Thread 49911784

Otakon 2025 Edition
BJD thread, primarily for vinyl dolls with an anime aesthetic.

FAQs and Links
New Guide: anime-dolls.moe
Old Guide: dollfaq.buyfags.moe
Booru: bjd.booru.org
Live Gallery: bjd.arcesia.net/
Telegram: t.me/BallJointDolls
Sewing pattern books: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/1okG9fyy7mciwiZUEsQYGNKQNnz1rv59J
/jp/ BJD QnA Guide: docs.google.com/document/d/1SJPKqCd8YX5_JcB7NWjRS5Zy4dKeKMg5l-YmoHZgFZk/

Community Events
Current Photo Challenge: Asymmetry | Green
Previous Photo Challenge: Low-Res | Hand Poses
Current Projects: None Currently Planned
Next Meetup: (Possibly?) Dolly Day | Sep. 6th, 2025 | Hotel Barceló Sants, Barcelona, Spain
Then After: I-DOLL | Sep. 20, 2025 | 1-5-102, INTEX Osaka Convention Center in Nanko-Kita, Suminoe-Ku, Osaka, Japan
Followed By: Katsucon | Saturday, Feb 14th, 2026 | Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, Maryland

Other Doll Threads:
Previous Thread: >>49753860
Resin Dolls Thread: Dead Again (but you can post here, too.)
Fashion/Other Dolls Thread: >>>/toy/11534240
Blind Box BJD Thread: >>>/toy/11531332 (but you can post here, too.)

Miscellaneous:
If your doll is for sex, go to >>>/jp//ona/

>>49911784 (OP)
Fuck, I forgot to add the doll calendar project. I'm sorry, anon!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DVinQaBovlXm6goovE6R3Zl9dvTj52YmeQjngFr-2jo/edit?gid=0#gid=0

Reminder post about the 2026 calendar signup:

Description here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DVinQaBovlXm6goovE6R3Zl9dvTj52YmeQjngFr-2jo/edit?usp=sharing
Signup here:
https://forms.gle/eM4xZ1zamdd2LtUA9

>>49911796
Ah, missed that before I posted. Thanks anon
>>49911804
I also realize I misbranded last year's with /bjd/ since I'm too used to /vg/ titles. This year's will be properly branded with our thread title, 'BJD Thread' not that it really matters but now I can't unsee it.

>>49911812
It's ok anon I honestly didn't notice. I appreciate what you do tremendously!

>>49911335
A shorter minimum focus distance can help with doll photos, but short focus distances are not limited to macro lenses. I'm sure you could take nice photos with a macro lens, but that's like using a rocket launcher to kill a spider. You probably would actually want either a wider angle lens like the other anon mentioned, or a portraiture lens depending on what kinds of photos you want to take. Or a bit of both in a travel zoom lens, typically 25-70mm and ideally with a lower fixed aperture

>>49912233
You could probly talk ShiNeS Workshop into it -- my advice is find a faceup artist you like and inquire if they take commissions and, if yes, if they'd be willing to do this for you. You could also do them yourself, some anons here have been doing their own faceups!

>>49911580
kino

How hard is it to do your own faceup? I’m a digital artist but I would assume there’s a pretty big leap from that to painting with real paint on a 3D surface.
I’m mainly concerned about making mistakes - would it be possible to wipe a face clean and start over if it gets too messed up?

>>49915625
Yes, you can wipe a face clean.
It depends on how good you are with using a brush or even an airbrush. Its something new to learn. But paints and sealants and supplies would cost some money to pick up this new hobby.

>>49911812
I kinda prefer /bjd/, desu.

>>49915625
>I’m mainly concerned about making mistakes - would it be possible to wipe a face clean and start over if it gets too messed up?
Yes, the unpainted head is sealed with a clear coat, Mr SuperClear is the most common one. The faceup is painted in layers and another coat of MSC is applied after each layer. If you mess up you can wash off the current layer or use paint thinner to remove everything and start from scratch.

>>49911335
As others already said a macro lens will have way too much zoom for dolls. For reference a 50mm lens on a fullframe camera or a ~37mm lens on a APS-C camera is roughly equivalent to what a human eye sees (without peripheral vision). Most cameras have a cheap kit length with a variable focal lenght somewhere in the 30 to 70mm range available. They're a good start that will allow you to experiment with focal lenght and how it affects your pictures.

There's still other shipping options and proxies, but if buyee is doing this, you can bet everyone is gonna follow suit. I fucking hate it here.

>>49915829
I know I'm nitpicking, but I want to clarify this for people new to photography. Macro lenses can have a variety of focal lengths, they don't actually have extreme zooms. They're just designed specifically to have short focal distances and also produce very sharp images at close range

So it's still possible to take a normal human sized portrait with a macro lens, and some people do actually do that, even though it's overkill. For dolls it's also still overkill since although it sounds good on paper to get super sharp images, in practice you probably don't actually want to capture all the tiny flaws in your doll's faceup paint and so on

>>49915999
It's just a temporary thing, like all the other European services, to deal with the tariff bullshit again. Nobody wants to risk being on the hook for billions of dollars in fees, so they're waiting for clarification. Hope you guys managed to buy some shit before this week

>>49915999
>even shipments dispatched [...] may be return to Japan.
Fuck. I got some doll stuff in customs right now. Hope it'll actually arrive.

>>49911580
>you're likely to shoot pretty up close anyway
>>49916099
>don't actually want to capture all the tiny flaws

you can't tell me what to do >:[
>takes doll photos at 400+mm

>>49915999
>you can bet everyone is gonna follow suit
Well duh, they don't have a choice.

>>49907047
She looks so tiny next to the tree...
https://nine9style.com/product/msdwind-breakerwhite-pink/19096/
Nine9style has a few windbreakers like this one, but they probably have other suitable clothes too.
https://ttyadoll.com/category/msd/59/
TTYA has some nice T-shirts.

>>49909415
Cute! I like how her legs are slightly visible.

>>49910238
The first?! Which doll is next?

I hadn't feel very motivated so while I've been changing my dolls' clothes and poses I didn't take time to pick and edit photos. Now I've done them all at once.
For this set I tried to underexpose the photos but then didn't really know what to do with that.

>>49919503
If I'm going to keep buying a camera, I should cave in at once and buy a tripod for my phone. Way too often I'm limited by the good angles actually coming out like garbage.

I had individual shots in other poses but forgot to save them back to my phone oops.

>>49919541
The way the skirts were shaped here felt good in 3D but I didn't manage to get a good shot.

And for the hottest days of summer...

I love these silly sunglasses.

>>49919586
incredibly cute sillyglasses. bless you

>>49919503
Super adorable photos

>>49919541
so cute

>>49919522
>>49919531
I chuckled. Thanks for the cute photos.

>>49919554
>felt good in 3D but I didn't manage to get a good shot
yeah iktf
but, as someone who didn't see them in-person, the dresses still look cute

I'm saving up to buy this $624 iplehouse bjd. I fell in love with it, it's available now, and it's a limited edition. Do you think it's as beautiful as I think it is?

>>49925213
she’s lovely! i feel like freckles would compliment her well

>>49925213
She's gorgeous anon, good luck!

>>49925213
Iplehouse are even more beautiful in person I think. Their stock photos don't really do the dolls justice. You will be very happy.

>used to doom scroll reels just to find something interesting
>with daughterfu i actively enjoy my looking at my social media timeline with cute doll pics
>suddenly care about nature and decorations and good quality items and cleanness
damn life feels great
>>49925213
pretty!
>>49919586
clean ur glasses
>>49919541
very cute dresses
>>49929566
nice composition, love the little story here.

>>49925213
>>49926217
Yeah, I agree. Iples are really amazing in person. They have a commanding, elegant appearance that doesn't really translate to photos, much like many Volks dolls. A very good pick.

Cannot remember this youtuber's name.

>>49933575
I wish I was smart, dedicated and autistic enough to do this...

Working on making my own BJD, it's my first ever doll so there's a lot of trial and error

>>49933923
It's so weird to realize I share this site with genuinely skilled individuals.

>>49935487
imagine going to sleep with all those dolls around you. I will feel so loved and cherished.

>>49935803
There are a lot of talented people here. I'm sure you have your own strengths too, anon.

>>49919503
Cute pics
>>49925213
I've always wanted an iplehouse too. But its like adopting a new platform where accessories and clothes aren't interchangeable between brands so I gave up. They look wonderful.
>>49935487
Maid mayhem
>>49936348
>imagine going to sleep with all those dolls around you. I will feel so loved and cherished.
Same! Whenever I have them all out at once and they are staring right back at me, that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

>>49937751
>they are staring right back at me
i hope they forgive me for being a loser.

>>49937751
cute…CUTE!!

Akira in a different style wig. Looks fancy.

>have BJD in bubble wrap since I recently purchased it, but waiting for clothes
>put it in my one of shelf cupboard behind a door in my room
>have tankana's fashion lookbook on top of my other books since I was finding some cute outfit ideas for the doll
>found out my sister came home and went through my room to find some pencils
I think she may have found my dolly

Hats can darken the face a lot, I'll remember this.

>forgot to set photo settings to high
at least the beach was relaxing....
it's always cool to see the cloudy day be broken apart by the sun for a brief moment before it once again fades behind the clouds.

>>49942514
>>49942518
pretty scenery

>>49937751
I like that you have your SD dolls with your dollfies, they all look cute together as well. I only have one SD girls and sometimes I feel worried she doesn't fit in with my several DDs, but this makes me feel better. Also the props are lovely

>>49945349
Konstantine my beloved it's been too long

Oh, boy. Time to see if I took any good photos this morning

>>49942514
>>49942518
You can use a flash or one of those fold-out reflector disks to illuminate the face a bit more when they're wearing a hat, if you're not happy with the face being in dark shadow.
>>49937751
You have some fantasitc props and furniture, and cute dolls. Smoking is bad for your health I'm concerned about the two on the left
>>49933575
https://www.youtube.com/@RozenZebet
>>49948805
Miku cute, looking forward to seeing what you took

I'm still having a bit of issue pulling focus with my camera. It looks fine on the screen, even zooming way in, but I find out many are blurry by the time I get back to my computer. Oh well

>>49949517
Possibly motion blur.
I do see that you're using a tripod, but the act of pressing the shutter button on a low shutter speed can sometimes introduce motion blur from the slight movement of the camera. Try set a shot timer in the camera menu next time. You can also try remote camera shutter.

>>49949517
It would also appear as if I photoshop is fucking with my colours on export, hold on...

It looks like photoshop wasn't keeping the correct colour space when exporting, but it would only do it sometimes? I can't figure exactly what is causing the conversion, so we'll keep the desaturated colours for now. It might have something to do with PS rasterizing the image itself, as opening the image as a smart object seemed to keep everything consistant. I'd rather not spend more time troubleshooting PS today so please pretend the colours are intentional
>>49949541
I've been using a shutter trigger, so I don't think it'd be motion blur. It seems like the autofocus is just not consistently setting itself to the correct distance. I wish I had a camera that could easily send pictures to a phone so that I could use that screen to figure out whats going on when I'm out and about.

>>49949681
Shooting in the woods is a bit challenging with the constantly changing broken lighting. I'm starting to see the appeal of having a lighting setup that you bring along with you when you're going out

>>49946792
cute!! i love the soft colors here. Akira’s fancy wig is nice, but this one just feels right

>>49919586
Nice glases. Every time I'm about to order some sunglasses for my dolls I end up too scared of scratching their face-up.

>>49945349
Cute outfit!

>>49948849
Thanks, I'll think about getting one.

>>49940913
Every time someone swaps wigs it feels weird to me, yet I do it all the time. Her new wig goes well with her dress.

>>49949677
I think the colors are fine.

I fucking hate it here.

>>49959110
Maybe they didn't want to pay the orange man tariffs? KEK

>>49959123
I mean, there's a small chance in the next month or so that the tariffs could get invalidated by the supreme court, so I wouldn't be surprised by companies mass cancelling shipments for now. Potentially saving thousands of dollars in tariffs vs a few hundred bucks to re-ship stuff seems like a no brainer

which one of you made the BJD Museum in vrchat

>>49953762
>I think the colors are fine.
Thanks, anon. Looking again, they as bad as I thought at first. The pinks coming out desaturated isn't too bad, but the blacks are definitely a bit more grey than I intended. Its just that I deal with enough colour space nonsense for my job, and seeing that show up in my hobbies got me a little bit heated
>>49959710
>BJD Museum in vrchat
Hmmm, might have to give that a look. I'm one of those freaks who go on vrchat to walk around worlds alone, so it seems like something I'd like

>>49959710
That sounds amazing, I gotta go check that out.

>>49959795
That's the only thing I use VRChat for, I think it's really cool to see what people make. But I'm also not very sociable, so it's easier to go alone.

>>49959710
making a cute looking vrchat avatar feels very similar to the love of dolls for me so im not surprised to see those two interests combine

>>49959110
tea and dolls most affected

>>49963611
>the two hobbies i am most active in
I am genuinely displeased to put it mildly.

spot the blunder

>>49961532
same. ive made an amateur bjd avatar over the summer

>>49964423
Is this some kind of FWD bicycle?

One last camping trip for the year, with this times special guest being Aria. Managed to get a few good shots done out on the trails in spite of the unusually smoky weather this time around. With any luck it should clear up tomorrow so I can get some good lakeside swimsuit shots before going home.

How did you name your dolls? The same name as the creator did, or something you chosen yourself? What about their fashion styles? Do you project a certain idea or just whatever tickles your fancy?

>>49964738
With the logo on the bottom right, gemini screwed up one of those bronco bicycles.

>>49933575
looks like the main character from air doll (2009) directed by hirokazu kore-eda. unironically every dollfag of any shape and kind should watch that movie.

>>49965676
movie poster for reference.

>>49965682
That is a human

>>49965828
live action movie desu
bae doo-na

>>49965828
well if im being extra autistic, its an air doll. a sex doll. who has come to life and has to come to grips with human society and her own existence within it, as an object designed to satisfy mens desires. it's a really good movie

>>49965843
>>>/jp/ona

>>49937751
BEATWISS :3

I bought some cheap (probably bootleg in retrospect) clothes for Miku. The lights make it seem otherwise, but I quite like this colour of yukata on her. The pink of the flowers matches that of her hair pretty nicely. The headpiece is from the next outfit, but I liked it, so she's keeping it on for now.

I really need to actually use the invisible stands that I bought or my girls are going to pay for my hubris...

>>49970671
Despite being "the same size", the kimono is definitely not a good fit. Besides the length, the armpits are much too deep, so I can't get the obi to sit above the hips without making it everything look super bunched up. I had to pinch quite a bit in the back side to get it to look remotely alright. Not going to bother fiddling with the big ribbon on this one, but I'm sure I'll, at some point, get a doll that fits this. Thanks, China.

>>49949517
>>49949677
>It seems like the autofocus is just not consistently setting itself to the correct distance
possible the lens needs AF calibration, though maybe that's not a thing with MILCs?
alternatively there's just not enough contrast on your focus point (affects both PDAF & CDAF)
honestly for dolls just use manual focus on live view and zoom to really dial in the focus, picrel
oh and either switch to back button focus (protip) or just turn off AF so it doesn't screw with your careful focus when you press the shutter
>>49965210
if I bought them as a fullset or at least faceup, I use the original name
if I do the faceup I name them
only one so far of the latter but let's see about correcting that soon

>>49972904
haha lmfao this is what I get for using the original file instead of exporting
>>49942514
>>49949698
you can do a bit to fix it in post

>>49972904
>>49972913
fixed, for engagement bait

>>49970686
"please allow 1-2cm measurement difference :)"
Its even better when you get that line on something thats all of 6cm in size. That's the gamble you take for trying to save a few bucks. Aliexpress is probably where companies ditch their defective merch to at steep discounts.

I bought a pair of (allegedly) the same lolita outfits last year and one turned out almost too small for a MDD to put on. Good thing it did as the outfits were themed.

>>49972913
>you can do a bit to fix it in post
nta, but I wanna go out and take more pics,
not be stuck inside doing post-processing with clone tool, blarg

>>49974008
>draw oval
>tweak slider
>done
postprocessing has always been part of photography, this is basically dodge/burn
digital lets you do it in a few minutes so you don't have to be stuck inside not taking photos unless you're into that kind of thing >>>/p/4465950

>>49972926
That belt loop tug tho...

>>49972904
>just use manual focus on live view
I might have to start relying on this more, especially now that I'm trying to use a tripod a lot more instead of only handheld shooting. My tripod is awful and flimsy, though, so thats yet another thing I'll need to upgrade. Either way, I somehow got it ingrained in me to use the viewfinder for everything, so I almost never use my screen. One of those weird training scars, I suppose.
>>49972913
>fix it in post
I don't mind fiddling with stuff in post, honestly. I'm just not very quick or efficient at it yet, so I get gassed when I'm reaching the end of my photos. Just realizing more and more things that I need to get practice on. I think your notes sheet for film is cute, though. Reminds me of some of the notes I'd have to take for art shit in school.
>>49973354
It is all part of the fun. That and "am I actually going to get the item I ordered" are classic chinese seller games

>>49974740
here's the photo itself
she's not doing it because it's sexy, the shorts are just meant for an azone so the waist is too loose
which she is demonstrating sexily
>>49974872
>My tripod is awful and flimsy
I wasn't going to say anything but yeah I recognize that model
someone lent one to me once and it was awful even for a lightweight entry-tier APSC DSLR
>your notes sheet
not mine, belongs to >>49946792 >>49940913

>>49975168
oh also look who finally got released from confinement

>>49975168
>not doing it because it's sexy
The result is the same either way

>>49970686
Not to ruin your parade but it's probably not sitting properly because you're missing a lot of the undergarments, you need to fold the collar in half, the collar isn't against the neck like that. Watch a video on how to dress kimono and try again.

>>49975298
Agree, I was being lazy with it. I saw that I wasn't happy with the length, and that it didn't have stuff like those notches on the sleeves, that I just cinched it in the back. If I was keeping her in the clothes for more than a couple minutes, I'd surely try to make it look a lot better

I want to get into BJDs, but I don't want to spend a lot of money without knowing if I'm really into them. So I plan to buy a BJD from AliExpress for now. What do you think about that idea? And the most important question I have about AliExpress BJD dolls – are they made from really toxic materials?

>>49978244
inb4 another fucking recast freakout from resinfags

>>49978244
It is usually the finishing and polishing of bjd resin process that gives off a fine toxic dust. If you buy a finished doll then there is no concern.
Just do what makes you happy, anon.

>>49978244
toxic materials? who knows, it's cheap chinese crap. probably won't kill you, but nobody here can answer that question. just get a blind box or a decent 1/6 doll outside of aliexpress, they aren't that expensive anon

>>49978244
>>49978294
ali is full of bootlegs, which sure you can buy for super cheap but:
a) if you end up staying in the hobby, you'll probably regret buying, or
b) if you decide the hobby isn't for you, you won't be able to resell
better to stick with what >>49978307 says to play it safe

>>49978244
what kind of dolls are you mainly interested in anon?
vinyl/resin? anime/realistic? female/male? normal/fantasy? no idea?

>>49978298
>>49978307
>>49978326
I will consider all your answers and think it through.
I mentioned material toxicity because someone I follow on Red Note (it's kind of like chinese instagram) said they can’t shower their doll with kisses because of the material it’s made from (if I remember correctly tho... not sure if it was the body/head material or maybe the makeup/paint).
Her doll looked like a standard BJD, but it made me wonder if dolls bought from sites like AliExpress might be made from toxic materials (and yes, if I do get a doll, I want to sneak a kiss here and there)
>>49978449
I’ve had the idea for a while now to get a doll that I can dress up as one of my favorite characters. One body would probably be enough since I’d change the head, clothes, and wig depending on the character or maybe a specific “vision” I have.
I’m interested in more realistic-looking bjd. Female, but with sharp, slightly masculine facial features, like my fav charas.

>>49978586
Something to consider that wasn't mentioned is that, ultimately, the clothes are going to cost more than the doll itself in the long run. My first doll was a Resinsoul 1/6 that only cost $120, but after adding in wig/clothes/shoes/eyes the total was over $320. I would recommend you find a doll you really like the look of, esp. if you only want one doll. Also, if you want to change heads, you probably want to stay within a single company so the heads will fit and match in color.

Eyes and wig are still on the way, somehow making through the shipping bullshit going on. Heres my new zombie girl Hitomi. Faceup isnt anything special but I like how her dead limbs and patch came out.

>>49959710
Really cool find

>>49979028
oh hey that's pretty cool
how many more girls do you have planned…

>>49964583
>>49961532
shit's hard

>>49979137
This is the first one that wasn't apart of my original 6 idea. If I get a new monster inspiration, figure out her personality and how she fits into the lore, I'll keep making them.