Licca-chan

Licca-chan logo.
The original Licca-chan, launched in 1967.

Licca-chan (リカちゃん, Rika-chan), full name Licca Kayama (香山リカ, Kayama Rika),[1] is a dress-up doll series introduced in Japan on 1967-07-04 by Takara,[1][2] enjoying the same kind of popularity in Japan as the Barbie series does in the United States.[3] 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,[1] and over 53 million as of 2007.[3] Licca-chan was created by former shōjo 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.[1]

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. 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.[1][4] 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.[4] Since then, other versions of Licca-chan have been introduced, including a new "Departure Licca", released just ahead of the 40th anniversary in 2007.[3]

A Licca-chan video game was released for the Nintendo DS in Japan on November 29, 2007.[5] This game was later released in the U.S. on October 14, 2008 as Lovely Lisa.[6]

In media

Licca-chan makes an appearance in the manga series Kiben Gakuha Yotsuya Senpai no Kaidan.[7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 (in English) "Licca-chan". Retrieved 2007-06-18.
  2. ↑ (in English) "Super Doll Licca-chan". Hitoshi Doi. Retrieved 2007-06-17.
  3. 1 2 3 (in English) "TOYS: Licca-chan turns 40, travels the world". Asahi Shimbun. 2007-04-19. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2007-06-18.
  4. 1 2 (in English) "Shoppers go ga-ga over pregnant doll". CNN. 2001-12-06. Archived from the original on 2007-10-30. Retrieved 2007-06-18.
  5. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-02-21. Retrieved 2009-03-03.
  6. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-02-19. Retrieved 2009-03-03.
  7. ↑ Haruichi, Furudate (2009). YOTSUYA SENPAI NO KAIDAN. Jump Comics.
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