Homework Help

[soc_puppet]

Yeah, so, will get to other comments and stuff later, but right now I want volunteers!

I am seeking opinions on the No Action Figures of Strong Female Characters situation that I can quote in a paper for Comp II. Contributors will remain anonymous for safety reasons. If you can offer an opinion on these, or portrayal of female characters in cartoons in general - especially cartoons aimed at the 10-14 age range - I'd love to hear it and use it if possible.

Please? ♥?

Comments

[abarero]

The sad fact of the matter when it comes to marketing "strong female characters" is that they are either a) in a "boy's show" and therefore considered moot when it comes to putting out merchandise or b) marketed incorrectly.

Take for example the merchandise for Kim Possible, a show that is about a kick-ass female who saves the world on a daily basis while the co-star (the "lead male" if you will) is nothing more than comic relief and often is the "damsel in distress" that Kim must save. So you'd think, there would be lots of "Kick Ass" merchandise for Kim right?

Nope. Not in the least bit. Take a look at the basic line that is closest to being considered "action figures" at their 4-inch size:
1) Shopping Friends Set
includes: KIM & MONIQUE 4" FIGURES
2 Club Banana Outfits, 2 Club Banana Shopping Bags, 2 Pairs of Sunglasses, 2 Credit Cards, 1 Club Banana Purse, Cell Phone, Hair Brush

2) Fast Food Friends Set
includes: KIM & RON 4" FIGURES
2 Bueno Nacho Uniforms, 2 Bueno Nacho Drinks, 2 Tacos, Plate of Nachos, Bueno Nacho Menu, Food Tray, Hair Brush

(A note, these outfits appear in ONE episode of the series ONLY. Very early first-season at that)

3) First Date set
includes: KIM & JOSH 4" FIGURES
Hair Brush, Purse, flowers, popcorn, 2 Movie Tickets, 2 Drinks, Tray

4) Kim & Bonnie Set
includes 2 outfits, brush, shoes

5) MIDDLETON MUSEUM CAPER Set
includes: Kim & Ron
Necklace, Secret Jewel Decoder, Egyptian Staff, 2 bracelet cuff jewels, Head Jewels, Hair Brush

This is the ONLY set that comes with Kim's "mission" clothes and yet they still manage to put jewelry in it via the museum artifacts.

Part of the appeal of the show is that Kim is a strong, kick-ass female who just happens to be a normal high-school cheerleader. The marketing focuses on the "girly" aspects and basically ignores the main concept- that girls can kick ass too. Just proof that it isn't only the marketers for "boy's shows" that have "girls that kick ass" marketing problems.

[soc_puppet]

...Wow. Ow. Those stats kinda hurt a lot. They made a Bonnie doll/figure? Tell me they've made Shego or Draken. Please.

Anyway, A++ info, thanks for supplying!

[abarero]

Sad fact- the only Drakken and Shego was part of the McDonald's Happy Meal toys and a group set of the cast that was a Disney Store exclusive(at least in terms of figures released in the US. I think there's a TOMY line of small figures that has them). Yes, they've made a Josh and a Bonnie before making a 4-inch Shego or Drakken. Fail, marketers, fail.

No prob! This situation is something that I lament 99.9% of the times I go into a toy store anymore XD;

[soc_puppet]

That. That is very sad. But at least the Disney Store exclusive exists at all? And yes, that is so, so fail.

So true! I always end up taking a trip into the action figure aisle, and then being sad.