Monster High getting a less scary reboot this fall.

[Werewolf]

It can be depressing, but I suppose most kids don't care.

Collectors new to the line, probably not. But, from what I can tell, the changes seem to be fairly unpopular with a wide range of ages of current MH collectors.

[PNGwynne]

I have some empathy with you. I recall shopping for 12" male dolls and seeing the quality and design shortcuts appear for lower price points as the lines "progressed." It can be depressing, but I suppose most kids don't care.

[Werewolf]

Saw the cheapest level budget dolls in person at Walmart today. There's Draculaura and Frankie in assortment. Even at $5 I couldn't bring myself to get them. They just look so bland and poor quality.

[PNGwynne]

Hasbro made similar streamlining changes in 12" GI Joes, but at least retained articulation. Max Steel was guilty of it, too--even more so. It's the cheap way out.

I'm disappointed by these core concept changes to MH--many of the characters were cleverly conceived, though some recent ones became strained.

I wanted to collect the male dolls in this line, but it just became too daunting and expensive.

[Werewolf]

I'm seeing pictures and reports of the budget versions of the reboot's "How do your boo?" theme hitting Walmart.

From what I've seen, the quality is terrible.

The articulation has been just about all removed in the lowest $6 level. No elbows, ball shoulders, wrists, knees, etc. Worse, the shoes and tops are molded on. I realize these are the cheapest budget versions but they look worse than the MH bootlegs you see at the dollar stores.

There is a step up $10 budget level that retains the jointed knees of the original dolls but has the same poor level of arm articulation as the other new budget dolls. Cleo's mummy wrappings are now molded into the doll and unpainted and so are Frankie's stitches. At least they retain real shoes and fabric dresses at this level. Very cheap and simple one piece printed dresses, but still actual fabric.

The original $10 budget themes, like High Ghoul Fair, used to include full articulation as well as decent clothes and an accessory.

[Werewolf]

I'm looking at the old Frankie vs. the new in the article and it's like Mattel is trying to hide her scars.

I noticed that too. Her scars are really faint now.

Mattel changed MH from your freaky flaws makes you unique to you have to hide what makes you unique and conform. That and shunning girls people think aren't pretty enough or too scary.

[jwyblejr]

Yes, cuter, blander, less scary and more Disney Princessy. Plus dropping characters not deemed cute enough or too scary, like Ghoulia, to fit in with their new Disney Princess aesthetic.

http://www.culturehoney.com/monster-...tors-thoughts/

I'm looking at the old Frankie vs. the new in the article and it's like Mattel is trying to hide her scars.

[Falstaff13]

Cyrano De Ghoulia

I knew Werewolf would have it! Thanks!

[Nostalgiabuff]

that's a shame. It really was a great, unique toy line. My ,little girl loved these from the time she was 5 until about 11 when she started aging out. still has over a hundred of them on display in her room

[thunderbolt]

Mattel also has the DCU girl line, unless that is already feeling the batman V Superman backlash.

[Werewolf]

or even the ghosts with chains - they will indeed lose the spark that made creepy and odd an analogy to the unique nature of every child (or toy collector).

Spectra is gone too.

[rche]

.....I think most MH fans could probably deal with a cuter MH. But the characters are not just cuter versions of themselves. I the pics I've seen, the new dolls look so bland, cheap and dull. The designs are missing all the originality and spark of what made MH toys so cool, unique and fun.

If they get rid of things like the cthulu octopus gal, or Irene, or even the ghosts with chains - they will indeed lose the spark that made creepy and odd an analogy to the unique nature of every child (or toy collector).

[Werewolf]

Really sucks to lose Ghoulia - she was my favorite as well.

Yeah, the idea that the nerdy girl with glasses isn't good enough to be in the new "pretty" MH kinda sucks. I've seen the release listings for the reboot toys and she is not in it.

I get that Mattel is feeling the sting of losing the Disney Princess license. But they already have Ever After High for the Princess demographics. Forcing a princess make over onto MH doesn't really seem like a good fit to me. I think most MH fans could probably deal with a cuter MH. But the characters are not just cuter versions of themselves. In the pics I've seen, the new dolls look so bland, cheap and dull. The designs are missing all the originality and spark of what made MH toys so cool, unique and fun.

[rche]

looking at the teaser reel seems to indicate they are still on the freaky differences bandwagon, but just wanting to cutsie it up a bit. The (even) larger anime eyes and brow treatment are certainly a bit softer than what was originally on the dolls. But - the teaser reel was touting the fact that monster was just a term to mean individual. So I am still thinking that freaky flaws are still part of the storyline; maybe they are just a little less freaky.

I am wondering if there is a demographic shift in the purchasers. I know my own daughter, who has been into this line from the beginning, is aging out of wanting fashion type dolls. She says she still likes them and usually takes a peek to see if there is anything new on the shelf when we go by the toy isles, but then states she does not really want any more MH because she is 'out of room' and 'wants more room for her art'. So that makes me wonder if the kid population (not the adult collectors) that was buying these has sort of shifted gears and the execs are trying to tap into the next generation, so to speak. Maybe one that had a whole lot of ice princesses??

I know the last things my daughter was interested in were the sea creatures and the hybrids. We all thought those were pretty clever, tho I admit we have not seen the corresponding movies or shows.

Really sucks to lose Ghoulia - she was my favorite as well. Hard to believe they would drop one of the early characters like that. She was the second SDCC exclusive (and one of the best). I hope there will be enough unrest to bring her back into the fold. I am supposing there will be a new onslaught of werecats with bigger eyes and raised eyebrows.

[Werewolf]

I found a copy of the sizzle reel Mattel quickly pulled after the extreme negative reaction from MH fans and collectors.

"How do you boo?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awYPL3CUL5k