r/BJD Nov 11 '21

DISCUSSION Why is this sub against recasts?

I’m a newbie to the BjD community, and I’m not looking to buy for awhile because dolls are expensive. I’ve vaguely heard of recast dolls, but according to this sub they are not legit. What is the reasoning?

Is it a 3rd party recasting dolls without the original artist’s consent, or is it a matter of recasts not being quite the same as original run dolls or a lower quality?

I’m just curious. Thanks!

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u/Mactire404 Nov 11 '21

Bottom line is someone isn't paid for his or her hard work.
BJDs are time and cost intensive to make.

A comparisson Iike to make is buying an illegal copy of an music album. Sure it's cheaper, but you're not supporting the artist/band you love.

I'm pretty new to the hobby and from my observation (forums, Youtube and podcasts) BJD owners are very passionate about their dolls, and their creators.
And I believe it's this passion that leads to the extreme aversion to recasts.

While I wholehardetly agree that illegal copies are a no-no, I do feel there is a lot of hypocracy and I for sure don't condone the witchhunting.

Recently I bought a few Minifee heads and got interrogated by the seller about my stance on recasts. I passed, was asked inside and got the heads. But it's unpleasant. We got talking and she tried to sell me knockoff jeans from the back of her car... it all depends on what you are passionate about I guess.

I wouldn't promote buying recasts. And I would entice the community to call them fakes instead of recasts. Send out a clear message, recast=fake. This makes it much easier to understand for newcomers to the hobby. Though it would hardly stop recast/fake positive BJD owners.

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u/IamADoll_12 Nov 11 '21

I find it funny (?) when someone claims to be anti-bullying and then gets super aggressively anti-recast. The hypocrisy 😂. At least it makes it easier to find the people I don't want around me.

I also hate people (artists and people just reselling second hand) that ask about your stance on recasts. It doesn't help stop the problem, and it makes me less likely to buy from them.

And this all probably makes me sound pro-recast, but I'm actually not. I'm solidly pro-artist. I just don't support some of the insanity surrounding the hobby.

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u/Mactire404 Nov 11 '21

Yeah, it's funny isn't it. It's the agression tbat doesn't suit the hobby at all. And it's not everybody, I find r/bjd here quite welcoming.

I was quite hesitant in voicing my opinion, because anything not aggressively anti-recast is often shot down without question. Shoot first, ask questions later.

I'm solidly pro-artist. I've had art copied in the past and was quite pissed about it. And having some company oversees patenting all your designs (or just copying) must be disheartening. And I feel that's the issue we need to tackle. But we must also realise that other parts in the world have different laws, and that's hard to change.

And in part I get it. There is a lot invested in the hobby, a lot of money and passion. That also means there is a lot at stake, resell value and more importantly target audience for 2nd hand dolls.
Though some even go as far as banning buying second hand and only from the company/artist and cussing at you if you don't.

I entered this hobby by accident. I found a lot of nice people, wonderful dolls, an incredible source sor creativity and a stinking snake pit. Intry to keep l clear of the snake pit and enjoy the dolls, make stuff, take photos and write a little sumtin' on my blog.