Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Rie-chan's Song

Flight attendant Rie-chan is Licca-chan's sister and was introduced by Takara in 1972 with a storyline that is as rich as the doll's fashion style.

The websites Barbgirl and Cutiedolls mention Rie-chan reuniting with her mother Orie on a plane as the latter was on her way to a fashion design competition in Paris. Orie, suddenly not feeling well, was attended by Rie-chan whose specifically placed beauty mark quickly brought memories to Orie and the realization that the kind flight attendant was indeed her daughter. A storyline not unlike one enjoyed in a telenovela.

Early advertisements by Takara show Rie-chan's professional wardrobe options along with her younger sister following her footsteps. Others offer a colorful variety of dresses and gowns that capture the fun vibe of early 1970's fashion. But the ad that captures the joyful repercussion of the chance encounter on an airplane to Paris shows both Orie and younger daughter, Licca-chan together with Rie-chan. A happy family reunited at last.

Rie-chan's availability on the market was brief, from 1972-1974. Barbgirl conjectures that Takara reconsidered how the dramatic reunion would lead to questions as to why the daughter and mother had been separated for a considerable period. The same ambiguity that created the drama was perhaps the cause of Rie-chan's disappearance from the market. Ironically, the character's unexplained departure left dollectors in the same situation as her mother Orie had been prior to the coincidental meeting.





Dolldom wishes to play at extending Rie-chan's story and offers a photo portfolio showing the beautiful young woman, whose eyes are as full of dreams and illusions as ever, as a famous singer wearing a unique array of dresses designed for the Blythe doll (with whom Rie shares body dimensions) by the sensational Endangered Sissy.

Rie-chan is now free to sing melodies of love harmonious, of familial bonds, and of understanding one's role in the story written for us by fate.

Dolldom thanks Endangered Sissy and Pink Bubbles Doll Spa for making Rie-chan shine.