The Difference Between Figure and Doll

The terms figure and doll are often used interchangeably, but there is a clear difference between the two. A figure is a small carved or molded figure, a statuette, while a doll is a toy in the form of a human. Dolls usually have exchangeable clothes and brushed hair, and are often decorated with acrylic paints. On the other hand, action figures are typically articulated and can be posed to mimic various actions. This distinction between dolls and action figures is important for toy collectors, as many collectable toys are classified as one or the other, based on the intended use of the item.

The distinction between action figures and dolls is sometimes blurry, especially with modern toy companies producing lines of collectibles based on movie characters, musicians and athletes. The line between these figures and dolls is also influenced by marketing and stereotypes. For example, Barbie dolls have long been seen as being a toy for girls, but GI Joe was marketed as a male counterpart and coined the term “action figure” in 1964.

There are some distinct differences between action figures and dolls, mainly in the points of articulation. For a toy to be considered an action figure, it must have at least four to five points of articulation. This allows the toy to be posed in various poses, which is important for role-playing or display. A figure without articulation is more of a figurine or statue than an action figure.

However, this criterion is not always accurate. Some action figures have less than four to five points of articulation, and are still considered action figures. The defining characteristic of an action figure is the ability to be posed, so even toys that are not intended for play, like a bobble head or an anime figurine, are considered to be action figures.

Another determining factor is the accessories that come with an action figure. For example, the original GI Joe dolls were sold with military uniforms and dog tags, which makes them different from regular Barbie dolls. In fact, there are some Barbie dolls that can pass for action figures, such as the Stars and Stripes collection, which comes with Army-themed outfits for Barbie and Ken.

Some action figure lines have also included a “build-a-figure” concept, which encourages the consumer to buy all of the figures in the series in order to complete a larger version of the character. This is common in Marvel Legends toys, for example.

Of course, it is important to remember that the difference between a doll and an action figure is mostly created by toy companies for marketing purposes. Most children will not care that a toy is labeled as a doll or an action figure, and will likely play with it regardless of its classification. However, for collectors, the distinction is important, as many of them don’t play with their toys and rely on the labels to categorize them for storage and display.