Every year the doll hobby has its own personality. Some years feel slow and quiet, others explode with new ideas, sculpts, and trends. Looking back, 2025 felt like a year of abundance sometimes exciting, sometimes overwhelming, and always interesting.Here are a few of the things that stood out the most.
Fantasy resin everywhere
Fantasy resin continued to rise in popularity this year and honestly, it was hard not to be tempted. We saw pearlescent and opalescent pours, translucent, and color-shift resins.
Fantasy resin has always existed, but in 2025 it felt more mainstream. Companies leaned into it as a way to make familiar sculpts feel new again, and collectors embraced resin as part of the artistry, not just the base material. Of course, it also raised questions about availability, exclusivity, and decision fatigue but there’s no denying how visually stunning some of these releases were.
The rise of blind box BJDs
Blind box BJDs truly found their footing this year. What used to feel niche or experimental became a full-blown trend:
affordable entry points
smaller sizes with big personality
the thrill of surprise paired with collectability
For many people, blind box dolls lowered the barrier to entry and added a playful, low-pressure way to engage with the hobby. At the same time, they introduced a new kind of temptation one that made collections grow faster than expected.
They’re fun, charming, and a little dangerous in the best way.
The Labubu invasion
If there’s one face that felt everywhere in 2025, it was Labubu. Suddenly, they were on desks, at work, in schools, in doll rooms, in every instagram photoshoot, in bags and on shelves.
Whether you adore them or don’t quite get the hype, Labubu’s takeover showed how strongly designer toys and BJDs continue to overlap. The line between “doll,” “art toy,” and “companion collectible” feels blurrier than ever and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
The ever-growing collection
With all these trends happening at once, many collectors noticed the same thing, their collections grew.
Sometimes intentionally. Sometimes accidentally. Sometimes faster than expected. It encouraged many of us to reflect on what we truly enjoy versus what we feel pressured to keep up with. Growth isn’t inherently bad but mindfulness matters.
Looking ahead
If 2025 taught us anything, it’s that the doll hobby is constantly evolving. New formats, new materials, and new aesthetics continue to reshape how we collect and connect.
As we move forward, maybe the goal isn’t to chase every trend but to notice which ones genuinely spark joy, curiosity, or inspiration. And to make space( literally and figuratively) for the dolls that matter most.
2026 Predictions
A resurgence of BJD YouTube
One of my biggest hopes for 2026 is seeing BJD YouTube grow again. There was a time when box openings felt like events, sculpt reviews helped people decide thoughtfully, customization videos inspired learning, not comparison. Creators felt like familiar voices in the community. Short-form content is fun and fast, but YouTube offers something different space for depth, personality, and process. I’d love to see more creators (new and returning) feel encouraged to share reviews, sewing,crafting, doll room tours and casual chats about the hobby. Long-form content has a way of making the hobby feel communal again.
Re-releases of beloved sculpts
Another big wish for 2026: more re-releases of favorite sculpts. So many collectors discover the hobby after iconic dolls have long sold out. Re-releases make the hobby more accessible, reduce pressure in the secondhand market and give new collectors a fair chance. Not everything needs to be limited forever. Sometimes bringing a sculpt back is a gift and a reminder that getting a doll doesn’t have to be a race.
Creativity over constant novelty
New releases will always be part of the hobby, but I’d love to see more focus on styling and customization, more appreciation for older dolls, more creativity spotlighted over “what’s new this week”. Some of the most inspiring work comes from dolls that have been owned and loved for years. I gush over people's tales of getting their long admired doll or their character's backstories.
Community that feels welcoming, not competitive
Whether online or in person, I hope 2026 brings more encouragement, more comments/engagement more curiosity and less comparison.
The hobby is big enough for many styles, budgets, aesthetics, and levels of involvement. Community thrives when people feel safe to enjoy dolls their own way.
Conclusion
The doll hobby has always changed and that’s part of its magic. As we move into 2026, my hope is that alongside innovation, we also keep room for nostalgia, accessibility, creativity, and genuine connection.
Here’s to a year of rediscovery, thoughtful collecting, and community that feels like home.
If you’d like to share: What are you hoping to see in the doll hobby in 2026?
Add comment
Comments