What is it that makes an action figure separate from a doll?
There are differences between the two, but the divergence between action figures and dolls largely came about because of gender norms that have since become antiquated. The thinking was that no boys would ever want to play with a doll, which would have been an insurmountable obstacle for the original G.I. Joe line from the '60s. Thankfully, some brilliant mind re-branded the G.I. Joes as 'action figures,' and a subgenre was born!
Traditionally, the dolls have groomable hair and changeable clothes, while action figures had a smaller scale and specific features that enhanced their play value. But in the modern era, the line between doll and action figure is getting increasingly blurry. Hot Toys' insanely detailed superheroes are several cuts above any traditional action figure... and yet they seem more suited as dolls, thanks in part to their expensive prices.
Back in the '80s, the original She-Ra line of toys was meant to bridge the gap between dolls and action figures... though ultimately we're gonna have to say that She-Ra and her friends were action figures, even with all of their cool accessories. More recently, DC Super Hero Girls line has also been a mixture of doll-like features and action figure-inspired accessories, and even some of Disney's Frozen Elsa toys can arguably fall into action figure territory. And at this point, we're not going to argue against Elsa as the rare superhero/princess hybrid!
For more on this great debate, check out the latest episode of SYFY WIRE's Toy Masters!
FAQs
Traditionally, the dolls have groomable hair and changeable clothes, while action figures had a smaller scale and specific features that enhanced their play value. But in the modern era, the line between doll and action figure is getting increasingly blurry.
What is the oldest action figure? ›
Joe was the world's first 'action figure'. With 21 moving parts, uniforms representing the four branches of the US Armed Forces, and miniature weapons and service manuals, this was marketed as a toy for boys. G.I. Joe was developed by Stanley Weston, who licensed the toy to Hasbro for just $100,000.
How many original Motu figures are there? ›
The original 8 figures, known as 8 backs, all had slight differences when they were re-released, usually a change in paint application and armor strap length. They were released again with 1982 markings along with other figures being added to production over the years.
What the most expensive action figure? ›
The Rocket-Firing Boba Fett action figure, modeled after the “Star Wars” bounty hunter, was purchased in Dallas by an anonymous buyer for $525,000, Heritage Auctions announced last Monday.
What is the rarest Masters of the Universe toy? ›
Megator is a rare Masters of the Universe action figure that Mattel released in 1986. You don't often see these come to auction, and when they do, they can go for ~$1,000. A boxed Megator recently came up for sale on eBay and sold for an impressive $3,800.
What does Motu mean in toys? ›
Original action figures and mini comics (1981–1982)
The "Masters of the Universe" toy line was created by Mattel in 1981, and first released to stores in 1982 as 5½-inch action figures (as opposed to the 3¾-inch size used by Kenner's Star Wars and Hasbro's G.I.
Are old He-Man toys worth money? ›
But the justifiably expensive MOTU toys are those that -- some three decades after their actual production -- are untouched by human hands. Toys still factory sealed in their original packaging sell for upwards of hundreds, even thousands of dollars.
What is a good size action figure? ›
The use of scale sizes can change by as much as 30% depending on the size of the original object but in terms of action figures we're talking about smaller representations of the human figure and the standard size used by toy companies is based on the ideal human figure being 6 feet tall which is 72 inches and is ...
What was the first doll to be marketed as an action figure? ›
Joe “action soldier” to market in 1964. G.I. Joe debuted with a soldier, sailor, marine, and pilot. Each figure came equipped with a uniform and additional military supplies.
What scale is a 12 inch action figure? ›
Size: 1/6 Scale,12" tall, figure can stand alone. Movable: The whole body is composed of 30 movable points, and the 27 joints are movable, which can easily display various complicated and delicate realistic shapes.
A doll is a model typically of a human or humanoid character, often used as a toy for children. Dolls have also been used in traditional religious rituals throughout the world. Traditional dolls made of materials such as clay and wood are found in the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe.
What counts as a doll? ›
a small figure representing a baby or other human being, especially for use as a child's toy. a small figure representing a nonhuman character, for use as a toy: cartoon character dolls.
How can I identify a doll? ›
Look on the doll's feet, head, neck or between the shoulder blades to find manufacturers' marks. Sometimes doll clothing will have tags with names and numbers, too, which can help you identify the doll. A great website for finding a doll's identity is Doll Reference.
What is the difference between a figure and a figurine? ›
A figurine (a diminutive form of the word figure) or statuette, is a small, three-dimensional sculpture that represents a human, deity or animal, or, in practice, a pair or small group of them. Figurines have been made in many media, with clay, metal, wood, glass, and today plastic or resin the most significant.
