Review: 25th Anniversary Rainbow Brite 10" Doll

Posted by Lindsay

I was a girl in the 80's, so that explains why I like Rainbow Brite. 

Rainbow Brite was fundamentally a surreal children's cartoon about little kids with power over the elemental forces of nature, and occasionally they travel in space or battle pure evil.  That explains why Erin doesn't mind when I want to talk about Rainbow Brite.

There was quite a bit of fan griping when these redesigned dolls were released early in 2010, but I think she's kinda cute.  Very different, still cute.

Rainbow (and Moonglow and Tickled Pink) was released by Playmates.

Appearance and Construction: 9/10

Whether or not you like the design, it's pretty well put together.

I actually really like her new costume, and as a fashion doll collector, I can't exactly complain that she's a fashion doll instead of an old school rag doll. 

There are some imperfections in the dress around the belt, but the belt is cute, the gauntlets connect to the old design while looking great, and the big chunky boots just win.  The paint is clear and bright, and her dress is a great color.

Be aware, though, that I did see some in the store that had larger problems in the construction of the dress, so take a look before you buy.

I also like the super primary colored hair, although my personal fan gripe is that the star on her cheek should be purple.

See new 10" doll vs. doll from the 80's:

Packaging and Accessories: ---

Cute packaging, highlighting the rainbow motif, although I'm not keen on the "new story" from the back.

Rainbow comes just with her costume, which is entirely removable, revealing a highly amusing training bra.  Okay, whatever.

Dress, wristguards, boots.  Simple, straightforward.  According to the art, she should some with a wand, but I don't really care.

Play and Display:  -1

Rainbow is a very simple doll, with a cut at the neck, ball-jointed shoulders, hips which look like a cut, but also have some outward splay (for horse riding), and 3-click knee joints.  I wish that her arms were in a more attractive or flexible pose, I don't really love them in any position.

Her point loss, however, is because for a fashion doll, her accessories are poorly designed.  Her bracelet-things don't stay on her arms, while her boots are very difficult to get on or off. 

I'm a firm believer that pieces like these should either go on and off easily and feel secure when on, or just be permanently attached to the doll.  I foresee the bracelets being lost very quickly in any child's hands.

Special Section: Discussion of Custom Potential

Now why did I pick up a new design Rainbow Brite? 
Why, because I might decide to transform her, of course. 

But not into another character, just into a more bad-ass version of herself. 

Rainbow Brite in the old cartoon show, after all, was around 3-5 years old, and already responsible for things like "Spring", and "All light reaching the Earth."  The first episode is freaky, and implies that she volunteered to come alone to a dimension of Darkness, facing death to try to save it.  To do this, she has to locate an ancient artifact, and fight monsters.  For a cartoon aimed at little girls, it was hardcore.

By the time she reaches eleven, she should be an intergalactic force for good.  I haven't decided how to portray that in doll form yet, but she'll stick around in case I do.

Price Tag and Final Analysis: 8/10

These dolls have not sold well, and scuttlebutt on the internet is that Playmates is not continuing the line.  However, instead of being discounted, in New York the dolls have started to just disappear from shelves. 

So I decided to give in and paid the full price of 14.99, which I do think is a bit much. Ah well, better to have her now and sigh later when she gets cheaper than to hold off and then only see her overpriced on eBay.

Incidentally, If you have any doubts that a color-based heroine should be out protecting the galaxy, I know some folks who'd like to have a chat with you.

Whee!  Other Sites: Blue Fairy's Bookshelf (book and comic reviews), The Middle Room (geek and movie blog),
and SOON there will be another novel we'll be encouraging you to buy.  Be patient.