCollector Fang Club
Post by: Crystal-Sushi on August 10, 2023, 06:14:24 AM
I really want to see Venus!

Here she is! Well, her concept art at least haha :heart:

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Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on August 10, 2023, 11:13:42 AM
Oh! I think she looks amazing!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on August 11, 2023, 10:07:34 AM
Ooooh, I love her outfit. I hope we get a proper photo soon, my interest is definitely piqued now <3
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on August 13, 2023, 05:12:36 AM
Can we be sure that Venus is legit? She looks very overdesigned and detailed. Way too intricate for this gen. I realize that concepts get toned down in the production process to save money, but is this even from a legitimate source?

If that's from a real Mattel designer I wonder how they are allowed to share prototypes :lookround:

Could it be that we are getting Venus earlier than expected?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: shockponie on August 14, 2023, 08:26:25 AM
This person I follow on IG shared images from a presentation at PowerCon. It’s cool to see the pets that never were.
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Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on August 14, 2023, 01:34:41 PM
It looks like that Catty design was later mostly recycled for the Fierce Rockers one, which I wasn't a fan of as it had the late G1 problem of far too much tacky plastic. It seems that either Catty is done SUPER right or she's very miss for me, this is on the miss side.

As far as I remember, the squid pet was called Aye-Aye and appeared in the movie, I don't think Kyomi had a pet in the movie and Porter absolutely didn't.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on August 16, 2023, 11:37:43 AM
Omg I didn't know there were more pets that never went into full production!! I remember Garrett posted some others on his Instagram a while ago, IIRC River Styxx was meant to have a pet bird originally?

Garrett's definitely posted that Catty/Casta 2-pack image before - yeah, it's the proto for Fierce Rockers. Mattel requested Casta be swapped out for Toralei, can't remember if he explained why or not off the top of my head... I assume because she was popular. But that's why Tora was in that set despite being established as a bad singer and thus not making sense for a popstar 2-pack (Garrett even pointed that out himself).
personally I love that set as it is (and was never a huge fan of Casta), so I'm not going to complain about Mattel vetoing the original design :p but it is a shame they weren't able to recycle this Casta design for a later release.

The pets are so CUTE though!! I'm so sad they phased the pets out as G1 progressed :(
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on August 17, 2023, 01:24:37 PM
The pets!!! Awwww!



I'm embarrassed to say that even though I love all the new doll designs, I have an incredible weak spot for Draculaura and so far she's the only one I've succumbed to.  Goreganizer is still my favorite.  The others are just not measuring up.

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Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: shockponie on August 21, 2023, 09:55:48 AM
I love your Draculaura collex, @brightberry!

Where did you get that lavender dress?! It’s so cute on her.

You should get an Abbey! *nudge nudge*  :P
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on August 21, 2023, 10:10:38 AM
thank you!  ^.^

I keep seeing Abbey and love her! But I end up saying ''better not" as that would open the door for all of them.   :|


Oh and the dress is from Ropitas Kawaii on Etsy.  I used to buy pullip clothes from her.  It cost as much as the doll so I hope these girls are all willing to share...
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: JazzMatazz on August 23, 2023, 05:29:13 PM
The pets!!! Awwww!



I'm embarrassed to say that even though I love all the new doll designs, I have an incredible weak spot for Draculaura and so far she's the only one I've succumbed to.  Goreganizer is still my favorite.  The others are just not measuring up.


I too have amassed a collection of Laura cause she's just so perfect. Most of my MH girls I have for halloween decor I'm trying to hold myself til sept first to pull out everything
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on August 26, 2023, 03:28:52 AM
The only Draculaura I really like so far is the one that comes with yet another giant plastic box ^^;
She's so overpriced because of that but I love her E-girl face-up and 90s strappy dress over shirt with combat boots combo. Very simple yet it works so well. I wonder whether she'll ever be affordable because she seems to be everybody's favorite.

The other Lauras I have to say look too over the top for me. She always has one design element too many, imo. A problem a lot of G3s have (they are print-happier than G1 and G1 already had many overdesigned looks).

I also hate how they made her half Asian but never commit to that part of her. The G1 Japanese exchange student Laura was going all in with the cherry blossoms and paper art but G3 Laura is just a weird Ita most of the time. I'm not saying she needs to look stereotypical like Jinafire but they should really do more with these new heritages they have given the characters.
Put her in a true Lolita inspired outfit like they did with G1. Put her in some bloomers, give her longer skirts because her hips are so wide these minis she's in ride up and expose her butt quite a lot. She's supposed to be Thai, I think? Then take inspiration from that culture and put her in a nice dress for one.

The new beach Draculaura looks very cute with the sunhat:
https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3176-monster-high-scare-adice-island-dolls-draculaura-clawdeen-wolf-frankie-stein-lagoona-blue-and-heath-burns.html
She should have had a hat from the beginning since they also made her a witch. Frankie also looks cute in a hat.
I have always loved the swimlines so maybe I am biased. Heath truly is the worst. I don't like how they are releasing new characters in their sig looks in random lines now. Heath looks like he is wearing a pyjama and they should have at least given him a top to swap. Maybe something cropped or mesh to tie in with the beach looks more.

For all that "diversity" they claim to champion, the guy dolls are still super bland and less fashionable than the girls. What they did to Clawd gave me late G1 slimbox vibes.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on August 28, 2023, 01:39:46 AM
I've looked at these a lot of times in the stores but I just can't get excited about any of them.

True, I'm still annoyed about what they've done with Ghoulia, but it's more than that.

The dolls just don't seem as well crafted to me as the original ones. It's something to do with the colour density of the plastic. The new ones look cheaper somehow. I don't know how to explain it but that's how they make me feel.

I don't like Draculaura's fringe, either. It bothers me with its pointiness.

I remember admiring MH back when it came out, even though it took me a long time to crack and actually buy one. But these just don't have the same vibe. I wonder why...

I do really like the concept behind Frankie in G3, but that's about it.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on August 28, 2023, 01:54:02 PM
I feel the same... I like them a lot, but they're just not the same as G1, somehow. I'll pick one up and go "Oh, this is nice, I'll have to get it when I've got some spare cash" and then put it back on the shelf... with G1 it was more "OMG I need her right now!!" you know? I like G3 in general, but I'm not getting excited about it like I did with G1 back in the day.

'Course, it doesn't help that the distribution over here has been so terrible thus far. -_-
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on August 31, 2023, 10:31:50 AM
I agree that they don't seem to be as creative or creepy as the originals.  And I am not as excited about them as I was G1.  But, the doll underneath the clothes is surprisingly sturdy and well made.  The chest joint is also really useful for posing.  I also like that G3 Draculaura has the expression that she does.  It gives her a lot of personality and makes her stand out to me.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on August 31, 2023, 11:46:26 AM
https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3172-monster-high-hissfits-3-pack-dolls-set-with-purrsephone-meowlody-and-toralei.html

Very positively surprised about these. I like that they are in a band now and not just meangirls. The twins also look less samey (as far as twins go).

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Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on August 31, 2023, 12:23:05 PM
^ Wow! I love the dark haired cat.  And, the tail tambourine is hilarious. 
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on August 31, 2023, 12:45:26 PM
Is it just me or are Toralei's boots VERY EAH? I can totally see one of the girls in that wearing them.

For me, I think the fact this gen and the gen before are scewing younger tends to take a lot of edge out of the design. The ghouls seem way younger compared to the original ghouls, and it just seems that the old theme of 'high school kids look WAY older than they are to elementary school kids' (or secondary to primary, for us UK ghouls) that a lot of toys and movies went with has been done away with
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on August 31, 2023, 03:51:43 PM
Meowlody (I'm assuming it's Meowlody - the twins' hair colours are still the same as in G1 right?)-'s dress is pretty much Dawn of the Dance Frankie's, lol. At least the top half.

omg they're so beautiful though!!! ;A; My GIRLS. They're the most G1-esque set yet IMO, even their faces aren't radically different or anything. Not overly fond of the leopard spots under Tora's eyes though, a bit too Catra-ish for my taste. Not 100% sold on her boots either. Otherwise I LOVE these three!! I love that the twins have heterochromia now! Definitely gotta get my paws on this trio.

For me, I think the fact this gen and the gen before are scewing younger tends to take a lot of edge out of the design. The ghouls seem way younger compared to the original ghouls, and it just seems that the old theme of 'high school kids look WAY older than they are to elementary school kids' (or secondary to primary, for us UK ghouls) that a lot of toys and movies went with has been done away with

Agreed... I mean look at G3 Draculaura next to her G1 counterpart. Even G2 didn't look *quite* as youthful as G3 and they had those big ol' eyes.
Again, I like G3 in general.. but it's just lacking that certain something, for me. It's almost there but not quite, if that makes sense.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: shockponie on August 31, 2023, 07:19:56 PM
Oo, I want this trio so much! Way cute.  :satisfied:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on September 02, 2023, 08:26:49 AM
https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3063-monster-high-howliday-winter-edition-clawdeen-wolf-doll.html
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https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3064-monster-high-howliday-skelita-doll-2023.html
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https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3231-monster-high-draculaura-vampire-heart-collector-doll.html
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I am so sick of Draculaura getting another special doll so fast after the winter one last year (should have been Abbey) but she looks interesting and kind of like a companion piece to the fan's choice Rochelle. I know this is related to the vampire heart story, but the way they did the gown with the plastic cage thing, etc. looks like they got inspo from the Rochelle design.
I think the winter Draculaura looked more luxe compared to this year's winter Clawdeen. Price point seems to be the same. If next year's winter doll isn't Abbey I don't know what to say.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on September 02, 2023, 03:11:04 PM
Hey I just noticed..

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Who's the fourth character on the "Reunion Tour" poster? also Meowlody's silhouette appears to be missing its tail
Maybe a hint at a new character? Catty? *crosses fingers*

As for the collector dolls (so many at once :O omg):
- Clawdeen's really pretty, but I'm not sure I'll be adding her to my collection. I think I would if she's released over here, unfortunately I doubt that'll happen (we never got the last Holiday doll). Love her box design.
- Skelita's really pretty, but too similar to the previous collector Skelita for my taste. Plus I've never really been a Skelita person.
- Draculaura's GORGEOUS... but again reminds me quite a bit of the G1 collector Laura from a while ago, the one with the big eyelashes and chest joint? Either way... absolutely stunning, but not for me.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on September 03, 2023, 05:29:53 PM
Clawdeen straight up confuses me, it doesn't look very Clawdeen at all .. .especially with the web patterns on the dress? The blue tones? It's very .... not her.

Skelita I agree looks too similar to her other Collector's doll

I wonder why this was Lala and not Elissabat. I'm guessing this WAS supposed to be Elissabat but Lala is more recognisable. I mean, she sat in the theatre loudly griping about the inaccuracies of the movie, I doubt she'd wanna cosplay it
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Crystal-Sushi on September 05, 2023, 05:04:57 AM
Hey I just noticed..

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Who's the fourth character on the "Reunion Tour" poster? also Meowlody's silhouette appears to be missing its tail
Maybe a hint at a new character? Catty? *crosses fingers*

As for the collector dolls (so many at once :O omg):
- Clawdeen's really pretty, but I'm not sure I'll be adding her to my collection. I think I would if she's released over here, unfortunately I doubt that'll happen (we never got the last Holiday doll). Love her box design.
- Skelita's really pretty, but too similar to the previous collector Skelita for my taste. Plus I've never really been a Skelita person.
- Draculaura's GORGEOUS... but again reminds me quite a bit of the G1 collector Laura from a while ago, the one with the big eyelashes and chest joint? Either way... absolutely stunning, but not for me.

It's G1 Catty's silhouette, but she is getting a G3 doll -

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This is her concept art but apparently as this look is Lizzo inspired and given the recent allegations she may be changed :|
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on September 05, 2023, 06:20:20 AM
Oh I love her kitty! So cute!!

As for the design itself... uh... I don't hate it but I'm not going to be upset if they do end up changing it, lol. Not 100% feeling this one. I think it's the high ponytail that's bugging me.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on September 05, 2023, 11:22:26 AM
She had a high ponytail in G1, very Ariana Grande-esque. The proportions are what is bothering me, she looks like she's stunted, I feel the need to redraw her with proportions that let her 'breathe', if that makes sense? She looks squished like this, her legs especially annoy me, like there's next to no thigh length before we hit knees then calves.

How would I feel if they made her plus-sized? I don't know, to me it would be weird because she's established character, there would be so many jokes like 'wow Catty got fat'. I don't think it's a good idea with a previous character. I know Abbey was made more plus-size in the cartoon, and I do like the doll gave her wider hips but kept the G3 regular proportions as I personally saw girls in high school that were her shape.

I'm a very obese person IRL, so I'm wary of this in a way, especially with the Lizzo allegations.

(.. the more I look at it, it really is the wonky portions and that lack of thigh length that is bugging me!!!)
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on September 05, 2023, 03:40:14 PM
Yeah, just something about the way the ponytail's drawn here bugs me.

And honestly you took the words out of my mouth re: her body. I didn't know how to phrase it and have it come out right... plus I'm trying not to judge that too hard since it can be hard to tell these things from the art (like, the proportions are whack here but maybe they'll look fine on the doll itself). I dunno how I feel about the change in general yet... I love that they're mixing it up and adding in more diversity, I'd just prefer they did it with new characters rather than drastically altering pre-established characters.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on September 06, 2023, 12:35:15 PM
I would have to see the actual doll.  But, I do think she looks kind of cute, like a kitten. I don't know about those boots.  In plastic, those tend to look like storm trooper boots.

I also like all the special editions.  Especially Draculaura.  I love her hair style.  I don't think I will be getting her though. I have a lot of nice Draculauras already.  The other two look pretty but aren't exciting enough to run out and buy.  I'm still disappointed I never saw the B&W dolls in stores.  I was very interested in those.


I am glad they are still making MH though.  It's nice to see them around.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on September 07, 2023, 12:49:29 AM
Concept arts and what inspired them don't equal what the final product stands for. Unless she was a direct collaboration like the Lady Gaga doll (and Gaga herself has had her scandals, the worst to me being the R. Kelly collaboration and song).

I personally find the idea of drawing inspiration from real life pop singers a little lazy. It's not downright copypasta like some of MGA's singer dolls where they change just two things so they can pass it off as parody, but it's still annoying to me. MH characters can stand on their own without being a celebrity likeness or getting voiced by them. Like the drag queen appearing in the new G3 cartoon and essentially playing his own alter ego... who needs this? It's like placing adult jokes in kids shows. It's just a weird way of attracting secondary audiences.
Don't get me started on all the animated movies employing already famous actors and actresses when voice actors want jobs, but that's another topic.

Let's talk about his:

What is up with the G3 pets getting species-changed for no reason? Clawdeen now has a wolf instead of a cat, Draculaura has a cat? dog? with bat wings instead of a bat, the new Venus will allegedly have this:
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I hope this prototype gets tossed. It looks like Chewlian swallowed the cheshire cat.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on September 08, 2023, 07:28:35 AM
Wh... what the...  :blink:  :shocked:

How is there ANY way to interpret that other than a cat inside Chewlian's mouth?!? It.. it has lips around its face??

The cat face itself is really cute but... what the HECK is going on with the whole design?!? My god, Mattel, if you're that hard-up for ideas on how to "prettify" the pets then just stop making them!! :drunk:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: shockponie on September 08, 2023, 08:11:11 AM
I like the look of the new core dolls. I def want Lala! I’ll probably end up getting Clawdeen too.

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Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on September 08, 2023, 09:29:09 AM
That Draculaura looks AMAZING.  Oh, I do want.  Those bat theme accessories are darling.

I also think Clawdeen looks much better.  Her accessories are also very cute.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on September 08, 2023, 12:08:53 PM
Clawdeen looks like a massive improvement over the first one with the horrible hair. Let's hope the hair is actually a better quality and not just styled that way :lol:
I like the dark purple and teal on her. Looks like these are G3's equivalent to G1's School's Out aka Sig 2.0.
I still have that Frankie and Lagoona in my collection. I'm curious what the other characters will look like. Fingers crossed for Cleo in a mummy wrap suit.

PS: Lala finally got some tights!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Aeryala on September 09, 2023, 04:12:24 PM
That Drac is kind of a perfect G3 version of her G1 Signature look imo.  Clawdeen on the other hand.... at least her hair looks better!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on September 10, 2023, 05:07:16 PM
I do like the special edition Lala's dress and hair. I also like Skelita but agree that it's been done already and doesn't need a repeat. Good call on Abbey. It should be Abbey.

I don't have an issue with them plus-sizing Catty, but I do have an issue with kids' toys being styled on a real person. Not specifically because of the potential controversies around this one, but because this is a kid's toy, and it's better not to tie toys to adults who may then do something that is decidedly awkward for the line in general.

(Example, G4 and Sia. Without going into that, her coming around full circle doesn't erase things said and done, or the impact those things may have had).

So maybe Catty isn't the right character to be plus-sized, just because of those inevitable comparisons.

Mind you, in context with all the attempts to make the line more diverse and inclusive, the decision to sanitise Ghoulia just rankles all the more.

Going back to what I said about the dolls looking cheap - I wasn't meaning that they are badly made. Just that the choice of pallette/plastic colouring makes them look like that to me. The colours seem less nuanced and harsher, and yes, the designs are a lot more 'safe'.

Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: shockponie on September 11, 2023, 08:45:53 AM
For those in the US who are interested, Amped Up Frankie is on Amazon right now!!
 :iconclap:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on September 11, 2023, 03:51:36 PM
Going back to what I said about the dolls looking cheap - I wasn't meaning that they are badly made. Just that the choice of pallette/plastic colouring makes them look like that to me. The colours seem less nuanced and harsher, and yes, the designs are a lot more 'safe'.

I totally get what you mean, I agree 100%.

G3s all look so much younger to me! That's not a bad thing, necessarily, they just have a different sort of charm to G1, for me.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Crystal-Sushi on September 14, 2023, 06:26:02 PM

What is up with the G3 pets getting species-changed for no reason? Clawdeen now has a wolf instead of a cat, Draculaura has a cat? dog? with bat wings instead of a bat, the new Venus will allegedly have this:
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I hope this prototype gets tossed. It looks like Chewlian swallowed the cheshire cat.

Apparently the idea is for the pets to look like 'magical girl familiars' according to the designer Cristina Frankel (https://www.instagram.com/cristina.faline/?hl=en) which is a neat idea but in my opinion isn't really something that works for MH?
Apparently Crescent was staying a cat but the higher-ups decided she had to be a wolf (why?), and Count Fabulous is Draculaura's 'familiar' which means he can change shape apparently :P
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on September 15, 2023, 07:59:53 AM
Magical girl familiars, like... Luna? Kero? Kyubey?  :blink: But  the G3 pets are nothing like that? :what:

I still don't get why Crescent had to be made into a wolf :/

Count Fabulous being a shapeshifter kinda works for me... right at the end of G1 there was that one book, or something, that said "Oh btw, he's an actual vampire, he just got stuck in bat form" and then never followed up on it... so if THAT is still a thing in G3, then yeah, okay. I guess I could see him being a shapeshifting vampire creature.

Mostly it just bugs me how uber-cutesy the pets are since like... they look alright *in general*!!! But they don't really match with G3 to me. More Cave Club than Monster High. The aesthetics just don't quite match up. They look like they're from a different toyline.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: alaskaallie on September 15, 2023, 01:07:27 PM
Why wasn't abbey in the fearidescent skulltimate secrets?! Would have been perfect with the snow theme. I can't decide whether to purchase her signature doll... not sure if it's worth 40 plus dollars or if I should wait until I could hopefully pick her up in person this summer. Also, I just want more Rochelle dolls please!!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: shockponie on September 18, 2023, 06:32:24 PM
My Amped Up Frankie arrived today!
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Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on September 20, 2023, 01:18:48 PM
Congrats! Pretty doll.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: shockponie on October 02, 2023, 07:48:47 AM
My neon frights Frankie came this weekend! Pretty cool doll. I’m trying to decide which (if any) other dolls from neon frights I want.  :wonder: I reeeally want the faboolous 2-pack from Target. Hopefully I can find it this week.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: shockponie on October 03, 2023, 07:27:35 PM
I found faboolous pets today!
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I know they're not for everyone, but I'm just chuffed.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on October 05, 2023, 11:58:43 AM
I looove that Clawdeen :lovey: Not sure about Draculaura, G3 Laura just doesn't really do it for me somehow, but I still really want this set... the accessories are just the cutest <3
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: CowboyRaccoons on October 05, 2023, 07:17:29 PM
i love to see bigger body types being used for dolls!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on October 07, 2023, 04:47:35 PM
So there are new MH Funko POP!s coming:

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Proof on Funko Europe (https://funkoeurope.com/search?type=product&options%5Bprefix%5D=last&q=monster+high#), though I first saw the news on r/FunkoPop (https://www.reddit.com/r/funkopop/comments/16zqjrj/coming_soon_monster_high_monster_high_pop_frankie/) and then later confirmed on Entertainment Earth (https://www.entertainmentearth.com/s?query1=monster+high)


Personally I won't be getting them, I didn't get the original ones either as Abbey was never made. If Abbey makes it this time, I'll be tempted. I miss the little vinyls that were made that were stylised, I still kick myself for selling mine  :cry:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on October 09, 2023, 09:22:08 AM
I NEED Clawdeen, she's so cute!! Probably will skip the other two though.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on October 13, 2023, 01:34:29 PM
So glad I stopped collecting Funkos and sold them all because these are some of my favorite designs and I would have splurged on them :lol:

How are we feeling about these overpriced beauties?

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Personally, I love the ghost because she looks the least like a mere color swap. She is see-through with a skull face underneath, very cool. These are 175 a piece x__x
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on October 13, 2023, 02:30:46 PM
I like them, but probably will not buy.   The ghost is the coolest.   I kind of like the green-haired girl, but not her dress.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on October 14, 2023, 07:43:23 AM
The designs are kinda cool, but I don't really care for their dresses. good thing too, at that price  :P It's nice to see some new designs, but I'll pass.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Esbayne on October 16, 2023, 09:31:42 PM
I love them, but soo disappointed in their prices & exclusivity.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on October 17, 2023, 04:02:08 PM
I feel like the dresses look kind of bulky on the dolls and would look better on people.   But, maybe people who love Off-White will like it better.


I saw that the Re-style G3 Draculaura was on Amazon.   I hope that means she will be in stores soon. 
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on October 24, 2023, 11:14:12 AM
OMG... :freak:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CyyZgAaR9B-/

"Monster High and Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas collab drops 10/27 at 12pm PT."

AAAAAAAAAA!!!! I've been hoping they'd do this since these collabs first began!!!!!! :drunk:

It looks like Jack is a boy doll too going off his shoes!!!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: shockponie on October 24, 2023, 11:44:21 AM
Omg is right!!! :dropjaw:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on October 31, 2023, 04:20:26 PM
I did wonder if a collab like that would happen, but Disney are so intensely territorial of their intellectual property, it was gonna be a fight! Other horror icons would have been easier licensing wise.

It's nice seeing MH back in stores, a bit of variety between Barbie and Rainbow High, even if I've only gotten Abbey so far. Still waiting to see what comes out next, especially with the second live action movie going ahead as far as I know and Toralei is in it. I don't plan to watch any G2/3 MH media as I still have a huge soft spot for G1 media.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on October 31, 2023, 05:24:07 PM
They sold out super fast. I am thinking of biting the bullet and joining the MH club just to see that behind the scenes material they're posting.

https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3206-monster-high-skullector-the-nightmare-before-christmas-dolls-sally-and-jack.html

Here's all the high-res pics. I adore Sally, she looks perfect and that Stitcherella purse is a fitting recolor if I ever saw one. The shading on her eyes is lovely and makes her look so alive. Jack is cute but the highlight are the shoes and his body is gonna be interesting. He looks like they designed new hands so he might have an all new body or maybe a highly altered Skelita? Very cool.

Better than the Chuckie/Tiffany travesty for sure. That Tiffany looked yellow, uninspired and her outfit kinda cheap.

I's rank these as high as Beetlejuice/Lydia in the pop culture sector. Except BJ's clothing was cheaply made as well. For these special dolls you should expect thicker fabric. Cheap-tel squeezing the fangirls and -boys as always.

I don't really want to give them my money but a "Ghouluxe" Venus or Scullector Carmilla would really tempt me. After the female Dracula I don't know if they'll do one but hey.
Ripley + Alien would also be a cool set. They can use the old Crescent to be Jonesy :P
Since they did Nightmare they could also do Corpse Bride. Or Coraline + Other Mother. Would love to see the latter especially.

Post Merge: October 31, 2023, 05:27:19 PM

I still have a huge soft spot for G1 media.

So do I and they are going to release an IDW comic book run of 10 issues I think. I hope they pic a good illustrator and keep the diary canon. I'd hate for this to be fanfiction with IDW MLP G4 tier art. The covers always looked better than the inside.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on November 01, 2023, 10:52:03 AM
I am not a big fan of Nightmare Before Christmas the movie.  It looks amazing but I didn't like the story very much. Note hate, just meh. It's been easy to pass on the merch.   However, those two dolls are incredible!  I didn't try for them but there will always be a little regret there.

Congrats to everyone who got them though.  Looking forward to pictures!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on November 03, 2023, 01:18:36 PM
https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3174-monster-high-venus-mcflytrap-g3-doll.html

The concept from months ago got translated almost exactly! So happy to see they are staying true to the old characters, Venus was always my girl. She's got sculpted braids, which makes up for the missing flocking, imo. The slogan on her shirt is silly. It's redundant. Should have said "natural" instead of "nature" or nothing at all. I hate Abbey's snowflake for the same reason.

Chewlian is horrific. Sorry to the designer but that thing sucks. Should I ever get my hands on that Venus I'll sell him. I usually keep all the accessories to a Sig doll but that godawful pet is too much for me. I also have to nitpick and bemoan that G3 Venus seems to have a plastic basket to carry Chewlian in. Remember G1's cute totebag? Why would eco friendly Venus carry a plastic bag? Unless it's recycled or whatever but it's still weird.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: shockponie on November 06, 2023, 08:06:47 AM
I'm excited for Venus. I don't care for her shoes, but I can swap them.

Jack & Sally arrived!
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I just love them. My first skullectors.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: shockponie on November 14, 2023, 06:55:52 PM
Core refresh Lala is here! But her lips are deep red, not black.
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Still, I like her style more than the original core g3.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on November 14, 2023, 10:48:32 PM
Shockponie, congrats on your new dolls!  I love how Jack and Sally look.  Amazing. 

I'm waiting for my Draculaura.  I was going to buy her when she came to stores, but I haven't seen her.  So Amazon.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on November 16, 2023, 09:47:21 AM
Congrats, Shockponie!

I'm a bit tired of some characters always side-glancing. Is there any Draculaura that looks straight ahead?
The glance is cool if you don't end up with ten dolls side-eyeing in a row.

G3 Spectra's doll leaked. Anybody seen her? I'd show a pic but I only saw her in people's youtube vids and I'm too lazy to search for the sources :cool:
She looks like a budget version of the recent collector Spectra. Something about her eyes/face doesn't sit right with me but the outfit is nice. I'll always love G1 Spectra (and detest G2 Ari) and G3 Spectra seems to sit somewhere in the middle. I just don't get why the G3 gjouls all need these giant foreheads. They look cutesy enough as is, they don't need a toddler's head.

There is also rumors about Skullector Wednesday and Morticia Addams, Sanderson Sisters and celebrity Skullector line in the vain of the Zombi Gaga doll.

They seem to be pumping out a lot without really adjusting the way they drop the goods. They should finally reveal the production numbers. I'm tired of the distribution stress. I'm always a tad anxious that one day they are gonna release something I really like because then I'll have to pay those inflated costs and hate myself :P
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on November 18, 2023, 09:25:56 AM
I love the new Venus, she's gorgeous! I just HATE her pet, what on earth were they thinking?!? Why does every pet this gen need to be a generic cutesy cat and/or dog, anyway?? Uuughhh
It's a shame because everything else about her is fantastic; she's probably the first G3 that I like just as much as her G1 counterpart.

I've seen two different leaks of Catty floating around. She's.... hm. I'm trying to withhold judgement until we see a finalized doll, I'm not sure which leak is closer to the final version. I do like her pet cat though.
(I'd post pics but I'm always wary of doing that when I don't know the source :S Also I don't have them to hand right now, lol.)

Congrats on the new dolls Shockponie!! New Laura is SO PRETTY, I like her much better than the original G3 sig doll. I still don't get why Count Fabulous is a cat/dog/thing now though ^^;

The Spectra leak I've seen was pretty, probably not one I'd get myself but still nice. I love her pet (and am glad they kept Rhuen as a ferret instead of Yet Another Catwolfthing :silly:).

G3 Toralei and Ghoulia have FINALLY hit UK stores! I saw them both at Smyths Toys last week. Still can't click with G3 Ghoulia... she's so different, I wish they'd just gone ahead and given her a different name instead of trying to "remake" an old character. But G3 Tora is very pretty, definitely going back for her when I can <3
I like G3 Clawd too, I just wish his hair was slightly shorter/less poofy so you could more easily see his cute wolf ears. Not a huge fan of how they did his eyes either (a bit too deer-in-the-headlights for my taste) but I like the rest of the doll.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on November 18, 2023, 12:31:01 PM
G3 Toralei and Ghoulia have FINALLY hit UK stores! I saw them both at Smyths Toys last week. Still can't click with G3 Ghoulia... she's so different, I wish they'd just gone ahead and given her a different name instead of trying to "remake"

I don't understand why Ghoulia had to be so drastically changed. Rumor has it that her moans were "offensive" because she didn't talk like the others. But then why is she turned into a gamer? Gamers are some of the most offensive people out there  :cool:

I'm also still miffed about Lagoona but it has become unpopular to say the peachy pink looks weird on her. The newer characters all look very close to G1, just a different spin. Abbey, Spectra, Catty, Venus... their themes and color schemes are all so similar to the originals. But Ghoulia and Lagoona stick out like sore thumbs (to me).

I'm also still not over Clawdeen being a fangirl and nothing else. Can't they make her a little cooler again? She was business-minded, creative, fashionable and a little sassy in G1 and in G3 she's just a geek with Urkel glasses.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on November 19, 2023, 03:45:26 PM
Yay! The creeproduction waves may come back!

https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3425-monster-high-boo-riginal-creeproduction-wave-2-dolls-spectra-vondergeist-abbey-bominable-and-ghoulia-yelps.html
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on November 23, 2023, 06:49:14 AM
I always saw Ghoulia as someone who communicated differently and did not meet the zombie stereotype. Thus an advocate, not an insult, to people with different communication and who don't fit the generic mould. I know people debate whether she is 'non-verbal' or 'speaking zombie', for me it doesn't really matter because 'speaking autistic/neurodivergent' is a lot different from 'speaking neurotypical'. It is like another language and Ghoulia represented that beautifully. They were moans because she was a zombie - not because she was imitating or ridiculing how any real person speaks. If she had been a cat monster she would have probably miaowed instead. (Maybe Toralei should do that. LOL).

For me the more important aspect has always been that despite her different communication, she wasn't excluded by her peers - who all understood her fine. Cleo is the kind of queen bee character who in real life bullies kids who are different, but although she can be spoiled and demanding on Ghoulia's time, she also understands her and appreciates her friendship as well. Kids who are different need to see that being different really doesn't matter. OG Ghoulia was intelligent, active, included in things. She was still part of the group despite being different - she was still accepted for who she was, rather than being forced to change or conform.

It's not just from a ND perspective, though, since I've seen other comments about Ghoulia being representative of people speaking a different language in a majority English speaking community, and various other diversity flags she put up which have now been removed. I also saw some suggestions they could have made her use sign language, which may have been difficult to animate but would've been a great inclusivity move. *Shrug*. Many opportunities lost.

The sanitisation of Ghoulia is one major reason why I can't get excited about G3 MH. I would have rather they just excluded her, rather than making her into something superfluous and unnecessary.

I'm sure some people were uncomfortable with it and I can't argue with that if they had good reasons, but at the same time Ghoulia was an opportunity to do something with diversity that they just did not do. Apparently her live action actress is autistic, but the character is such a banal non-event that it doesn't really come across.

And yes, there's me talking about Ghoulia again.

I did see her doll in town the other day. It's dull and boring, just like the character is. I still haven't seen any MH doll in person that I would want to buy...Lagoona still freaks me out with her appearance not being blue anymore.

...The only thing I really do love about G3 is Frankie. I feel like they went for it with Frankie but compromised on Ghoulia.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on November 23, 2023, 09:19:15 AM
Taffeta, your post reminded me of something that bugs me about G3 vs G1 - at least from what I've seen of G3 - and I'm not entirely sure how to explain it, so bear with me...

When G1 did "representation", they didn't beat you over the head with it, the character didn't feel like a token. The point wasn't specifically what/who Ghoulia was representing, it was that everyone accepted her regardless. If that makes sense? It was just part of her character, they weren't going out of their way to go "This is REPRESENTATION btw!!!". (Same for other characters, but I'll use Ghoulia as an example since we're talking about her)

Whereas a lot of G3 feels more token? Like they're just going down a list like "Well, we haven't done this yet". Now granted, I haven't seen the films/cartoons so maybe they're writing them better than the impression I'm getting, but still... I dunno. Like I said, I'm not good at explaining this stuff so I'm not sure if I'm saying it right, but G3 just feels more.... what's the word I want. Soulless? maybe? it feels less like they're putting care and thought into these sort of things and more just "oh we gotta have representation, that's popular these days". I dunno.

I wish I could find this tweet I saw from one of the G3 writers, can't think where I saw it now and Google's failing me >_< It was like "Well G1 Ghoulia was okay but we wanted to do representation Very Deliberately! But don't worry we'll add a non-verbal character too!!!" and the phrasing of it really bugged me, it had this real 'we're better than the old writers' vibe to it and just kind of felt like the nuances of G1 were lost on them...

I like your point about lots of different people being able to relate to Ghoulia, too. IMO that's the best way to do it. One of my favourite quotes along these lines is from an Adventure Time ep, "People just get built different. We don't need to figure it out, we just need to respect it" and that could apply to so many people, I've seen so many people say they connected with the line for different reasons.

(AT also had a minor character that used sign language and I believe it was all correct ASL? It'd be difficult to animate, especially if you take dubbing into consideration, but it's definitely doable - might not be feasible to do for a main character with lots of screentime, though. The AT character was only in like... two eps I think.)

Mostly I just wish they'd stop dramatically altering the established characters x) I don't mind some reinterpretation but I feel like you should remain consistent with the major established traits. I can sorta understand why they'd want to go for a more major design overhaul with Ghoulia since her dolls did tend to shelfwarm (*flashbacks to shelves full of Skull Shores Ghoulia* :P), but then G3 Ghoulia is... well she's alright, but she's just There for me. I can't get excited about her either way. She's just kind of bland and safe?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on November 23, 2023, 11:04:02 AM
@Carrehz, you've nailed it exactly.

It's very difficult to 'represent' an invisible disability anyway. Mostly it ends with cringe overexaggeration or stereotypes, or just plain nonsense. A lot of the time the people doing the writing have never actually spoken to someone with an invisible disability, or if they have, they then extrapolate that one person's experiences and try and make it work for everyone.

Often the best representations of autism I've seen on TV are in shows where a character is not designed to be representing autism, but just fits the criteria anyway. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybjTL13XQ2g (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybjTL13XQ2g)

This is G3 Ghoulia from the first movie. It's a very short clip as she hardly appears and is mostly in group scenes.

I have absolutely no idea what they are going for here. Genuinely.

I think the issue is also that people had an attachment to Ghoulia for those reasons in G1. And so making her different and then saying 'we'll add a nonverbal character' like that fixes it disregards all the reasons people identified with Ghoulia in the first place.

If the moans were a problem then they could've found another way to work with that. But by making her speak 'normally', they're essentially telling people that communicating differently is wrong or even offensive.

Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on November 24, 2023, 06:17:20 PM
When G1 did "representation", they didn't beat you over the head with it, the character didn't feel like a token.

The adult(ish) fandom seems to eat this up, tho. Maybe I am too old to understand.
I was never a fan of "this is YOU" marketing/propaganda because this way you would usually only get one character who was "you" and only more othering and bullying occurred. I am talking about childhood when you'd play with some kids and as a girl you had to fight with five other girls for the role of token girl.

I finally got a glimpse of the G3 cartoon and of course it skews very young. The animation is cute but there is hardly any humor in it anymore and very little edge - for lack of a better word. The King Kong parody in Skull Shores could never be done in G3 because the source material is racially insensitive.
In general, the G3 cartoon retained a lot from the G2 Hotel Draculaura era. Draculaura is a very important character only this time she's secretly a witch and monsters are hateful towards witches and teachers will have students repeat anti-witch slogans like - wasn't G3 supposed to be all about being inclusive? Maybe I need to watch more to find out why G3 monsters have an ongoing, almost Christian Far Right hate campaign against witchcraft but I don't want to :lol: I find it odd.

For me the more important aspect has always been that despite her different communication, she wasn't excluded by her peers - who all understood her fine. Cleo is the kind of queen bee character who in real life bullies kids who are different, but although she can be spoiled and demanding on Ghoulia's time, she also understands her and appreciates her friendship as well. Kids who are different need to see that being different really doesn't matter. OG Ghoulia was intelligent, active, included in things. She was still part of the group despite being different - she was still accepted for who she was, rather than being forced to change or conform.

The Cleo/Ghoulia friendship was so special and is sadly no longer existent in G3. Sure, it wasn't handled too well at times in G1 with Cleo being a big old diva and meangirl stereotype but especially in the diaries I loved their BFF status.
In G3 Cleo is in some kind of will-they-won't-they with Frankie and Deuce is her friendly ex. No more "abusive" Cleo. Ghoulia is just a one-note nerd/gamer girl who interacts with the Core Ghouls on occassion.

In a way G3 canon feels like they drew prompts from a hat... or very "hello fellow kids! We know what you want", heh...

Post Merge: November 24, 2023, 06:45:19 PM

It was like "Well G1 Ghoulia was okay but we wanted to do representation Very Deliberately! But don't worry we'll add a non-verbal character too!!!"

Forgot to add this, this just sounds very corporate and by the numbers. Oh, you want non-verbal? We have that in the works. In the meantime, enjoy the wheelchair merman. He's handicapped! You love this, yes? :lol:

Will we ever see Operetta in G3? I know she's the next G1 Ghouluxe doll for the Mattel Creations subscribers but would G3 have the guts and give her an actually disfiguring scar instead of artsy scarification? I doubt it.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on November 25, 2023, 01:25:00 PM
Quote
Forgot to add this, this just sounds very corporate and by the numbers. Oh, you want non-verbal? We have that in the works. In the meantime, enjoy the wheelchair merman. He's handicapped! You love this, yes?
It's a lot like that. Disability representation falls into one of three categories really. 1: "inspirational!" 2: "here's a wheelchair in the background, lol, we ticked that box" and 3: "The Odd One Out"

That's not including the times when physical differences are still used as characteristics of villains/bad guys and painted up as sinister (I'm thinking of the Witches remake in particular here).

Iirc in the live action MH movie, which was a lot confusing and a bit harry potter in places...I feel like Cleo is massively hostile to begin with and then they end up kind of buddies by the end?

As for Lala, I preferred when she was a vegetarian vampire. But iirc from the movie it was the vampires not every monster who was anti-witches. I've not seen any of the other G3 material and I admit, I watched the movie after a covid vaccine so who knows how much I actually absorbed, but I think that was right.

Zapper, I agree about representation and 'this person is you' mantra. I've never understood why you have to see yourself on screen or in a book to be inspired by a character. I feel there's too much emphasis on characteristics which people might share superficially, but which maybe don't define them as a person overall. It's another reason I don't really like autistic representations in stuff. I don't think I've ever seen one intentionally autistic character I relate to. But I can absolutely relate to personalities, actions, ideology of characters who are not the same gender, disability status or ethnic background as me :/

Back on the topic of the characters, I am wondering how they would fit Operetta into this melee to be honest. Her background/inspiration seems a bit 'complex' for the pitch of the series somehow. Also, have we seen Rochelle yet? I know there's a doll (although it might've been a collector doll?) but I am pretty sure she wasn't in that movie. Maybe in the 2nd. I can't bear to watch it (lol).
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on November 25, 2023, 03:58:40 PM
(Likely going to delete these thoughts later)

Cleo and Ghoulia were an unlikely but good match in G1 MH and it was an early nod to Cleo having more than one side to her. Initially, she seemed to treat Ghoulia like a dogsbody, and the general sentiment that the student body had against zombies didn't make that any better.

Zombies were treated almost as 'odd' or second class. They are slower than other students physically, are implied to be slower mentally with the exception of Ghoulia, and speak in a language that is not immediately understandable to the audience. They were looked down upon, and it almost seemed like Cleo was taking advantage of that to have Ghoulia 'working' for her. It's only when the series got to explore the characters that we realise Ghoulia and Cleo ARE friends, Cleo's bossy habits are a habit of royalty and elitism rather than prejudice against zombies, and she herself falls into the category of 'undead' so is probably aware that she could face the same sort of snobbishness if she weren't verbal and mobile. The webisode where Cleo rigs winning a prized first-edition comic of Deadfast for Ghoulia and donates it anonymously, while telling the other ghouls to never tell Ghoulia ("it will TOTALLY ruin my rep" but she makes it clear she did it because Ghoulia does so much for her and it's a gift, and she doesn't want to make a show of it and make Ghoulia feel indebted. If she worried about her rep that much, she wouldn't associate with Ghoulia at all).

Ghouls in G1 had their freaky flaws and they were embraced for it. It's easy to scoff at Frankie's clumsiness as 'omg quirky relatable girl!!' writing nonsense, but she has LEGIT REASONS to be clumsy! Her stitches can come loose! And there are moments she uses this to her advantage by having her hand scurry off and do things separately from her. Lala's haemophobia gives her a reason to be vegetarian without preaching or having it be 'visibility', though I was annoyed she was guilting Clawd into also being vegetarian for a time. English is not Abbey's first language, and she has moments where she comes across as very blunt or not meaning to sound so harsh, but she works her way through it, but her status as an ESOL ghoul is never beaten over the head with it and I can only think of a handful or less times she says something in her original language or an approximation to it. She doesn't mix and match her language to emphasis she's a non-native English speaker.

Frankie having prosthetics I really liked, and it made total sense for her character design. I could even see her making jokes about her leg being 'in the shop' or mention she lost it because Whatzit ran off with it and ate it or something. Robecca came more across as a ghoul that could stand in for medical needs, considering she is very literally mechanical and needs maintenance or she will 'break down' in more ways than one.

I guess what I'm saying is that the representation isn't written as well into the character as G1 felt like to me. It felt more like it was highlighted in pink rather than being allowed to be both a positive (Frankie's hand spider-scrabbling up to get something out of reach) and a negative (her leg flying off causes her to absolutely blow her first Fearleading audition).

For Operetta, I liked her stylised scarification, but I do wonder if they will work entirely with the scar and therefore re-write her personality, or start with the personality and warp the scar story around it, if that makes sense. I just don't see G1 Operetta being a shy, anxious, noooo don't look at me I'm hideous!!! girl at all
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on November 26, 2023, 02:24:24 AM
Taffeta, the movie canon and cartoon are once again different from each other. I don't mind them not being super connected because we all know G1 had several different media as well. Also Cleo is pretty much a background character in the first movie. In the show she is a partyplanner and managing school activities. She is friendly and outgoing and there is no character development as grand as it was in G1 webisodes.

There is a slight sibling rivalry with Nefera, who is still the first-born on her way to inherit the throne. But aside from occassional envy and self-dount Cleo seems to accept that she will never be pharao and instead calls herself "queen of the school". But she isn't even the student body president or head cheerleader anymore - that's both Draculaura. I don't need G3 to copy G1 to a T, but seeing Cleo so set in her path like this is boring and makes her an jnderused character. Same goes for Nefera and Toralei. Toralei is still antagonistic sometimes but Nefera is barely a character in her own right anymore. Similar to Ghoulia.

In the cartoon, most characters are this generic brand of nice to each other. I guess because the episodes have a very "lesson of the day" vibe. I don't mean to say that's bad. But the conflicts often come from monster shenanigans or the forced (literal) witch hunt the monsters are on.
They have an aczual witch trial in place where students accused of witchcraft are being expelled forever. Can you imagine that taking place in G1 "everyone is welcome" MH or G2's Hotel sanctuary? G3 can just kick students from MH if they do magic. I just hate this. Whoever came up with this idea needs to sit in the silent corner for a while :lol:

And yeah, I know the lesson in the end will be to accept witches and put the monster vs witch mentality to rest. But why have it in the first place? In G1 the also removed the human vs monster stuff after a while. Probably because it was too risky? But literal witch trials enacted by Headmistress Bloodgood (now black so I guess it's fine she discriminates against her students?) are worse in my opinion.
Also, only sligjtly related to my rant, but Lagoona now has piranha urges similar to Clawdeen having "wolf mode" in G1. Why was it problematic for Clawdeen to have that flaw/power but Lagoona, who is now Latina, is fine to freak out?

I get that sinking feeling some character traits or plot points - similar to Ghoulia - got removed for the "problematic" factor but in turn they created more problematic content in form of these - I repeat myself - weirdly realistic witch hunts. People, mostly women in medicine or midwifery, were actually killed due to being witches and some cultures still practice witch hunts.
Zombies however, are not realistic like that. What G1 did with zombies (what Lady Frostbite) said, is now done with witches. Except that MC Draculaura is one and the entire conflict is front and center due to her.

They really could have thought up a better way to insert an ongoing storyline or problem. G2 Ghoul Squad and movies aped Hotel Transyvania's concept a lot but I would prefer the "everyone belongs" message and "freaky flaws" concept over " all monsters are cool because we have powers and are different from humans - except those filthy witches".

90s Sabrina the Teenage Witch handled RL witch hunts with more grace than current MH. That's just strange to me.

Andfor the record, I'm not clutching my pearls here. I am not offended by G3. I just think thematically it's a mess and the "diversity" is tacked on and really only shines if you consider the dolls completely separate from their movies/shows/books. Like, my favorite doll in G3 right now is Abbey. Her body is amazing, she is sturdy but very poseable similar to the curvy Barbies. But canon Abbey is now so boring. She is just the one with the ice powers now and was immediatly thrown together with Heath. Remember when Abbey had a personality other than "nice and ice"? I loved her so much, I used Abbey's characterization to pull a friend of mine into MH and she started collecting Abbey dolls just because of how she was written on the webisodes/movies.
We were two twenty-somethings bonding over yak jokes and this character who was perceived as weird and cold just because she was foreign (and literally cold, lol). Now she's just a pretty doll and curvy rep. Sad.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on November 26, 2023, 05:14:52 AM
Lady Frostbite, I hope you leave those thoughts up because I 100% agree with them. It was done not to be clunky and obvious but as part of the characters, thus expressing the 'everyone is different' angle without feeling like it was a tick list. And particular monster traits also had their uses and advantages.

Zapper, that sounds a bit off. I know G1 had a witch doll, her name is eluding me right now though...Casta? Something like that? Even the human vs monster thing in G1 was kind of settled (for me) in a way in the special around Halloween, which is still the one I like best I think. It tackled the issue head on and then that was pretty much it I think? I didn't see all the web stuff but I don't recall it being a major thing in any other special.

As for the characters, it sounds like Ghoulia isn't the only one sanitised.

I agree Abbey is a pretty doll and I think Twyla looks pretty as well from the pictures I've seen. But I can't bring myself to like this generation really. It's lost the bite and the edge that came from representing actually diverse people being themselves...which is what attracted me to G1 in the first place.

Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on November 26, 2023, 06:43:44 AM
Forum ate my long post :cool:

Essentially, what I was saying was that some characters were turned into negative stereotypes that are accepted (Lagoona, the emotional Latina who has aggressive outbursts - I'm not Mexican so I won't tell others to feel offended by this but I picked up on it and thought it weird) while others got their characters minimized to be "less offensive" (Abbey's accent no longer being thick, her not talking a lot about her culture anymore and not being funny).

I was also clarifying that I didn't want the human vs monster thing in G1 to last forever. But that I had a feeling what they did with it was too risky and therefore they shifted the focus more on MH being not THE monster school monsters have to go for safety, but simply a good place for monsters to be accepted no matter what they are.

That's why I find it so tonedeaf to do another us vs them but with another type of monster, while tooting the "we are more obviously diverse than G1" horn.
I tried to formulate everything a little better than my previous post (and make less typos) but one click on the wrong button and my post was gone  :lol:

Post Merge: November 26, 2023, 07:49:54 AM

In other news, Howliday Edition Cleo got leaked. This is the doll I have to overpay for, I just adore her. She looks like the goddess Isis or Nephtys with the headpiece and wings. I hope she won't get changed too much until the final release because she is a perfect gold angel:

Spoiler
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Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on November 27, 2023, 09:45:40 AM
I have to admit, I don't watch the cartoons/movies.  Nor did I watch the g1 cartoons.  I would put them on for my niece while I worked but nothing I heard made them appealing.  Frankie in love again.  Or Cleo. It does sound like I missed a lot though. 

I love the dolls  and just insert my own characters for them. 

For G3, I really like Draculaura.  Venus and Abbey look good too.


I also love the G1 styled re-release dolls.  I've only bought one because of their prices but the  Howliday Edition Cleo looks incredible.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on November 27, 2023, 01:57:45 PM
I have to admit that Cleo looks amazing. I always did have a soft spot for G1 Cleo dolls.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: shes-so-unusual on November 27, 2023, 06:31:04 PM
Just bought my first G3 MH doll yesterday, Monster Ball Draculaura. So excited for her to get here!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: shockponie on November 28, 2023, 08:42:21 AM
Just bought my first G3 MH doll yesterday, Monster Ball Draculaura. So excited for her to get here!

Yay, she’s really cool! :biggrin: I haven’t unboxed mine yet, but I should soon.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on December 11, 2023, 07:11:36 AM
https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3181-monster-high-howliday-love-edition-draculaura-and-clawd-2-pack-doll-set-2024.html

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Better than the Deuce/Cleo one for sure, but these Valentines sets make me wonder... will they just release Frankie with like, 4 guys in the future? :lol: I think her crushes were: Jackson and Holt, Andy, unicorn boy nobody bought.

If they really want to sell these they should make a Scarah/Invisibilly one.

PS: Clawd is so Disco/Saturday Night Fever here but Lala is just her usual Gothic Lolita thing :lol:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on December 11, 2023, 11:44:00 AM
It bothers me his jacket and pants are not a matching colour when I thought they were on first glance, argh!!

Hem-hem, his name is Neightan Rot and he was so sweet, I liked him best out of all Frankie's potential love interests. His 3D model was far cuter than his doll, the look didn't quite translate.

I would assume 'Goona and Gil would be next, or *shudder* Abbey and Heath. I swear, they keep trying to make them a pair when Heath is one of *the* most annoying male characters and my girl Abbey deserves SO much more!

If the rights were there, a Catty and Pharaoh would be amazing!

The odds of a Ghoulia and Slow-Mo one are slim, despite being an OG, consistant couple
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on December 12, 2023, 05:28:26 AM


The odds of a Ghoulia and Slow-Mo one are slim, despite being an OG, consistant couple

I remember there used to be a Ghoulia/Slomo two-pack in which Ghoulia had a beehive. It never made it here, so I don't know how well it did but Ghoulia is a fan favorite so maybe we might even see them before Frankie gets a Valentines. Gil/Lagoona also ever got one two-pack (the roller rink date) so if Mattel is smart they'll get fun themes like those back for the sets should they continue the trend.
The Cleo/Deuce one is the big shelfsitter of the alumni releases, it seems. Honestly, I would have gotten it for the side-glancing Cleo alone but the price point is just nuts, 70€ for that mess of garish colors.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: freezestime on December 14, 2023, 05:36:25 AM
There's a two pack of Slo Mo and Ghoulia with a bouquet of brains sdo that might be what you're thinking about?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on December 15, 2023, 02:20:20 PM
I think I actually have Neighthan, from a lot of dolls from a carboot or something *lol*. I liked Frankie best with Jackson because there was a bigger narrative there that I found more interesting.

But then I also like Jackson. So.

I do remember seeing a Ghoulia/Slomo set here way back in the Brent TRU, but that store used to have all kinds of old Monster High stuff it randomly put out on shelves when it had a sort out so I am not sure when in the line it came out. Store is long since defunct now unfortunately. It was a great TRU.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on December 16, 2023, 04:42:21 AM
I love Neighthan! He's so cute. Not sure why he had to be shipped with Frankie though - hasn't she got enough love interests? :p Neight himself is adorable though, I love that they did a boy doll with long hair.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: shockponie on December 20, 2023, 09:43:05 AM
Have you guys seen the leaked dolls?
Spoiler
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Lagoona actually looks really cool to me. :inlove: I wasn't really feeling her prior to this. They better keep her black lips!!!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on December 20, 2023, 02:55:23 PM
Ooo 'Goona's colours are nice! I agree, I hope they keep the darker lips!

Cleo's really staying with the blue hair. While it looks good, part of my brain keeps thinking 'That's Nefera's hair' lol

I like the 70's/hippie vibe Clawdeen has going on. Frankie looks like alt/punk, Cleo is a 60's glam vibe as well
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on December 28, 2023, 04:13:34 AM
That's a Coachella theme, right? I think the boho stuff looks good on all of them except Frankie.
There's a Target exclusive Frankie that looks kinda Avril Lavigne that I like:
https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3247-monster-high-welcome-committee-frankie-stein-doll.html

I am a teensy bit saddened I won't be able to get this one but glad, too, because Germany is only now rolling out more lines and we are so far behind we skipped the first Skulltimate Secrets alltogether. I was able to get Abbey for a non-scalper price for Christmas, was able to pick her out in store and everything. So I now have two of the new MHs and both have horrendous plastic hair (my first was Skulltimate Cleo with the light blue hair).
Without excessive hair treatment beforehand, what kid is able to enjoy hairplay with these? It feels and sits like straw.

Belated happy holidays, everyone  ;)
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: shockponie on January 17, 2024, 07:32:29 AM
I got Venus from Target on Monday. I need to do something about her hair’s frayed ends.  :wonder:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on January 24, 2024, 05:49:10 PM
https://creations.mattel.com/pages/monster-high-2024-fang-vote

This year's Fang Vote is about to start. This time for Jinafire Long. Looks like people will be voting on the shoes and hair and the full box design will be revealed together with the doll prototype in February.
The Rochelle they did last year seems to have pretty bad quality, crunchy hair and her eye screening looks different on each doll. So I hope this time they'll do better.

I never had a single Jinafire doll because for some reason I only ever saw ones with bad eyes. If this one ends up wonky it'll be extra upsetting. I hate the stare they put onto Fang Vote Rochelle, too.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on January 25, 2024, 02:40:12 AM
Well, can't say this isn't the appropriate year for her! (https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/dragon.htm)  :lol:

There's a new Polly Pocket-type MH toy, I'll get the pics and link later
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on January 26, 2024, 09:43:32 AM
https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3547-monster-high-jinafire-long-fang-vote-year-of-the-dragon-skullector-doll.html

This page is being updated with the voting options and winning looks. I am really impressed with all of these. Some might say the doll is overdesigned but for 90$ she better be :lol:
I am curious what the final look will be like. I assume people will want to give her the golden headpiece and the flower make-up, those seem to be popular based on the comments on social media.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on January 26, 2024, 07:00:28 PM
I like the flower design option.  She’s going to be beautiful no matter how she turns out.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on January 27, 2024, 02:51:26 PM
The options are all good, I'm just disappointed again at the sheer amount of plastic. Maybe a touch more colour like on the dragons can really make it seem better rather than the mass printed plastic that it is?

Here's the Polly Pocket I spotted on Entertainment Earth:

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Link on Entertainment Earth (https://www.entertainmentearth.com/product/polly-pocket-monster-high-compact-playset/mthvv58)

Link on YouLoveIt (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3278-polly-pocket-monster-high-compact.html)

It's very cute, gotta love Polly Pocket, I would have loved it for G1!

There's a new Nefera coming with a vanity set according to YouLoveIt (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3551-monster-high-nefera-de-nile-g3-doll-golden-vanity-playset.html). I'm curious what she'll look like, it seems Cleo is hogging the blue hair and they're giving Nefera green hair instead ... I will need to see it in the plastic, I miss the vibrant blue hair on Nefera and keep squinting at Cleo when she has it in G3 like 'oh my Ra Cleo Nefera is going to tear your earrings out for stealing her look!'
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on January 28, 2024, 02:04:35 AM
The dragons in the front should have been fabric, imo. Embroidered at best, there's machines that can do that for mass production even in doll scale. But plastic chunks are cheaper.
FV Rochelle had that massive plastic cage as well, that doll was unposeable unless you took off the cage and dress to reveal the bodysuit underneath.

What I dislike about that G3 Nefera is the lack of Ancient Egyptian "royal" color palette. That hair is green and yellow, it should be turquoise and gold. Pink should not be there at all. G1 gave both of them lapis lazuli blue touches as well as gold. Also dislike the cartoon outfit as a whole, looks kinda like a late 80s fitness video instructor.

I am much more looking forward to the G1 Cleo/Nefera set that's supposed to come out in July.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on January 28, 2024, 09:24:17 AM
Nice to see a new Jinafire, I'm interested to see how the final product turns out. It's difficult for me to get excited about her either way until I know what she'll actually look like :p especially given that everything about Fang Club Rochelle was kind of a mess, plus she's $90 so probably won't be joining my collection anyway x)

I do think they're handling things better than they did with Rochelle though. With Rochelle it felt like they hadn't fully thought through some options and thus weren't able to pull them off as originally advertised when it came down to actually *making* the doll, if that makes sense... it feels like they're thinking ahead more with Jinafire, making sure they can actually do something before they put it up for a vote. So that's good.

The Polly Pocket set is so cute! I hope it turns up over here, I'd like to get it but probably wouldn't go out of my way to buy it online.

G3 Nefera.... I'll wait and see what we get. It's hard for me to get too excited about G3 dolls too, lol. Especially since most of them haven't even turned up over here x)

I wonder when G3 Catty will be released... I've seen two leaked protos and neither were very good IMO. I have my fingers crossed the final doll will be better, but I'm not holding my breath ^^;;

I'm excited about the prospect of a new G1 Nefera! I hope she's good.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on January 28, 2024, 10:08:57 AM
Oh I hadn't even seen the G1 Nefera news! (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3550-monster-high-cleo-and-nefera-2-pack-g1-dolls-2024.html). I REALLY hope she has her regular bright blue hair and isn't smothered in plastic, but at this point, I'm not optimistic. I've not seen any Catty leaks yet but I haven't been looking hard. I was super super SUPER thrilled with Abbey, and if that's the only G3 doll I like, I'll be content <3
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on February 01, 2024, 05:56:59 AM
https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3481-monster-high-monster-fest-dolls.html

High quality Monster Fest pics, almost no changes made to the prototypes. Only thing I could see was Cleo's food. They look actually worth their money, has Mattel stepped up their game? I see a lot of plastic printing and different cloth textures. Frankie's leg is an all new sculpt, there's removable fingerless gloves. Very fun line overall. I'd give Cleo, Lagoona and Clawdeen a 9 or 10 out of 10. Only outlier is still Frankie to me. That outfit is thematically all over the place and we've already seen similar make-up on older dolls. Would have liked seeing something more rave-ish (allthough I don't think Coachella is a rave but you know what I mean).
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on February 08, 2024, 09:41:43 AM
Fang Vote Jinafire, on pre-order starting tomorrow (two weeks time period) for everyone, no need to join the club:

https://creations.mattel.com/cdn/shop/files/MH_HXJ07_Droppage_Imageset_D_02_6b755e64-75be-458c-b21a-651d40d0c05c.jpg?v=1707354962
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on February 13, 2024, 01:38:04 PM
So Catty Noir is out ... (via YouLoveIt) (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3173-monster-high-catty-noir-g3-doll-2024.html)

... I HATE it DX You'd think as a very obese person who likes body diversity I'd like this, I liked the wider hips on Abbey. But this I just super hate! It feels, like I said before, like a REALLY bad idea to do this with a previously established character. Again, I feel like her proportions are wrong, even if I know there are people with her proportions in real life (and I'm probably related to a few).

It hurts because I like her head and hair. Most Catty dolls are a miss for me because the hairstyle is awful but the ones that I like I LOVE like 13 Wishes or Londoom. If she had that head on a different body, she might have been a must-buy, but this is a 1/10 for me and I feel so mean saying it's because of her body type but I cannot lie about it :( I know people were upset Abbey's doll wasn't more plus-size, but this doesn't feel like a step in the right direction to me.

Yes, I know people had an issue with the stick-thin original dolls, but AGAIN this doesn't come off right to me!!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on February 13, 2024, 05:12:32 PM
I don't really have an opinion on the decision to make Catty plus size, aside the potential original reasons for choosing her...if true.

Maybe the only thing I have to say about it is how much the line has tried to embrace diversity, and how jarring it makes the alterations around Ghoulia, which are honestly in the opposite direction. Making invisible people more invisible by celebrating other differences more visibly?

But overall I think they've done a decent job on what they set out to do...I just do wonder if it was the right character to do it to as it feels a bit more like "we've done this because we want to look inclusive, but don't really have a backstory to it". A new character would've been a chance to create someone unique.

On another note, freaked my Dad out with the (growing) MH section in Smyths today. I saw Twyla. Don't think I'd seen her before in person. There sure are a lot of them...no idea how they are selling. I still can't get used to Lagoona's colour scheme though.

Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on February 13, 2024, 05:18:18 PM
I really hate to say it, but I agree :( I think she IS a definite improvement over the prototypes that leaked a few months ago - those were just awful - and I'm still reserving proper judgement until I see her in person (...whenever that may be >_> these stupid distribution issues...), but... gah. I WANT to like her, I love Catty and I'm HERE for diversity in playline doll lines - that's fantastic. But these proportions just don't feel right somehow? I think it's her arms, they look really out of proportion to the rest of her body.

I dunno. I wish they'd done this with a new character, it's hard to properly judge it because I keep thinking of G1 Catty, you know? Maybe I'd be all over it if it wasn't a drastically altered version of an existing character :/ It's hard not to compare the two, even though I'm trying to look at G3 as its own thing and such.

I do love her head/face, and her pet is adorable. Also I love the big thick fluffy tail they gave her! I just... I dunno. I hope owner photos turn up soon so we can get a proper look at the body and such. I'm not opposed to the idea of a plus-sized Catty if done well, I'm just not really feeling this execution of the idea so far.

If she had that head on a different body, she might have been a must-buy

This makes me wonder, has anyone done any G3/G1 bodyswaps? Like, a G3 head on a G1 body, or vice versa. In general, I mean, not specifically Catty. That'd be interesting, but I don't think I've seen it anywhere...

edit: Taffeta ninja'd me :p

I don't really have an opinion on the decision to make Catty plus size, aside the potential original reasons for choosing her...if true.

Reasons? :o I haven't heard any of this?

But overall I think they've done a decent job on what they set out to do...I just do wonder if it was the right character to do it to as it feels a bit more like "we've done this because we want to look inclusive, but don't really have a backstory to it". A new character would've been a chance to create someone unique.

Ahhh that's it! I was trying to figure out what bugged me about it but this is it, I think. It's hard to explain but it feels like they just went "Okay new character, how can we make THIS one inclusive?" and then pulled a trait out of a hat, if that makes sense? I'm not sure how to phrase it, exactly.

She has grown on me quite a bit from the original protos, I'll admit. I'm just still not 100% sure about the design.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on February 14, 2024, 03:25:41 AM
I think that Catty will be loved by customizers who just want to have a cuddly looking cat doll. I agree the face is cute and I also love the tail! Better than MH's other cat tails, they always reminded me of a rope.
The outfit is a big NO from me. I don't understand these choices at all. So much pink, so many hearts and chains, she still has those high boots and the chunky belt. It makes the doll's proportions look weird. In real life, the fabric of the dress and material of the belt might work together to pull in her waist more but since she's a doll that stuff doesn't work :lol:

G3 has a big chunky belt problem in general. They love to slap that onto a doll to elevate a look since the belts have lots of moulded details (not so much paint apps though). It's just like with the end of G1, it just makes the dolls look incomplete. I also just hate that everybody gets chains. Chains are for ghosts and sometimes Frankie and Clawdeen. And then they add that big old heart backpack onto a doll with massive hair and shoulder flares. Why?
I miss the themed styling choices. Wait a moment, hearts and chains... Unchain my heart, set me free. Maybe Catty likes Joe Cocker now, or - Boo Shocker as his MH name would be :lol:
Happy Valentines Day!


Post Merge: February 14, 2024, 03:29:32 AM

This makes me wonder, has anyone done any G3/G1 bodyswaps? Like, a G3 head on a G1 body, or vice versa. In general, I mean, not specifically Catty. That'd be interesting, but I don't think I've seen it anywhere...

G1 Scarah and Frankie and G3 Ghoulia seem to have the same skin tone. I saw a really good looking G1 Scarah head on G3 Ghoulia body swap once. This way you can create curvy G1s.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on February 14, 2024, 03:31:47 AM
My understanding was that the plus size Catty was somehow inspired around Lizzo? Or was that just speculation?

The whole thing reminds me of IDW's rework of Stormer as a plus size character. Don't get me wrong, I don't have an issue with her being plus sized, but that she's portrayed as "bullied Stormer" in conjunction with "plus sized Stormer". I hate most things IDW did with Jem, so I am biased, but it seemed like an unhappy stereotype to push on in there.  (At least Mattel haven't taken that line with Catty, so that's something).

As I said, I don't hate the design. I just don't really feel why Catty, as opposed to anyone else. I'd have been fine with a plus sized Ghoulia if she'd still spoken zombie...but this is a bit..."tick box."
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on February 14, 2024, 03:37:37 AM
I think the Lizzo thing was just speculation since original Catty's name and pink theme was speculated to be inspired by Nicki Minaj. Casta Fierce's name was also inspired by Beyonce's "Sasha Fierce". These things seem to be only skin deep, it's probably just the singer's image appearing on the vision board of the character designer.

I saw some people on social media saying "don't buy this doll until the trial outcome" and I just laughed irl.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on February 14, 2024, 06:19:54 AM
Ooohh, I getcha. Yeah, I could see that being a vague inspiration thing maybe, but like... IIRC Garrett said Catty was partially inspired by Jem as well as some other singers... aha, I found it! Don't think I can link to it since it's on his Instagram stories (I'm rushing right now) but he said she was "an amalgamation of singers - Carly Rae Jepson, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga and some Jem"
so I could see G3 Catty having a similar mix of inspirations, just generally drawing from current popular artists and such? But I don't think it'd be anything particularly deep.

As I said, I don't hate the design. I just don't really feel why Catty, as opposed to anyone else. I'd have been fine with a plus sized Ghoulia if she'd still spoken zombie...but this is a bit..."tick box."

Took the words out of my mouth.

Like I said, I'm open to the idea though! I'm neutral...ish on her outfit... it's not the worst G3 outfit but it's not really the best either, and yeah, they really are obsessed with belts and chains, aren't they? x) I am interested to see what kind of redressing options she'll have. That's my other nitpick with making such a unique body mould, it limits the redressing ^^; Not a problem if you like her original outfit, I guess, but these *are* fashion dolls... it's nice to at least have the option of redressing.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on February 15, 2024, 03:36:41 AM
Yeah, the redressing is a big one; it's one of the main reasons the Jem line failed. Mattel are proper doll people, though, with regards to that stuff, I'm wondering whether clothes from other dolls in other lines they've made might fit her, and thus overcome the immediate problem with that. Selling Catty with a wardrobe of outfits (for her stage show) would also help that, but if they're going to go there with one doll, they need to do it with more (or have multiple of the same character) to enable dress up play.

...Again, this brings it back to 'why Catty'. If you make it Lala or one of the other main cast, then you are going to release that character often. That will mean multiple outfit options by default. Are there going to be multiple release options for Catty in G3? I admit, I haven't been really keeping up with the cats in G1, but I think I only have two Catty dolls. One is from the set with Toralei and the other, wherever she is, has a union jack dress I think? I know there are a couple of others at least, but compared to how many Lagoonas, Rochelles, etc...

I suppose we'll see.

It may also be possible for her to wear some of the tops from the others, depending on if they have sleeves.

Can I just say that I think the thing that bugs me most about this doll is whatever is going on around her wrists. I'm assuming it's meant to be 'fur', but it just looks weird.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on February 15, 2024, 08:10:45 AM
And here are even better pics of Catty:

https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3173-monster-high-catty-noir-g3-doll-2024.html

You know what, seeing her in detail she looks very cute. That face is so adorable! But upon a closer look I just hate the boots and the backpack even more. The boots actually have a mirror shard detailing and heel. But they are solid magenta. How much would it have taken to just cast the boots in silver or at the very least the heels. I still don't get the broken heart, it makes me wonder if they'll give her a storyline about being unlucky in love or whatever.

I just think it's lazy to give another pink and black doll a heart motif. I'm also just being a hater, but G3 and its weird Goofy/Pluto rules also annoy me more and more. So Clawdeen always had a cat, but G3 Clawdeen has a wolf. Now Catty has a cat. But Draculaura could no longer have a bat and Venus could no longer have a plant. They both have a dog and a cat now. What weird executive decides on what species the pets can be?  :lol:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on February 15, 2024, 11:04:57 AM
I actually kind of like that Catty.  But, I can definitely see everyone's point.

The pink boots do need the silver detailing.  But, I think if they made the boots all silver, they would steal all of the focus and make the doll look unbalanced.  So, I don't know.  Maybe the boots could have been silver and smaller. 


This conversation also makes me wonder if Goofy is a werewolf.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on February 15, 2024, 12:29:00 PM
I was never big on the pets, but honestly, as someone who hates dogs and loves plants, that seems unfair xD.

Maybe it's morally wrong now to tell kids that plants can have feelings. :p

If they had made the lines on the boots silver I don't think it would've been too much.

Is it ok for a cat to have a pet cat?

I do like her braids though.

Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on February 15, 2024, 01:55:48 PM
Well now I don't know.

I missed some spots and the silver should be shinier but I wanted to see the differences.


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I do think painted details would have made a big difference.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on February 15, 2024, 04:16:33 PM
Very nice, Brightberry! Either option would look much better than the big lump of pink she has going on.

This conversation also makes me wonder if Goofy is a werewolf.

Oh, he absolutely is. Just stuck end-transformation so the front teeth are still human and his face is flesh colored. Hyuk!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on February 16, 2024, 01:54:02 PM
Oooh, she's definitely growing on me. I just don't like how skinny her arms are ^^; They look so weird and out of proportion.

It may also be possible for her to wear some of the tops from the others, depending on if they have sleeves.

unless this is why they didn't give her thicker arms? to try and help with the redressing problem? if that's the case then I guess I can understand that, it still looks kinda weird though.
(I'm not a huge fan of the furry wrists either. It looks okay on the wolves, I suppose, but Catty's so dark that it's harder to tell it's fur on her unless you've seen the other anthro dolls. Mostly it bugs me since that's the only place they seem to give the anthro characters fur! Although I guess Catty's tail is nice and fuzzy too.)

I was thinking of Jem too. IDK, maybe some of the Curvy Barbie clothes will fit her?

Selling Catty with a wardrobe of outfits (for her stage show) would also help that, but if they're going to go there with one doll, they need to do it with more (or have multiple of the same character) to enable dress up play.

...Again, this brings it back to 'why Catty'. If you make it Lala or one of the other main cast, then you are going to release that character often. That will mean multiple outfit options by default. Are there going to be multiple release options for Catty in G3?

Well said!!
Catty had 7 G1 dolls and so far the werecats seem to be doing pretty well in G3 too? there's... three Toraleis so far, sig, locker and the one in the 3-pack with the twins, and YouLoveIt has a fourth one listed too:

https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3433-monster-high-fearbook-dolls-2024.html
No photos yet but there's descriptions; it says Draculaura and Twyla will also be in the line.

So maybe they'll end up doing several Catty dolls too? But it still seems a bit short-sighted not to give her any other clothing options from the get-go.

The cat-with-a-pet-cat thing doesn't bug me, I just don't like how the G3 pets are all generically cute and kind of samefaced :P I do LIKE most of the G3 pets (except Chewlian, that... abomination is the worst thing to come out of G3) but I just wish they weren't almost all cat/dog things, you know? They don't really have as much personality as the G1 pets did.

I still don't get the broken heart, it makes me wonder if they'll give her a storyline about being unlucky in love or whatever.

I just think it's lazy to give another pink and black doll a heart motif.

Oh man I hadn't even noticed the broken heart motif before?? I do think it's clever how the broken heart on her belt kinda-sorta makes a "13" shape with the cracks. But otherwise I agree, it overlaps too much with Draculaura's theme/motifs.
I'm not a huge fan of the backpack either but mostly I just think it looks out of place with the rest of her outfit, I don't dislike it in general. It just looks too casual considering the rest of the doll seems to be an on-stage look.

OMG Brightberry, those edits look soooo much better!! The first one is my favourite, but both look great. The boots are a good mould but there's just too much pink going on, and I LIKE pink xD Just highlighting some of the details would help a lot.

Going off Catty a min, I'm not sure if these have been posted yet?
https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3583-monster-high-cleo-de-nile-g3-doll-vanity-playset.html
Pretty nice, but not a patch on the G1 vanity. Not sure why they made the turban bright blue, it blends in with her hair too much and also unrelatedly it gives me Norma Desmond vibes, but that's neither here nor there.

https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3481-monster-high-monster-fest-dolls.html
So far G3 Cleo hasn't interested me, but I really like this one! Frankie's not my style and neither is Lagoona BUT I do think this is about the best G3 Lagoona so far. (But I don't understand why her purse seems to depict G1 Neptuna instead of the G3 design?? Although I don't remember either version being so bug eyed... xD)

but omg Clawdeen is so pretty! not a huge fan of the fur on her boots, that's a bit too much, but everything else is so lovely <3 And I love the Hissfits/Catty posters. (not a huge fan of the art for Catty, but I like the idea) Still weird for me to think of Toralei/the twins as musicians, though.

The playset's pretty boring, but I actually really like the Draculaura that comes with it. I like how understated/simple her design is, compared to the others. I think a lot of the G3 dolls are way too cluttered and overdetailed. I also like how different she is compared to the other G3 Lauras, so far her dolls have been too samey IMO. The little touches of green look nice too. and omg those BOOTS!!! I'm not usually one to go crazy over doll shoes but omg :lovey:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on February 16, 2024, 04:36:03 PM
Carrehz, I think I can explain that Neptuna :cool:
It's a toy Lagoona uses in the cartoon to calm her nerves. It has the super creative name of Señor Squeaky. It's obviously based on G1 Neptuna but the eyes bug out since this is a feature of the toy when Lagoona squeezes it.

Btw, I kept watching the cartoon because the animation is really cute. I kinda like how different they look to the dolls, especially the feet. But oh man, is it for young kids. No issue here but I was actually able to enjoy and get invested in the G1 and G2 cartoons and movies but G3 is just so unfunny to me. I really tried to like it but it feels like MLP G3 writing and I'm old :lol:

I dislike Lagoona's character for being so aggro all the time and Clawdeen is just boring and joyless. Draculaura is overpowered. Frankie and Cleo are legitimately entertaining characters but I don't buy their relationship. Twyla's autism had me screaming/laughing because everyone told me she was such great representation but the moment she appears she just says: "Ok, so I am autistic". Don't get me wrong, it's great they show her being sensitive to noise and it goes well with her being into books because the library is a place of silence. But that dialogue...

It's not like I hate the show. Just like the dolls, there are some decisions I just can't relate to or understand. As long as kids like it it's fine and it's better than the live action stuff for sure.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on February 17, 2024, 01:05:01 PM
Twyla's autism had me screaming/laughing because everyone told me she was such great representation but the moment she appears she just says: "Ok, so I am autistic". Don't get me wrong, it's great they show her being sensitive to noise and it goes well with her being into books because the library is a place of silence. But that dialogue...


Wait a minute, what? Twyla is autistic now? Is this how they're solving the Ghoulia issue? I am so confused.

I am guessing the reason she says it up front is for the kids' sake, so that they can 'get it' more easily, rather than just nuancing it in.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on February 17, 2024, 07:30:40 PM
Taffeta, yes Twyla is the chosen one :lol:
One of her dolls actually comes with noise cancelling earbuds which is cute. They pretty much chopped up G1 Ghoulia's personality and spread it out to Frankie and Twyla. Twyla also inherited the interest in board games.

About the speech being for kids... I don't doubt that. It was just cringe. At that point I had also watched the Abbey centric episode and Draculaura says "we have to support and uplift the yetis" or whatever, and I cringed pretty hard at that, too, because it's word choice that you would expect from adults talking on Twitter/X. MH was always talking about inclusivity and "freaky flaws" but it was put in monsteriffic terms and made kinda fun for kids. It wasn't so dry.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: freezestime on February 18, 2024, 02:05:30 AM
Taffeta, yes Twyla is the chosen one :lol:
One of her dolls actually comes with noise cancelling earbuds which is cute. They pretty much chopped up G1 Ghoulia's personality and spread it out to Frankie and Twyla. Twyla also inherited the interest in board games.

About the speech being for kids... I don't doubt that. It was just cringe. At that point I had also watched the Abbey centric episode and Draculaura says "we have to support and uplift the yetis" or whatever, and I cringed pretty hard at that, too, because it's word choice that you would expect from adults talking on Twitter/X. MH was always talking about inclusivity and "freaky flaws" but it was put in monsteriffic terms and made kinda fun for kids. It wasn't so dry.

Yeah I agree, they don't have the same charm and nuance or character traits as G1.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on February 18, 2024, 07:29:31 AM
It is interesting. I'll have to make time to go google Twyla clips and see what they've done with it. I'm prepared to overlook awkward disclosure (because of the target audience) so long as they haven't gone down the tick box stereotype route.

I am not a fan of the monsterised language used even in G1 (creepy cool is fine, but turning every other word into something monsterish is a bit annoying. Though I'm not a kid so it's not really for me to judge, lol :)

All that said, I still don't really understand why Ghoulia couldn't have continued to be Ghoulia.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on February 18, 2024, 07:53:35 AM
Carrehz, I think I can explain that Neptuna :cool:
It's a toy Lagoona uses in the cartoon to calm her nerves. It has the super creative name of Señor Squeaky. It's obviously based on G1 Neptuna but the eyes bug out since this is a feature of the toy when Lagoona squeezes it.

Oh! Thanks for letting me know. With how inconsistent the art for G3 has been (and with them initially changing Cleo's pet and then going back on it and adding Hissette back in anyway, etc) I really didn't know if it was just weird off model art or what :lmao:

I didn't know they'd done that with Twyla, that's interesting. I agree they should've kept Ghoulia as-is though :/ It just feels weird to me to change up a character so drastically if you're going to turn around and give OTHER characters those traits anyway, you know? Like what difference does it make.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on February 18, 2024, 10:32:47 AM
As an autistic person, I'm debating whether (to a non-autistic institution/gaggle of flappy parentals) the perception of a 'zombie' or 'bogeyman' (bogeygirl)? would appear more offensive?

I honestly don't care, I think zombie and bogeycritter are probably both realistic given how much autistic kids get marginalised in school, but I can totally see them having a big discussion about this and how to 'be more sensitive' and blah.

But the thing about Ghoulia doesn't necessarily correlate to Twyla being autistic now. I know Ghoulia also felt representative to people from non-native English communities living in majority-English countries (specifically I saw a lot of comments from native Spanish speakers in the US, but not just them), as well as people who communicated differently (the eternal debate about non-verbal vs different language speaker). That being the case, I don't think Twyla being autistic erases the rationale for Ghoulia staying as Ghoulia.

From what Zapper said, Twyla is also a verbal autistic person. The communication is still normalised and 'standard' (American) English. However you interpreted Ghoulia, she offered a different nuance to that equation.

This is kind of hard to explain what I mean, but Ghoulia made herself understood by atypical communication. If Twyla is disclosing and explaining herself to her NT schoolmates, it sounds like she's communicating neurotypically, rather than atypically. In other words, she's masking and adjusting her communication to meet the needs/expectations of her companions, rather than just being herself (as Ghoulia was) and being understood.

Wow, that was unnecessarily cerebral. And I may be overanalysing (so unusual for me! LOL!) because I haven't actually seen Twyla yet.

I do actually like the Twyla doll though. I don't mind her being 'the one'.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on February 18, 2024, 12:20:05 PM
No no I get it, I totally agree with you. Thing is it doesn't even need to be a "one or the other" thing! We could have classic!Ghoulia and autistic!Twyla coexist just fine.

(Which again brings me back a bit to my previous points of the way G3 does "representation" feeling "token" and "tickbox" - I'll concede I haven't seen the cartoon so maybe they're doing it better than it sounds - but Ghoulia was just Ghoulia, you know? You could read her a bunch of different ways, whereas it sounds like G3 Twyla is just being defined as "the autistic one"? idk I'm trying not to be too harsh on the dialogue Zapper quoted since this IS a kids show and maybe it's just the one scene that's awkward, but like... I can't imagine G1 having dialogue like that. Not sure if I'm wording this properly, sorry.)
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on February 18, 2024, 03:18:19 PM
I haven't seen the cartoon either, which is weird of me considering I adored the G1 cartoons so much and the humour is what got me interested in MH and to take it seriously in the first place. From what I'm hearing, 'tickbox' is pretty much it, though perhaps more ... 'sledgehammer representation'? Let's take Frankie; she's canonically clumsy because her stitches can come loose. Could you read that she has dyspraxia? Absolutely! Could you read her as having a 'omg so relatable' main character clumsiness that's been parodied because SO many leading girls in youth fiction have that as a 'relatable flaw'? Absolutely. The canon explanation is that sometimes her stitches can come loose, which is very reasonable, and she isn't defined by it as she is still mobile enough/co-ordinated enough to take part in all the same activities as her friends and be on the Fearleading squad. You can take or leave her freaky flaw, and interpret how you want.

The best autism representation I've seen is when it is completely unintentional. You could read Ghoulia as being on the Spectrum if you want, or leave it due to her zombie character design, it's totally up to you. You could interpret G1 Twyla as being on the spectrum as well, just in a different placement. Abbey as well, considering her occasional difficulty with social interaction and disregard for pleasantries if they don't make sense to her (see her refusing to advise someone to be coy or shy about their crush, advising them to just be upfront about it as she has no patience for these sort of games, or when Toralei tried to move her out of 'her' seat and Abbey completely refused to take the hint). Again, you could just chalk it up to cultural and language differences, as the episode often does, or read into it she is a little on the spectrum.

Back to Catty; the edits to the boots are MUCH better. I didn't mind the original slight weirdness with the pets, like Clawdeen having Crescent when Toralei exists, but the design made it clear that Crescent was more on the 'monstery' side of cats, if that makes sense? Plus Toralei is explicitly a WEREcat, as in 'man-cat' so is part-animal by default. The pets just seem to 'normal' and cutesy compared to the owls, bats, mammoths, piranhas, etc.

I still think making Catty plus-size is not a good idea or at least her proportions, and again I feel bad saying that considering real-life people DO have her figure. Her leg ratio still bothers me!!

I thought her whole thing was that traditionally unlucky things are lucky for her, i.e. broken mirrors and the number 13, as well as being a black cat (which is funny and a bit annoying as black cats are considered LUCKY in the UK, it always irritates me seeing that. Not every dang country thinks that, America, stop it!!!). I didn't hear anything about the love part.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on February 19, 2024, 02:09:22 AM
Just wanted to pop in and say that Twyla is not just a token in the G3 show. She is the only autistic student so far but she is given a story that goes beyond that. What I find interesting about her is that so far we've been given a couple clues that Twyla might be able to hop dimensions using the boogey sand we already know from G1.
There's also fun Easter Eggs on her dolls, like the Skulltimate Secrets Twyla has a G1 Fearbook in her locker. I'm currently debating if I should try and get that Twyla once she's on sale.
Problem is that most G3 dolls have the horrendous polypropelene hair. They really don't bother with hairstyles anymore. Almost all dolls have poly hair down to their waist.

PS, here is the Twyla scene I was talking about that had the cringe dialogue. I noticed that in other eps Draculaura is mostly used as a mouthpiece of the writers. She often sums up lessons of the day and such. In this scene she also directs the others a bit. I guess I just dislike G3 Draculaura. She is a social justice vampire but lets her dad be racist all the time :lol: I really do have issues with the writing and here is the only place I can say that. On the Mattel forums they'd delete me, lol!

https://youtu.be/9X0pi3UKoCo?feature=shared

I just noticed the MH youtube channel has a mind control compilation... wtf.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on February 19, 2024, 08:50:49 AM
I do love how we can have a normal, nuanced discussion about this sort of thing on here. <3 I feel like if I said this anywhere else I'd have been raked across the coals (at best! haha).

Lady Frostbite - ahhh I agree with everything you said, you took the words right out of my mouth AND worded them way better than I could've! Don't have anything useful to add, just wanted to say I totally agree with you here.

as well as being a black cat (which is funny and a bit annoying as black cats are considered LUCKY in the UK, it always irritates me seeing that. Not every dang country thinks that, America, stop it!!!)

Omg FINALLY someone says it!! This has always driven me nuts, lol.

I just noticed the MH youtube channel has a mind control compilation... wtf.

That's um.... strange. o.O To put it mildly.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on February 19, 2024, 09:24:18 AM
Black cats are 100% lucky. This one has always really irked me too xD.

Quote from: Lady Frostbite
The best autism representation I've seen is when it is completely unintentional.

I basically agree with this. I think when people try and represent it they usually get it wrong. Sometimes horrendously so. And when they don't, it becomes all signposty virtue signalling...and just awkward.

The problems people still have with autism is that it's invisible, and most of the time there is a reliance on experts, parents, family members etc to build the narrative, even though there are a lot of people on the spectrum capable of putting their own points forward. For some reason they seem to think autistic people don't read, watch, or react to the same media/world everyone else does. (We do).

Basically we still aren't trusted enough with our own narrative, so the narrative is still...uncomfortable :/

So I watched the clip, I'm putting my remarks in spoiler tags for anyone not interested.
Spoiler
Aside the awkward disclosure, I think Twyla is actually fine. The others, meh. I can see what they're trying to do, but it's still...a very neurotypical perspective. Like the idea Frankie never noticed Twyla. Twyla said she likes to be in the shadows, but that clashes with her saying the sleepover sounds fun and wanting to join it. So either she likes to be alone or Frankie has been ignoring her for years.

In reality most (not all) autistic kids want to make friends and be included. Saying "wow, we've been in the same class forever but I have no idea who you are" is rude. I have actually been that autistic kid in that situation. When you're trying to make your point of view heard, being told you basically don't exist is unpleasant. It undermines your ability to speak up and makes it harder the next time to be heard.

Honestly, Frankie is really really awkward in this whole clip. "I don't know who Twyla is" "I'm going to keep shouting despite knowing she doesn't like noise!" "I'm going to loudly make a stupid unfunny joke about brains!" I'm going to crowd Twyla by climbing on the table (Twyla backs away)"...

I'm less bothered by Lala because her position is more believable "yeah, I know who you are, I noticed this about you, I'm sorry we disturbed you" although I feel her apology is a bit cringy. But if she's the infomercial ghoul holding the narrative together, it makes sense. I've no comment on the witch/vampire thing largely because Lala in the live action movie is basically a complete other ghoul from the one in this animation clip.

I think Twyla herself is depicted ok. I just think bits of the interaction is unnatural. :/ But at least they tried. And maybe, if I play devil's advocate, Frankie being awkward with all these things is realistic? I dunno. It leaves me unsure what they're actually going for.

I do think little details of Twyla - her unconsciously putting her hands to her ears, her telling them they're loud, her interest (it's a bit forced into that moment but it's viable), her backing off when she's crowded...those are nice touches.

Final observation on Twyla and details. Twyla knows about Clawdeen's amulet or whatever it is. She knows, because she's been watching, observing and listening. Unlike Frankie, she has an interest in other people as well as books. I liked that, because it felt real. I knew the names of everyone in that first class, too, even if I only ever really had dialogue with a handful of them.

Also, someone get Toralei a proper book on bugs before she wrecks the whole school.

The mind control thing made me think immediately of this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIslDJZAxxg
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on February 19, 2024, 11:26:34 AM
The mind control thing made me think immediately of this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIslDJZAxxg

I love the Stingers :P But the weird hypno sh- in G3 is odd. I found out that it's a fetish and so, putting compilations of that on your channel looks like you are trying to attract a secondary audience of adult pervs.

G3 Frankie in the cartoon is just a real dumba$$ instead of just being clumsy. For some reason Frankie knows modern gender theory and has bodyparts of famous people from all over the world, resulting in high intelligence, problem solving skills, even superhuman powers such as biting rocks into shape, lol.
But Frankie still fails at the most basic stuff because she is just a couple of days old. The writers kept that from G1, that Frankie is naive and clueless about a lot of things and has to learn them. But now Frankie also knows about some rather college level concepts so a lot of the behaviours come across as just plain childish (having Frankie crawl over the table was probably supposed to show overexitement).

What I enjoy about cartoon Frankie is her them being so obnoxious. It creates some comedic moments. Draculaura and Clawdeen are always so serious it's obvious Frankie is supposed to be the comic relief of the three. In one scene Frankie is told to do something dangerous and Frankie just does it and walks into a trapdoor. Maybe I just have a mean sense of humor but that makes me chuckle and I prefer it to Draculaura's and Clawdeen's problems.

Just edited to correct Frankie's pronouns in case someone takes it personally.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on February 19, 2024, 12:44:46 PM
Hypnotism is absolutely a fetish (mods, let me know if I can even say that  :blink: ) hence I rose a biiiiiiig brow when you mentioned a playlist, I immediately thought 'someone on the team is either incredibly naive or knows precisely what they're doing). It's a reason that if you search Kaa from Disney's The Jungle Book you have to filter a LOT of garbage fanart.

It sounds like they've combined Frankie and Ghoulia, which is something they tried in G2 I believe by making Frankie smart? Frankie's character was always upbeat and eager but naive and inexperienced. She went into things with her whole heart, but often missed nuances because she got the majority of her information from teen magazines rather than her peers (which I think is something a few girls have done in their silly tween/teen years; copy something they see in movies or TV and end up falling flat on their face). Ghoulia was not as sociable but was exceptionally clever, she was always the first one mentioned whenever 'brains' were needed in a plot or scheme. With Ghoulia it was likely a pun on the classic 'brains' zombie groan, and while it DOES make writing sense for G3 Frankie to be smart if they have combined brains from being made out of multiple people, it doesn't sound like they really have a different trade-off for it. They come across as Twilight Sparkle 2.0; book smart but maybe not good with social cues or interaction. G1 Frankie naturally drew people to her - because, let's be real, she's a sweetheart! - and it was an entire plotpoint to Freaky Fusion when the ghouls used that to save her.

I dunno, I'm not sure the writers/designers know what to do with the ghouls. Again, some clever puns and twists that are MH's signature are there; G3 Frankie having a prosthetic? Great! Fits their character origin from being made out of body parts! The fact they're non-binary? Again, makes sense as they are literally made of multiple people! But what exactly is their personality? Why change what made G1 Frankie so sweet in terms of personality? Why did they feel the need to change it? The looks are toned down and very much made for a slightly younger demo than G1 MH, where the ghouls looked closer to older teens because - like I've said before - high school students (secondary school to us UK ghouls) always look far more mature and adult to younger kids. Then you get to adulthood and realise they're just as childish as elementary/primary school kids lmao  :lol: This gen looks like it's years younger, it's got that look and feel, and I think it's missing what made G1 stand out so much and missing that key demo of 'not kiddy but also not adult' that MH fitted in so well.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on February 19, 2024, 02:02:20 PM
I immediately thought 'someone on the team is either incredibly naive or knows precisely what they're doing.

I vote for "knows what they are doing". Same way Nickelodeon shows produced by a special someone always had the kids shove their bare feet into the camera or pour liquids on them.

Or how the show Totally Spies became infamous on the internet for accidentally (?) pandering to grown men's niche """interests"""

I hate how subtle stuff like this is in shows for kids but girlshows especially. Gives me flashbacks to the times kids couldn't google the words "My Little Pony" anymore, even with safesearch on. Something about the cuteness attracts creeps.

I'm honestly a little shocked how doll fandoms remained relatively creep free for such a long time although the source material was always curvy and leggy girls/dolls in various outfits and heels.

Brings me back to G3 and how the cartoon makes them all look so squishy and adorable. None of them look "hot". Something I honestly prefer to G1's animation that always had the girls do a catwalk and really sway their hips. So maybe that's why I was so negatively surprised to see a weird hypno moments video. Thankfully the comment section is not available.
I'm just sensitive about that.

In other news, Mattel doesn't ship internationally at the moment due to undisclosed problems and a lot of international people suddenly had their Fang Vote Jinafire refunded. The preorder window has closed so a lot are worried about not getting their Jinafire. This really sucks, I'm glad I saved my money.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on February 20, 2024, 02:23:35 AM
I'm a cynic. I tend to interpret undisclosed problems as one of two things: "We didn't fleece the international buyers enough/shipping is more expensive" or "can't be bothered."

My general experience with sellers who refuse to ship internationally, just generally, are in one of those two categories (plus "international people are scammers, but I don't suppose Mattel think that).

It's a shame though. I hope they manage to figure it out. There is a big issue with US companies not really caring about the international markets because their domestic market is so big it can hold firm without any external help.

The only special dolls I have had from Mattel were the Egyptian dig Ghoulia and Cleo, and I had to get those with a pony friend's help, since shipping in the US was free. Apparently it cost half as much as Mattel were quoting to ship the set to me (my friend sent it at cost). So I'm imagining this is either about not charging international people way way more than is necessary, or administrative fail.

Going back to the discussion...I don't see any of G1 Ghoulia in G3 Frankie. I did see elements of G1 Ghoulia in G2 Frankie, but not G3, either in the live action or that clip of animation Zapper just linked (true I haven't seen any other scenes). This may sound terrible but that brief clip made me feel like oh, here go Mattel with their Pinkie Pie random character attempts...the brain joke is just...the kind of thing...Pinkie Pie would have said in the middle of an unrelated conversation. The annoying thing is that I also think G3 Frankie's premise is great - their being non-binary makes sense given their construction. I just don't think they've carried it forward very well (it seemed to fly better in the movie for some reason).

G1 Frankie had this thing about being 16 days old, but that's kind of problematic when you watch her over several adventures because she can't still be 16 days old. Plus compared to Lala's very old 1600 years, it was a bit much. Again, clear what they were trying to do but not really working. But I do remember Frankie in G1 being freaked out by Hallowe'en and the rumours she'd heard about it - and that that was going to be her first Hallowe'en? I forget what the special was but it's the one with Jackson and Holt. I always liked that one best which is why I remember it.

I liked G1 Frankie better than Clawdeen or Lala - I feel like it's a shame they tried to move away from that character. It never seemed necessary, though G2 did seem like a desperate attempt to eradicate Ghoulia.

I agree that it's good they are not making the characters fashion models anymore...it's always irked me that you never seem to get a release of a doll where they're not looking glam and made up, even for a sleepover. I'm waiting for the bed hair and rumpled PJs sleepover release, LOL ;)

Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on February 20, 2024, 10:11:54 AM
Ghoulia was the smart one and in G3 Frankie is still the smart one (it just doesn't show a lot but Frankie is supposed to be a genius). It's just sad that G3 can't be like G2 and just have Frankie smart, they have to give reasons for it any time Frankie has an idea. It's always "oh I have piece of the brain if *insert famous person here*".
I'm scared to think of Dr. Frankenstein in a time machine messing with the time continuum just to have fresh pieces of corpse of the most famous scientists and artists from various epochs :lol:

Btw, I got that Twyla now. I was prepared for her looking different than the beautiful prototype pics but wow, she looked like she had sanpaku eyes and her hair was crispy. I tried to style her a little, give her hair the old wax and heat treatment to make it softer. I also took a very thin waterproof liner to her face and darkened the whites under her pupils to make it look like she had the heavy eyeline from the promos. Finally, I noticed she had massive flaws on her arms: scratches all over and one area on her shoulder where not just paint but plastic had chipped.

I paid less than retail for her (which is a massive 43€) and I had free shipping but damn... the quality control on these dolls is bad. And since you can't see them in box you couldn't even go to a store and pick the best one.

Also, her book had its print misalingned and her harness was all bent and is now crooked. Her purse opens but you can put nothing in, maybe a small piece of paper? Lol...
Waste of money.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on February 20, 2024, 11:19:52 AM
I always thought the reason toys are more expensive in Europe than in the US is that toys are duty free in the States.  Or, at least, are not as costly.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: CowboyRaccoons on February 20, 2024, 12:09:37 PM
Trust me, they are not... I wish!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on February 20, 2024, 01:36:44 PM
Trust me, they are not... I wish!
Which part?  Price or import fees? I know that I don't have to worry about any toys I buy from countries outside the US having any custom fees. 

And...

Quote
For reference, toys are officially classified with the HS Code 9503.00.00, under the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule. They are generally duty free, though the Merchandise Processing Fee and Harbor Maintenance Fee will still apply.

https://www.flexport.com/help/212-importing-toys-united-states/



Quote
Generally, the HTS Code for the toys is 9503.00.00. This includes:

    Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys
    Dollsʼ carriages; dolls, other toys
    Reduced-scale (“scaleˮ) models and similar recreational models, working or not
    Puzzles of all kinds
    Parts and accessories thereof

For all of the products mentioned above, the current US duty rate is 0%.


So do you mean the prices are the same as in Europe?  Or that fees are somehow being added?  Or my information is old? 
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: CowboyRaccoons on February 20, 2024, 07:49:27 PM
Usually they are more expensive in stores and with state taxes though, that tends to vary. I'm not sure on the conversion rates of every currency but for example a single g5 fashion style pony is upwards of $20. I think this can also be linked to inflation, and the general state of the American economy.

Don't take me too seriously though, just complaining here!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on February 21, 2024, 11:55:17 AM
I found a pic of the two Catty protos (and concept art) - I don't think they ever did get posted on here? Thought I'd share it for anyone who hadn't seen them yet :)

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3Uzn2DLBTW/

I do think the final doll is a definite improvement from the original proto, but I wish they'd kept the fluffy jacket thing and white/silver boots form the original art.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on February 21, 2024, 01:15:10 PM
Thanks for sharing, Carrehz. It's so interesting to me what their design process is like.

Still no international shipping at Mattel or Mattel Creations. No info on what is going on. I am starting to regret my Fang Club sub... I expected more transparency. Is anybody else a FC member? I find some of the perks were greatly exaggerated. It's nice to be asked what Skullectors we want but mostly it's just begging the single mod to tell us what is going on with the Jinafire pre-order  -_-

PS: Sorry but I had to make this
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Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on February 21, 2024, 03:05:14 PM
I think with prices in Europe it comes down to two things. Import/export (a toy designed for a US market is going to go through more hoops to international markets, yes, that includes customs duties or whatever) and the perception (whether true or not) that average income is higher here (by which I mean the concept $1 is worth less than £1 in exchange but that $1 buys the same in the US as £1 in the UK. And ditto for Euros or whatever national currency in other places.

Since the £ has crashed so wonderfully, there's not a massive difference in value between them now. But we still get the price hike because import duty has probably gone up.

It sucks about Jinafire. :/
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on February 21, 2024, 04:56:44 PM
 :lol: I love that pic Zapper!

Oh wow, that sucks about the Fang Club :( I understand if they're having troubles but surely it wouldn't kill them to just pop in and go "No updates yet but we're working on it" or whatever? I hope it gets sorted out soon.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on February 22, 2024, 01:22:52 PM
Cover for the upcoming MH G1 comic book series. I hope this is not the art inside the comic as well because I hate seeing them with realistic features. It's like looking at MLP drawn like real horses :P

Spoiler
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Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on February 29, 2024, 12:16:32 PM
https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3433-monster-high-fearbook-dolls-2024.html

Fearbook dolls! Twyla reminds me of a little Victorian girl, very cute. Toralei finally with short hair and Draculaura is Draculaura. She is in everything. Why is she a movie director? This could have been a cool way to introduce Honey Swamp back into the line. Well, her black jacket looks cool, I guess...
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on February 29, 2024, 02:38:41 PM
Draculaura's alright, I guess, but yeah what's with the director theme? o_O How odd.

Omg I LOVE Toralei!!! She's amazing, definitely need to get her.

Twyla's sweet but somehow doesn't quite do it for me, not sure why. Her accessories are really cute though.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on March 01, 2024, 02:24:58 AM
I admit, I am fundamentally opposed to dolls with short hair because of the styling limitations xD.

I always love Twyla's colour scheme, but still am not inspired to buy one, given the prices.

My eye was caught rather by the Spectra images on the side. It is good that she is coming back. I never understood the weirdness of G2 around her.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on March 01, 2024, 06:00:00 AM
I admit, I am fundamentally opposed to dolls with short hair because of the styling limitations xD.

(...)

My eye was caught rather by the Spectra images on the side. It is good that she is coming back. I never understood the weirdness of G2 around her.

To be fair, you can't really style G3 hair if it's that untreated godawful poly. And it mostly is.

The new Spectra stock photos are looking so much better than the ones we saw of the prototype! It looks like her massive forehead gets covered better and her face-up is more mature (as far as G3 goes). And she's got a hairstyle and not just long hair hanging down, very nice.

I just think some of the food items are a little silly. Is that hot sauce?
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She is also very purple. I would have liked for her to get some black or that warm, dark pinkish shade they used on her in some G1 releases. Help me out here, what's that color called? It wasn't pink or purple, or magenta. I'm drawing a blank but I would have liked for another color to break up all that blueish purple and silver on her.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: DEStokes on March 01, 2024, 06:30:53 AM
I bet it’s ghost pepper hot sauce, lol

EDIT: Saw a different photo, it is, lol
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on March 01, 2024, 10:42:37 AM
I know the colour you mean, not sure what to call it either. Fuchsia? I'm not sure that's quite right either though.

She does look a bit intense, but I don't dislike it. Spectra always did have quite intense features imo (at least at her best = iirc she had a weird variation in one of the releases? Was it Shriekwrecked?)

I have two Spectras on my shelf at the moment, and both of them have that dark pink woven into their purple. I feel like the ghost pirate whatever one had paler hair altogether...she's probably on my table but I'm too lazy to look behind me (*lol*)

I love the Rainbow High dolls because their hair is brilliant for styling. The negative comments on hair and styling for the MH dolls is another reason I'm steering clear of G3. I only have so much room, and RH has taken over the rest of my 2nd MH shelf. Original Ghoulia is still there, though. Standing proud  :)

I have no idea what the obsession is with Lala. I thought Clawdeen was the main ghoul in this version?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on March 01, 2024, 12:17:57 PM
I bet it’s ghost pepper hot sauce, lol

EDIT: Saw a different photo, it is, lol

Ok, that's funny. Allthough I generally am burned out on all the Sig dolls getting food and sunglasses. They already got stingy and stopped with the additional clothing item. Abbey was the last one to get it.

I love the Rainbow High dolls because their hair is brilliant for styling. The negative comments on hair and styling for the MH dolls is another reason I'm steering clear of G3. I only have so much room, and RH has taken over the rest of my 2nd MH shelf. Original Ghoulia is still there, though. Standing proud  :)

I have no idea what the obsession is with Lala. I thought Clawdeen was the main ghoul in this version?

Yeah, the hair is a mixed bag on some dolls and just bad on others. Clawdeen has been getting bad hair from the start. Her first doll was hated on quite a bit just for the hair. One simply cannot pay for this low quality.
Word of god is that they can't get some colors in Saran so they are using untreated poly hair, but come on! At least treat it! The first Cleo release had that type of hair. It was poly but it was silky. Maybe they did that because of the tinsel blend and have now stopped. Mattel in general is such a non-transparent company. None of their decisions are communicated, we are still waiting on an answer as to why we can't order internationally at the moment. In two weeks the most anticipated OffWHite doll will drop and they are saying nothing.
So it would be a miracle to find out the real reason why they are not investing in good hair suitable for hairplay. Well, the new dolls seem to have more curls and waves and also microbraids so it seems the hair department is doing something, lol.

Draculaura is their secret main character. They did Clawdeen so dirty, depowered her and made her all about her family. That's a boring character. Draculaura on the other hand has many different powers and jobspositions at school. She is the queen not Cleo. She is always speaking for others. That's a main character, no one can tell me otherwise. And she's pink so she sells on her own.

I'm just miffed because Clawdeen was honestly so perfect in G1. She was a family girl but she was also opinionated and a go-getter. She had very specific career aspirations, she was an entrepeneur. They slowly demoted her to self-insert character, that's why she's so bland now. Her dolls still have some of that G1 spark but her wonky giant eyes and bad hair have got to go. She looks like a poodle more than a wolf thanks to the strawlike nature of the poly hair she almost always has (that light brown, blondish shade is the worst).

Oh, and while I am rambling. You simply can't trust these MH reviewers. Some are sponsored and some are just happy to get more MH so everything (aside from the hair) is being praised. The quality control on my Twyla was bad. Everyone was just saying "oh, there is this and that error but I don't mind because Twyla is my gurrrrl" - I hate that. I thought she'd have some minor issues but a chunk of plastic came out of her arm and she's wounded now, lmao.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on March 02, 2024, 04:39:39 PM
I was never a fan of the Clawdeen dolls in G1 - I don't know why - but I agree she was a solid character. Although the age thing was awkward and sometimes I wanted to shake Lala for her unnecessarily 'teenage monster' vocabulary, I felt like the dynamic between Frankie, Lala and Clawdeen was pretty well worked, with these other 2nd string-main and then additional characters flitting in and out.

All that said, Clawdeen always did have a strong family vibe, given her brother and sister were also in the supporting cast. G2 went a bit overboard with the family stuff for all the main characters, but I guess it's continuity...?

I admit I only saw that brief snippet you linked, but Lala feels like infodump character. "Hi, x character, here's your whole past which we never mentioned before!". I don't know if that is the overall feel though.

I loved Rochelle as a character and as a doll in the original. I don't think there's a G3 one (I know there was meant to be a collector one). Rochelle is actually one of the few I really liked in G2 because she had hair that didn't sweat or become sticky. So many pretty G1 dolls were ruined by the sticky hair glue leakage issue, that although most of G2 was anathema to me, I do have a few Rochelle (and Lagoona) dolls from that release because nice hair O.O.

I also loved Abbey as a character, but have very few Abbeys for same reason. Looking at my shelf I think I can only see one.

...Kind of bummed to know that G3 has solved glue ick but made the dolls unstyleable.

Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on March 03, 2024, 04:09:13 AM
I'm genuinely surprised Spectra (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3189-monster-high-spectra-g3-doll.html) was allowed to keep Ruen, considering the 'cutification' of so many pets. Ferrets are cute, don't get me wrong, and are super popular ... I'm just surprised they didn't make them even 'cuter' akin to what happened to Crescent or replacing Hissette to whatever the pet Cleo has is.

For the Fearbook (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3433-monster-high-fearbook-dolls-2024.html) dolls, it makes sense to me that Lala is a director, as she got into acting as part of a G1 cartoon when she unexpectedly wow'd the acting teacher (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sav83jK-U9Y). What I will say is the fact the shoes are unpainted and are pretty much just big galumphing lumps of plastic is SUPER obvious on these dolls. Would it kill them to at least colour in the straps or soles of the shoes to make them pop better??? These look like unpainted prototypes!!

Skulltimates Secrets Wave 4 (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3342-monster-high-skulltimate-secrets-series-4-ballerinas-dolls.html) has pictures and ... I REALLY am not sure how I feel about Abbey??? When I saw the small preview image, I thought 'wow Frankie is in dark colours before realising it was Abbey. I might need to see her in person before I fully judge, it's a darker palette from her G3 Sig which was FLAWLESS. The headdress thing I'm REALLY not feeling, although I do like her hair ... I don't know, this will be an in-person decider for me.

Cleo's washed-out eyes still bother me, and adding blue to her hair is still very much a Nefera-like look I can't get over it. Cleo, I love your G1 incarnation and blue naturally works with you, but in your hair? Nefera is going to rip that out of your head for stealing her sig look!

I don't mind all the itty-bitty food accessories, they're super-cute honestly lol What DOES bother me a lot in lines is the over-reliance on pastel shades that just make it seem less edgy, none of the intense colours that made Monster High stand out against other dolls.

Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on March 04, 2024, 08:56:00 AM
I'm happy they are turning the Skulltimate series into something more interactive. Allthough I would have liked them to provide a window to see the doll's face because the lockers might give you an eyewonk surprise along with the accessories.
These seem to be popstar and ballet themed. I guess ballet/dance on its own is no longer cool. I am happy I dislike all of them and happy for the kids who will be able to finally use the lockers for play instead of just storage. These also use the new printing technique on the shoes and makes you wonder why they can't use that on the Fearbook dolls as well. I agree the unpainted shoes on the Fearbook dolls look lazy. Their sculpts are so nice, especially Lala's has fine spiderweb detailing all over the shoes but from far away they look like pieces of ham.

I really like Skulltimate Abbey's make-up and hair blend. I welcome shorter hair if it means they are using higher quality. Fingers crossed, I am still not happy with my Sig Abbey's hair. Ever since Christmas she is receiving spa time once in a while and we are slowly getting to a point where the hair kind of holds a shape.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on March 04, 2024, 09:09:23 AM
Wow, that's Abbey? I thought it was Frankie at first too.

I don't really get why the Skulltimate series is so popular, I hate not being able to see the doll before I buy her :/
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on March 04, 2024, 02:05:00 PM
Maybe Abbey will not be as dark a shade in release, but I honestly wouldn't have clocked that as Abbey OR Frankie at a glance. Seems closer to old school Ghoulia shade, unless I'm mistaken...

It's a pretty doll but...yeah, I dunno.

First Lala that doesn't have that annoying fringe thing going on. That's a plus. Not sure about the long bunches mind you.

I'm still not quite sure what it is about G3 Lala dolls that seems off to me, aside the fringe...just something.

Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on March 05, 2024, 05:34:53 AM
I'm still not quite sure what it is about G3 Lala dolls that seems off to me, aside the fringe...just something.

For me it's the long arms and something about her constant side glace looks "bitchy" to me. I hate that word and would never use it on an actual girl but dolls are fair game, they're not real :lol:
I think her cartoon version looks so much cuter than the doll. Her proportions are nicer, facially and physically. Doll Lala is a bit Orang Utan.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: shockponie on March 05, 2024, 08:09:48 AM
I don't really get why the Skulltimate series is so popular, I hate not being able to see the doll before I buy her :/
This! I want to see if they have nice root jobs and face screenings first. It annoys me.

I’m liking Fearbook Lala and Twyla. Idk about the new wave of Skulltimates.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on March 05, 2024, 09:16:50 AM
I think the easy answer for the Skulltimate series is "kids don't care". I doubt that but it's what I keep hearing: "Only adults can see if one eye is larger or one eye is smudged. Only adults can see if the hair is good. Kids don't care about moulded clothes. Kids don't mind having no articulation" and so on.

Btw, Mattel Creations is slowly brinhing back international shipping but only to select countries and it looks like they have trouble with the shipping service but of course, still no concrete answer.

March 21st, they are going to have an online event called "Mattel Revealed". Monster High is one of the brands involved, I wonder what it'll be. Probably just showing new products.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on March 05, 2024, 10:38:24 AM
You're probably right, and that mindset drives me nuts >_< Kids DO care! They absolutely care!! I mean I'm sure some don't lol, but they probably wouldn't care as adults either, if that makes sense? I've always looked through toys to find the one with "the best face", maybe I wasn't looking at exactly the same things (or being quite as nitpicky :p) as I would now, but I know these blind packed dolls would absolutely annoy me just the same if they'd been around when I was little ~_~
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on March 06, 2024, 11:41:06 AM
I hate it too.  Perhaps making it harder to pick means that fewer unsellable dolls get left on the shelves and QA gets a break.


I remember once thinking the single Scarily Ever After Clawdeen at my Target was oddly unappealing.  She stayed there forever.  I had no idea she was wonky and clearly lots of other people thought she was unappealing too because other Clawdeens would come and go and she stayed.   I don’t think it’s just collectors who notice.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on March 06, 2024, 12:33:20 PM
I didn't mind my ponies when they didn't quite stand up right. I had a way to make Windy stand up using Majesty's horseshoe as an instep. That's an easy problem to solve.

But bad hair? Nope. The teeny weeny ponies here...some of them (the ones I had) have HORRIBLE hair. O.O. I never really adjusted to that...

:)

There are quite a few G1 ponies floating around with factory errors, so I guess that there were kids that didn't care. But I feel like you see more wrecked toys than factory flawed toys, ponywise.

Still never understood why things like reversed baby countalot symbols and the alternate hair rooting on baby Candy happened...

Back on topic to MH, I've never been a picky enough collector of the G1 to get really flappy about small flaws from the factory. If the eye is on the cheek, fair enough, but I genuinely looked for hair more than other things when I was buying them new or second hand. And hair gunk or mussy hair were big definite no things for me.

I have a couple of Jem dolls with hand issues. Ignoring the Mexican dolls, who have very delicate wrists and so often have hand damage, I have one Roxy with no hands and one Raya with two right? hands? Can't remember. Never really bothered about it. Roxy I used for a fashion I made, Raya was displaying some fashion or other - I kept her and sold a more 'normal' one because I figured I'd be the only one who'd want her. Both have great hair. Raya's is lovely and big.

I've a Skelita with knees that won't bend. She just sits on my shelf and I hang things off her feet (xD).

Her hair is fine though :D (You see a pattern).
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on March 07, 2024, 05:39:18 AM
A couple of concept arts appeared and I hope this Cleo will make it into some other line because I love her preppy like this! Frankie must be old, it's still using the first prototype.

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Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on March 07, 2024, 12:23:17 PM
Ooo that Cleo looks good! Maybe should have some more gold to balance the blue since gold is Cleo's colour, but her skirt is absolutely a winner!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on March 07, 2024, 02:47:37 PM
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 (https://ibb.co/Vx3dcwq)

Greenafire Long.

I'm so disappointed. She's green with golden pointy ears. I don't get it, she looks more like the Gremlins Skullector they did a while ago than Jinafire who was always so unique looking with her golden skin.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on March 08, 2024, 09:01:42 AM
That prototype Cleo is so cute! I like Frankie's outfit too.

And wow... THAT'S Jinafire??? Wha... if you hadn't captioned it I genuinely would've thought it WAS Greta Gremlin. I don't get why they're keeping the name if they're going to change the characters so drastically?? At that point you might as well just go ahead and give them a whole new name...
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on March 08, 2024, 11:27:41 AM
Is it wrong to say I liked the greyish Frankie prototype than the Ghoulia colour rip?

Honestly that screen grab looks like the old aliens from the sims XD.

Maybe gold was too annoying for them to animate...I don't know. For me the pinnacle of Jinafire was the gloom and bloom release...it's a downhill slope from there.

Green is also Venus's colour. Why overlap? :/ They are still keeping Venus, aren't they? I thought that they were. I admit I didn't really like G1 Venus to begin with but she definitely won me over.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on March 08, 2024, 02:18:42 PM
Taffeta, Venus will feature in the first batch of new episodes that will take place on Fearadise Island or whatever the new swim line was called. Animated Venus looks pretty much like her doll so I'm afraid that is the Jina we will get. People are calling her Greta Gremlin left and right, not just Carrehz, lol!

I wonder if the fan outrage will be enough for them to turn her golden again. Just like Cleo received Hissette later on because fans were mad (rightfully so), although it's too bad G3 Hissette doesn't hold the same importance as G1. In G1 Hissette was one of Medusa's strands of "hair", in G3 she is a random pet Cleo bought in a store.

Spoiler
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Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on March 09, 2024, 07:20:13 AM
oh man I didn't realize how similar Venus and Jina's animated designs look before now! they even have the same ears, what the heck. The design is pretty cute besides the green, but the overlap is so weird.

Taffeta, I actually like the grey!Frankie proto quite a bit too. It doesn't exactly feel like Frankie to me, but I do like the face and colour combo... kinda wish they'd used that for another character.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on March 09, 2024, 08:44:03 AM
... That's supposed to be Jinafire?? If you hadn't told me, I never would have guessed!! The comment about her being the Gremlins special edition ghoul is right on the money; SO many comments on a Monster High page recommended to me on FB are full of comments either saying 'that's not Jinafire/they did her so dirty' or comparing her to Greta. Some other comments are going 'it's for kids, not for you'.

Yes, but that doesn't mean older ghouls can't go who the heckity heck is this???
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on March 09, 2024, 06:30:44 PM
Some other comments are going 'it's for kids, not for you'.
Yes, but that doesn't mean older ghouls can't go who the heckity heck is this???

I'm usually on the "it's for kids, it's not that serious" bandwaggon in case of adults getting mad on social media where kids can see, but I really have to wonder who decides which ghoul to change drastically and which ghouls should practically stay the same. Is there any evidence that kids didn't like Jinafire's colors? Because she got a bunch of beautiful designs, imo, and back when in stores the Jinafires always disappeared rather quickly. Or maybe my area is just a gold/green/red loving Christmas town, I dunno...

Funny thing is, her tail looks exactly like G1. Maybe they wanted to reuse the mold :lol:

PS: I did some spying myself and found a bunch of comments insisting that IS the Gremlin character but come on... Greta is liscensed, she can't just appear on the show. Then there's the Chinese looking clothing and then there's this:
Spoiler
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Comparison to concept art from last year
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on March 11, 2024, 11:09:09 AM
Hang on, why does she have gold ears but not face? I am wondering if this is more of an animation screw up than what Mattel intends her to look like. Otherwise why gold ears?

The concept art looks decent albeit not sure why there'd be green.

She's a Chinese dragon. I don't remember green being a particularly prominent Chinese dragon colour...
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on March 11, 2024, 11:20:17 AM
Taffeta, I'm seeing comments saying she is supposed to look like a jade sculpture and the golden ears are based on particular jewelry. I'm not versed in Ancient China but I simply don't understand why these changes were necessary when the original doll sold well. We'll see how the final doll will look like, we'll be getting her later that year (maybe she'll be revealed soon).

I just can't get over the Gremlin comparisons :lol:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on March 11, 2024, 12:18:58 PM
I am so stumped ghouls ... Like, yes I get they might want to make her green to mimic being made from jade, but they don't play with that. She doesn't have carvings on her skin, she doesn't have embellishments, she's just ... green and that's it. Why is this line so allergic to golden colours? Gold was Cleo's colour (and her favourite colour, along with Clawdeen as per their facts, but purple is Clawdeen's colour) and they are taking that away from her and putting her in blue tones instead.

I said before the lines are heavy on the pastel colours, and they just seem allergic to putting a ghoul in a stronger colour apart from maybe Toralei. She doesn't look like a Chinese dragon; she doesn't seem to have scales as she did in G1, I can't see slit pupils, her tail is almost an afterthought. Can she breathe fire? (more a Western dragon thing, Eastern dragons are associated with water). Why not give her horns? Apart from that being a different mold and oh my Ra we can't push the boat out for anything! And why is her hair so bland? It just sits on her head, Jinafire always had elaborate hairwear and her hair was a mix of green and black. I didn't like Jinafire's colour scheme myself but at least I could TELL she was meant to be reptilian!!

Side note: I miss Hissette, her backstory was so cute in that she's Cleo's boyfriend's mom's first grey hair. How cute is that?!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on March 11, 2024, 02:29:37 PM
Taffeta, I'm seeing comments saying she is supposed to look like a jade sculpture and the golden ears are based on particular jewelry. I'm not versed in Ancient China but I simply don't understand why these changes were necessary when the original doll sold well. We'll see how the final doll will look like, we'll be getting her later that year (maybe she'll be revealed soon).

I just can't get over the Gremlin comparisons :lol:
I have a feeling there are some other shades of Jade (the stone) as well as the green one, but even if that's the inspiration, that's not jade colour. That's playdoh/sims alien colour.

If they made her an actual rich green jade colour, that would be pretty awesome. But this...this isn't it xD.

I'm not an expert in ancient China either, I just taught it for one semester, and anything else I've picked up from doing old Japanese stuff because of the occasional reliance on Chinese texts/legends - but I still can't see anything that suggests that's a dragon, Chinese or otherwise.

And yeah, Jinafire has always been a questionable name for me given that asian dragons aren't associated with fire. I've a whole lovely scene in the text I studied for my PhD where a rather arrogant monk announces he's threatened the dragons causing the rainstorm in order to stop them sinking the boat...

This is from Wiki, from new year in Singapore, of the Azure Dragon (I know it as Seiryuu, I think it's qinglong? Something like that? in Chinese)?
Spoiler
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Admittedly this is specifically the azure dragon, rather than all asian dragons, but...it is about as far from the Jinafire animation as you can probably get.

Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on March 11, 2024, 03:24:55 PM
I think Jinafire was a pun on Jennifer, combining the common name Jin with, well, fire although fire is more a Western dragon thing.

This poor ghoul is getting called Greta, the fandom has decided  :P
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on March 12, 2024, 05:21:30 AM
I think Jinafire was a pun on Jennifer, combining the common name Jin with, well, fire although fire is more a Western dragon thing.

Yeah, you are correct. I think making her fire-based was also a conscoius descision and had nothing to do with cultural unawareness because Jina was introduced together with Skelita and the design team at the time must have done basic research.

Lagoona was already a water monster and at the time MH didn't have that large cast they'd have a few years later and they wanted each character to be distinct. Having a dragon character and market her as a water dragon to a Western child audience was probably just a little before its time and that's it.
I always thought it was funny how her name sort of translated to Golden Fire Dragon. Her name was one of the punnier ones.

They would also release a webisode some time later very nicely showing how Jinafire would use her fire breath to manipulate other elements and solve problems:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/TF-mY0igqvc?si=_UYWbWIvjEMXXW5G

They never portrayed her like a typical Western dragon who breathes fire to destroy stuff. Quite the opposite.

Heh, turns out I'm passionate about G1 Jinafire. I'm currently trying to get a Sig one that is complete without droopy eyes, a feat of impossibility if you don't want to pay 50€ and more for a used doll. People seem to know that Scaris Jinafire with a good face is rare, lol.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on March 12, 2024, 03:35:31 PM
Well, yes, it was obvious what they did with the name and with the more familiar western association, it's just a bit odd. It's as awkward as "Lila Yamamoto" in the Rainbow High line, with an English first name, a Japanese origin backstory and an outfit which was partly Korean-inspired...

I like Lila fine, but I hate her name, because L is literally the least Japanese sound you can get, and they chose a name with two of them. If they wanted to use that colour, with the wisteria patterning, why not call her Fujiko? Or Murasaki? Nope. It has to be nice and Englishy...

Jinafire is like that to me.

I think I only have two Jinafire dolls. Are there more than two? The Gloom and Bloom one is my favourite one and the only one on my shelf, but I think I have the Scaris one somewhere. I don't remember being quite so taken by that one though.

I think I may need to take some of my dolls down and primp them up a bit. I haven't for ages.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on March 14, 2024, 05:25:33 PM
Mattel just teased a brand new G1 doll/character, Lenore Loomington:

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Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on March 14, 2024, 11:40:18 PM
That is a nice photo of a toy lamp.  I hope that means it will be a ghost.


I have Gloom and Bloom Jenifire. She’s very eye catching.  One of my favorite monster high dolls.

Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on March 15, 2024, 04:39:30 AM
Brightberry and Taffetta, you two are in luck because GnB Jinafire is very sought after these days. I would love to have one but she goes for crazy prices. Recently saw one for 200€ on ebay.

That is a nice photo of a toy lamp.  I hope that means it will be a ghost.

I hope that means she'll have that lamp as an accessory instead of a bag/purse/hot sauce!

Post Merge: March 15, 2024, 09:28:29 AM

Here's a couple high quality images of Jinafire and Venus in the show:

Spoiler
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Jinafire really needs the jacket to tie her look together.
Up close she looks better but I still wish her colors were inversed. Gold with mint green instead of mint green with gold.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on March 15, 2024, 10:32:39 AM
Jinafire still doesn't look much like Jinafire to me, honestly. Venus is fine.

Didn't they basically do the whole of the blue colour spectrum already? Another ghost is fine but...?

I was lucky to pick up my GnB Jinafire at one of the last carboot sales I went to before I moved back from London. Someone had a big box of MH dolls and I grabbed her and GB Catra right away. I just squinted at my shelf and realised I have Cleo up there too so I guess she was there too. I know I got Venus from new, and Amanita. I'm not sure if I have Jane or not - I thought I did but she isn't on my shelf. Maybe I put her away...

Gloom & Bloom is one of my favourite sets, I guess because of the plant themeyness of it.

I know I got GB Venus and ILF Venus together. I didn't move to north London till 2016, but Brent Cross TRU often had old stock there that would randomly appear on the shelves. It was a good store. Sad it's gone.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on March 15, 2024, 01:38:26 PM
Jinafire just doesn't look like Jinafire. Her ears look tacked on, fake, or dipped in gold and therefore useless for hearing.

Venus looks better, even if I do miss her unique overlapping fangs (plenty ghouls have fangs over their bottom lip, Abbey is unique in having tusks curving over her top lip like inverse fangs, and Venus had overlapping fangs on her upper and lower lip)
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on March 16, 2024, 12:24:11 PM
I really do like all of the G3 dolls.  My favorite being Draculaura.  She’s just adorable.  Not really interested in the show although the episodes I’ve seen are cute.  I just don’t like poly hair surprises.  I wish there was a list somewhere of who has what because I lost interest when I got a poly drac.


Zapper, I didn’t know that about Gloom and Bloom Jenifire.  That’s crazy!  The cartoon G3 version does not look good so far.   
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on March 20, 2024, 10:45:50 AM
Here is Lenore!

Spoiler
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She's a ghost with a spiderweb and candle theme and will go for $75. Many say she's overpriced and I agree. But she is pretty.

Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on March 20, 2024, 10:49:16 AM
Lenore Loomington has been revealed:
https://creations.mattel.com/en-gb/products/monster-high-designer-series-lenore-loomington-hrp94
(hope that link works for everyone)
https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3614-monster-high-lenore-loomington-skullector-doll.html

I wish they'd leave more time between the announcement/reveal and the actual sale :/ Not just to give you more time to raise funds (not everyone can drop that sort of money no questions asked, Mattel!!!) but also to give time to actually THINK about it... that sort of money is a considered purchase for me (and I imagine many others too!), and just in general sometimes you need more than 3-4 days to make a decision, you know? :s But if you don't jump on it at the time, you run the risk of missing it and having to fork out scalper prices later. Sigh.

Rant aside... I think she's really pretty! A bit too close to Twyla, but I like her. A lot of people are saying her backstory is "16 y/o on deviantART"-esque and yeah, I see it :P but I like it, I find it endearing. admittedly I do wish they'd done something other than a ghost, we've got a lot of ghosts already so it would've been nice to see something different.

I'd definitely get her if she was a regular release, but as a collector doll I think I'll have to pass on her sadly, not sure she's worth £73 (or, I'm not sure I'd be willing to pay that for her)... problem is she's one I'd like to see more photos of before I decide whether or not I want her :/

I love her spider pet though :D So cute. Just not sure about the bug motifs on her dress, they look glittery like Scary Tales Clawdeen's cape, and that was always one of my least favourite pieces...

It is lovely to see some new G1 characters that are original/not related to a collaboration though!! I never anticipated this, I hope they continue with this. I'd love to see them finally make dolls of some characters that never got one, like Fawn, Quill Talyntino, Gory... actually, this would be a great opportunity to bring back Euna the kumiho:
https://www.youloveit.com/cartoons/160-monster-high-euna-nine-tailed-fox-concept.html
I so want a doll of her... she'd be perfect for a collector line (she's probably a bit overambitious for playline).

I also found these:
https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3434-monster-high-fright-sized-ghouls-dolls.html

Blind boxes! But ew, slime gimmick. Most toys like this have it so you can just undo the figure and the slime gimmick is optional, keeping my fingers crossed that's the case here... wouldn't mind Clawdeen, but slime is a big no for me :P

edit: Zapper ninja'd me :P
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on March 20, 2024, 01:51:29 PM
I wish they'd leave more time between the announcement/reveal and the actual sale :/ Not just to give you more time to raise funds (not everyone can drop that sort of money no questions asked, Mattel!!!) but also to give time to actually THINK about it... that sort of money is a considered purchase for me (and I imagine many others too!), and just in general sometimes you need more than 3-4 days to make a decision, you know? :s But if you don't jump on it at the time, you run the risk of missing it and having to fork out scalper prices later. Sigh.

Oh I'm sure they are banking on FOMO and hype surrounding the livestream event. There is merch of Lenore that consists of shirts, hoodies and totes. They expect us to be head over heels for her because she is a new character in the G1 canon but I foresee she will sit in the shop for a while.

What I love about her design is the candle beret, lantern and eye design. But I can live without her.

What I do hate tho, are people bashing and trashing the designer - Rebecca Shipman who has been with MH for years - and tagging Mattel on social media, asking them to fire her. Online fandom is so freaking toxic these days and people just want to farm clicks, likes, reposts, whatever. They think they are sassy and funny calling for Rebecca's departure. I think it's just super embarrassing. Just don't buy the doll.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on March 20, 2024, 02:09:27 PM
Oh, they're absolutely playing on FOMO and playing right into the scalpers hands, unfortunately :/ I wish they'd do more to stop scalping but I guess they figure as long as it sells, it doesn't matter who buys them... *sigh*

I'm hoping she sticks around for a while and/or gets a restock, too. She really is nice, but I'd like to see owner photos first before really thinking about buying her.

And what the... WHY do modern fandoms think it's okay to act like this??? It's like they don't realize they're talking about actual people. It disgusts me.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on March 20, 2024, 04:59:24 PM
I don't understand modern online anything, honestly. I feel like I've finally reached that category of old but I literally don't understand. I know it's a social media thing and most people trash others for attention and to create a buzz, but I am so sick to death of people being nasty to random strangers for reasons they've either invented or because their own lives plain suck.

The FOMO thing is also an issue. If the companies are so desperate to get something out at speed before people forget it exists, and people are so desperate to spend money without thinking about it...that's not massively healthy. Toys in general are stupid expensive now. But I don't know about this one.

I don't actually love the idea of brand new G1 characters in the G1 collectable space. I don't really know why. Brand new G1 characters should be a good thing. But I suppose it's more like, if you wanted to still do G1, Mattel, maybe go back to doing G1 and stop trying to scalp collectors on new characters that you didn't release when dolls were retail price point and not collectable treasures...

I'm not blown away by this one either. She isn't original enough for me, either in her colouring or her concept. 16 yo DA kid doesn't appeal to me really either. It's a funny pitch considering the target audience.

That all said, the hate against the artist is pathetic and completely unnecessary. I don't understand why people can't just go, "oh, I don't like that, pass," these days, rather than, "OMG YOU HAVE RUINED MY LIFE BY MAKING HER DRESS BLOO!"
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on March 20, 2024, 10:57:43 PM
Quote
OMG YOU HAVE RUINED MY LIFE BY MAKING HER DRESS BLOO!"

 :rofl:

I don’t participate in fandoms other than on forums and sometimes YouTube.  So I usually have no idea what’s going on in other platforms.  It’s really disgusting anyone would call for someone to be fired for a dress design.  In a way, more disheartening than disgusting.  Can’t we have a little bit of kindness anywhere in the world?

I think Lenore is pretty and I suspect she looks a lot better in person.  The lighting and reflective bits are not playing nice together.  I won’t get her because I don’t have the space, but I do love that lamp!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on March 22, 2024, 08:48:37 AM
Honestly I really don't understand most modern social media things either. I feel so old saying this but much of the way The Youths interact is just baffling to me XD Most of it I'm like "I don't get it, but, eh, it's not for me, they're having fun, whatever" but all the toxicity and vile comments... I just don't get it...

The FOMO thing is also an issue. If the companies are so desperate to get something out at speed before people forget it exists, and people are so desperate to spend money without thinking about it...that's not massively healthy. Toys in general are stupid expensive now. But I don't know about this one.

Tbh I think this is always going to be a problem, to some extent, with collector dolls, just because they ARE collectibles. You're always going to have people buying them just for the sake of it and such. But I do wish the companies would at least *try* not to blatently feed into it so much :/

But I suppose it's more like, if you wanted to still do G1, Mattel, maybe go back to doing G1 and stop trying to scalp collectors on new characters that you didn't release when dolls were retail price point and not collectable treasures...

Agreed 100%.

"OMG YOU HAVE RUINED MY LIFE BY MAKING HER DRESS BLOO!"

:silly:

And yeah lol, there is a certain irony in them aiming this doll at adult collectors and then giving her such a... basic? backstory? idk how to put it, I'm not trying to put it down, esp. since I do find it fine/kind of endearing in general... it just doesn't really fit in with most of the other G1 stories/lore/etc, I don't think. But then I suppose maybe they're aiming her less at people that care about that stuff, and more at people who just want a shiny collector doll to stick on their shelf MIB? I dunno.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on March 22, 2024, 03:32:13 PM
Maybe it is a generational thing, but one of my work colleagues is in her later teens and she's constantly complaining about teenagers (especially teenage boys) and the stupids. She's obviously a lot more connected and tech savvy with social media than I am (I don't want to be), but it's good to know that it's not all generational, some of it is just actually stupidity.

I think the embryonic concept of "we can't see other people so we forget they are other people" online that was a new concept thing back when the internet started out has just exploded now that it's such a big deal. There is a case for the reality that now all the nasty bully types who back in the nineties would've scorned the internet as some weird geek thing are now online because social media and doing their intrusive bullying on a global level - bullies gotta bully, I guess. (I could have a whole rant here about how popular culture enables this by creating 'hierarchies' of beautiful people, leagues, whatever, and how kids TV reinforces that with fashion doll concepts, Rainbow High being particularly guilty of the elitist fashion troll trope...) All of it enforcing the idea that you have to be pretty and perfect all the time, and if not, you're gonna get trolled and ripped apart.

Same with anything creative. It's not like, "I don't like this because it isn't my taste'. It's "I don't like this so you're WRONG." I feel there's a growing wave of people online (not just young folk) who are incapable of discussion or forming their own opinions/knowing why they have those opinions and so when questioned they just yell incoherently and reach for the abuse.

Back on topic.

Everything seems to have to be so quick now. Immediate solutions to every problem. Immediate gratification. Toys being disposable the moment they're unpackaged. Nobody has the patience to collect or engage anymore. (Maybe a small exaggeration, but it is a problem).

I also think the people who are behind 'creative concepts' like character backstories are not actually very creative. There are a lot of quick generic tropes that get churned out these days without much substance. Throw out whatever works, sell the item, onto the next. There's no attempt to really build beyond that point. This new doll is like that. She's not part of an existing world becuase the world is gone. So why bother going into depth? It seems like they're already struggling with depth in the new toyline. Probably no time to worry about a one off collector shiny.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on March 22, 2024, 05:45:22 PM
I also think the people who are behind 'creative concepts' like character backstories are not actually very creative. There are a lot of quick generic tropes that get churned out these days without much substance. Throw out whatever works, sell the item, onto the next. There's no attempt to really build beyond that point. This new doll is like that. She's not part of an existing world becuase the world is gone. So why bother going into depth? It seems like they're already struggling with depth in the new toyline. Probably no time to worry about a one off collector shiny.

The new doll is part of an inhouse designer series similar to the new Barbie Mattel Creations line that is just like that. The new Barbie has a big bow in the back and goes for $100 and I don't see Barbie fans calling eachother the r-word online over it (witnessed this on MH's official Instagram). It looks like an MH fandom problem.

To explain a little, since I saw the livestream segment that went a little more into why Rebecca Shipman designed Lenore this way... the new series is basically the inhouse MH designers putting their original characters into doll form. For Rebecca her OC Lenore was inspired by the spiderwebs in her garden. It made her think of a friendly ghost who'd wander about and guide the creatures of the garden. Rebecca's poem about her explains who she is, she doesn't have a diary and the next doll might not be connected to her storywise.
As of right now we don't know how many dolls will be in the series, how many designers will release a design. But they probably will all have this price point and be their own thing.
We know the next designer Barbie will release by the end of this year so it could be the same for MH.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: alaskaallie on March 23, 2024, 03:15:08 AM
I just want a playline rochelle... that's all...
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on March 23, 2024, 05:26:06 AM
I just want a playline rochelle... that's all...

They might release one for G3. They recently asked the Fang Club what dolls we'd like to see next and most answers included Rochelle and Operetta.

I'm just really suspicious about what influence we really have in this club considering people also wanted G3 Jinafire last year and they completely redesigned her. Nobody asked for that :lol:

The new gen might be over before they're reintroduced since they also have to produce cartoon episodes making the new characters appear on the show. This takes much longer than the webisodes in G1.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on March 23, 2024, 08:27:45 AM
It just makes me kind of sad because we know they CAN do more than this. The diaries that came with the Haunt Couture dolls were great and a lovely throwback to the good ol' days of G1. I guess they decided that would take too long to write though.

Oh well. As long as they have names and at least some kind of identity, I can't complain really :p The "Collector Barbie #3" thing works for Barbie but it wouldn't work for MH.

The MH fandom (from what little I've seen of it) does seem to have a problem with nutty/bad fans though :/ I wonder if it's a generational thing, maybe the MH Instagram fandom skews younger than most Barbie communities. I dunno.



To explain a little, since I saw the livestream segment that went a little more into why Rebecca Shipman designed Lenore this way... the new series is basically the inhouse MH designers putting their original characters into doll form. For Rebecca her OC Lenore was inspired by the spiderwebs in her garden. It made her think of a friendly ghost who'd wander about and guide the creatures of the garden.

This is adorable though, omg.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on March 23, 2024, 04:13:03 PM
Anyone who uses the r word online in any context, ever, deserves to have their social media account taken away from them. It's not okay in any context, no excuses.

I'd like to see a Rochelle too, though since I'm not buying them I figure my opinion is irrelevant ;)

I don't totally understand the inhouse designer thing BUT that makes a lot more sense vis a vis the new character, and the 16 yo DeviantArt background. If it's representative of the artist then everything makes a lot more sense, honestly. But it also makes the personal attacks on the artist so much more reprehensible.

All that said, I generally agree with Carrehz because Barbie is a line where self-insert is a lot easier. There aren't many character backgrounds to the dolls, they are a theme ,but the rest is down to play or the style in the case of collector dolls. Whereas MH dolls have always had distinct characters, and so this is where it doesn't make a lot of sense to insert a character (like creating an OC, then selling it to everyone?) Thinking about how people feel about fanfiction OCs and how they can work or not work, but generally the self-insert OCs into fandoms that are already character established tend to be awkward. A lot of people do it and so I don't want to criticise it as a thing in itself, just that it's harder to write a self-insert OC in an established 'world' without ruffling feathers. I have written lots of OCs into existing fandoms without an issue, but I've never ever written a self-insert character.

It's also the case that certain of the established characters in that original world have been altered for the new version of MH, so I can understand how people might feel squinky about a new character in the space inhabited by the 'old school' characters.

But it's possible to convey those criticisms without attacking the artist. Anyone with even a basic grasp of language or common decency should be able to string a critically competent sentence together without resorting to hate speech. :/

It goes back to the lack of imagination and independent thought among some sectors of online fandoms. The mob mentality but in digital form. It's by no means the whole fandom. Just the really loud ones.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on March 24, 2024, 03:57:07 AM
I want to make a few things clear: Lenore is not a self-insert. She is an original character similar to the Off-White dolls. Nobody said "how are these supermodel characters gonna end up at Monster High?" They are one-offs like Lenore. They're just dolls, they didn't get diaries either, just a small fact sheet such as what monster they are and what their names are.
I think a lot of people got confused by the "brand new character for G1" thing and are now judging much harsher. G1 is getting new comic books and novels, it's not dead. So Lenore could make an appearance in those but I doubt it.

I think lots of MH fans hold a grudge against Rebecca Shipman. I have no clue why but it goes way back when Garrett Sander chose to leave in 2016 and she became lead. She used to be with MH as a main designer from the beginning and she created so many characters people love (to name a few: Nefera, Robecca, Jinafire, Rochelle, Twyla).
And ah yes, there was the Robecca drama as well. When it came out that Rebecca designed Robecca certain fans branded her a racist because Robecca was dark skinned, literally copper, and Rebecca wasn't so eeeeek, this character was named after her but is looking kinda like a girl of color! That can't be, Rebecca herself is white!
I guess this is why people also mocked the Lenore character as being "Twyla 2.0" because she designed G1 Twyla.

It's so ridiculous and all just because Mattel Creations made that doll $75 and people thought she was too expensive.

I wonder if the next character will also create a freakout or if it will be a better conceived one because a different designer will create it. I don't think Mattel will lower the price drastically. Maybe $10 less for a Little Sister body or a less elaborate dress similar to how the Skullectors vary a little. But they won't make the designer series the playline prices some fans are now demanding.

Edit: Just saw that Rebecca privated her instagram account (rebecula13). A couple of days ago she shared the Lenore livestream screenshots I shared a couple of posts ago. So no clue if she privated because she wanted to or because she got too much hate but she got tagged by the haters quite a bit so might be because of that.
I really hate the MH fandom's blind bullying. It gets to show these people don't care about people working for big corp, they think these workers ARE big corp and insulting and threatening them is activism or whatever...
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on March 24, 2024, 05:10:13 AM
The online abuse thing is just sad. :/ Unfortunately women often get more of it than men, for no apparent reason. As for the Robecca thing, honestly, the name may not even have been devised by her, but it was clearly because of the robot element. Yes, she could have been Roberta, but still. It's a fictional character made of metal. o.o. It annoys me when people use valid legitimate world issues as an excuse to just be toxic cyberbullies. It also drowns out the legitimate voices and issues - of which a robot themed doll is not one.

It's also a bit like the brony mentality. The mob abuse if they don't get what they want in that exact moment. Maybe they ported over. Or maybe this is just how fandoms work right now. Some of the stuff I've seen both on football comment things and on anime related ones make me think this is how fandoms now work.

That concept makes a bit more sense, at the same time, it doesn't make sense for MH particularly. You're right that putting them into a book would help connect the character...but then does the plot need another ghost? I'm not sure it does.

I can understand fans being legitimately critical of adding new characters to G1 when G1 is essentially no longer the core of the line. That's not the same as being jerks, of course, but my own reaction was, but why does G1 need a new ghost character when it's not really an active toyline? Why should a collector care about a character that didn't exist in G1 enough to pay that kind of money?

Those are legitimate questions in my opinion...the behaviour isn't, but the question is.

Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on March 24, 2024, 07:21:31 AM
On Lenore: I LOVE her eye colour, I love the touches of pink against the blue tones. Overall she's not for me, but I am a sucker for shocking pink standing out on a character, i.e. against the black of Catty Noir! The spider looks GREAT, FAR more in line with G1 MH than the more recent pets. Gotta imagine she sets fire to the undergrowth lol maybe the candles draw moths to her web. I think there's something slightly missing, I can picture how she'd be animated in G1 and she'd fit right in in the Haunted movie. If they wanted to introduce her, I can't see why not re-introduce the specialist ghost school and have her be part of it.

For the little figures, I think the slime part is hysterical, it's never been part of MH and looks fun. But it's also an indication this gen really is geared towards a slightly younger audience than G1. Cleo's blue hair continues to bother me, I NEED to know how Nefera is supposed to look outside that little cameo picture on the coffin phone, blue hair is her sig look! Are they going to make her hair totally gold to offset it?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on March 24, 2024, 08:40:46 AM
I feel kind of mean saying "16 y/o deviantART backstory" now ^^; I think it came out a bit more condescending-sounding than I intended - let me just clarify - I didn't mean to put down those sort of characters. I find Lenore's basic backstory endearing :B

The whole "Omg they can't name Robecca after Rebecca cuz their races don't match!!!1" thing is ridiculous. Especially since it might not even have been her idea (heck I'd put money on it NOT being her idea, I've noticed that's usually the case when a character's named after one of the creators/cast/crew/etc - one of the other crew did it as a homage). MH had quite a few characters named after members of the creative team.

I think Rebecca privates her Instagram fairly often? I checked it back when they first announced Lenore (to see if she'd posted any more pics of her) and it was private, and I seem to recall noticing her account going on and off private before. Maybe she just goes private whenever there's a new release in general to stop from getting swamped with messages, I dunno.

I want to make a few things clear: Lenore is not a self-insert. She is an original character similar to the Off-White dolls. Nobody said "how are these supermodel characters gonna end up at Monster High?" They are one-offs like Lenore. They're just dolls, they didn't get diaries either, just a small fact sheet such as what monster they are and what their names are.
I think a lot of people got confused by the "brand new character for G1" thing and are now judging much harsher. G1 is getting new comic books and novels, it's not dead. So Lenore could make an appearance in those but I doubt it.

The Off-White dolls are collab dolls though, Lenore's a 100% Mattel-only creation. Can't speak for others but that's why she feels different to me... I was (pleasantly) surprised to see the Off-White dolls were given names, I didn't expect that (I thought they'd just be "Off-White x MH #1", a la Barbie), but to me they're just a separate collab thing like the Skullectors, or... I dunno, the Zombie Gaga doll from back in the day. They were made in conjunction with another company so they're never going to be "proper" MH characters, they're not going to show up in any future G1 stories or whatever. (unless the Off-White peeps want to do a collab there too, I guess, but... you get what I mean :P They can't ever be a proper/meaningful part of the canon)

But Lenore's entirely owned by Mattel, they could do whatever they want with her, there's no indication she *isn't* part of the classic G1 canon we all know and love. They could totally come out tomorrow and say "Hey, we're doing a graphic novel starring Lenore!". I think that's why she's getting a different reception (I guess would be the word) to, say, the Off-Whites. (NOT that the vile abuse you're describing is at all justified.)

I can understand fans being legitimately critical of adding new characters to G1 when G1 is essentially no longer the core of the line. That's not the same as being jerks, of course, but my own reaction was, but why does G1 need a new ghost character when it's not really an active toyline? Why should a collector care about a character that didn't exist in G1 enough to pay that kind of money?

Also this. It's weird to me since there's a good amount of G1 characters that *didn't* ever get dolls, so if they wanted to make a new character, wouldn't it have made more sense to do one of those instead...? Unless this is their way of seeing if people are interested in new G1 characters, I suppose... doesn't entirely make sense to me, but we all know companies work in their own, mysterious ways :P
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on March 24, 2024, 09:19:52 AM
Unless this is their way of seeing if people are interested in new G1 characters, I suppose... doesn't entirely make sense to me, but we all know companies work in their own, mysterious ways :P

Mhhh I don't know. Because they have already introduced more new characters in the new G1 comics. Valentine is bi or gay now and has a boyfriend. Fans want the boyfriend to get a doll and I bet if Mattel did that all these naysayers would pay $75.
I'm strictly talking about the fans who harshly criticized and bashed Rebecca.
They give me the "I'm jealous this girl can do something I can't" vibes. There is no other explanation for me as to why the fan reactions to two new G1 characters would be so split. Because Rebecca didn't design the dude, he's a dude and attached to an old G1 villain. Adult fans love boy dolls no matter how basic. Shirt and pants, what a fashion doll. I never liked the basic boys, only got the ones with good looks and fits  :lol: Clawd in the golden vest? Good! Clawd in shorts and shirt with some boring paw print? Wtf. That's not freaky faboolus. That's just a dude.

To me, Lenore is not a student at MH. She might be an older ghoul. She lives somewhere in MH world. I'm ok if they never put her into any story because she already lives in Rebecca's garden  :lol:
I'm not going to get her because she is not worth the money to me. Neither are the Midnight Runway dolls and quite frankly, some of the Skullectors are exclusively banking on the popularity of the properties they are based on and aren't really worth it, objectively speaking.

I was really disappointed in their Chucky and Tiffany. Tiffany especially. She is the only character I like in the Chucky series and I was really mad when I saw how uninspired and yellow her doll ended up looking. She should have been on the Big Sister, she should have worn her leather jacket not a small vest, etc.
But I didn't freak out about it and started cyberstalking the designers. I voiced what I didn't like and that was it.
I also thought their Skullector Elvira should have had a custom busty upper body.

What I thought was a good deal was the Frankenstein set or the Nightmare Before Christmas because you got original new sculpts, two dolls, nice box backdrop for display. I don't get how a simple Elvira doll is then only 20 bucks cheaper. The math isn't math-ing to me  :lol:

I hope Mattel will change it up in the future and be more transparent and communicative but they have never been in my  12+ years experience as a doll enjoyer. They might silently drop some lines before making them cheaper. They have already silently dropped the idea of quarterly Ghouluxe dolls despite the first one selling like hotcakes. We were never told why.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on March 24, 2024, 01:27:00 PM
Unless this is their way of seeing if people are interested in new G1 characters, I suppose... doesn't entirely make sense to me, but we all know companies work in their own, mysterious ways :P

Mhhh I don't know. Because they have already introduced more new characters in the new G1 comics. Valentine is bi or gay now and has a boyfriend. Fans want the boyfriend to get a doll and I bet if Mattel did that all these naysayers would pay $75.

Spelldon? He's not new - Garrett's talked about him on his Instagram before, he was an early character they never quite found a use for, but eventually got a mention in Valentine's SDCC diary. He said the diary was meant to explicitly establish Valentine as gay and in love with Spelldon, but Mattel chickened out at the last minute and wouldn't let them do it. (the final diary is still heavy in subtext though) Then G1 ended soon after, before they could do anything else with him.
Garrett posted his concept art for Spelldon at one point, let's see... yeah, here we go:
https://www.instagram.com/garrett_sander/p/CzFq25hL3qu/

I imagine part of why Spelldon's getting a better reception is, well, fans love representation and such... but also because he's been teased a long time ago so it's exciting to see this character finally get properly used. Whereas Lenore's just come out of nowhere. Not that this justifies the stupid reaction to her, I just mean I don't see think the two are comparable.

I like to think Lenore's older/not a MH student, either :)

And Elvira definitely should've gotten a bustier body, no idea what they were playing at there.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on March 25, 2024, 04:07:08 AM
It's funny what you say about adult collectors and male dolls because I don't like most any of them, LOL :D Maybe it is because they feel thrown together. I like some of the characters behind them in G1, but I have so few of the actual dolls. And the one Deuce I have is genuinely wearing tshirt and shorts. LOL snakes on the head but super non-monster casual. Not even sure where he came from.

Jackson has always been my favourite guy MH (G1) character, and I do have his doll, somewhere...but it's a pretty plain doll really. I don't think I have ever had Holt, though, and Jackson's vibe is 'normie', so maybe it makes sense.

I don't like the RH male dolls either, though, as a rule, so it's clearly a me thing. Not an anti-men thing, just a me thing. I think I like dolls to have styleable hair, and guy dolls often don't, or not enough of it to matter. Some of them have moulded hair. I don't like the shorter haired dolls either, like Toralei. I have one Toralei but literally only because she came with Catty.

On the flipside, I do have Neighthan, who I know isn't that popular...and while I think his scheme is a bit garish, I love that he has actual hair!!!

I can see why Spelldon is more accepted given there's a history in there. There's probably one to Lenore, internally in the company, too - but just that it's not something shared out.

I agree that Robecca's name is unlikely to have come from Rebecca. I'm thinking back to Jem, and how there were people doing the character sketches and people coming up with the bios (mostly Christy), but the names have to be trademarked so that's something that happens elsewhere (and names can change if trademarks can't be obtained). The whole argument is ridiculous but then so are the people posting.

It is nice Lenore has a spider pet, I agree with Lady Frostbite on that. I never much liked any of the pets, especially, but changing them all to 'cute and furry' is annoying. Spiders and bats need love too o.o.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on March 25, 2024, 01:55:03 PM
It's not just you, Taffeta, I'm not a fan of most boy dolls either. I agree, it's the hair, or lack thereof. Neighthan's my favourite specifically because of his lovely long ponytail :lovey:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on March 25, 2024, 04:22:52 PM
I thought Holt’s face looked really weird.  But G1 Deuce and Heath looked pretty good.  It was their outfits I hated.

Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on March 26, 2024, 04:12:53 AM
I thought Holt’s face looked really weird.  But G1 Deuce and Heath looked pretty good.  It was their outfits I hated.



I got Jackson second hand...somehow? At a fair maybe. So I never had Holt. But I also never wanted him. I liked Jackson as a character, but I found Holt pretty annoying. I'm always sad that they didn't come into more of the specials, though honestly the only ones I really like are Ghouls Rule and Boo York.

I am not sure right now if I have only that one Deuce or if I do have the Boo York one somewhere as well. I have Boo York Cleo, she's one of my favourite Cleo dolls - but since a lot of these were second hand from toy fairs, I'm not sure who came with who...

Deuce is a good character, though. He's not a bully, unlike Clawd or Manny, and he's also not completely hopeless, like Heath. I suppose the character is meant to be part of the reason kids buy certain characters too, hence the animation existing - but it's interesting because I know I would not own any of the guys if not for them having distinct personalities.

The fact nothing in G3 seems distinct in the personality stakes weakens that appeal, honestly. It also explains why I don't care for the RH guys, since MANY of the characters in the RH animation have non or questionably stereotypical personalities (although I did bingewatch that during COVID, so maybe I missed stuff xD).

Worth noting that I don't have any Rio dolls, and the only male Jem dolls I have are Eric, Craig and Stormer from the IT line. The first two because they never existed before and they are meaningful characters, the last because....Riot has hair? Yeah, ok, he also has a personality, and a backstory, but he's a bit of a jerk.

Rio is universally obnoxious, though, in the series and as a doll. So yeah. Nope. (To balance that out, mind you, I also don't have any Jem/Jerrica dolls except a Mexican and a Spanish one in box -and the latter I only still have because I failed to sell it, LOL). So now I'm thinking how much character matters in my doll buying decisions...

And going back to MH and Lenore, whether that's a bigger factor in the criticism than I first perceived.

Like when G2 happened and Spectra vanished but mysteriously some other ghost whose name I don't even remember appeared, looking like her...and everyone went..huh?

Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on March 26, 2024, 02:03:33 PM
I really liked Deuce as a character; he was chilled and laid back compared to the obnoxious Heath and easily excitable Clawd. I got the feeling that Clawd was meant to kinda take over as the 'cool' one (being Clawdeen's older brother) but Deuce is just so endlessly chill it's hysterical. His perpetual bemusement at what Heath and Clawd were up to in 13 Wishes gave me more than a few chuckles, and his relaxed attitude plays really well with Cleo's diva nature. I liked that he didn't get drawn into the suspicion of cheating or Cleo's jealousy; he just point blank explained what was going on when confronted about it and never had any intention of going down that path.

I didn't like any of the boy dolls, but that's not really a reflection on them, I like more than a few male G1 characters like Neightan, the hilariously hammy Valentine, Deuce, Jackson (Holt is A Bit Much) and Sparky, so I can't say it's just a case I didn't like the male characters. The most 'successful' male doll would probably either be Deuce or Slow Mo, Ghoulia's boo.

G2 seemed to have a weird edginess about male dolls, I can't even name any off the top of my head. I think aiming towards a younger demo than the original G1 group means that dating and boys are slightly less on the list of priorities as the ghouls aren't TEENAGER teenagers like they were in G1. I would riot if they paired Cleo with anyone else though, but that's my G1 bias showing again  :biggrin: I hated the Abbey/Heath pairing, I didn't mind Frankie having multiple potential interests, and I was glad Clawdeen didn't seem to have one that stuck since I like strong female characters without any sort of love interest. Gil and Lagoona's drama got really annoying towards the end, even if it was slightly understandable to start with. Clawd and Draculara I REALLY didn't like simply because 2D Clawd looked WAY WAY older than 2D Lala and that freaked me the hell out
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on March 26, 2024, 02:31:03 PM
Oh dear, the Abbey Heath thing..."Heath got saved by a girl, let's mock him!" "Now he has to be THE MAN and save her!"...yeah, no. I guess fire and ice but...absolutely no.

Abbey was always hilarious but Heath was so annoying.

Holt might have been fine if he didn't have to half sing half of his lines. I really liked Jackson and the concept behind the two of them. I just...didn't really like Holt.
Spoiler
I do like that moment at the end of Ghouls Rule where Claire sticks the earmuffs on Holt to get Jackson back ;)

Deuce is great. "Dude! Dude. DUDE! Duuuuude. Dude?

Cleo comes over as a better character when she has Deuce for balance as well, because it shows that as much as she can be bossy and fashion obsessed and rich girl, she's not so bad deep down inside. I understood Cleo in G1, with her family pressures and everything else. I have...literally no clue what they're going for with her in G3.

Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: shockponie on April 03, 2024, 05:17:34 PM
Ghoulia creepro is here!!
visitors can't see pics , please register or login

I never got her original back in the day. Ahhh! I'm excited  :freak:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on April 03, 2024, 05:23:19 PM
That looks pretty cool, shockponie :)

Still a mystery how they could make that and yet not keep her in the line?

Sig Ghoulia is one of my favourite dolls <3
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on April 04, 2024, 09:07:23 AM
Congrats, Ponyfan!   


I managed to get a Ghoulia too.  I was on the fence about her but happened to see her available late at night when I'm at my weakest.  I'm glad I did though.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on April 04, 2024, 11:48:08 AM
Congrats!!!!!! I really hope Creeproduction Abbey somehow comes over here!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on April 04, 2024, 12:17:49 PM
Congrats!! Creepro Ghoulia's one I'd be tempted by, I never got the original release.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: shockponie on April 04, 2024, 01:41:14 PM
Thanks, guys! Also during lunch I found the Hot Wheels ghoul mobile (which I’ve been looking for since Dec).  ^.^ Yay.

Congrats!!!!!! I really hope Creeproduction Abbey somehow comes over here!
Yes, hopefully!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on April 04, 2024, 04:29:33 PM
I do have the original but she's second hand and I am not sure she's complete. Certainly don't have the owl friend, though I'm not that bothered by their pets. She does have her glasses at the very least.

Sweet Screams is my other favourite Ghoulia doll :D

Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on April 04, 2024, 09:57:08 PM
Oooo I love all the Sweet Screams.  I love how weird and pretty they are at the same time. Sadly, I only have Draculaura.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on April 05, 2024, 10:26:25 AM
I think Lala is the only one I don't have. I have the other three (unless there are more than 4?) and a MIB Ghoulia somewhere as well. Frankie has such a zonked expression, though. I do wonder what was in her sweets. Ghoulia's really mischievous, and such a contrast from the sig, so I really like that.

Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on April 08, 2024, 11:52:34 AM
Unless this is their way of seeing if people are interested in new G1 characters, I suppose... doesn't entirely make sense to me, but we all know companies work in their own, mysterious ways :P

Mhhh I don't know. Because they have already introduced more new characters in the new G1 comics. Valentine is bi or gay now and has a boyfriend. Fans want the boyfriend to get a doll and I bet if Mattel did that all these naysayers would pay $75.

Spelldon? He's not new - Garrett's talked about him on his Instagram before, he was an early character they never quite found a use for, but eventually got a mention in Valentine's SDCC diary. He said the diary was meant to explicitly establish Valentine as gay and in love with Spelldon, but Mattel chickened out at the last minute and wouldn't let them do it. (the final diary is still heavy in subtext though) Then G1 ended soon after, before they could do anything else with him.
Garrett posted his concept art for Spelldon at one point, let's see... yeah, here we go:
https://www.instagram.com/garrett_sander/p/CzFq25hL3qu/

I imagine part of why Spelldon's getting a better reception is, well, fans love representation and such... but also because he's been teased a long time ago so it's exciting to see this character finally get properly used. Whereas Lenore's just come out of nowhere. Not that this justifies the stupid reaction to her, I just mean I don't see think the two are comparable.

I like to think Lenore's older/not a MH student, either :)

And Elvira definitely should've gotten a bustier body, no idea what they were playing at there.

Sorry for my late reply :worshippy:
I stand corrected then because I saw the new design for the boyfriend character and yeah, he doesn't look AT ALL like that drawing so I assumed it was a new guy. Thanks for letting me know.

I still maintain that any new boy doll in the Alumni/Fang Club series would get heaps of praise just for rarity of being male, no matter how simple the design was.
I don't even think it's about representation with this partcular character. If Valentine is gay instead of bi then his rep is negative because he fooled all those girls into falling in love with him and using their love... energy... or whatever it was. Sorry, it's been years since I watched the movie he was in. So he had not a single bit of interest in any girl, he was just a dude who used all his girlfriends as beards and at the same time his equivalent of fuel, lol.

Sounds a bit Anne Rice-ish, too, to be honest. Gay vampire is cliché... now I asked Mattel many times to make a Carmilla doll in the Skullector series and if they finally make one I'll maybe shut up about Les-valen-stat :lol:

I always thought the boy dolls had potential. I relly love my Boo York Deuce and of course my baby Garrott. The Garrott doll is so cute, he looks so much better than the movie model. Others kinda failed, imo. Like the Invisibilly doll. The cartoon one looked like Justin Bieber and we got some Chad-faced dude instead. I always thought the boy dolls needed to be cute like the girls and of course fashionable. Not just another Ken (no, he is not ken-ough, he is boring - except for the brunette Ken with rooted hair that you could shave, lol).

Ghoulia creepro is here!!
Spoiler
visitors can't see pics , please register or login
I never got her original back in the day. Ahhh! I'm excited  :freak:

Ahhh, samesies! Except my Ghoulia hasn't even shipped yet. Just he fact that I got one and will have one at all... First Wave G1 Ghoulia was so highly sought after and I never got one.

The Rebecca SHipman hate continues with the new Fang Club doll (the dolls that go for $50 instead of $75):
https://creations.mattel.com/en-de/pages/monster-high-outta-fright-operetta-doll
Spoiler
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I really like 80% of her. Biggest problem to me is the face with the big eyes and smaller lip. Oppie is a Southern Belle not a big eyed baby.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on April 08, 2024, 01:11:44 PM
I love all of that Operetta.  Her colors are really nice. 

I did end up seeing lots of hate for the creator on a YouTube community post.  What is wrong with people???  It’s a doll.   No reason to call for someone’s job.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on April 08, 2024, 03:07:53 PM
I did end up seeing lots of hate for the creator on a YouTube community post.  What is wrong with people???  It’s a doll.   No reason to call for someone’s job.

I really don't get why they can't stop attacking her personally.
I also saw a couple Lenore Loomington redesigns making the rounds that were supposed to be better but they were just more cluttered and included details that would have probably blow the budget. At the same time, there is strong rumors that the SDCC doll will be a Sweet Screams Clawdeen. And who designed that beloved line? Rebecca Shipman.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on April 09, 2024, 06:26:14 AM
I did end up seeing lots of hate for the creator on a YouTube community post.  What is wrong with people???  It’s a doll.   No reason to call for someone’s job.

I really don't get why they can't stop attacking her personally.
I also saw a couple Lenore Loomington redesigns making the rounds that were supposed to be better but they were just more cluttered and included details that would have probably blow the budget. At the same time, there is strong rumors that the SDCC doll will be a Sweet Screams Clawdeen. And who designed that beloved line? Rebecca Shipman.

Because online is a space where hating is free, and you don't have to witness the fallout.

I don't understand it either, but w/e.

Operetta is better to me with her curls. Although I'm not sure if I still have any Operetta dolls, because gunky hair :'(

Looking at some of the prices of certain lines on ebay is honestly insane. Though a lot of them seem to be people listing at that price rather than them actually selling for it.

So I was comparing my og Ghoulia with the reproduction one, and I'm wondering how these are going to be distinguishable out of package?

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(Don't mind her hands, she's zombie shaking xD)

They look pretty similar to me...
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on April 09, 2024, 08:54:45 AM
Your collection is great. :)

There seem to be a number of small differences like hair type, hair style and inc stamp on the back of the original dolls.

https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3171-monster-high-creeproduction-ghoulia-yelps-doll-reproduction-of-the-first-ghoulia.html
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on April 09, 2024, 09:25:48 AM
Not to be a meaniepants (who am I kidding, I love being a little mean) but I think the biggest difference anyone can see right away is original Ghoulia's discolored head.

Other than that and other than the stamp, what people can see right away is a change in the lip shape and slightly larger eyes. Original Ghoulia had a fuller, wider lip with darker lipcolor. Of course, these are differences only a collector can spot and I bet there will be some shenanigans trying to pass off the unboxed Creeproductions as originals years later on second hand platforms.

Spectra's difference is sadly that she has polypropylen hair... -_-
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on April 09, 2024, 01:39:23 PM
Not to be a meaniepants (who am I kidding, I love being a little mean) but I think the biggest difference anyone can see right away is original Ghoulia's discolored head.


I'm honestly confused by that response. Is discolouration on Ghoulia's head common in the OG dolls?

If mine looks discoloured in the photo, it's because there has been zero natural light in here today. She does have damaged lip paint, which is pretty obvious in the photo, but I only posted the picture for comparative reference. But I can't see how discolouration is relevant in telling them apart, (given we don't know how the repro will age).

I can't see clearly from the box the feature differences, but I can see more clearly in the link brightberry posted. That sounds a lot like what they're doing with OP's design as well. This seems to be a new standard in how they do the features on older dolls?

The clothing looks more distinctive as well when you see them side by side.

I wonder if the hair on Spectra is because the original way of doing the hair was very prone to goop. Though I admit I'm not sure if I'd recognise Sig Spectra in a lineup, so I'm not sure if she's one of the ones with goop issues.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on April 09, 2024, 03:04:05 PM
Taffeta's Ghoulia doesn't look discoloured to me...? What an odd thing to say.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on April 09, 2024, 03:09:28 PM
Taffeta's Ghoulia doesn't look discoloured to me...? What an odd thing to say.

I actually went and got the doll down from the shelf to doublecheck her, just in case I didn't notice something, but nope, she's not.

Considering it over I think maybe Zapper was talking about the comparison photos on the link Brightberry posted. That one does look a bit discoloured to me?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on April 09, 2024, 03:26:16 PM
Considering it over I think maybe Zapper was talking about the comparison photos on the link Brightberry posted. That one does look a bit discoloured to me?

Yep.
Ghoulias with glue seepage often have a yellowed grey tone while the new Ghoulia is without that glue they stopped using so she most likely won't discolor. It's not an odd thing to say at all. I have a poor Skull Shores Ghoulia whose limbs yellowed even. Something in the plastic coating probably oxidized. I also had a Lala with yellow arms. The dolls weren't exposed to direct lunlight or heat. They just aged badly.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on April 09, 2024, 03:32:16 PM
Considering it over I think maybe Zapper was talking about the comparison photos on the link Brightberry posted. That one does look a bit discoloured to me?

Yep.
Ghoulias with glue seepage often have a yellowed grey tone while the new Ghoulia is without that glue they stopped using so she most likely won't discolor. It's not an odd thing to say at all. I have a poor Skull Shores Ghoulia whose limbs yellowed even. Something in the plastic coating probably oxidized. I also had a Lala with yellow arms. The dolls weren't exposed to direct lunlight or heat. They just aged badly.

It was odd in context with my having posted my photo, so some specifics would have been helpful :)

I have seen and owned discoloured dolls, I just was confused why you were talking about discolouration all of a sudden. But that makes sense.

I think Skull Shores is meant to be pretty known for it?

I don't have that Ghoulia so can't make a comparison. I think I only have Sweet Screams, OG and the freaky fusion one where she might be pretending to be Lala but honestly I'm not sure. Bunches are cute though.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on April 24, 2024, 11:56:35 AM
https://creations.mattel.com/products/monster-high-creature-from-the-black-lagoon-doll-hwv26

Creature from the Black Lagoon launches on friday! I am a bit shocked it comes so soon after Operetta and wasn't announced in the release calendar MC usually has available. I will try to get her, she's perfect to me and sadly the MH haters are loving her, too :lol: Trying to get her might crash the site again, we'll see.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: DEStokes on April 24, 2024, 12:30:43 PM
I’m really liking her, too.  I feel like a lot of thought went into her design and making things stand out while being basically the same color. 
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on April 24, 2024, 01:46:35 PM
I do love her colour scheme. I've neither the revenue or the space to even try and follow these dolls, but I do love seeing all the special editions they put out.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: shockponie on April 24, 2024, 08:06:33 PM
I would've preferred a darker or "uglier" green for The Creature, but she's cool. Idk if I'll be trying for her. Probably not.

But today I found monster fest Frankie at wally world, so I was pretty psyched about that!
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I wish Lagoona or Clawdeen was there as well, but I'll take what I can get!!!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on April 24, 2024, 11:06:16 PM
I hope the site doesn’t crash! I won’t be getting her but she is beautiful. 

Also, Shockponie your Frankie looks great! I love the darker lipstick.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: shockponie on April 25, 2024, 06:36:56 PM
Thanks brightberry! Today I found Clawdeen. Still no Lagoona to be found, but it's still early.
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Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on April 26, 2024, 03:38:14 AM
So, a lot of Fang Club members couldn't get Creature at the pre-sale because she sold out in 3 minutes.
Resellers are already saying they got from 30 to 60 dolls due to a "glitch" that allowed them to get as many as they wanted. It's either a lie or something's fishy at Mattel.

About the playline dolls:
What's weird to me is how they are distributing G3 dolls. Back in the day, G1s and G2s would come out about the same time as in the US. But with G3 some lines get weirdly chopped up such as Refresh: we got Frankie just now but have to expect Lagoona and Cleo at a much later date for unknown reasons. Some dolls appear about a year later (such as Sig Toralei here) and some lines pop up when they are no longer relevant (Creepover).

I'm not all mad about this because it leads to older dolls going on sale faster as newer lines come in, but what the heck is going on? Other doll lines don't have this problem, even other Mattel dolls such as Barbie. Are retailers suddenly afraid of MH? I don't think G3 is creepy in any way and closer to Enchantimals or Mix Pixlings and those sell like hotcakes

In other words: I want to get G3 Venus and can't buy her :lol:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on April 26, 2024, 08:49:11 AM
The overseas distribution of G3 really is weird :( It takes so long for anything new to turn up over here that it's basically killed my interest in the line. I mean, I still love it and there's G3 dolls I'd love to get, but when I don't know when or even IF they'll turn up over here, it's hard to keep up the enthusiasm... especially since shipping from the US is even more expensive now than it was back in the G1 days, so that's not really an option now either :/

The Creature is cool! She's not one I'd be interested in getting personally, but I like her.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on April 26, 2024, 09:17:18 AM
I saw Venus today, actually. Her hair is interesting bordering on weird and she's very green. I'm assuming that's the new sig doll? I haven't paid a lot of attention to which versions are what, but I did see the creepover Twyla as well. This was Smyths, I should have taken a picture but I didn't think of it. They had a lot of dolls. There was a lala with a hat, I remember that. There was that horrible ghoulia wannabe thing and I remember a Clawdeen and a Frankie. Oh, and Toralei with a concerning amount of long hair. I don't like short haired dolls but she really didn't look like herself. Any of these sound familiar?

I would've thought distribution over there would be on a similar timeline to here, and this is not exactly the cutting edge of new items, LOL :)
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on April 26, 2024, 10:34:12 AM
I would've thought distribution over there would be on a similar timeline to here, and this is not exactly the cutting edge of new items, LOL :)

I think Smyths UK has a better range than Smyths Germany. We don't have Venus (yes she's the newest character) or the Refresh line (Drac with a hat, Frankie in striped shorts, etc) and we also don't have the wannabe Ghoulia  :lol:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on April 27, 2024, 03:45:33 PM
I would've thought distribution over there would be on a similar timeline to here, and this is not exactly the cutting edge of new items, LOL :)

I think Smyths UK has a better range than Smyths Germany. We don't have Venus (yes she's the newest character) or the Refresh line (Drac with a hat, Frankie in striped shorts, etc) and we also don't have the wannabe Ghoulia  :lol:

If they weren't so expensive, I might have picked up Venus, as a novelty because her hair is kind of fascinating and I am a plant girl (I never thought I liked G1 Venus but I ended up with enough of them that I had to admit defeat xD) but they are pretty pricy from new. £29.99 is a lot of money really.

https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/fashion-and-dolls/monster-high/monster-high-venus-mcflytrap-fashion-doll/p/232625
I found her on the Smyths site so she must be universally out here now.

If they've even reached this midlands backwater, though, it probably means you'll have them sooner rather than later.

They also had Abbey in Smyths, I recall now looking at their website. She was oddly taller, especially next to Lala. I guess that does make sense, and I do like the shades of blue. They just seem a bit, well...blue for Abbey.

This is pretty accurate for what our local store has at the moment. Since I don't know what belongs in which set, this is easier. Though I don't remember seeing the creeproductions on shelf.  Oh, apparently that's because they're not actually in stores yet. End of May.
https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/fashion-and-dolls/monster-high/c/SM06010429
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: shockponie on May 01, 2024, 08:31:28 AM
I was trying to find monster fest Lagoona, and I came across core refresh
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I wish she was blue, but I like this space buns half updo and her funky fit.  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on May 02, 2024, 08:16:04 AM
Oooh, I'm not usually a Lagoona person, but that one's really nice! She has such a sweet face.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on May 02, 2024, 03:20:23 PM
I love that Lagoona.  I probably will get her and Frankie.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on May 04, 2024, 12:01:34 PM
Addams Family (2019 version) Morticia and Wednesday will drop May 10th! 9th for Fang Club members. It's crazy how many MH dolls they've been putting out on Mattel Creations lately.

https://creations.mattel.com/products/monster-high-skullector-addams-family-doll-two-pack-hrp87

I really love them! I couldn't get the creature so maybe I'll be lucky this time and they are 105 in euros plus shipping x__x
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on May 04, 2024, 01:06:09 PM
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I was gonna post about this (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3404-monster-high-skullector-addams-family-2-pack-dolls-wednesday-and-morticia-addams.html) but Zapper beat me to it lol. I'm surprised they didn't make them sooner, they're REALLY ramping up the homage or fandom dolls aren't they.

Much to my annoyance, I missed Free Comic Book Day (https://www.freecomicbookday.com/), probably because my relationship with the major comics store is trash but I knew this MH comic was coming (https://www.freecomicbookday.com/Catalog/DEC230026) and wanted it dangit.

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Thankfully, YouLoveIt.com has given the preview pages (https://www.youloveit.com/books/3328-monster-high-new-scaremester-new-comic-books-series-from-idw.html) and I'll probably snatch up a digital copy as well.

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It's a preview for a New IDW Publishing series (https://previewsworld.com/Catalog/MAY241141) and honestly I am liking what I'm seeing! The art style is neat, I like the little world building between Frankie and her dad and it reminds me of the Freaky Fusion building as well. I like the idea that 'Sparky' made Frankie's parents, and her parent's made her, sort of creation-becomes-creator kind of thing.

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I also spotted this whilst looking up the New Scaremester title (https://previewsworld.com/Catalog/MAR241150) and I was shocked at the cover ghouls. Seriously?? TORALEI AND CLAWDEEN?!!?!? Clawdeen, ghoulfriend, you can do so much better than that! I want to get the comic just to see what nonsense is inside. I know the fandom headcanons Clawdeen as a lesbian, I like seeing her single and without a boo, but I'd support her having a SO but NOT Toralei!

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This is the alternative cover, and I have two observations; Valentine looks weirdly younger, almost baby-faced here. And second, Spelldon looks a LOT like James Charles and that is DISTRACTING, it gives me the ick and the broccoli haircut is NOT helping.

(I've never liked James Charles, I found him unsettling and odd even BEFORE his big fall from grace)

Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on May 04, 2024, 06:41:49 PM
I can't wait for the comic story to unfold and hope it's good! I wish I could have the physical cover version with only Frankie on it. Frankenstein's monster looks great and his little moment with Frankie is cute. Guess it's digital copy for me, too. No idea if this will be sold here.

I could write a long essay about how much I loathe ClawdeenxToralei. It comes completely out of left field.
At least Valentine got a random bf that wasn't a character before so he can be written in any way, but Toralei was a very prominent antagonist throughout the entire run of G1 and never showed interest in Clawdeen or vise versa.

Clawdeen wasn't just headcanon'ed by the fandom, Garrett Sander revealed a while ago he wanted her to be a lesbian but Mattel said no, no lesbians. Hence why I have no problem with her getting a gf, but TORALEI out of all people???
Don't like how Valentine is an ex-villain and Toralei is an ex?-antagonist. Why have both be redeemed villains?
Why not use wholesome characters like Venus or Twyla (not as gfs for Clawdeen but in general)? Plus points, they never had bfs or were boycrazy so it's more believable with them. Give them girlfriends.
But no, lesbians or gays need to come with baggage and be controversial in some way or else it's not interesting. Valentine and his guy look like the cover for Heartstopper so you know this is aimed at straight girls first and foremost :lol:

PS: Love how Spelldon has the broccoli hair and he's green, like an anthropomorphic broccoli almost. He actually reminded me of Beast Boy from DC but apparently he is a wizard, Harry.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: shockponie on May 07, 2024, 04:27:59 PM
I got the freebie on comic book day, but I haven't read it yet.

I found Monster Fest Lagoona. :squee: My heart was set on her having black lips, so I painted them.visitors can't see pics , please register or login
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on May 09, 2024, 10:02:20 AM
Wednesday and Morticia sold out in 2 minutes x__x
Better luck tomorrow, I guess. As per usual, scaplers got plenty of dolls and are selling them on ebay as we speak. $UCK$. A$$.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on May 17, 2024, 07:45:15 AM
I can't believe my luck: I got the Addams set! Second try was crazy again, somehow the system wanted me to solve three captchas that were teeny tiny. It's like they don't want actual humans to win this crap, bots can easily work around these nowadays. And what can people do who have bad sight? Or half blind? Mattel Creations is one big hellsite. How come a company that rich can't afford more IT personnel?

Anyways, I am still waiting vor Venus to appear in stores. Any stores, including online. We slowly got the Refresh dolls trickling in. Distribution here  just follows no rules. I hate when I can't rely on the US distribution anymore. Venus came out months before Refresh Lagoona/Frankie/Cleo.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on May 19, 2024, 11:34:31 AM
More Creeproductions coming!!! (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3846-monster-high-creeproductions-nefera-de-nile-toralei-stripe-and-operetta-dolls-2025.html) - Toralei, Operetta and NEFEREA!!!!!!!

Oh my Ra I'm SO excited for Nefera!!!

RuPaul MH doll coming soon (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3403-monster-high-skullebrity-rupaul-doll.html) - I'm not a fan of that facial expression? Looks very intricate so I would love to see the full glamours when they come out.

Skulltimate Secrets are listed on Smyths UK, as well as Clawdeen/Lala/Frankie's Creeproductions! (https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/fashion-and-dolls/monster-high/c/SM06010429) - I'm tempted to get a Clawdeen Creeproduction personally. Skulltimate Abbey looks actually kinda nice without that weird head cage on her, I might get her to display without it
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on May 19, 2024, 05:07:14 PM

Skulltimate Secrets are listed on Smyths UK, as well as Clawdeen/Lala/Frankie's Creeproductions! (https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/fashion-and-dolls/monster-high/c/SM06010429) - I'm tempted to get a Clawdeen Creeproduction personally. Skulltimate Abbey looks actually kinda nice without that weird head cage on her, I might get her to display without it[/color]

I posted about the creeproductions at Smyths on the previous page, but they were still not actually in stock then. End may iirc.

I'm not really worried about them too much, though. I never did get a sig Frankie, I don't think, but they're all so expensive really. I'm not bothered about Lala and have never liked Clawdeen as a doll in any form, even if I like her character :'(.

Abbey would be nice...but still expensive.

Nefera might be interesting though.

Congrats Zapper :)
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on May 22, 2024, 09:38:14 AM
Congrats Zapper! That set looks beautiful.  I love the Adams family.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on May 23, 2024, 08:33:14 AM
Congrats Zapper!

I'm glad the Creepros are finally turning up over here, I didn't think they would :) Still upset we didn't get the Reel Drama black and white dolls, I really want that Clawdeen. So excited for Nefera and Tora to get a re-release! I don't *need* them since I have the originals... b'b'but... Toralei... I might not be able to resist if I see her on the shelves ^^;

I'm not really a Drag Race person, but I do like how detailed RuPaul's outfit is, looking forward to seeing more photos! Not a big fan of the expression though (but it took me a long time to warm up to Clawdia's big grin too.. I guess I just prefer less expressions on my dolls?) and I kinda wish she had more colour in her outfit, all that black kind of blurs together, you know? Interesting that they've started a new subline for celebrity dolls though, didn't see that coming. I wonder who else they'll make a doll of? :o
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on May 27, 2024, 11:29:08 AM
Thanks everyone! It's gonna take until the end of june until they ship. Very odd but they had this ship date from the start. I guess they needed to get them to go on sale for Mothers Day in the US.

I am not exactly keen on more celebrity dolls if the first one is RuPaul. MH needs to stay its own thing. If they did collaborate with people who already have monster/creature alter egos that would be way better. That RuPaul doll is just a female version of him dressed up as sexy Maleficent. Does he even give a crap about MH?
It was different with the Lady Gaga doll, imo. That was a proper collabo and referenced one of her music videos. Not that I am a fan of hers but her doll looked really cool.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on May 27, 2024, 11:49:06 AM
I'm seeing some basic MH stuff showing up in discount stores, things like stationary and colouring books. And while I'm happy to see it, my previous criticism of the line still stands; it feels VERY much like a pastel-coloured, babified version of their previous more edgy and slightly older teen selves. It seems to want to grab late kids/very early teens rather than the original target demo, and it misses the edge that made the original stand out so much. Without the black backdrop, the pastel rainbow ghouls would look just like any other girl's toy at the moment.

'Goona Creeproduction is now up, can't wait to see if Abbey comes!!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on May 28, 2024, 01:53:55 PM
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I knew I wanted the Lagoona but Clawdeen was looking colorful and pretty!   The freckles on both of them are so cute.

I meant to get re-made Frankie too, but their hair looked puffy.  Probably because of the barrettes.


Also,
@Shockponie, congrats on your Monster Fest Lagoona! She's very pretty.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on May 29, 2024, 10:24:57 AM
Interesting how the UK is already getting SS4 meanwhile US has Monster Fest. I am just kinda jealous of both because I wish I could see Creepros on shelves and I am interested in MF Cleo and want to see her irl, too. I shouldn't be because I got Addams Skullectors coming in July and they aren't the usual doll budget I aim to spend. I usually reserve a small portion for the end of the month to use for "pleasure" like going to the club, going out for sushi, etc.
No sushi for me for a couple months now :lol: But Venus and MF Cleo are on the wishlist and Refresh Lagoona is also a little tempting. I wish I wouldn't want to buy G3 dolls because their hair is so yucky. But I hear Cleo has saran and Venus doesn't need her hair brushed anyways...

I am STILL working on my Abbey's hair. I am hoping more dolls can get softer hair for G3's future because I have kinda aged out of customizing and rehairing. I just don't have the patience anymore.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Loa on May 31, 2024, 09:32:25 PM
I've seen some a great Rupaul doll openings - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TpWFAJuUlB0
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on June 13, 2024, 11:43:04 AM
I've got the Monster High Pride issue, I've not read it fully yet. It's just so weird and wrong for Clawdeen to have TORALEI of all ghouls as a girlfriend!!! GHOUL NO!!!

I love that there's a cameo from Clawdia though!! My favourite smiley babe!!

Kjersti is here too!

KILLSTAR IS GETTING MH GEAR!!! (https://www.killstar.com/collections/monster-high). Oh my RA I NEED the plus size top with the three core ghouls and I NEED the student book bag!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on June 13, 2024, 11:51:27 AM
Yeah I'm kind of puzzled why they went with Toradeen. They look cute together, like... aesthetically, and I'm definitely not against either of them liking ladies (lol I'd be a hypocrite if I was, I ship Tora/Catrine and I've always kinda liked Clawdeen/Draculaura), but them liking each other? Personality-wise it seems like an odd pairing? never paid too close attention to any canon past the diaries so idk maybe there's something in a cartoon ep or w/e that hinted towards them... but it seems very random to me tbh ^^;
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Crystal-Sushi on June 15, 2024, 08:00:38 PM
Yeah I'm kind of puzzled why they went with Toradeen. They look cute together, like... aesthetically, and I'm definitely not against either of them liking ladies (lol I'd be a hypocrite if I was, I ship Tora/Catrine and I've always kinda liked Clawdeen/Draculaura), but them liking each other? Personality-wise it seems like an odd pairing? never paid too close attention to any canon past the diaries so idk maybe there's something in a cartoon ep or w/e that hinted towards them... but it seems very random to me tbh ^^;

That's the issue - they were consistently shown to genuinely dislike eachother so this pairing is literally out of nowhere (there is ZERO buildup across all of G1 canon prior to this), which makes it feel like it's literally just pandering for Pride Month  -_-

I also feel that Clawdeen wouldn't date someone that's spent so much time bullying her friends - personally I'm baffled as to why they didn't pair her with Viperine? They haven't interacted much but they have similar interests (fashion/makeup) and they have a 2-pack (with some pretty cute artwork) together as well...!

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Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on June 16, 2024, 01:25:34 PM
It reminds me of the Jem comic and the obsession with pushing a minority fan concept as though it was accepted canon, without any of the narrative needed to validate it as plot.

I can totally see Clawdeen in a same sex pairing in G1, but I agree that Toralei and Clawdeen is just unrealistic because Clawdeen is fiercely loyal and Toralei is...well..Toralei?

Toralei Cleo, maybe I'd understand that one, especially given the freaky fusion animation, but..yeah. Don't understand. Can't compute.

I haven't seen enough of new MH to know if this makes more sense in the new canon :/ Does Viperine exist in G3? Or is this comic thing based around G1?

Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on June 16, 2024, 03:27:32 PM
I think the Tora/Clawdeen stuff is G1?

It's weird cause I can easily think of several F/F pairings that'd be completely plausible for G1 going off diary canon at least. Howleen/Twyla, Viperine/Elissabat, maybe Nefera/Mouscedes (IIRC Mousie's diary had them as friends? I don't remember if she's younger than Nefera though or just short, lol), I don't know if there's much else basis for it but I know a lot of people shipped Catrine/Rochelle because of their 2-pack, Toralei/Cleo... well I guess those last two would involve breaking up other pairings, but you get what I'm saying. Or there's a good amount of chars like (I'm just pulling names out of a hat here) Kjersti, Marisol, Honey, Bonita, Wydowna, etc, where they never used them much so you could easily pair them together without it contradicting anything or whatever. And yeah I agree w/ Clawdeen/Vipers too :3

But no, they just pair together Tora and Clawdeen because..... they're popular? I guess? I can see there's a cat/dog "opposites attract" sort of appeal to it, but otherwise it's just an "aesthetic" pairing for me, if that makes sense. I'm not totally against the ship cause I could see it maybe? working?? if properly built up to and developed etc... like as a longterm thing ("40k slowburn fanfic", if you get me)... but it doesn't sound like that's how they've done it? It's just so blatantly for the sake of having a F/F pairing and again - canon F/F pairings are awesome, hell yeah - but it really feels like they just went out of their way to pair two random chars together instead of the various plausible ships that were already there! x)

edit: Still thinking about this. Thing is that I'm really not against the pairing in general. I mean, there's very VERY few pairings I'm outright against (in anything, I mean, not MH specifically), I'm very much the type to ship two characters together just cause they stood next to each other for too long lmao. but there's a difference between thinking "Hmm I could see that being interesting I guess, I might read a fanfiction of it" and making it canon, you know? that's what baffles me... it's just so out of the blue as an official thing o.O
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on June 17, 2024, 05:41:46 AM
That was what irked me about the Jem comic stuff. It's not the pairing but the fact they just went in like it was obvious and fact and didn't build it up or try and construct it. It's not a massively popular fan opinion, just very strongly pushed by a very small number of very loud people, so the build up was necessary.

But then these days ship pairings seem to be literally anyone with anyone. Rarepairings seem to be on the up in fanfiction communities, so I guess maybe people will just roll with this one and not worry about it too much?

As for Mouscedes, that's from Boo York, right? They seem to be friends in that, I'm pretty sure Nefara calls them friends, but Mouscedes is also helping out the others in thwarting Nefera and Toralei, so.... Difficult to read how old she is because she's outside the usual environment. Similar with the moth girl - Luna? - I'm not sure how close she is to the ages of the usual posse.

I would put into that list Venus and Robecca, though right now I'm not quite sure why I think that *LOL*. Just something in one of the animated specials I saw years ago that stuck with me maybe?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on June 18, 2024, 11:41:07 AM
I would put into that list Venus and Robecca, though right now I'm not quite sure why I think that *LOL*. Just something in one of the animated specials I saw years ago that stuck with me maybe?

I would love to see them together because neither had a male love interest, Robecca likes to preserve old tech and Venus likes to preserve the environment, they could do slow living activism together and fall in love :lol:

I also think Twyla/Howleen would be really cute puppylove. Age them up a bit and have them go on a first date together. It also reminds me that Howleen is just a random werewolf girl in G3 and no longer related to Clawdeen for no good reason. And she has no friendship to Twyla. G3 removed a lot of relationships that were beloved in G1.

The more I think about Clawdeen/Toralei the more it looks like pandering and "opposites attract" garbage. Also reminds me a bit of the Catra/Adora mess in the Netflix She-Ra series. Catra tried killing Adora and her friends multiple times and in the last eps she confessed her love for Adora and the two became a romantic couple. Not to say Toralei is as bad as Catra, the two are orange cat girls so the comparison came to mind.

In doll news: I saw G3 Spectra at Smyth's the other day. I don't want to rant about distribution again but ngg... I have to. Sorry. WHY do we already have Spectra but no Venus and no Catty? I saw Venus is at least in other stores in the country. Just not in my city, of course :lol: I really want to see her irl. The Spectras I saw all had one eye kinda droopy but her face sculpt is really nice and sharp.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on June 18, 2024, 02:17:00 PM
I have not seen Catty or Spectra, only Venus. Though I only check in occasionally in passing. I may go in there tomorrow, though, as I need to go to the retail park on another errand.

I'm curious to see Catty in person anyway.

Maybe that was it for me with Robecca and Venus. I really can't remember, they just seemed like a logical pairing somehow...
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on June 19, 2024, 09:25:08 AM
I think Robecca and Venus would be a good match, too.

So far I've only seen Venus, but I haven't been to a Smyths in a while. I really want to see Catty! I've seen pics of her redressed and omg she looks SO much better out of her godawful stock dress. They really did a horrible job with her outfit.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on June 19, 2024, 02:04:57 PM
I think Robecca and Venus would be a good match, too.

So far I've only seen Venus, but I haven't been to a Smyths in a while. I really want to see Catty! I've seen pics of her redressed and omg she looks SO much better out of her godawful stock dress. They really did a horrible job with her outfit.

I went into smyths today but although there were several Venus, there was no Catty or Spectra.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on June 20, 2024, 07:36:53 AM
If international shipping wasn't insane I'd offer trades. I sometimes forget how easy it was back in the 2010s to shop for others and send to all sorts of countries. I also forget sometimes how much of a MH fan I still am. I am not convinced by G3 but the fact it exists is enough to tempt me and make me want to get more dolls. Venus is still on the wishlist so should I see her in stores I might bite the bullet and pay full price.

Nostalgia time... I think it's so sad how the fashion doll market has seemingly collapsed in my country and yet they don't go on sale the way G1 did. G1 was overpriced when it started out, there was a lot of hype, but when the character designs started getting better and cooler a lot of kids had already aged out again. This meant that a lot of great dolls would go on sale mere weeks after their debut.
I got some of my most beloved dolls for 10-15€.
G3 on the other hand clogs shelves and yet the sales aren't quite worth it. The very first dolls are still sitting at 26-30€ in stores. I am afraid if they don't get them out soon they'll just stop ordering new characters. Such as Catty. They should just put all the first dolls on massive sales and clear shelves. The new designs seem to be more popular. Physical stores are full of wonky Sig Clawdeen with bad hair and the super expensive playsets.
I got G1 Coffin Bean for 10€ on clearance. G3 Coffin Bean is on sale for 48€, down from 60€. Who is supposed to afford this for their kids?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: shockponie on June 20, 2024, 07:56:29 AM
I want that new SDCC Deadfast Ghoulia.  :inlove:
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Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on June 20, 2024, 08:58:00 AM
Ooooh, I like her stand. Her accessories are cool too! Overall I think I prefer the original Deadfast Ghoulia though.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on June 20, 2024, 12:51:10 PM
Ghoulia meaning business <3

Will always be out of my price range, though, just like the original.

@Zapper, it would help if we hadn't left the EU as well, because import duty is now a thing and it wasn't before.

I remember when I lived in north London, I'd get the bus to Brent Cross TRU and they'd have all kinds of dolls which they'd pull out from their warehouse sometimes to clearance. I lived there only 2 years but I have three of the ILF exclusives and the fourth was Iris who I didn't want. Sadly not Cleo, but stil. Also picked up a couple of dolls from years earlier.

I found my Jane Boolittle, she's the regular and not the Gloom & Bloom, so I don't have a complete set. She was my first MH doll, though, I'm pretty sure, so I've put her on my shelf :)

I still haven't found Haunted Rochelle. I know she's here somewhere but I'm running out of places to look...
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on June 28, 2024, 05:19:37 PM
https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3858-monster-high-skulltimate-secrets-series-5-garden-mysteries-dolls.html

While I wish these massive plastic things would stop... that Venus is amazing. Not in love with all of her items but she reminds me a lot of Music Festival G1 Venus and her babyhairs are vines, so precious. Twyla must be popular because here she is again! I love her spiderweb boots but the flower theme doesn't really suit her, imo. Draculaura should have been Catty.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on July 08, 2024, 12:05:19 PM
YouLoveIt is reporting (https://www.youloveit.com/figures/4001-kotobukiya-monster-high-draculaura-bishoujo-statue.html) that Kotobukiya - the same company behind the MLP Bishoujo line (https://www.kotobukiya.co.jp/en/title/bishoujo_po/) - is working on a Bishoujo Draculara!

I will be VERY interested to see what they do. I don't normally collect anyone except my favourite ghouls but I may be tempted to break the habit as I'm falling more and more for their stuff. Let's see how she turns out!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on July 08, 2024, 12:39:32 PM
Oooh how exciting!! I wonder if they'll take any inspiration from the old MH anime?

I'll probably be able to resist Draculaura, but if they make a Bishoujo Clawdeen, my wallet might be in trouble X_X
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on July 08, 2024, 02:06:57 PM
Praying for Bishoujo Clawdeen to not flash her panties (or any one of them) :lookround: Some of the MLP figures looked sus to me. Especially Celestia with her scoliosis pose.
But I am kinda stoked to see them all. I am sure they are going to make all the core ghouls at least. Maybe with an additional Ghoulia.

In other news, I finally got G3 Sig Venus. Our Smyths got three new ones in and one of them had a face I liked! She is without a doubt the best G3 design to me so far. Her body details are nice and I enjoy that she's a tall girl. A bean pole if you will :lol:
But I had to give away her pet. That thing is not Chewlian. He's living at my friend's place now, next to some anime girls, lol. Better this than the trash can. I also disliked how his eyes were pixelated. The earlier pets had better faces.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on July 08, 2024, 02:25:38 PM
Ghoulia meaning business <3

Will always be out of my price range, though, just like the original.

@Zapper, it would help if we hadn't left the EU as well, because import duty is now a thing and it wasn't before.

I remember when I lived in north London, I'd get the bus to Brent Cross TRU and they'd have all kinds of dolls which they'd pull out from their warehouse sometimes to clearance. I lived there only 2 years but I have three of the ILF exclusives and the fourth was Iris who I didn't want. Sadly not Cleo, but stil. Also picked up a couple of dolls from years earlier.

I found my Jane Boolittle, she's the regular and not the Gloom & Bloom, so I don't have a complete set. She was my first MH doll, though, I'm pretty sure, so I've put her on my shelf :)

I still haven't found Haunted Rochelle. I know she's here somewhere but I'm running out of places to look...
Oh Boolittle and Haunted Rochelle are amazing dolls.  I wanted Haunted Rochelle but wasn't into paying all the extra shipping costs atop her price. 


https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3858-monster-high-skulltimate-secrets-series-5-garden-mysteries-dolls.html

While I wish these massive plastic things would stop... that Venus is amazing. Not in love with all of her items but she reminds me a lot of Music Festival G1 Venus and her babyhairs are vines, so precious. Twyla must be popular because here she is again! I love her spiderweb boots but the flower theme doesn't really suit her, imo. Draculaura should have been Catty.

I keep getting distracted by everything on youloveit.com.   I really like all three of the dolls.  Whether or not I get any depends on their hair type.

I also don't know what to do with those big plastic things.   Kids must like them or something if they keep making them.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on July 08, 2024, 05:29:50 PM
I have Rochelle's circus trapeze whatever it is playset thing sitting here annoying me at the moment. I had to dismantle it but it literally won't fit anywhere. I may try and squeeze it in with the jem cars when I put them away. I bought the set because I wanted the doll. Rochelle again. LOL :)

I don't like the big plastic things either. But kid's toy so I guess there's some appeal we just can't see...
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on July 09, 2024, 04:40:43 AM
Speaking of "can't see": at the very least these new Skulltimate boxes give you a small peek at the doll's face inside. You gotta look close but behind the grid/fencing/whatever you can see if the doll might be wonky or not.
This had been my biggest gripe with the old packaging, that there was no way to see the doll.

The Skulltimate 4 Cleo has silky brown hair and minimal blue, btw. She is beautiful but I hate that entire ballerina/popstar outfit so it's a no from me. Still, if I ever get the chance to just have the nude doll I'd grab her and redress her in Skulltimate 2's second outfit.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Carrehz on July 09, 2024, 08:25:52 AM
Speaking of "can't see": at the very least these new Skulltimate boxes give you a small peek at the doll's face inside. You gotta look close but behind the grid/fencing/whatever you can see if the doll might be wonky or not.
This had been my biggest gripe with the old packaging, that there was no way to see the doll.

About time they fixed that!!! I still can't believe the price they ask for these when you can't even SEE the doll. At least have her face visible. Eye-wonk aside, how are you meant to know if you like her or not if all you have to go off is the drawing on the box?! I mean, I know you can just google for photos, but you shouldn't have to x)
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on July 19, 2024, 04:03:28 AM
https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3430-monster-high-wednesday-netflix-collector-dolls-2024-wednesday-addams-enid-sinclair-and-wednesday-ball-dress.html

Wednesday dolls have been found in TRU Canada! I actually really like Wednesday herself, not so much Enid. The CAD prices are insane, I'm not interested :lol: Usually Europeans get a similar convertion rate, so I anticipate 50-60€ per doll. They are using the G1 bodies so I hope the fashion pack is still happening. I'd love to get a nice goth-y fit for one of my spare dolls. Skullector Wednesday and MOrticia are using the Little Sister and Big Sister so sadly they won't be able to wear the other Wednesday's outfits.

There's also a leaked image in box of the upcoming Howliday Skelita:

Spoiler
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IMO, she's the best one so far.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on July 21, 2024, 10:45:42 AM
There's a budget Cleo on the way (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/4023-new-monster-high-cleo-de-nile-budget-doll-hxh95.html). I know I keep mentioning that blue film on her eyes but it bothers me!! It looks like someone hasn't removed the protective coating! As good as she looks with blue hair, that's a Nefera thing -_- I wanna see Nef re-released or what she will look like in G3.

Two Megablocks sets are coming, one for Draculara (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3978-mega-monster-high-draculauras-boo-k-crypt-with-301-pieces-book-nook-for-collectors.html) and one for Clawdeen (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3979-mega-monster-high-action-figure-building-set-clawdeens-boo-k-den-with-299-pieces.html). Honestly? These are super cute!!! I would LOVE one for Abbey to sit on my DVD shelf next to my Monster High DVDs, I think they'd look uhh-mazing. I don't know who I would bracket it with ... Maybe Clawdeen, or another ghoul but an Abbey would be a MUST HAVE if it were ever to be made. I think these would be fantastic display pieces and I adore the presentation

EDIT: I spotted new listings on Entertainment Earth; Loungefly (https://loungefly.com/) will be bringing out a few MH items for Hallowe'en like a wallet (https://loungefly.com/monster-high-logo-zip-around-wallet/MHWA0001.html), a backpack (https://loungefly.com/monster-high-coffin-locker-figural-mini-backpack/MHBK0002.html) and a crossbody bag coin purse (https://loungefly.com/monster-high-skullette-figural-crossbody-bag-with-coin-bag/MHTB0002.html). I am tempted by the wallet, but I already have two Loungefly wallets; a Daengerys (Qarth) one and a House of the Dragon Targaryen one. For the latter, I was planning to use it but I found the lack of coin and note section VERY VERY difficult! Why do they not have coin sections???
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on July 27, 2024, 04:32:47 AM
Cleo and Nefera Mummy Majesties:

Spoiler
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I was so hyped for these and now I don't really care anymore. They are looking rather unfinished to me. Nefera might be worth it for the doll alone but Cleo is an afterthought. I was expecting more.

Good for me there is still the Howliday Cleo on the horizon so my wallet won't catch a Cleo break :lol:

Also new Halloween comics announced!

Spoiler
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There will be an Elvira cameo in one of them. I actually like that, it helps integrate the Skullectors into the G1 universe and Elvira and Halloween just go together perfectly.

Edit: I also found this interesting news about the Garden Mysteries Skulltimate series on the MH wiki:
Quote
Lagoona Blue was originally going to be a part of this line and would have been a Target exclusive, but was cut due to retailers looking at the Skulltimate Secrets brand's data and feeling that three dolls were the best number for this line. Despite this, there was a product number and barcode for Lagoona, and retailers were even able to order her. Lagoona is HYT73, which is in between Draculaura’s and Twyla’s product numbers.

Looks like we'll be seeing less dolls in the "big hunk of plastic" series. I am pleased with this. Hopefully it means less core ghoul repetition but who am I kidding? The wiki also claimed that Deuce was supposed to be in it but was replaced by - guess who - Draculaura :P The sources are the usual leakers on X so always take their info with a grain of salt but they've been correct most of the time.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on July 27, 2024, 11:25:43 AM
I like the Nefera's face the more I look at it, but the big hunks of unpainted plastic REALLY take away from her. I'm surprised they didn't give Cleo blue hair as they are dead-set (heh) on doing that for G3. Gods I love they removed that blue film from her eyes, she looks so much more like CLEO in this one. I think she would look better with an Isis-inspired wing headdress with that hairstyle, personally.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on August 01, 2024, 04:24:43 AM
It's Cleogeddon! :lol:
https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3432-monster-high-howliday-winter-edition-cleo-de-nile-doll-2024.html

Spoiler
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Her eyes are massive but I love everything else about her! I don't quite understand why the G1 Alumni releases get these big saucer eyes. It's been an issue for a while now. Don't they understand that the original collectors liked the sultry eyes? I think the backlash to Operetta was so extreme they should have learned from it and adjusted the screening just a tad.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on August 03, 2024, 11:02:25 AM
Sorry for doublepost but the new Cleo is already available! :shocked:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/PNJ5wCKL19s?si=jMASTQGzS0qygzLf&amp;start=15
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on August 08, 2024, 01:50:23 PM
I got the Loungefly MH Wallet (https://funkoeurope.com/products/monster-high-crest-zip-around-wallet-mattel?bis_id=4dNVNGL&variant=44551223705753#), I couldn't resist! It still REALLY bugs me that it doesn't have a coin part! Why?? It's bigger than my House of the Dragon one so it's a bit clunky to me. Don't regret it though, it's still cute!

These Monster High Foam Bag Clips (https://www.entertainmentearth.com/product/monster-high-3d-foam-bag-clip-display-case-of-24/mg39005aa) popped up on Entertainment Earth. First thing's first; WHERE IS CLAWDEEN??? AND CLEO?????? I'm absolutely shocked they're not there! I absolutely would be interested in a Catty, but I'd need to see the final version
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on August 09, 2024, 03:19:45 AM

These Monster High Foam Bag Clips (https://www.entertainmentearth.com/product/monster-high-3d-foam-bag-clip-display-case-of-24/mg39005aa) popped up on Entertainment Earth. First thing's first; WHERE IS CLAWDEEN??? AND CLEO?????? I'm absolutely shocked they're not there! I absolutely would be interested in a Catty, but I'd need to see the final version

Yeah, this is an odd/random assortment. Looks like they just went by characters they saw a lot in fanart or whatever.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: DreamvalleyMLP on August 14, 2024, 05:27:59 AM
I never really got into Monster High before because of the super skinny aestethic, but after binge watching the G3 animation series I'm kind of hooked. Cleo is by far my favorite. Might get a doll of hers...
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on August 26, 2024, 10:07:18 AM
So, there is rumors based on e-mails sent out by comicbook shops that the G1 IDW comics have been cancelled.

I have to say I am sadly not surprised. While the art is gorgeous, the plot and pairings drew a lot of negative feedback. Draculaura and Clawd breaking up, Lagoona going away and now Frankie is being paired with Johnny Spirit:

https://www.youloveit.com/books/4127-monster-high-howliday-haunt-idw-comics.html
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on August 26, 2024, 12:51:08 PM
Odd, I was just mailing shops to figure out if they had New Scaremester #1 out as I saw it for sale but it then vanished (I was planning to purchase it with Biker Mice from Mars #2 which is due out Wednesday). I REALLY hope it's not cancelled, I still want to read it! I'll be buying the Howlidays ones and pretty much any G1 comic they release. They just say it's been pushed back, no cancellation, and I can't find any link about it on Previews itself.

Frankie has had so many potential boos, she really doesn't need Johnny as well ... plus, wasn't he a potential match for Operetta??
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on August 28, 2024, 07:34:51 AM
I REALLY hope it's not cancelled, I still want to read it!

Same! And all my questions and critiques aside, I'd rather see new stuff than no stuff. The idea of a G1-verse comicbook geared towards older fans is a good one, I don't want them to mess it up. As far as we know, IDW ordered a 10 issue run and I'd like to see it completed.

The one thing I just hate is Draculaura dating a human boy now and it's all about "monsters and humans can't be together, wah". They better break them up again, it does nothing. Their relationship is just starcrossed lovers again, we've had plenty of that in G1 already.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on September 05, 2024, 04:22:51 PM
Here is a collection update:

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I would say, it hasn't changed much.  I didn't keep my Fearidescent  Draculaura.  I really didn't like her hair texture. There are several more that I "want", but I'm holding off.  How is everyone else's collections going?


Also, I'm not a Skelita fan, but this doll is amazing!

https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3472-monster-high-howliday-dia-de-muertos-skelita-calaveras-2024-doll.html
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: CowboyRaccoons on September 06, 2024, 06:07:51 AM
Wow! I haven't really kept up with Monster High but I did like the newer sets I saw. I might have to pick one up.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lilithdrff on September 06, 2024, 08:33:02 AM
I stopped collecting MH a long time ago, but from time to time I still get the itch and will pick up something. My youngest daughter is the one who currently collects Draculauras, though she's not a fan of all the new releases, she has picked up a few of them.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on September 06, 2024, 02:10:54 PM
I don't have photos but I have G3 Abbey (I LOVE HER!!!) and I'm still mulling over getting the Secrets one as well as it's turned up at a lower-priced store that's easier to get to. I'm not a fan of the headpiece she comes with, but the rest of her outfit choices seem good.
My G1 IDW comic has shipped!! It's likely not cancelled considering it's on it's way to be, I couldn't find any mention of delays in any Previews notification and it seems like there was just a minor UK shipping delay
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Esbayne on September 06, 2024, 10:47:02 PM
Ooooh fun! I love your collection!! <3

I have one of each "signature" so far, minus the Werecat Twins (expensive rn for the pack!! I don't want Toralei or the items they come with so I'm hoping they have single/twin releases later) and Clawd (his glued on ears made me not buy him)

I kick myself sometimes because I end up loving later releases a lot of the time, but my rule for myself is only original/signature releases of unique characters lol. My office, where I keep my dolls, is already floor-ceiling in shelves on almost all walls lol, I have to limit my doll numbers!!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on September 09, 2024, 12:30:02 PM
Ooooh fun! I love your collection!! <3

I have one of each "signature" so far, minus the Werecat Twins (expensive rn for the pack!! I don't want Toralei or the items they come with so I'm hoping they have single/twin releases later) and Clawd (his glued on ears made me not buy him)

I kick myself sometimes because I end up loving later releases a lot of the time, but my rule for myself is only original/signature releases of unique characters lol. My office, where I keep my dolls, is already floor-ceiling in shelves on almost all walls lol, I have to limit my doll numbers!!

Oh, that sounds like a nice collection and a very hard rule to follow! 

My rule was only Draculaura for G3.  Aha ha ha eh. 


Lady Frostbite, I love Abbey too! I've saved myself from buying but she looks so beautiful, I'm always 2nd guessing.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on September 10, 2024, 02:27:23 PM
So I got the New Scaremester comic! Here are my comments, under the tags for SPOILERS!

Spoiler
- I do love seeing Headless Headmistress Bloodgood acknowledged! I just love her punny name and nature, and her hatchet earrings are a super-nice touch. Plus it's nice seeing a fictional headmaster/mistress who is 100% for their students no matter what, with all the 'villainous' ones you see in media

- HEXICAH STEAM IS MENTIONED AND SHOWN! Yay!

- Not gonna lie, I love 'Professor Frankenstein' (Frankie's dad, Frankenstein's Monster) studying his daughter and the comic having the nerve to outright show her exposed brain.

- CLAWDEEN AND TORALEI SHIPPING IN HERE AS WELL??? Oh hex that, that's so stupid

- Clawdeen's parents splitting up? Good lord

- Cleo accusing Clawdeen of trying to steal DEUCE of all Monsters?!?!?!?! I'd sooner believe she's accusing Frankie of that again than CLAWDEEN. Who keeps trying to throw these love twists in, they're so stupid

- If Count Dracula is dead (how and why is he dead?) why is it his 1600 year old daughter is running things? Make sense plz

- Oh come ON now, Cleo hanging out with the WERECAT TWINS?! Who is writing this and what are they doing, this is so bad

- The art is really nice, Frankie is so upbeat and I do love her dad being shown and having strengths to him. 'Goona is shown and has lines, no Ghoulia at all

- Blond normie alert for Lala's love interest, again for some reason, when mentioning new 'claws' to revive the long-forgotten normie-vs-Monster thing

So ... yeah. NOT a fan of the love relationships, seriously some of these are so, so dumb but I'm going to keep reading

Lady Frostbite, I love Abbey too! I've saved myself from buying but she looks so beautiful, I'm always 2nd guessing.

If she goes on sale or clearance, ABSOLUTELY get her, she is so pretty! If she doesn't feel like a 'must-have' then wait until she becomes a bargain but I am so happy she turned out well <3
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on September 16, 2024, 05:57:47 AM
Spoiler
- I do love seeing Headless Headmistress Bloodgood acknowledged! I just love her punny name and nature, and her hatchet earrings are a super-nice touch. Plus it's nice seeing a fictional headmaster/mistress who is 100% for their students no matter what, with all the 'villainous' ones you see in media

- HEXICAH STEAM IS MENTIONED AND SHOWN! Yay!

- Not gonna lie, I love 'Professor Frankenstein' (Frankie's dad, Frankenstein's Monster) studying his daughter and the comic having the nerve to outright show her exposed brain.

- CLAWDEEN AND TORALEI SHIPPING IN HERE AS WELL??? Oh hex that, that's so stupid

- Clawdeen's parents splitting up? Good lord

- Cleo accusing Clawdeen of trying to steal DEUCE of all Monsters?!?!?!?! I'd sooner believe she's accusing Frankie of that again than CLAWDEEN. Who keeps trying to throw these love twists in, they're so stupid

- If Count Dracula is dead (how and why is he dead?) why is it his 1600 year old daughter is running things? Make sense plz

- Oh come ON now, Cleo hanging out with the WERECAT TWINS?! Who is writing this and what are they doing, this is so bad

- The art is really nice, Frankie is so upbeat and I do love her dad being shown and having strengths to him. 'Goona is shown and has lines, no Ghoulia at all

- Blond normie alert for Lala's love interest, again for some reason, when mentioning new 'claws' to revive the long-forgotten normie-vs-Monster thing


Thanks for the recap! I still haven't gotten mine, I really just want them for the art at this point. It's almost like these authors want to double down on G1 movies and their romance problems. Clawdeen "stealing" Deuce has some validity since it was implied in the early G1 diaries that she went on a date with Deuce and briefly was his gf. But I could also misremember this, I need to read up on it again.
I guess G1 Deuce just loves strong girls who boss him around and Cleo feels threatened? :lol: Of course I have no clue if Clawdeen is still being written as the self-assured gogetter.

In other news, the G3 cartoon has not been renewed. Most likely because of the Nickelodeon/Paramount+ beef. One of the voice actresses confirmed on her socials that a third season hasn't been ordered. I wonder if it's over after that and a soft relaunch will happen in connection to the new liveaction movie.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on September 16, 2024, 01:05:23 PM
Spoiler
I think you're right, I think there was a brief time where Clawdeen dated Deuce but it was quickly ended and Deuce has been Cleo's steady boo ever since. It's not really brought up in the G1 cartoons or movies from what I remember so no wonder i didn't recall it and considered it almost out of canon! It wouldn't surprise me if Deuce likes confident, assertive ghouls (and it would make Cleo's suspicion over Operetta make even more sense) considering his laid-back nature, and he's kind enough he draws out the warmer parts of Cleo's personality as well.

(Plus his hair likes her, can't get better approval than that!)

I don't mind Cleo and Clawdeen having a rivalry as that was a huge part of early G1 2d animation, and it's noted in their stats that a shared love of the colour gold is the one thing they agree on. Just not over Deuce when Clawdeen has been the least interested in romance out of the entire main cast! Frankie changes who she is interested in (no shame there), Cleo and Deuce have been together since day 1, Lagoona got with Gil and Ghoulia with Slow Mo, I never was a fan of Draculara and Clawd, mostly because Clawd's 2D animation looked SIGNIFICANTLY older and her nagging him was more grating than cute at times, but Lala DID show a lot of interest in romance before then as well. Clawdeen was the least interested out of the core Ghouls, and in this timeline for SOME reason she's with Toralei so it just feels like they're taking on two storylines to her when neither are needed.

Why are they doing this to fiercely fa-boo-lous Clawdeen is my point ;^; Ghoulfriend deserves SO much better!!

I'm happy Frankie is still her cheery, optimistic, bubbly self at least!

EDIT: There's a Skullector's Hocus Pocus 3 pack coming (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3405-monster-high-skullector-hocus-pocus-3-pack-dolls-sanderson-sisters-winifred-mary-and-sarah-dolls.html). With the cancellation of the G3 cartoon, I'm worried G3 is already out and they're just focusing on Skullectors?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on September 19, 2024, 06:49:24 AM
I wouldn't worry about a Skullector focus because Skullector is the thing they need for the MH Club. The Hocus Pocus dolls are more widely available just like the Wednesday dolls and the Amazon dolls (Stitched in Style Frankie, Ghoulebrity line). All of those dolls are using the G1 bodies so I understand there is some confusion.

Speaking of Skullector, we've got some leaks for Skullector 2025!
-New Beetlejuice (shoe mould found)
-Jordan Peele's "Us" (accidental boxart leak)
-M3gan (shoe mould found)

Edit: I can't link the screenshots right now but the G3 show director answered a couple questions on her socials and said there are certain G1 characters that will never make it to G3. She didn't specify but some people guessed Jackson Jekyll due to copyright issues and I wonder what other characters they don't want to make a return and why? So far we haven't seen a single unique G3-only doll character. Unlike G2 which at the very least introduced a couple during its short run.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on September 20, 2024, 11:45:59 AM
Copyright? Isn't the Story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde public domain? Sure there are other interpretations that might be copywritten but I'm a touch confused. I'm trying to think who would be a problem ... I know there was issues around Pharaoh but he was a late-stage male monster and low on the tier list. Keiran? Gigi/Whisp? The Bellfry vampires? Operetta?

There is a new toy announcement and it seems that there is just this all-in push to make Toralei and Clawdeen a thing (https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/4043-monster-high-best-boos-forever-62-dolls.html). STOP MAKING IT A THING! GIVE CLAWDEEN A GHOULFRIEND WHO DESERVES HER!

(Yes it says friends, but come on. They're not ghoulfriends in EITHER sense of the word. It should be Clawdeen and either Cleo or Lala, I'd say more Cleo since Lala and Frankie tend to get paired together if there's only two ghouls in something, then have 'goona and Ghoulia)

Wait, is it Howleen?? Has she been seen in G3?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on September 24, 2024, 10:20:37 AM
Wait, is it Howleen?? Has she been seen in G3?

It's Toralei. G3 Howleen has very little to do with Clawdeen. I think G3 Toralei and Clawdeen became friends in the second movie but I barely watched it, I had it on as background noise :P
G3 Clawdeen also has a thing with Deuce so it's weird he's not in this set. Maybe he doesn't sell well, I got no clue.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Crystal-Sushi on October 01, 2024, 07:40:42 PM
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(Not strictly MH-related but its' creator, Garrett Sander's new project Gravestone Guardians, is now open for backing! They are like Monster High meets classic She-Ra for lack of a better description!) -> https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/garrett-sander/gravestone-guardians-vampsyphone-action-doll?ref=bk-noti-just-launched
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on October 03, 2024, 10:47:07 AM
The Hocus Pocus dolls are more widely available just like the Wednesday dolls and the Amazon dolls (Stitched in Style Frankie, Ghoulebrity line).

Correcting myself, the Sanderson Sisters are Skullector and are NOT getting a wide release. I believed the rumors.

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(Not strictly MH-related but its' creator, Garrett Sander's new project Gravestone Guardians, is now open for backing! They are like Monster High meets classic She-Ra for lack of a better description!) -> https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/garrett-sander/gravestone-guardians-vampsyphone-action-doll?ref=bk-noti-just-launched

A vampire character that is black and pink and love themed with pigtails? Couldn't he think of something other than just Draculaura again? And the gargoyle character is straight up from the 90s Disney show. What happened to this man's creativity?
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on October 13, 2024, 08:09:39 AM
Mattel announced a surprise Skullector release by the end of October. People speculate it's the dolls based on the movie "US". I am excited to see whether it's true and hope it's not M3gan because I am lacking doll funds right now and I loved that movie.

G3 Jinafire prototype has been leaked allegedly:
https://youtu.be/7Us5Cjx5YCo (https://youtu.be/7Us5Cjx5YCo) (mute this if you have to, halfway into the vid it's explained that this image is a photo of a screen)

Not interested in her. She does look like a downgrade of her original concept art and she is just too green for me. Ultimately, not an improvement on the old character, IMO.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on October 13, 2024, 02:59:40 PM
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(Not strictly MH-related but its' creator, Garrett Sander's new project Gravestone Guardians, is now open for backing! They are like Monster High meets classic She-Ra for lack of a better description!) -> https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/garrett-sander/gravestone-guardians-vampsyphone-action-doll?ref=bk-noti-just-launched

I kinda like it, but I'm a sucker for hot pink and black together. I REALLY don't like any of the rest of the dolls/concepts, and the overall storyline just sounds very mish-mash and not interesting.

(Sorry!)

I missed the chance to pre-order the Hallowe'en MH special, the regular comic shop says ALL MH stuff is not coming to the UK, but the OTHER comic shop I order from gave me MH: New Scaremester #1, I'm waiting on #2 shipping, so it seems to be who you know I think. I hope the Hallowe'en one does actually show up again so I can grab it.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on October 15, 2024, 11:08:20 AM
https://creations.mattel.com/pages/squid-game-collectibles-monster-high-little-people-collector-mega

And the mysterious new release for this month is: Squid Game Skullector!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on October 18, 2024, 02:25:27 PM
I didn't watch Squid Game.  But, my brother did and I caught glimpses.  It was a little too depressing for me at the time.   However, that doll is beautiful!  I love the colors.


I pulled out all my old Draculauras for pictures.  She wasn't my favorite G1 but I had made exceptions for these.  Swim drac has very wonky eyes, so the glasses will stay on forever.  The other two are both Dead Tired.  I love Sweet Screams and really want to take her out but I also love the box.  Those green candy bats are amazing.  I really should have bought two.

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Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Taffeta on October 19, 2024, 02:02:28 PM
I think Lala is the only Sweet Screams I don't have...I can't believe how silly the prices are for those now though.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on October 25, 2024, 05:01:22 AM
Brightberry, that newspaper club outfit is so cute on your Draculara. I really miss the quality deluxe fashion packs they used to do. This, Day at the Maul and Spectra's with the headscarf and the ball-and-chain handbag were my ultimate favorites.

Here's some rumors that have been going around for 2025:

M3gan Skullector will come out with the sequel release, new Beetlejuice and Lydia set to come out around Valentines Day (eww) since they scrapped the Howliday dolls, G3 Nefera to be the next cartoon character to get a doll, new Skulltimate line is called "Hauntlywood" and might contain Spectra, Cleo to get a Reel Drama doll, Wednesday collection will feature a Bianca doll (I am very excited for this since she is a stunning character and might have Clawdia's dark complexion and a flocked head just based on how the actress looks like):

https://addamsfamily.fandom.com/wiki/Bianca_Barclay

All rumors taken from the MH Wiki:
https://monsterhigh.fandom.com/wiki/Dolls/2025#Skullector
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Lady Frostbite on October 27, 2024, 04:38:55 AM
I'm dying to see what they do with Nefera, considering Cleo seems to have stolen most of her signature look with the blue hair. Also still hoping for a Creeproduction of her. I've seen pictures of Abbey Creeproductions in store and I NEED one!

So I got New Scaremester #2 despite regular comic shop saying oh that won't be available in the UK (explain how your rival comic shop got it then lmao). I only skimmed but here are choice morsels:

Spoiler
Still Clawdeen and Toralei, ugh. The Werecat twins are not impressed Toralei's attention has been taken from them, hence teaming up with Cleo.

CLEO'S MOTHER APPEARANCE????

HEY GHOULIA!!! Finally showing Ghoulia as Cleo's BFF, so refreshing

Okay I thought it was funny having the chariot's horses neigh super-loud to serve as a car horn, that amused me.

Moanica D'kay shoutout??? I think she's supposed to be the mysterious big bad but I REALLY hope it's a sly call-out about how hard G2 flopped and she disappeared as an antagonist

Deuce's snakes can talk to him? Like sure Hissette is his mother's first grey hair and he gave it to Cleo as a pet, but I find the idea kinda weird lmao

The art is still REALLY good!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: lalalei2001 on November 01, 2024, 03:49:14 PM
Has anyone played the new video game? It looks very cute!
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: Zapper on November 03, 2024, 03:39:08 AM
G3 Jinafire:

https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/3847-monster-high-jinafire-long-g3-doll-2025.html

I like her more than expected. Her pet is whatever but the rest of her accessories are great, I love how they have finally stopped giving everybody snacks and drinks. Character-specific accs are where it's at. I do like how all her clothing items are separate and she's got jewelry. If this is the future of G3 Sigs I am all in! I still can't get over her being pale green. I hate the two-toned legs. Imagine if she was red and gold and her clothes were sparkly pale green, so a color swap. It would have looked bada$$.
Title: Re: Monster High returns again!
Post by: brightberry on November 04, 2024, 09:42:20 PM
Jinafire is beautiful! I love her so far.
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