First off let me say this: These are NOT toys! It's not just a doll, it's truly an adventure, and for many who have taken up this hobby, it becomes an obsession. If you're looking here, you are probably already realizing there are a million options and you could spend more than a million dollars collecting these little buggers. This guide is to give some basic info and get you started on your quest for the ultimate 27cm ball jointed doll.

Ball jointed dolls actually come in two main sizes: 27cm and 60 cm. The 27 cm dolls are roughly equivalent in size to Barbie - that's 11 1/2 inches for those of you not using the metric system :). The 60 cm dolls are expensive ($200.00 minimum for a basic model) and will be covered in a separate guide.

The comparison between Barbie and these 27cm ball jointed dolls ends at the size. Ball jointed dolls are FULLY customizable, and generally not used as playthings for small children. These are collectors items, and as such, can get quite pricey.

They usually come from Japan, and their makers do not have easy to navigate websites. Here on Ebay, it is very easy to find what you are looking for using the right search criteria. You'll probably want to start with "Obitsu", who is one of the most popular manufacturers. Obitsu and Dollfie (not Super Dollfie or Mini Super Dollfie!) are very similar in nature. They are both made of a high tech plastic/resin compound which makes for a very durable doll. The newest models can be found with a life like skin covering the entire body - but be warned: while the skin looks and feels great, it also picks up stains, dirt and fingerprints that may not easily come off. The figures also come in different skin tones - everything from completely clear to dark. The bodies are available with and without magnets in the feet. I recommend a visit to The Junky Spot Ebay store for a complete tutorial regarding the differnt body models from Obitsu. The Junky Spot is FANTASTIC for finding info and buying dolls and doll parts and accessories. A basic 27cm body should not cost more than $40.00 American. It may or may not come with a head. Heads can be purchased separately for between $7.00 and, well, frankly, a hundred dollars for a really spectacular one that is an artisan completed one.

Dolls do NOT usually come with faces. The heads are "blank", no eyes, no coloring, and some models just give the hint of a nose! There are hundreds to choose from! Most heads will fit on any body from any manufacturer, which gives you as a designer nearly unlimited choices. Heads can be purchased that are proportionate in size to the body or overly large. Different manufacturers offer different options for head sizes, but almost all bodies come with a neck pece that you can change in order to allow for  differently sized heads to be attached.

New head models now come with eyeholes. You can find an enourmous selection of eyes on Ebay from various different members and stores. Be careful, though - some really fabulous glass eyes that will fit these dolls are VERY diffucult to put in! Even using the eye putty that many sellers carry can be difficult if the eyes were not designed specifically for these types of dolls. Look for an eye that has a small hollow circular plastic piece that sticks out at the back - they are BY FAR the easiest to handle. You don't need the special tool that many people sell in order to "install" the eyes, but it is handy to have. Most of the original head models were designed to accept eye decals. There are also hundreds of decals available, but for a truly life like look, you would want to use glass, acrylic, or plastic eyes. The eye decals will usually give a distinctly "anime" look to your doll, and if that's what you're going for, by all means get the best you can afford, regardless of how many come on the sheet! You may end up with 70 pairs of eye decals, but if you want a specific set and can only find it on a sheet of 72, BUY it. You'll probably never find just one set of two eye decals that are exactly what you want. Eyes range in price from a few dollars to $40 or even $50 for a holographic set, but those are very hard to find in the right size. You should be looking for 6mm - 10mm depnding on the head. The seller you puraches your head from should be explicit about the size eyes the head will accept. Eyes that are 2mm too large will NOT fit, no matter how hard you try to queeze them in, and you'll end up breaking them.

Hair is another matter completely. There are more types of wigs and hair than there are bodies, heads, and eyes combined. If you can imagine it, someone makes it, and I think every one of them must have it up for sale on Ebay! It is easiest to use a prerooted head, that is one that comes with the hair sticking out of it and all you have to do is cut it to your desired style. There are some prerooted heads that are already styled, but that kind of takes the fun out of it. You can find all the natural colors of hair as well as every "unnatural" shade you can think of. Prerooted heads do not yet come with eyeholes, so you're looking at using decals for eyes, or if you're real adventurous, either opening up the head or drilling eyeholes. This is not for the faint of heart. There may not be a more strange sensation than slicing into a head you may well ruin, and that you've just paid good money for, in order to get your eyes in. There is another option.

Wigs are great. Wigs come in everything from synthetic hair that resembles Barbie hair to fur that resembles, well, fur. There is also fur that resembles messy hair, and fur that looks like an anime character's hair. Lots of sellers offer wigs. Styles, colors, and combinations of colors are plentiful. Again, be careful on sizing, and be sure it fits the head you've chosen. Or choose a head to fit the wig! Price ranges from $6 to roughly $40 for a really high quality, styled wig.

One thing your special doll will need for sure is clothes, and there are not a lot of sellers that deal specifically with clothes for the 27cm doll that are reasonably priced. You can find many that are upwards of $50.00, and I have never seen an outfit that didn't WOW me with craftsmanship, but keep in mind these types of clothes are artisan made. Lots of time, effort, and love goes into making those spectacular outfits, and you are going to pay for that. Your best bet as a beginner is to look for Barbie clothes. There are MANY sellers on Ebay who offer Barbie clothes, and most if not all will fit your 27cm doll. You do need to be careful about shoes. Some Barbie shoes will fit very well, but others are way too big or way too small. Ball jointed dolls have FLAT feet - NOT the pointy toes like the original Barbie. I know some of the new Barbies have flat feet, but the shoes for those dolls are usually VERY big on an Obitsu or a Dollfie. I would encourage anyone interested in these dolls to try making some clothes - you can find patterns here on Ebay as well. Another option to search for is "Jenny" clothes. "Jenny" is a Barbie type doll popular in other parts of the world. She has a different sense of style than Barbie, and her clothes are a bit more pricey, but they're worth it. If you're looking for a kimono or a schoolgirl outfit, search "Jenny" on Ebay.

The best search terms to use when looking for these dolls are "27cm", "obitsu", and to branch out a bit, "dollfie". You do need to watch your sizes, tho. The Super Dollfie and Mini Super Dollfie are NOT the same! When you see prices ranging up into the hundreds and thousands, you have probably left the realm of 27cm dolls and moved into the larger 60cm variety.

I HIGHLY recommend Junky Spot, as they have always been top notch in both selection and service. Very fast shipping, too. I have also used mimiwoo for many of my purchases, who seems to get her stuff here incredibly fast, considering it ships from Japan - usually only two days behind Junky Spot when ordered on the same day. And when you're waiting for your eyes or your head to arrive, speed is everything!

Please feel free to ask questions. Be advised I do not sell any of my dolls.

Happy shopping and good luck on your adventure!