Licca-chan

nihongo|Licca-chan|リカちゃん|Rika-chan, full name nihongo|Licca Kayama|香山リカ|Kayama Rika,en icon cite web|url=http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/archives/cool/01-10-12/licca.html|title=Licca-chan|publisher=|accessdate=2007-06-18] is a very popular dress-up doll series introduced in Japan on 1967-07-04 by Takara,en icon cite web|url=http://www.usagi.org/~doi/licca/index.html|title=Super Doll Licca-chan|accessdate=2007-06-17|publisher=Hitoshi Doi] enjoying the same kind of popularity in Japan as the Barbie series does in the United States.en icon cite web|url=http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200704190067.html|title=TOYS: Licca-chan turns 40, travels the world|publisher="Asahi Shimbun"|date=2007-04-19|accessdate=2007-06-18] The Licca-chan dolls tend toward a more Japanese body as far as height and features. Takara had sold over 48 million Licca-chan dolls as of 2002, and over 53 million as of 2007.. Licca-chan was created by former shojo manga artist, Miyako Maki, who is also the wife of Leiji Matsumoto.

Takara has provided an extensive background story for the Licca-chan doll, including an age (11), where she attends school, names and occupations for her parents, and her favorite books ("Anne of Green Gables" and "A Little Princess"). Licca-chan also likes "Doraemon".

Rough Trade Records teamed up with Takara in the late 90's to release "Street Licca", who was a DJ that carried a Rough Trade record satchel, and mini, doll-sized LPs from the labels' artists. Along with her Ursula 1000, Gants and Spearmint records, she toted a pair of pink Converse running shoes, grey "leather" pants, headphones, layered hoody and a blond bob haircut. This incarnation of Licca was only available through the Rough Trade records site, at a high price. Street Licca was the ultimate "indie rock" doll.

In 2001, a pregnant adult version of Licca-chan was introduced which included a postcard the purchaser could send to Takara for a baby doll. The baby came with a key which allowed the doll to be returned to its standard proportions.en icon cite web|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/asiapcf/east/12/06/japan.pregnant.doll/index.html|title=Shoppers go ga-ga over pregnant doll|publisher=CNN|date=2001-12-06|accessdate=2007-06-18] The release of the doll happened to coincide with the birth of Aiko, the daughter of Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan, a factor which helped boost the sales of the new doll. Since then, other versions of Licca-chan have been introduced, including a new "Departure Licca", released just ahead of the 40th anniversary in 2007.

Trivia

Jun Shibuki, a Japanese Takarazuka Revue Star, has the nickname "Rika" because of the doll.

ee also

*"Super Doll Licca-chan" (anime TV series)
*Jenny
*Asian fashion doll

References

External links

*ja icon [http://licca.takaratomy.co.jp/ Licca-chan page at Takara-Tomy]
*en icon [http://www.bobagirl.com/anime/misc/fash-licca.html Attack of the Anime Toys] (listing many different types of Licca-chan dolls)