Pin Preview - Seasons Greetings 2015 Mystery Set

After quite a long time, we have a pin preview of something to come this holiday season. The Seasons Greetings 2015 Mystery Set will feature Disney Princesses like Elsa, Belle and Tiana - but also includes Jessica Rabbit. There is no word on how many characters will be in the set, but the front package does state that there are chaser pins, so there's no telling yet which characters will be included. All the pins are shaped like a different snowflake, each other filled with a different glitter color. Jessica's boarder is pink with silver heart shapes. She is in a silver bordered oval in the center. The pose seems to be similar to her Valentine's Day 2005 pin. There's no word on price or edition size, but it is marked as Limited Edition. Thanks to José for spotting this on the GenEARationD Facebook page.

Jasmine 17 Inch Doll Revealed

The new 17 Inch Limited Edition Heirloom Collection doll has be revealed, and as speculated it is Princess Jasmine from Aladdin. Her dress is altered from the one she wears in the movie, which is customary with most of the 17 Inch dolls in the line. Disney's own description:
"The beautifully-designed doll captures Princess Jasmine's exotic elegance in every exquisite detail."

Pre-sale for the doll has two different dates. It starts In Stores on Tuesday, August 4th and then on the Disney Store website Wednesday August 5th. They will retail for $119.95 in the US. The strong rumor around the internet is that there will be an Aladdin doll, and also a D23 Exclusive version of Jasmine as Jafar's Prisoner in her red outfit. There was speculation of a Jafar doll because there have been villains, but they have been female villains in the past, so its unsure if he will be released.

Flashback Friday - The Totally unOfficial Toonography Of Jessica Rabbit Part Five

The Totally unOfficial Toonography of Jessica Rabbit was a big project I embarked on in an effort to preserve the character and tell a lot more of her story through the happenings at the time, and from Disney artist interviews. This six part documentary slideshow reveals some information about Jessica, her creation, merchandise and history.

Part 5: Girl Power
A look at Jessica's creation, her impact on female characters and figure collecting, and the many others who had a hand in making the industry what it is today.

The Merida Makeover Debate

The internet has been buzzing over the newest princess to be inducted to the Disney Royal Court. Merida is the star of the movie Brave, and the character was celebrated for being just that. She also had a strong distaste for fancy dresses and it wasn't her style to be primped and frilly. However, Disney changed all that and has "princessized" Merida by giving her shapely and darker eyes, a slimmer waist, and a fancy dress. Her flowing hair even seems to cover up her rounder face more. People are insulted, outraged and disappointed in this new change - including the very writer/co-director of Brave herself, Brenda Chapman:
"Because of marketing, little girls gravitate toward princess products, so my goal was to offer up a different kind of princess — a stronger princess that both mothers and daughters could relate to, so mothers wouldn't be pulling their hair out when their little girls were trying to dress or act like this princess. Instead they'd be like, ‘Yeah, you go girl!’ Disney marketing and the powers that be that allow them to do such things should be ashamed of themselves. They have been handed an opportunity on a silver platter to give their consumers something of more substance and quality — THAT WILL STILL SELL — and they have a total disregard for it in the name of their narrow minded view of what will make money. I forget that Disney's goal is to make money without concern for integrity. Silly me.”

Disney's official statement on the matter reads:
"Merida exemplifies what it means to be a Disney Princess through being brave, passionate, and confident and she remains the same strong and determined Merida from the movie whose inner qualities have inspired moms and daughters around the world."

While I was not bothered by the makeover at first, the very idea that Disney would present a character in a way that goes against the values of what that character is about from her very own movie (Disney's movie) is extremely disappointing. Merida might not be your favorite character, but if this kind of thing happens now - it will happen again. All of the Disney Princesses have gone through a makeover, to have fuller hair and new gowns. Some people feel it is overkill, some don't mind the change, but everyone was left wondering why there was a need by Disney to make a princess even prettier.

If you don't agree with Disney's redesign of the Merida character and want to make a change, please CLICK HERE to view and sign the petition, which is rapidly nearing it's signatures goal.