Uglydolls
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Uglydolls, who's motto is known widely known as 'Cuteness and ugliness have never had such a good relationship', are a collection of designer toys created by independent toy designers David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim. Uglydolls were first released in 2002, and are distinguished by an aesthetic that balances traditional cuteness with ugliness. In 2006, Uglydolls were awarded the Specialty Toy of the Year award by the Toy Industry of America [1].
Contents |
[edit] Products
Teen magazines such as J-14, School Chic, M and Popstar have recently considered Uglydolls stylish. The first commercially available Uglydolls were 12" plush, handmade by Sun-Min Kim in 2002; since then, 7" Little Uglys, 24" Giant Uglys, 4" plush keychains, and 7" vinyl Uglys have been introduced. Although the plush dolls are still handmade, their production has been moved to mainland China. As they are handmade, each doll features slight variations, enhancing the appearance of uniqueness. Each doll also includes a small tag describing the character's distinctive persona.
Uglydolls are primarily sold at independent and specialty toy retailers, rather than in mainstream outlets; although recently, they have appeared at more mainstream retailers such as Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters and other large national chains.
[edit] Characters
There are twenty (and counting) Uglydoll characters, and their personas are as varied as their designs:
- Abima has one arm in your cookie jar and an idea what to do next. He is scared of the dark. His cousin is Wage.
- Babo makes up for in love what he lacks in mind power. He may need love, guidance and some parenting. So take him to as many places as possible! Keep your cookies and money on the highest shelf, though.
- Babo's bird (2008)
- Big Toe is very busy, but he will take care of everything; just watch. He has the scoop on the all the latest info.
- Bop 'N' Beep love to do everything together, such as arguing over what movie to watch. Bop gets along with Ox (they see things X to X).
- Chuckanucka worries about pretty much everything under the sun. He is so cute in orange. He worries a lot and will drive you nuts!
- Cinko is very shy and quiet but has a good sense of humor. He is terrified of water, and is Target's little brother. He is also Peacos cousin.
- Deer Ugly lives in the forest, but wants to see the world. He wants you to write him letters.
- Gato Deluxe is a real sweetheart who knows he's all that, big time.
- Ice-Bat lives in an ice cave, inside an ice box; he wants to chill out with you, preferably upside down. Whatever he touches turns to ice, but has a warm heart and is one of the most friendly uglydolls.
- Jeero just wants to sit on the couch with you and eat some snacks. Don't ask him too many questions (he doesn't know anything). He loves to exercise.
- Moxy is Ox's younger sister and a real get-up-and-go Ugly. Her antennas pick up party signals from far and wide. So she'll go away to any party before you know it.
- Ox is not a very good listener, but he puts his ears to use in other ways. Tuck them into your shirt and take Ox for a stroll. Ox loves magic, and his favorite trick is turning your stuff into his stuff. Wedgehead is his best buddy. Don't forget to keep your wallet in a safe, because before you know it, it will belong to Ox.
- Peaco is very shy on the outside; on the inside, he is a wild man . He watches you dance in your room with all of his eyes there are three. He loves water dancing, much to the distress ot his cousin Cinko.
- Poe Is an ugly dragon who has left his cave to explore new things around the uglyverse. (2008)
- Plunko Plunko is a buissness man he has his own tire shop he looks just like chuckanucka but has bigger ears(2008)
- Puglee (2008)
- Target is the grandfather of the Uglydolls, which is why he has hair and a few extra limbs. He is often caught bailing other uglydolls out of trouble. He attempts to grow more hair, because he thinks it means he's smart Target is Cinko's older brother
- Toodee is curious about everything. If he had a nose, it would be in everything. What’s this? What’s that? Toodee's questions drive Jeero up the wall. Don't forget to feed him grape juice! (It keeps him nice and purple)
- Tray is the brains of the Uglydolls; in fact, she has three brains, one for each blue eye. The reason her eyes are so blue is because she eats so many blueberries. She sometimes talks Babo into getting blueberry pie for herself. Unfortunately, Babo often brings back rocks.
- Uglydog does not like to beg, sit, or stay...but he loves to help out.
- Uglyghost wants to see all, even if he has to go through walls to do so.....
- Uglyworms wants power. The power to do great and wonderful things. They want your power.
- Wage is a hard worker, just like you. He works at the local super-mart, although the super-mart people don't realize it.
- Wedgehead sees things the way you see them, but has to stand on his head to do so. He is working with OX to prove that humans exist.
On 17 January 2006, the toy website Plastic and Plush reported that Target would become the first of the original Uglydolls to be retired, or indefinitely cease production. Cinko will not be retiring due to David Horvath's new and improved Cinko coming April 2008 along with Suntan Target, Poe is the uglydoll dragon , Ugly ghost, Pugly, Plunko,and Babos Bird.
All new Uglydolls are being produced in Little, Regular, Giant, and Keychain sizes except for Sailor Babo which will only be produced in Little and Giant Size since this was the Uglycon mascot and was exclusive in its regular size - see below for more information on limited editions.
[edit] Variants and Limited Editions
STORE EXCLUSIVES
- Green Wedgehead (Super 7 Store exclusive) edition of 100
- Green Wage - (Tower Records exclusive) issued for Tsunami relief.
- Blue Ox (KidRobot exclusive ) edition of 100
- Green Cinko (FAO exclusive ) edition of 301
- Orange Ice Bat (Giant Robot exclusive ) edition of 200
- Red Ice Bat (Japan exclusive ) edition of 100
- Red Tooth Wedgehead (50 stores each received 4) edition of 200
- Halloween Ice Bat (Super 7 exclusive) edition of 75. Same black Icebat as the ComicCon edition only with an orange cape.
UGLYCON EXCLUSIVES
- Uglycon Wage (2006 LA Uglycon exclusive) edition of 100, although a production overage resulted in an unknown number being sold at regular retail stores, so the edition is larger than 100.
- Sailor Babo - Regular size (2006 LA Uglycon exclusive) edition of 50
- Sleepy Chilly Icebat (2007 UglyCon San Francisco show exclusive) 3 different color variations, each made as an edition of 200, only 180 were released at Uglycon. (Version 1 - Grey with green wings and blue hat / Version 2 - Orange with pink wings and green hat / Version 3 - Pink with blue wings and red hat) much anticipated Uglycon II SF Exclusives. These are the special holiday Ice-Bats from David Horvath. Plush figures with colorful wings and cone hats.
- Various colorways of the uglydolls, along with non-production uglydolls, are present at the Uglycon shows as well
SDCC EXCLUSIVES
- Sneak Preview Mini Uglydolls - These Uglydolls were the first Little Uglydolls and they were produced in limited quantities for the San Diego Comic Con. They are the same color as their regular size versions.
- Secret Mission Uglydolls - Original Uglydolls were produced in a black color version for the 2006 San Diego Comic Con. All versions except Ice Bat were exclusive to the show. They were produced in regular and little sizes.
- Ice Lodge Uglydolls - 2007 SDCC exclusive white versions of the Uglydolls.
[edit] Events and Appearances
- Human-sized Ice Bat and Wage mascots have appeared at the San Diego Comic Con.
- Ice-Bat appears brieflyalong with Wedgehead in the 2005 film adaptation of Chris Van Allsberg's book Zathura with Ice-Bat being a plushie and Wedgehead being on a shirt, while OX appears briefly in the 2005 film Yours, Mine and Ours.
- Wage appears in the first episode of the television series Surface.
- Babo appears in the photograph on the back of Jennifer Weiner's novel, Goodnight Nobody.
- The first Uglydoll convention, called Uglycon, took place 9 December 2006 at Giant Robot 2 in Los Angeles. The event included two limited pieces: Birthday Wage, in an edition of 100, and Sailor Babo, in an edition of 50. Sailor Babo was the mascot for the event.
- The life-sized Comicon Wage and Ice-Bat mascots also appear in an episode of HBO's Entourage, showcasing the convention. Tray, as a Little Ugly, appeared in the red jumpsuit apparatus's music video face down.
- Many Uglydolls can be seen in the 2007 film Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. They are animated, and may be seen to be walking around the toy store, particularly near the end of the film.
- Ox appears in the 2005 film Undiscovered.
- Wage and Uglydog appear briefly in the 2007 film The Last Mimzy.
- Ice-Bat appears briefly in the 2007 film Enchanted.
- Gato Deluxe, Uglyworm, and Chuckanucka appear on the set of the weekly video podcast (vidcast) Tekzilla.
- Jeero, Ox,and Wedgehead appear briefly in different scenes from the 2007 film Year of The Dog.
- Uglydolls may be viewed in several scenes of the movie "Zathura"
