As I mentioned in my previous update, I was planning on taking Rin to today’s ball jointed doll panel at Ichibancon. I had some reservations about packing up such an expensive (and irreplaceable) item and taking it into public, but eventually I caved and came up with a strategy. Since the con was pretty small, I felt more at ease carrying her in for the panel and doing a little browsing afterwards.

I’m pretty happy I decided to bring her, as I got to meet other folks in the area that were collectors. It also gave me a chance to see what other folks do with their dolls. They’ve put a lot of work into the hobby!

I was a bit surprised when I showed up that other folks had decided to bring their dolls in to show off. When I arrived, the panel moderator was setting up her own two and another audience member was unpacking hers.

Eventually, several other people filed in and added to the collection on the table, all of which were custom designs. One was even an early vintage Volks SD doll. It seems that Dollfie Dreams aren’t quite as popular in this space as Rin was the only one representing that line. Looking back, I should have packed up Yoko as well for display. As it stood, Rin was the only doll based on an anime character…

I particularly liked this doll’s outfit. I was talking to her owner and mentioned that the outfit reminded me of Haiji from Tsukuyomi. Then she mentioned the whole look was pretty similar to Himeko from Kannazuki no Miko. I got a couple compliments on Rin and her default outfit. Being as unmodified as she was, she looked really close to the original character.

Sad to say, I was one of a handful of guys in the room. I was the only guy that actually brought a doll with me… ^.^;;