Licca-chan

Licca-chan
First appearanceJuly 4, 1967; 57 years ago (1967-07-04)
Created byMiyako Maki
In-universe information
Full nameLicca Kayama (香山リカ, Kayama Rika)[1]
NicknameLicca-chan

Licca-chan (リカちゃん, Rika-chan) is a Japanese fashion doll launched on July 4, 1967 by Takara,[1][2] created by former shōjo manga artist, Miyako Maki. Enjoying the same kind of popularity in Japan as the Barbie series does in the United States,[3] Takara had sold over 48 million Licca-chan dolls as of 2002,[1] and over 53 million as of 2007.[3]

Takara has provided an extensive background story for the Licca-chan doll, including an age (11), where she attends school, names and occupations for her parents, and her favorite books (Anne of Green Gables and A Little Princess). Licca-chan also likes Doraemon.[1]

In 2001, a pregnant adult version of Licca-chan was introduced which included a postcard the purchaser could send to Takara for a baby doll. The baby came with a key which allowed the doll to be returned to its standard proportions.[1][4] The release of the doll happened to coincide with the birth of Aiko, the daughter of Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan, a factor which helped boost the sales of the new doll.[4] Since then, other versions of Licca-chan have been introduced, including a new "Departure Licca", released just ahead of the 40th anniversary in 2007.[3] A Licca-chan video game was released for the Nintendo DS in Japan on November 29, 2007.[5] This game was later released in the U.S. on October 14, 2008 as Lovely Lisa.[6]

  1. ^ a b c d e (in English) "Licca-chan". Retrieved 2007-06-18.
  2. ^ (in English) "Super Doll Licca-chan". Hitoshi Doi. Retrieved 2007-06-17.
  3. ^ a b c (in English) "TOYS: Licca-chan turns 40, travels the world". Asahi Shimbun. 2007-04-19. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2007-06-18.
  4. ^ a b (in English) "Shoppers go ga-ga over pregnant doll". CNN. 2001-12-06. Archived from the original on 2007-10-30. Retrieved 2007-06-18.
  5. ^ "リカちゃんDs 女の子レッスン オシャレもおしごともおまかせ！｜タカラトミーゲーム情報局". Archived from the original on 2009-02-21. Retrieved 2009-03-03.
  6. ^ "Tomy USA - Welcome to the World of Tomy!". Archived from the original on 2009-02-19. Retrieved 2009-03-03.