A lucky arrival from Hometown Dolpa Kyoto 17!
Because Kyoto 17 Dolpa in-person events were cancelled due to Covid-19 concerns, various events and sales were shifted to an online format. With a GL/GS/VIP Volks membership it was possible to apply for dolls that are normally limited to Dolpa events. These are almost always in Japan, so with travel restrictions in place it was an even more rare opportunity for folks outside of Japan to snag a Dolpa exclusive item. Not only dolls of course, but ‘gacha’ items from the chance games were also offered online. I skipped out on those however in favor of a shot for my primary goal- one of the exclusive D’Coord mochi-ashi dolls.
Mochi-ashi is the newest body type released – it’s a version of MDD with plumper legs and bigger feet. Compared to the regular MDD it’s more pudgy and cute. To complete the look, new large size MDD hand sculpts were also released, along with a couple new head sculpts to match the pudgy style. As luck would have it, I ended up with a cute DCH-21 D’coord girl to join my doll family! Next to my regular MDD with DWC-01 head, you can see more clearly the change in the leg sculpt.
Although I’ve had a DDP for a while, this is my first encounter with the newer f-3 frame in MDD size, and I really like it! I’ve had trouble with the III gen frames, mostly with loose upper arm parts dropping out randomly. With my mochi-ashi everything feels very firm and poses quite nicely. I still have to get used to the multi-pivot wrist which combined with the joint resistance makes me worry about inadvertently breaking it.
One downside of the mochi-ashi body is the non standard foot size – it’s too big for a lot of MDD-sized shoes, but too small for a lot of DD shoes. Overall I found boots and low slippers made for MDD fit OK, but beyond that it seems like DD-sized shoes are a safer bet. It’s disappointing since Volks already has made the hybrid sized DearSD and they don’t have this weird shoe fit issue, so I was expecting a more conventional solution. Of course, if it really bugs you it does seem possible to swap the mochi-ashi feet for MDD feet if you don’t mind the ankle gapping.
Because my gal was a D’Coord she arrived with a cute outfit including shoes, wig, and eyes. The ramune ponytail wig isn’t really my style so I didn’t bother to open it, but I couldn’t resist trying her cute outfit. Note that these shoes are basically DD sized, but this style seems intentionally bulky. I got a similar pair with my DDH-11 D’Coord from my Japan trip, and they look big even for DD shoes.
Meanwhile I was awaiting her arrival I ended up sewing a bunch of cute witch outfits! I don’t think I’ll get to dress up for Halloween this year, so this will have to do for now.