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{{Subpageset|Dolls}}
 
{{Subpageset|Dolls}}
 
[[File:Logo - Monster High.jpg|300px|right|]]
 
[[File:Logo - Monster High.jpg|300px|right|]]
Among all the content that makes up the ''[[Monster High (franchise)|Monster High]]'' brand, one could easily forget what ''Monster High'' revolves around: the '''dolls'''. All pieces of ''Monster High'' fiction are written around and therefore largely dependent on the needs of doll promotion, and while the other [[merchandise]] is no small cookie either, none of it leads the franchise like the dolls do.
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''[[Monster High (franchise)|Monster High]]'', while an ever-growing and ever-evolving multimedia franchise, is at its core a brand that revolves around '''dolls'''. A variety of [[merchandise]] may come and go, but the dolls are the <i>Monster High</i>'s raison d'être. For this reason, all pieces of ''Monster High'' fiction are written and released to promote the dolls. This isn't to say all dolls are promoted and available equally, but .
   
  +
==Characteristics==
==Doll characteristics==
 
The dolls of ''Monster High'' belong to one of four size classes: preadolescent (14-) female, adolescent (15-17) female, adult (18+) female, and adolescent (15-17) male. The dolls of each group share roughly the same body mold, ranging from 9.5 inches for the preadolescent female body mold, to 10.5 inches for the adolescent female body mold, to 11 inches for the adult female and adolescent male body molds. The bodies are made from ABS plastic, while the heads are made from soft PVC plastic. Unlike with most of the bodies, each character has a unique head mold. The hair is made of saran or kanekalon fibers, though most of the male dolls have molded plastic hair. Female dolls generally feature eleven articulation points, lacking articulated ankles. The male dolls started out with eleven articulation points too, lacking articulated wrists, but since Late 2011 they too have articulated wrists and thus thirteen articulation points under most circumstances.
+
The dolls of ''Monster High'' belong to one of four size classes: preadolescent (14-) female, adolescent (15-17) female, adult (18+) female, and adolescent (15-17) male. The dolls of each group share roughly the same body mold, ranging from 9.5 inches for the preadolescent female body mold, to 10.5 inches for the adolescent female body mold, to 11 inches for the adult female and adolescent male body molds. The bodies are made from ABS plastic, while the heads are made from soft PVC plastic. Each character has a unique head mold and since Late 2012 body molds have become increasingly diversified too. The hair is made of saran or kanekalon fibers, though most of the male dolls have molded plastic hair. Female dolls generally feature eleven articulation points, lacking articulated ankles. The male dolls started out with eleven articulation points too, lacking articulated wrists, but since Late 2011 they too have articulated wrists and thus thirteen articulation points under most circumstances.
   
The dolls and accessories are manufactured in Indonesia and China. The degree of noticeability of difference between dolls and accessories manufactured in Indonesia, and dolls and accessories manufactured in China differs between releases. Also, prior to December 2011, all dolls were packaged with stands and brushes of appropriate color. Since then, stands and brushes have been absent from certain lines and packs, and those that do have them have them all in the same color, usually black or gray.<ref>[http://service.mattel.com/us/faq_results.asp?contentidlist=65262&faq_id=65262 Why don't all Monster High dolls come with doll stands? at FAQ at service.mattel.com]</ref>
+
The dolls and accessories are manufactured in Indonesia and China. The degree of noticeability of difference between dolls and accessories manufactured in Indonesia and dolls and accessories manufactured in China differs between releases. Also, prior to December 2011, all dolls were packaged with stands and brushes of appropriate color. Since then, stands and brushes have been absent from certain lines and packs, and those that do have them have them all in the same color, usually black or gray.<ref>[http://service.mattel.com/us/faq_results.asp?contentidlist=65262&faq_id=65262 Why don't all Monster High dolls come with doll stands? at FAQ at service.mattel.com]</ref>
   
Each doll comes with a unique haircut and unique outfit, though sometimes a piece of clothing or an accesssory may be reused, with small alterations, for another doll. Some dolls are only sold in multipacks, or with a playset. '<i>[[Signature]]</i>' dolls and [[San Diego Comic-Con International]] [[SDCCI dolls|exclusive dolls]] are almost always packaged with [[Doll diaries|diaries]], an extra that is included only with some other doll lines. A variety of other types of [[doll logs]] is included with the remaining doll lines.
+
Each doll comes with a unique haircut and unique outfit, though sometimes a piece of clothing or an accessory may be reused, with small alterations, for another doll. Some dolls are only sold in multipacks or with a playset. '<i>[[Signature]]</i>' dolls and [[San Diego Comic-Con International dolls]] are almost always packaged with [[Doll diaries|diaries]], an extra that is included only with some other doll lines. A variety of other types of [[doll logs]] is included with the remaining doll lines.
   
The first doll of a character released in the '<i>Signature</i>' line has the character's [[Pets|pet]] included as [[Figurines|figurine]], provided they have one, which prior to 2012 was a given. In rare and random instances, pet figurines are included with dolls released in other lines.
+
The first doll of a character released in the '<i>Signature</i>' line has the character's [[Characters/pets|pet]] included as [[Figurines|figurine]], provided they have one, which prior to 2012 was a given. In rare and random instances, pet figurines are included with dolls released in other lines.
   
==History overview==
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==History==
  +
[[File:Wiki - MH doll overview.jpg|300px|left|Doll releases per character on March 1, 2014. Each differently packed doll and fashion pack is counted, except for Black Friday re-releases. Playsets aren't included either (playset-packaged dolls are).]]
The first ''Monster High'' dolls were released in Early July, 2010. These dolls are the first six of the '<i>[[Basic (doll assortment)|Basic]]</i>' line, and represent all but [[Ghoulia Yelps|one]] of the franchise's starter [[characters]]. All of them come with [[Pets|pet]] [[figurines]] and the characters' [[Doll profiles|profiles]] printed on the back of the boxes.
 
  +
The first ''Monster High'' dolls were released in Early July, 2010. These dolls are the first six of the '<i>[[Basic (doll assortment)|Basic]]</i>' line, and represent all but [[Ghoulia Yelps|one]] of the franchise's starter [[characters]]. All of them come with [[Characters/pets|pet]] [[figurines]] and the characters' [[Doll profiles|profiles]] printed on the back of the boxes. The '<i>Basic</i>' series would continue to be the first subline of the overarching '<i>[[Signature]]</i>' series, which is one of the few lines that is permanently ongoing. It is currently at its sixth subline, with a number of [[Self-standing Signature dolls|self-standing]] dolls released inbetween. Most characters receive their first doll in the '<i>Signature</i>' series, although the amount that receives their first dolls in a '<i>Signature</i>'-derived assortment is increasing since their introduction in the Late 2012 ''[[Scaris: City of Frights (doll assortment)|Scaris: City of Frights]]'' line.
   
The first doll from another assortment to be released in the franchise was the [[SDCCI dolls|SDCCI 2010 exclusive: a greyscale version of '<i>Basic</i>' Frankie Stein]]. Given how young the franchise was at the time of [[San Diego Comic-Con International|SDCCI 2010]], and the convention's general lower attention to female presence, it was a rather bold move that Mattel not only put up a stand, but also produced an exclusive doll for the convention. Nonetheless, ''Monster High'' became the hit Mattel was aiming for, and more SDCCI exclusives followed.
+
The first doll from another assortment to be released in the franchise was the [[San Diego Comic-Con International dolls|SDCCI 2010 exclusive: a greyscale version of '<i>Basic</i>' Frankie Stein]]. Given how young the franchise was at the time of [[San Diego Comic-Con International|SDCCI 2010]], and the convention's general lower attention to female presence, it was a rather bold move that Mattel not only put up a stand, but also produced an exclusive doll for the convention. Nonetheless, ''Monster High'' became an even bigger hit than Mattel was aiming for, and more SDCCI exclusives have been following steadily since. As of 2013, ''Monster High'' is also present at [[New York Comic Con]] and the SDCCI exclusive is available there too.
   
  +
[[File:Wiki - MH new doll overview.jpg|300px|right|Doll cast releases per six months and growth over the years.]]
In Late August 2010, the first themed dolls appeared, belonging to the ''[[Dawn of the Dance (doll assortment)|Dawn of the Dance]]'' assortment. And during December of 2010, the first fashion packs—''[[Scream Uniform]]''—and the first [[playsets]] were released.
 
  +
In Late August of 2010, the first themed dolls appeared, belonging to the ''[[Dawn of the Dance (doll assortment)|Dawn of the Dance]]'' assortment. And during December of 2010, the first fashion packs—''[[Scream Uniform]]''—and the first [[playsets]]—the [[Playsets/2010#Jewelry Box Coffin|Jewelry Box Coffin]] and the [[Playsets/2010#Mirror Bed|Mirror Bed]]—were released. Fashion packs would be released at an increasing pace until the end of 2012, at which point no more followed. It is currently unknown if any more ''Monster High'' fashion packs will ever be released. Playsets have fared better, doubling in numbers for two years to settle on a rhythm of around ten releases each year.
 
As ''Monster High'' was growing more and more popular, 2011 saw the introduction of [[store-exclusive dolls]]. Three stores received exclusives in 2011—[[Walmart]], [[Toys"R"Us]], and [[Target]]—and have been getting more at an increasing frequency since.
 
   
 
By the end of 2011, Mattel took some cost-cutting measures to compensate for increased production expenses. Whereas before all dolls came with doll stands in their specific signature color, ''[[Skull Shores (doll assortment)|Skull Shores]]'' and ''[[Sweet 1600 (doll assortment)|Sweet 1600]]'' were the first to package the dolls of one line with a stand in a shared color. Early 2012 even saw the introducation of dolls without stand at all, such as was the case with the '<i>[[Campus Stroll]]</i>' 2-packs. The doll brushes shared the same fate. Equally so, over the course of 2012 came a decrease in [[doll logs]]. For instance, prior to 2011 fashion packs came with a card or backstory, which were scrapped in 2012. The first set of '<i>[[Maul Session]]</i>' still had a short story printed on the back of the boxes, but the second set's doll logs were limited to a quote. Later fashion packs lacked doll logs altogether.
 
By the end of 2011, Mattel took some cost-cutting measures to compensate for increased production expenses. Whereas before all dolls came with doll stands in their specific signature color, ''[[Skull Shores (doll assortment)|Skull Shores]]'' and ''[[Sweet 1600 (doll assortment)|Sweet 1600]]'' were the first to package the dolls of one line with a stand in a shared color. Early 2012 even saw the introducation of dolls without stand at all, such as was the case with the '<i>[[Campus Stroll]]</i>' 2-packs. The doll brushes shared the same fate. Equally so, over the course of 2012 came a decrease in [[doll logs]]. For instance, prior to 2011 fashion packs came with a card or backstory, which were scrapped in 2012. The first set of '<i>[[Maul Session]]</i>' still had a short story printed on the back of the boxes, but the second set's doll logs were limited to a quote. Later fashion packs lacked doll logs altogether.
   
As the output of ''Monster High'' dolls kept increasing, 2012 brought in four more stores to receive exclusive dolls: [[Costco]], [[JCPenney]], [[Kmart]], and [[Kohl's]]. So far, all of them only received one exclusive and it's yet to be seen if it'll be repeated in 2013.
+
As ''Monster High'' was growing more and more popular, 2011 saw the introduction of [[store-exclusive dolls]]. Three stores received exclusives in 2011—[[Walmart]], [[Toys"R"Us]], and [[Target]]—and have been getting more at an increasing frequency since. 2012 brought in four more stores to receive exclusive dolls: [[Costco]], [[JCPenney]], [[Kmart]], and [[Kohl's]], with 2013 adding [[Justice]]. These latter five receive about one exclusive item per year.
   
  +
==Assortments==
==Assortment definitions==
 
 
[[File:Playset - Die-ner stockphoto1.jpg|250px|right|Which line does the Die-ner belong to?]]
 
[[File:Playset - Die-ner stockphoto1.jpg|250px|right|Which line does the Die-ner belong to?]]
Dolls are released as part of assortments and, in the case of '<i>[[Signature]]</i>' dolls, sub-assortments. Most of the dolls and accessory sets are undeniably part of an assortment—a named assortment—and make searching for, and talking about those dolls a piece of cake. Then there's the remaining ones, divisible in items that belong to a defined but nameless line, and items that seemingly don't belong to any line at all.
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Dolls are released as part of assortments and, in the case of '<i>[[Signature]]</i>' dolls, sub-assortments. Most of the dolls and accessory sets are undeniably part of an assortment—that is, a named assortment—and make searching for, and talking about those dolls a piece of cake. Then there's the remaining ones, divisible in items that belong to a defined but nameless line, and items that seemingly don't belong to any line at all.
   
 
When Mattel releases an assortment, usually the items of that assortment have the name printed on the package. Expensive and elaborate lines have a name that is [[trademark]]ed, whereas the bulk of other lines have an unprotected name. A handful of other lines, however, are thoroughly nameless. The most significant of these are the '<i>Signature</i>' line, and its various sublines. Usually, fans create a name themselves for use of reference. The {{SITENAME}} uses these names too, if no official name is available.
 
When Mattel releases an assortment, usually the items of that assortment have the name printed on the package. Expensive and elaborate lines have a name that is [[trademark]]ed, whereas the bulk of other lines have an unprotected name. A handful of other lines, however, are thoroughly nameless. The most significant of these are the '<i>Signature</i>' line, and its various sublines. Usually, fans create a name themselves for use of reference. The {{SITENAME}} uses these names too, if no official name is available.
Line 46: Line 46:
 
*3.) <u>What about the rest?</u>
 
*3.) <u>What about the rest?</u>
 
[[File:Sweet 1600 - Roadster stockphoto.jpg|300px|left|The Roadster, released once as part of a line and once on its own.]]
 
[[File:Sweet 1600 - Roadster stockphoto.jpg|300px|left|The Roadster, released once as part of a line and once on its own.]]
What remains after the above two methods have been applied are the [[San Diego Comic-Con International]] exclusive dolls and the [[playsets]] not specified as being from any line. The {{SITENAME}} treats the SDCCI dolls as one line for ease of organization. All playsets are also treated as one line. This includes those marketed as being from a specific assortment for completeness' sake, but without taking them from their appropriate assortments.
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What remains after the above two methods have been applied are the [[San Diego Comic-Con International dolls]], the [[Self-standing Signature dolls|self-standing '<i>Signature</i>' dolls]], and the [[playsets]] not specified as being from any line. The {{SITENAME}} treats the SDCCI dolls and SSS dolls as one line each for ease of organization. All playsets are also treated as one line. This includes those marketed as being from a specific assortment for completeness' sake, but without taking them from their appropriate assortments.
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==Index==
  +
===Dolls===
  +
:Beach
  +
*''[[Gloom Beach (doll assortment)|Gloom Beach]]'' ([[#Vacation|Vacation]], 2010-2011)
  +
*''[[Skull Shores (doll assortment)|Skull Shores]]'' ([[#Vacation|Vacation]], 2011-2012)
  +
*'<i>[[Make a Splash]]</i>' ([[#Recreation|Recreation]], 2013)
  +
  +
:Fashion
  +
*'<i>[[Killer Style I]]</i>' ([[#Recreation|Recreation]], 2011)
  +
*''[[I Heart Fashion]]'' (2012-2014)
  +
*'<i>[[Killer Style II]]</i>' ([[#Recreation|Recreation]], 2012)
  +
*'<i>[[To Howl For]]</i>' ('''[[#Fashion packs|Fashion packs]]''', 2012)
  +
*'<i>[[My Wardrobe and I]]</i>' ('''[[#Fashion packs|Fashion packs]]''', 2012)
  +
*'<i>[[I Heart Shoes]]</i>' (2013)
  +
*'<i>[[I Heart Accessories]]</i>' (2014)
  +
  +
:Fiction
  +
*''[[Scarily Ever After]]'' (2012)
  +
*''[[Power Ghouls]]'' (2013)
  +
*''[[Sweet Screams]]'' (2013)
  +
  +
:Everyday
  +
{{main|Signature}}
  +
*''[[Scaris: City of Frights (doll assortment)|Scaris: City of Frights]]'' ([[#Vacation|Vacation]], 2012-2013)
  +
*''[[Ghoul's Alive!]]'' (2012-2014)
  +
*''[[13 Wishes (doll assortment)|13 Wishes]]'' (2013)
  +
*''[[Frights, Camera, Action! - Hauntlywood]]'' (2013-2014)
  +
*''[[Freaky Fusion (doll assortment)|Freaky Fusion]]'' (2014)
  +
  +
:Party
  +
*''[[Dawn of the Dance (doll assortment)|Dawn of the Dance]]'' (2010-2011)
  +
*''[[Sweet 1600 (doll assortment)|Sweet 1600]]'' (2011)
  +
*''[[Dot Dead Gorgeous (doll assortment)|Dot Dead Gorgeous]]'' (2012)
  +
*''[[Ghouls Rule (doll assortment)|Ghouls Rule]]'' (2012)
  +
*''[[Music Festival]]'' (2013)
  +
*''[[Ghoul's Night Out]]'' (2013)
  +
*''[[13 Wishes - Haunt the Casbah]]'' (2013)
  +
*''[[Frights, Camera, Action! - Black Carpet]]'' (2013)
  +
*''[[Fusion-Inspired Ghouls]]'' (2014)
  +
*''[[Zombie Shake]]'' (2014)
  +
  +
:Recreation
  +
*''[[Dead Tired]]'' (2011-2013)
  +
*'<i>[[Killer Style I]]</i>' ([[#Fashion|Fashion]], 2011)
  +
*''[[Day at the Maul]]'' ('''[[#Fashion packs|Fashion packs]]''', 2011)
  +
*''[[School Clubs]]'' ('''[[#Fashion packs|Fashion packs]]''', 2011)
  +
*'<i>[[Maul Session]]</i>' ('''[[#Fashion packs|Fashion packs]]''', 2012)
  +
*'<i>[[Killer Style II]]</i>' ([[#Fashion|Fashion]], 2012)
  +
*'<i>[[Make a Splash]]</i>' ([[#Beach|Beach]], 2013)
  +
*''[[Coffin Bean (doll assortment)|Coffin Bean]]'' (2014)
  +
*''[[Picnic Casket for 2]]'' (2014)
  +
*''[[Creepateria (doll assortment)|Creepateria]]'' ([[#School|School]], 2014)
  +
  +
:School
  +
*''[[Classroom]]'' (2011-2013)
  +
*''[[School Clubs]]'' ('''[[#Fashion packs|Fashion packs]]''', 2011)
  +
*''[[Dance Class]]'' ([[#Sport|Sport]], 2012-2013)
  +
*''[[Art Class]]'' (2013)
  +
*''[[Creepateria (doll assortment)|Creepateria]]'' ([[#Recreation|Recreation]], 2014)
  +
  +
:Sport
  +
*''[[Scream Uniform]]'' ('''[[#Fashion packs|Fashion packs]]''', 2010)
  +
*''[[Go Monster High Team!!!]]'' (2011-2013)
  +
*''[[Skultimate Roller Maze (doll assortment)|Skultimate Roller Maze]]'' (2012)
  +
*''[[Dance Class]]'' ([[#School|School]], 2012-2013)
  +
*''[[Ghoul Spirit]]'' (2013)
  +
*''[[Ghoul Sports]]'' (2014)
  +
  +
:Vacation
  +
*''[[Gloom Beach (doll assortment)|Gloom Beach]]'' ([[#Beach|Beach]], 2010-2011)
  +
*''[[Skull Shores (doll assortment)|Skull Shores]]'' ([[#Beach|Beach]], 2011-2012)
  +
*''[[Scaris: City of Frights (doll assortment)|Scaris: City of Frights]]'' ([[#Everyday|Everyday]], 2012-2013)
  +
  +
===Fashion packs===
  +
*''[[Scream Uniform]]'' ([[#Sport|Sport]], 2010)
  +
*''[[Day at the Maul]]'' ([[#Recreation|Recreation]], 2011)
  +
*''[[School Clubs]]'' ([[#Recreation|Recreation]], [[#School|School]], 2011)
  +
*'<i>[[Maul Session]]</i>' ([[#Recreation|Recreation]], 2012)
  +
*'<i>[[To Howl For]]</i>' ([[#Fashion|Fashion]], 2012)
  +
*'<i>[[My Wardrobe and I]]</i>' ([[#Fashion|Fashion]], 2012)
  +
  +
===Playsets===
  +
{{main|Playsets}}
   
 
==Similar products==
 
==Similar products==
 
[[File:Create-A-Monster - werewolf dragon parts stockphoto1.jpg|300px|right|The parts originally available with the Werewolf & Dragon starter pack.]]
 
[[File:Create-A-Monster - werewolf dragon parts stockphoto1.jpg|300px|right|The parts originally available with the Werewolf & Dragon starter pack.]]
There are two product lines that are complementary to the ''Monster High'' dolls. These are the [[Create-A-Monster]] packs and the [[Friends|''Friends'' plushie]] line.
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There are three product lines that are complementary to the ''Monster High'' dolls. These are the [[Create-A-Monster]] and [[Inner Monster]] series and the [[Friends|''Friends'' plushie]] line.
   
Create-A-Monster is a series of doll parts, clothes, and accessories that was launched by the end of 2011. The line is divided in starter packs, add-on packs, and lab packs, each of which carries at least part of all materials needed to put together a certain type of monster. The dolls created such are design-wise the same as the regular dolls and thus can be used for the same kind of play.
+
Create-A-Monster and Inner Monster are series of doll parts, clothes, and accessories that were respectively launched in 2011 and 2014. The lines are divided in starter packs, add-on packs, and playset packs, each of which carries unique, if sometimes incomplete, materials to put together a custom doll. The dolls created such are design-wise the same as the regular dolls and thus can be used for the same kind of play.
   
 
When in Early July, 2010 the first dolls were released, so too were the first plushies released. The plushies, appropriately named ''Friends'', essentially are dolls aimed at a younger audience and each item contains a plushie of both a student and their pet. Like the '<i>Signature</i>' dolls have [[Doll profiles|profiles for the characters]] printed on the back of the box, so have the plushies [[Plushie profiles|profiles for the pets]] printed on the back of the box. The ''Friends'' line ended in June 2011.
 
When in Early July, 2010 the first dolls were released, so too were the first plushies released. The plushies, appropriately named ''Friends'', essentially are dolls aimed at a younger audience and each item contains a plushie of both a student and their pet. Like the '<i>Signature</i>' dolls have [[Doll profiles|profiles for the characters]] printed on the back of the box, so have the plushies [[Plushie profiles|profiles for the pets]] printed on the back of the box. The ''Friends'' line ended in June 2011.
  +
  +
{{EAH|Dolls|''Ever After High'' dolls}} are designed to be compatible with ''Monster High'' dolls, but not 100%. Compared to (adolescent female) ''Monster High'' dolls, (average female) ''Ever After High'' dolls are a little broader and a little more curvy in the torso area. The legs are longer, but the torso shorter. The upper limbs are also a little thicker and the heads much bigger and full, but the lower limbs, hands, and feet are identical.
  +
  +
Accessories are almost guaranteed to be interchangeable. Clothes, on the other hand, are only in most of the cases interchangeable. Some ''Monster High'' clothes are too tight for ''Ever After High'' dolls, and while all ''Ever After High'' clothes fit ''Monster High'' dolls, sometimes the fit is a little too loose to look good.
  +
  +
While ''Monster High'' body molds are designed to suit stages of age, with the body molds representing younger characters being less curvy and having smaller feet and the body molds representing older characters being broader and having larger feet, ''Ever After High'' body molds are designed to suit body diversity at a constant age range. Therefore, while a small female body mold of ''Ever After High'' is about the same height as a preadolescent female body mold of ''Monster High'', the ''Ever After High'' body mold is much broader and has larger feet.
   
 
==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 23:19, 7 March 2014

Main (R) 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
2018 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024


Logo - Monster High

Monster High, while an ever-growing and ever-evolving multimedia franchise, is at its core a brand that revolves around dolls. A variety of merchandise may come and go, but the dolls are the Monster High's raison d'être. For this reason, all pieces of Monster High fiction are written and released to promote the dolls. This isn't to say all dolls are promoted and available equally, but .

Characteristics

The dolls of Monster High belong to one of four size classes: preadolescent (14-) female, adolescent (15-17) female, adult (18+) female, and adolescent (15-17) male. The dolls of each group share roughly the same body mold, ranging from 9.5 inches for the preadolescent female body mold, to 10.5 inches for the adolescent female body mold, to 11 inches for the adult female and adolescent male body molds. The bodies are made from ABS plastic, while the heads are made from soft PVC plastic. Each character has a unique head mold and since Late 2012 body molds have become increasingly diversified too. The hair is made of saran or kanekalon fibers, though most of the male dolls have molded plastic hair. Female dolls generally feature eleven articulation points, lacking articulated ankles. The male dolls started out with eleven articulation points too, lacking articulated wrists, but since Late 2011 they too have articulated wrists and thus thirteen articulation points under most circumstances.

The dolls and accessories are manufactured in Indonesia and China. The degree of noticeability of difference between dolls and accessories manufactured in Indonesia and dolls and accessories manufactured in China differs between releases. Also, prior to December 2011, all dolls were packaged with stands and brushes of appropriate color. Since then, stands and brushes have been absent from certain lines and packs, and those that do have them have them all in the same color, usually black or gray.[1]

Each doll comes with a unique haircut and unique outfit, though sometimes a piece of clothing or an accessory may be reused, with small alterations, for another doll. Some dolls are only sold in multipacks or with a playset. 'Signature' dolls and San Diego Comic-Con International dolls are almost always packaged with diaries, an extra that is included only with some other doll lines. A variety of other types of doll logs is included with the remaining doll lines.

The first doll of a character released in the 'Signature' line has the character's pet included as figurine, provided they have one, which prior to 2012 was a given. In rare and random instances, pet figurines are included with dolls released in other lines.

History

Doll releases per character on March 1, 2014. Each differently packed doll and fashion pack is counted, except for Black Friday re-releases. Playsets aren't included either (playset-packaged dolls are).

The first Monster High dolls were released in Early July, 2010. These dolls are the first six of the 'Basic' line, and represent all but one of the franchise's starter characters. All of them come with pet figurines and the characters' profiles printed on the back of the boxes. The 'Basic' series would continue to be the first subline of the overarching 'Signature' series, which is one of the few lines that is permanently ongoing. It is currently at its sixth subline, with a number of self-standing dolls released inbetween. Most characters receive their first doll in the 'Signature' series, although the amount that receives their first dolls in a 'Signature'-derived assortment is increasing since their introduction in the Late 2012 Scaris: City of Frights line.

The first doll from another assortment to be released in the franchise was the SDCCI 2010 exclusive: a greyscale version of 'Basic' Frankie Stein. Given how young the franchise was at the time of SDCCI 2010, and the convention's general lower attention to female presence, it was a rather bold move that Mattel not only put up a stand, but also produced an exclusive doll for the convention. Nonetheless, Monster High became an even bigger hit than Mattel was aiming for, and more SDCCI exclusives have been following steadily since. As of 2013, Monster High is also present at New York Comic Con and the SDCCI exclusive is available there too.

Doll cast releases per six months and growth over the years.

In Late August of 2010, the first themed dolls appeared, belonging to the Dawn of the Dance assortment. And during December of 2010, the first fashion packs—Scream Uniform—and the first playsets—the Jewelry Box Coffin and the Mirror Bed—were released. Fashion packs would be released at an increasing pace until the end of 2012, at which point no more followed. It is currently unknown if any more Monster High fashion packs will ever be released. Playsets have fared better, doubling in numbers for two years to settle on a rhythm of around ten releases each year.

By the end of 2011, Mattel took some cost-cutting measures to compensate for increased production expenses. Whereas before all dolls came with doll stands in their specific signature color, Skull Shores and Sweet 1600 were the first to package the dolls of one line with a stand in a shared color. Early 2012 even saw the introducation of dolls without stand at all, such as was the case with the 'Campus Stroll' 2-packs. The doll brushes shared the same fate. Equally so, over the course of 2012 came a decrease in doll logs. For instance, prior to 2011 fashion packs came with a card or backstory, which were scrapped in 2012. The first set of 'Maul Session' still had a short story printed on the back of the boxes, but the second set's doll logs were limited to a quote. Later fashion packs lacked doll logs altogether.

As Monster High was growing more and more popular, 2011 saw the introduction of store-exclusive dolls. Three stores received exclusives in 2011—Walmart, Toys"R"Us, and Target—and have been getting more at an increasing frequency since. 2012 brought in four more stores to receive exclusive dolls: Costco, JCPenney, Kmart, and Kohl's, with 2013 adding Justice. These latter five receive about one exclusive item per year.

Assortments

Dolls are released as part of assortments and, in the case of 'Signature' dolls, sub-assortments. Most of the dolls and accessory sets are undeniably part of an assortment—that is, a named assortment—and make searching for, and talking about those dolls a piece of cake. Then there's the remaining ones, divisible in items that belong to a defined but nameless line, and items that seemingly don't belong to any line at all.

When Mattel releases an assortment, usually the items of that assortment have the name printed on the package. Expensive and elaborate lines have a name that is trademarked, whereas the bulk of other lines have an unprotected name. A handful of other lines, however, are thoroughly nameless. The most significant of these are the 'Signature' line, and its various sublines. Usually, fans create a name themselves for use of reference. The Monster High Wiki uses these names too, if no official name is available.

Ever since the first two playsets hit stores in Late December 2010, a number of items have been released, that aren't part of any line. Depending on the fan, these items have been grouped with one line or another for thematical reasons, or are considered lineless. The Monster High Wiki operates with an amount of own interpretation in documenting the various assortments, and individual releases too, and lists items as part of a line based on the following reasoning:

  • 1.) Is there indication of a name?

It almost goes without saying: if there's a name on the box, whether on the front or the back, then that's what line the doll or fashion is from, and all dolls and fashions that share that name make up an assortment. Of all the means by which the content of an assortment can be defined, the Monster High Wiki considers the on-package name the most important and therefore the one that automatically overrules the other two methods.

  • 2.) Is there indication of an assortment number?

All individually sold dolls and fashions that are not exclusive have an assortment number. An assortment number consists of one letter and four digits, and all non-exclusive individually sold dolls and fashions that share an assortment number are part of the same assortment. For instance, all 'Signature' dolls are recognizable, as having assortment number N2851.

There are two drawbacks to relying on assortment numbers to figure out assortments. Firstly, playsets, multipacks, and exclusive dolls do not have an assortment number, only a model number, and thus figuring out which lines they belong to cannot be done through assortment numbers. Also, assortment numbers don't always line up with the way assortments are formed, if one looks at the names on the boxes. Scream Uniform and School Clubs have the same assortment number, T7980, while the Dead Tired assortment consists of assortment numbers V7972 and X4514. These conflict situations are rare though and, as explained above, the Monster High Wiki believes the on-package names are more prominent and thus deserve precedence in defining assortments.

  • 3.) What about the rest?

What remains after the above two methods have been applied are the San Diego Comic-Con International dolls, the self-standing 'Signature' dolls, and the playsets not specified as being from any line. The Monster High Wiki treats the SDCCI dolls and SSS dolls as one line each for ease of organization. All playsets are also treated as one line. This includes those marketed as being from a specific assortment for completeness' sake, but without taking them from their appropriate assortments.

Index

Dolls

Beach
Fashion
Fiction
Everyday
For Signature, see Dolls (disambiguation).
Party
Recreation
School
Sport
Vacation

Fashion packs

Playsets

For Playsets, see Dolls (disambiguation).


Similar products

There are three product lines that are complementary to the Monster High dolls. These are the Create-A-Monster and Inner Monster series and the Friends plushie line.

Create-A-Monster and Inner Monster are series of doll parts, clothes, and accessories that were respectively launched in 2011 and 2014. The lines are divided in starter packs, add-on packs, and playset packs, each of which carries unique, if sometimes incomplete, materials to put together a custom doll. The dolls created such are design-wise the same as the regular dolls and thus can be used for the same kind of play.

When in Early July, 2010 the first dolls were released, so too were the first plushies released. The plushies, appropriately named Friends, essentially are dolls aimed at a younger audience and each item contains a plushie of both a student and their pet. Like the 'Signature' dolls have profiles for the characters printed on the back of the box, so have the plushies profiles for the pets printed on the back of the box. The Friends line ended in June 2011.

Ever After High dolls are designed to be compatible with Monster High dolls, but not 100%. Compared to (adolescent female) Monster High dolls, (average female) Ever After High dolls are a little broader and a little more curvy in the torso area. The legs are longer, but the torso shorter. The upper limbs are also a little thicker and the heads much bigger and full, but the lower limbs, hands, and feet are identical.

Accessories are almost guaranteed to be interchangeable. Clothes, on the other hand, are only in most of the cases interchangeable. Some Monster High clothes are too tight for Ever After High dolls, and while all Ever After High clothes fit Monster High dolls, sometimes the fit is a little too loose to look good.

While Monster High body molds are designed to suit stages of age, with the body molds representing younger characters being less curvy and having smaller feet and the body molds representing older characters being broader and having larger feet, Ever After High body molds are designed to suit body diversity at a constant age range. Therefore, while a small female body mold of Ever After High is about the same height as a preadolescent female body mold of Monster High, the Ever After High body mold is much broader and has larger feet.

References