Ai Ai Chan

The extremely rare and seemingly mythical…

Ai Ai Chan

Blythe was also sold in Japan under the name Ai Ai Chan (pronounced eye eye chan) and licensed by Tomy Company. Marketed as “Mahou no Hitomi Ai Ai Chan” meaning, “The eyes of magic Ai Ai Chan”. Unfortunately, the production numbers for Ai Ai Chan are unknown. Very few of these dolls have been found and these dolls are considered extremely rare.

Based on the few existing Ai Ai dolls, we do know a little about Ai Ai Chan. They appear to be the same dolls, as sold in other countries, but in different outfits and boxes. Their boxes show 7 dolls in unique outfits that were not sold in other countries. It is unknown if these outfits were sold separately, as the Kenner outfits were. The outfits resemble vintage Licca doll outfits, both in style and the polyester fabric used. It is also interesting to note that it appears that Ai Ai Chan dolls stock underwear looks like the white Licca underwear, as well. It is a completely different style of underwear compared to other Kenner Blythe dolls.

Outfits as shown on Ai Ai Chan boxes:
-Chunky bang redhead in white bridal gown with veil
-Chunky bang brunette in orange dress
-Side-part redhead in pink dress (packaging also shows chunky bang redhead in same dress)
-Side-part blonde in green top, pink skirted dress
-Side-part blonde in red and orange patterned dress
-Wispy bang raven in red checked dress with red head scarf
-Side-part redhead in orange, pink, and yellow patterned dress (similar, possibly faded version of red dress blonde is seen in)

Now, let’s discuss and dispel some rumors about Ai Ai Chan…

• Ai Ai is pronounced eh-eh or ay-ay.
  -False! It is pronounced eye-eye.
• All Ai Ai Chan dolls have shiny eyelids! So if I have a doll with shiny eyelids, she’s an Ai Ai!
  -Sadly, no: If your doll has shiny eyelids, while that is an interesting variation, it does NOT mean that she is definitely an Ai Ai Chan. Some I know has bought an Ai Ai Chan that was still with her box and stock, but this doll actually has matte eyelids. So, it would appear, based on that doll and some further research, that shiny eyelids are less common, but are NOT signifiers of an Ai Ai Chan.
• If my doll has 6 lines/7 lines/bright make-up, that means she’s an Ai Ai Chan.
  -Again, sadly not. Other than their clothing and box, Ai Ai Chan dolls are gorgeous and normal Kenner dolls. Some have been found with mint make up. However, these dolls were close to, if not actually, in mint condition. This can make the make-up seem nicer, because the dolls are in excellent condition. Without the box, stock outfit, or both, it can be extremely difficult to detect an Ai Ai Chan from a Kenner from another country.
• How do YOU know any of this anyway? I’ve read otherwise, so you must be wrong!
  -Years of research, searching around the internet, combined knowing someone with an Ai Ai Chan, who has shared many photos and answered a plethora of questions. As more dolls are found and/or more information is located, this page will be updated.

  

Overall, here’s a quick recap of information about Ai Ai Chan compared to Kenners, so far:

Similarities
-Same white X-shaped stand
-Same style shoes
-Same doll with original stock hair style, a braid, secured with a bobby pin
-Hole in back of box for string and pull-ring trial
-Same make-up colors
-Same hair colors
-Same number of lines on back (6 or 7 lines) – more info regarding lines here.
-Dolls attached to box with twist tie

Differences
-Dresses have different prints and styles to Kenners
-Underwear style and color
-Completely different style box
-Licensed by TOMY
-Only two dress styles vs. the variety styles available to Kenners
-Quality of fabrics used on dresses
-Shoes were not on doll when purchased; the shoes were in a small bag near the stand inside the box

Currently Unclear
-Were dresses sold separately, or were they only available via purchasing a doll?
-Were dolls sold with all the different hair styles? Were all hair styles offered? For example: were side-part brunette Ai Ai Chan dolls sold?