Project Cosplay, Supplemental Remix

Valley of the Dolls, Hosted by Royal T

Even the most seasoned fans of Japanese pop culture can always find something new to explore. This past weekend, thanks to collaboration with the Royal-T cafe, many were introduced to the Valley of the Dolls, the premier US retailer for Pullips, Blthye and Re-Ment dolls and figures. What are Pullips? I didnâ€™t know either, until I trooped down to Royal-T on Sunday to investigate (and spin a few tunes as part of the Tune in Tokyo, DJ crew!).

These dolls are no Barbies; they are all at once delicate, surreal and sometimes downright creepy. But no matter how they strike you, strike you they do. Many of them are so real, they could be anime characters come to life. They run the gamut of personas, from schoolgirls to elves to goth chic, many bringing to mind popular characters such as Nana or the gang from Paradise Kiss. These dolls as a whole tend to particularly appeal to the Gothic Lolita crowd, who flocked to Royal-T en masse to admire the impressive lineup of the cute and the disturbing. But anyone can appreciate the fine craftsmanship and imaginative flair which makes these dolls so addictive. And Royal-T was no slouch of a host, providing the perfect ultra-modern tea-and-cake atmosphere for a Loli party, as well as a screening room for the anime â€œRozen Maidenâ€ (which features dolls who really are alive).

Even if you do not have a lot of experience when it comes to the Japanese doll sub-culture, You will become a fast learner as Royal-T and Valley of the Dolls host other events in the near future!

For more information on Royal-T, visit www.royal-t.com. I was treated this weekend to their house milk tea, a delightful mix of vanilla and rose petals, and must highly recommend it!

For more information on Valley of the Dolls or to visit their retail store in Los Angeles, visit www.thevalleyofthedolls.com.

Check out more photos from the Valley of the Dolls events
Flickr Valley of the Dolls Flickr