Out of the box: Imran (Volks SD13 Irvin)

Current look.

A unique doll - one of only two (the other being SD16 Ruby) do be released in the ebony, and with a distinct fantasy outfit (and ears) - I was fascinated by this guy from the moment I saw him.   For a couple of years this doll was, as they say, my grail doll - a limited Dolpa release with high prices on the secondary market.  I admired him, but always assumed it would always be a long-distance admiration.

But then 2011 rolled around, and with both the global economy taking a hit and the BJD market shifting to include many more options (and perhaps more importantly, more lower-cost options), the prices of these older Volks limiteds started to drop a bit.  And finally over the summer (when I was on my honeymoon actually) I saw one seller drop her price to a point that I felt I couldn't pass up (I won't lie though, he's still the doll I paid the most for).

Default look (with elf ears)

He has the same standard SD13 long-leg body that my Heath has, but came with removable ears - two sets actually, one elf-style and one human.   And his colour has aged well: none of the greening that some companies' tans have been prone to.  He also has an interesting face sculpt - depending on the angle (and to a certain extent, choice of wig) he can look very child-like or quite a bit more mature.

 That's him looking young on the left, and in his default gear on the right.


 


Amusingly, given that I fell in love with him because of his elaborate fullset outfit, I've not had him displayed in that style since the first time I photographed him.