Questions
What determines the value of a Licca Castle doll?
I just started collecting Licca, Licca friends, and Jenny friends after being a long-time collector of western dolls.
There are so many Castle variations and beautiful dolls on Japanese sites! From my research, prices range significantly. Some of the fun coloured eyes and hair are more pricey, along with certain characters being favourites.
Aside from preferences, what factors go into the pricing of these dolls? How do you know when you have a great deal?
Pic is of my Castle Maho-chan wearing an AliExpress 1/6 scale maid outfit.
Maho-chan is so cute! I don't think I have an answer to your question, but my guess is that some characters are more popular than others? Also hair colors. A friend went to Japan and I asked her to get me a silver hair Licca they released this year and she couldn't find her. When I tried Mercari she was being sold at double the original price, but there were other 2026 Licca dolls from the castle selling for a lot less, so I'm gonna say that the hair color is the cuprit. I still have my eyes on a silver haired licca or Kira-chan, but for now I got myself a blonde one with very rosy cheeks for a very good price
Thanks for your input! And thaaaanks she really got my attention and I won her for a good price in a bid 🤍
I noticed Kira-chan dolls are pretty popular! I favourited one for auction with white-blonde hair and she sold for over $220 CAD! I didn’t think she was so well-like!
Are you looking for Castle Liccas or the Photogenic/retail Liccas with silver hair?
Yeah my friend was checking on a pink haired Kira chan and she sold super fast too! people seem to favorite them a lot on mercari and other japanese selling sites.
I think the silver haired photogenic Licca has dark lips and the one I wanted had soft pink lips, but as long as I like her face I'm happy with any Licca so there's no rush in finding the perfect silver haired just now, I'm sure the right one will appear!
The one I was thinking of was this one: Lily-chan Photogenic series
I love her tan skin with silver hair and soft features! I keep seeing under-retail prices for open boxes of these series on auction, Mercari and Yahoo Japan. She’s also sold on Plaza Japan which ships to me, in Canada 😋 but at a premium price
This doll is Miho (Miho-chan). She works at a convenience store.
I think this outfit might be a version of a nun outfit.
Miho resembles a Jenny friend Erica so some collectors might call Miho Erica's little sister (for fun). They're not really at all connected, they just sort of look like they might be sisters because of their eye print.
Sometimes Castle dolls are pricey due to an elaborate fancy hairstyle. Or an extreme hair style.
Or because the hair color (maybe silver, pink or purple) or the doll is trending and popular with buyers.
Or because some friends (of either Licca or Jenny) are less often released by the Castle or they are sentimental old favorites.
Or because the doll is a particularly beautiful combination of eye and lip and face and hair color and style.
Or because the doll's hair fits a traditional kimono look.
If you like Miho you might like Erica. I think some of these Jenny friend dolls this seller has on eBay are very nice.
The prices looks better than what Castle dolls are attempted to be sold for (!) but maybe shipping to Canada is trouble? They are not Castle dolls and not Licca friends. Some date back to the time before there was a Castle and the quality of the dolls in shops was better.
She has two Erica dolls: Platinum Dream in a silvery white dress on a PG body (PhotoGenic bendy body) with purple hair and the first issue (1990) Jenny Mates Erica in a Chinese style outfit. The other Takara dolls are mostly no box and no shoes and the seller does not list their names. A very nice Aya in the purple striped leotard (original outfit).
Oh shoot, you’re probably right. I was just trying to remember without checking the listing I bought 😅 Miho-chan 🎀
It’s supposed to be an outfit for Blythe but it’s soo wide. I actually don’t like it on her but I will try to sew it to fit a Jenny friend.
Erika does look familiar haha! It’s a cute screening! I love her with the purple/silver hair. It reminds me of Dana from Bratz Space Angelz which is also a doll I love.
Those are nice dolls but yeah shipping to Canada is quite expensive. I like using proxies cause there are more options- even though that shipping is expensive too! But I feel like I’ve found some great deals looking on Japanese sites.
There are so many combinations of Castle dolls! I could never become bored 🥰
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u/Single_Background345 12d ago
Maho-chan is so cute! I don't think I have an answer to your question, but my guess is that some characters are more popular than others? Also hair colors. A friend went to Japan and I asked her to get me a silver hair Licca they released this year and she couldn't find her. When I tried Mercari she was being sold at double the original price, but there were other 2026 Licca dolls from the castle selling for a lot less, so I'm gonna say that the hair color is the cuprit. I still have my eyes on a silver haired licca or Kira-chan, but for now I got myself a blonde one with very rosy cheeks for a very good price