Defining an "action figure"

[HardyGirl]

Hi guys. Today I was watching one of my favorite shows, "Clean House" and some guy said the difference between a doll and an action figure was you can't take the clothes off an action figure. Now seeing as how we all like Megos, this is nothing short of obsurd, isn't it?

Opinions? Comments?

[huedell]

Hi guys. Today I was watching one of my favorite shows, "Clean House" and some guy said the difference between a doll and an action figure was you can't take the clothes off an action figure. Now seeing as how we all like Megos, this is nothing short of obsurd, isn't it?

Opinions? Comments?

My opinion is ---he's right

In my eyes any way----as that's how I define them

But you can't sell "dolls" to boys as easily as you can
sell "action figures"

As far as I'm concened---calling Megos "action figures" is a
liberty taken for marketing purposes

[JPkempo]

If it's for a boy action figure a girl it's a doll.

[The Toyroom]

The term "action figure" was coined by Hasbro for G.I. Joe because boys wouldn't play with a "doll".

[megoat]

When I was a kid, this was exactly as I saw it. I had Star Wars FIGURES, but I had Super Hero DOLLS. I still call Megos "Dolls" to this day....

[megocrazy]

They're not dolls they're action figures!!!

[Mikey]

When I was a tike, I considered my Rrrumblers rubber men "action figures"

I think it all depends on who you are asking and what their criteria is.

[toys2cool]

If it's for a boy action figure a girl it's a doll.

That's the way i see it

[misterdroid]

Hasbro coined the term "Action Figure" to sell joes. A clothed soldier doll. That moots the point of the clothed/unclothed debate.
In my opinion an action figure is a toy figure with molded on clothing or scale fabric clothes, and the character is paramount to the clothing.
A doll on the other hand, is a mannequin whose identity hinges upon it's clothing (molded or otherwise)
Keep in mind, these are my opinions and my opinions only, and are the product of years of justification.
Example: Barbie has no inherent identity. If she is wearing her lawyer outfit, she is a lawyer. Housewife outfit? she is a housewife. Base Jumper outfit? She is into extreme sports. Party outfit...umm...she's going to a party.
Example: GI Joe has the basic premise he is a soldier. Hence the original releases are merely different permutations of a soldier. *However* the early joe also has no real identity other than job description, and it CAN easily be argued he is still a doll with a fancy title.
Example: Johnny West... molded clothes, all plastic. Action Figure?
Example: Polly Pocket...molded clothes, all plastic. Action Figure?

You know what... I think I just defeated myself in a one man debate. I'm sad. I revoke my opinions and reopen discussion... Nothing to see here, carry on.

[huedell]

Polly Pocket...molded clothes, all plastic. Action Figure?

This Polly Pocket you speak of...I'd call her a "figure" as opposed to an "action figure"

regardless of what she REALLY is (opinion, I guess)---the idea of girl-oriented figures
with molded clothes---is an interesting twist on this subject/debate

[UnderdogDJLSW]

Would the fat bodies on Megos be called In-Action Figures?

To me a doll is like the ones that say "mama" and the eyelids close when you tilt them. I've actually have probably referred to my kid's Disney princesses (like Barbies) as dolls, but never really noticed that I have. I have also just said "figures" when referring to WGSH and such, dropping the "action" part.

[livnxxxl]

If it's for a boy action figure a girl it's a doll.

That is the same thought that I have as well.

[SlipperyLilSuckers]

That is the same thought that I have as well.

So, if a Mego belongs to a girl, it's a doll, but if it belongs to a boy it's an action figure? Or were Megos just made for boys?

[thunderbolt]

Mrs. TBolt calls them dolls, Mego and my customs. Since the wife is always right, I guess that's what they are.

[4NDR01D]

I think it depends on what you do with it, dolls are made for children to mimic parenting skills or everyday adult responsibilities (put the baby to bed, send Barbie to the mall in her corvette), where as action figures are made to re-enact action/adventure senario's (Green Goblin's kidnapped Mary-Jane, GI Joe is in battle) etc. Slapping an adventuer outfit on Barbie doesn't make her an action figure just as putting Joes in a doll house doesn't make them dolls. It's the original intent of the manufactures that determn it for me, Itsy Bitsy Baby= doll. Voltron=figure. and if it falls too deep into the void that seperates the two, such as Stretch Armstrong, then it's just a toy.