Similar Dolls

When a new toy line becomes successful, there are usually a bunch of cheaper copies created to look like the originals, and to sell like originals. This was no exception for the Jem dolls, there was all kinds of cheap imitations, which eventually more or less caused the Jem doll line to be discontinued, since it prevented the sales of the Jem dolls. Jem obviously made it's mark, and even today you can find new dolls that clearly inspired by Jem dolls.

Obvious bootlegs are mostly done by smaller companies, while the bigger ones tries to hide their attempts by making their own and a little different version of the original idea. Then of course there are those dolls that just happen to be lookalikes, and sometimes it's pretty much impossible to tell which ones are what.

Here are some examples of dolls that are similar to the Jem dolls in one way or another, either they are rockstars, have punk hair colors, or something else that reminds of Jem.

Barbie dolls

Barbie and the Rockers, 1985 by Mattel

Right after the Jem dolls were released in 1985, Mattel decided to give Barbie a rockband too, "Barbie and the Rockers", or "Barbie and the Rockstars" as in Europe.

Just like the Jem dolls, the Barbie and the Rockers dolls had an edition of the leadsinger with star earrings, there was a male doll with combable hair, the group had one black and one chinese member, the dolls came with a cassette with songs, and there was a Stage playset. The Jem dolls had more realistic and more bendable bodies, while Barbie and the Rockers had their "Real Dancing Action" edition of dolls.

There was even a Barbie and the Rockers cartoon made, which included stories with time traveling and fifties style theme, just like the Jem cartoon had already done. Both of the cartoons had music videos that were blended with the action.

With all the similarities, Barbie and the Rockers were still appearantly of lower quality, as could be expected since they were made in a hurry. The about 10 songs sang by Barbie and the Rockers in the cartoon, weren't presented with a title until the ending credits, and half were covers of old songs. While Jem and the Holograms sang almost a hundred songs in total, with no covers.

Barbie and the Rockers were the only band in their cartoon, loved by everyone in the whole world. At their worst, Barbie and the Rockers were tired or disappointed. Unlike Jem and the Holograms who had alot of competition from other bands and other characters against them in the Jem cartoon.

Today however there is no question about which of these 80's rockstar cartoons and dolls are more popular. At the auction site eBay for example, Barbie and the Rockers dolls hardly make it there, since they aren't selling. While Jem dolls are selling better than ever, and more expensive than ever. This is probably also how the sales would look today if Jem made a comeback into the toystores, even if Barbie and the Rockers made a copy-comeback.

Foam 'n Color Barbie, by Mattel

Barbie with pink or blue hair streaks.

Mermaid Barbie, 1994 by Mattel

When the rights to Disney's "Little Mermaid" went to Tyco, Mattel did the same thing as always, their own version, but with pink hair?

Beyond Pink Barbie, 1998 by Mattel

Ever since Barbie and the Rockers time, Mattel has continued to use the ideas and looks of Jem, on several more Barbie dolls. Only a few years ago when girls groups was the big thing, Mattel did it again, they responded with a rockband for Barbie, named Beyond Pink. Beyond Pink consists of Barbie and her friends Teresa and Christie. Mattel seemed to have learned from Jem, and also this time included a music cassette tape, with the song "Think Pink", and on the other side an instrumental version. This time the dolls even had parts of their hair in punk hair colors, and Barbie's dress even resembles Jem's.

Happenin' Hair Barbie, 1998 by Mattel

If you dip this Barbie's styling tools in cold water, you can stamp or stencil pink and purple hair tattoos. As usual there's a Teresa and Christie version also with punk hair colors.

Hula Hair Teresa, 1998 by Mattel

There's also Barbie and Christie, both with the haircolors pink, orange and yellow. But Teresa was the most interesting of them. Teresa has light brown hair, plus the "hula hair" with the three punk colors, red, blue and purple. The same three colors as the Holograms dolls, Kimber (red), Aja (blue), Shana (purple).

Hasbro dolls

After the Jem doll line was discontinued, Hasbro continued to use accessories from the Jem dolls, like bracelets and necklaces, on their other and new doll lines. It's possible there are even more similarities of Jem and other Hasbro dolls. These dolls are the closest other dolls can truly come to the the Jem dolls, since they're made by the same company.

Sindy, by Pedigree

An older version of Sindy, with the bigger head. From before Hasbro bought the rights to Sindy, and probably before Hasbro made the Jem dolls. It's suppose to be a space doll, with the pink hair, silver top, and pink skirt.

Maxie Dance 'n Romance, 1989 by Hasbro

Maxie was the name of the doll that inherited most things from the Jem dolls. Many of the ideas that was suppose to be used on the Jem dolls before the line was discontinued, are believed to instead have been used on the Maxie dolls. Maxie also had her own cartoon, in which many of the fashions the cartoon Maxie is wearing, appear to be ones that were released as Sindy doll fashions.

Sindy Paint-a-Picture, by Hasbro

This is an example of the newest version of Sindy's head. This doll came with three bracelets, a pink, a yellow, and a black. The armrings has the exact same shape as the armrings that came with the Clash doll from the Jem doll line.

Other dolls

Lace, by Creata

This doll is from the late 80's, right after the Jem dolls were released. The box says "The Celebrity Rock Star with Fashion & Fame", which is partly the same as in the Jem theme song. Other versions are a black doll with black hair and blonde bangs, and a blonde doll.

Popstyle Riviera, 1987

This is the most interesting of the dolls, it very much resembles Stormer. The flower in the blue curly hair, and that make up, makes you wonder if it doesn't possible have something to do with Jem, instead of just being a very well done copy. Unfortunately it comes with a head stand instead of a body. Had it come with a body, the mystery would easily had been solved. Anyone knows anything more about this doll?

Sailor Mercury, 1999 by IGEL

A blue haired sailor girl from the anime show, Sailor Moon. It seems that many fans of Sailor Moon are also fans of Jem. But are the shows really that alike, other than that both the main characters has a secret identity?


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