Mystixx are a new brand of vampire doll from Playhut. When I think of Playhut, I think of the awesome pop-up structures that my kids used to play in when they were younger. Apparently, Playhut has decided to throw their hat into the increasingly popular ring of slightly creepy but highly fashionable vampire/monster/witch dolls. As I mentioned in my
Cutie Pops review, I enjoy seeing a smaller toy company step up and compete with the big guns. It gives me hope for something truly innovative. For example, while the Cuite Pops bear a certain resemblance to Lalaloopsy dolls and some of the other big-headed dolls on the market, they offer something fun and different with their removable eyes and hair. Encouraged by the success of Jada Toys and their Cuties, I wondered if perhaps Playhut had found a fun and unique way to contribute to the monster doll market.
The Mystixx caught my eye at Toys R Us the other week because for a split second, I thought I was seeing a Bleeding Edge Goth doll (if you're not familiar with them, you can see a nice selection of the Bleeding Edge dolls
here). I guess something about the Mystixx face (its pallor and fierce expression?) made me think of BEGoth dolls. On closer inspection, I actually found the face to be unappealing and not much like a BEGoth doll at all. Also, peering in the box revealed that the doll was, at best, minimally articulated. Why, then, would I shell out $20 for such an unpromising doll? Well, for three reasons. First, the doll is advertised as having a changing face. She has a human face
and a vampire face. That's not something you see every day. I get impossibly curious about things like this--I mean, a doll with
two faces? How does that work? It sounds cool. Also, these dolls come with interchangeable wigs and two complete outfits. This immediately had me hoping that they would be able to share wigs with
Liv dolls and share outfits with some of my 12" play dolls. Last, I have been pondering the popularity of dark, monster dolls lately and wondering if the Bleeding Edge dolls are a kind-of ancestor to Monster High and all of the dolls that have followed in the Monster High footsteps. This doll's ability to conjure BEGoth dolls in my mind convinced me that I should buy one and see where she fits into this burgeoning market of vampires, ghouls and goths. Here's Kalani:
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Mystixx "Kalani." |