Bratz Series 3 and Funky Fashion Furniture Retro-Swing Chair: A Lookin' Bratz Review!
Bratz Series 3 Dana, Felicia, Tiana, Fianna, and Koby
Hey Angelz!
Aside from the Tweevils launch this past April, we haven’t had any new Bratz releases since last Fall. Most companies, including MGA Entertainment, shifted their Spring lineups to Fall in hopes that sales would do better for the holiday season. With this, all playline Bratz releases were moved—this led to a lot of confusion with fans and collectors excited for more Bratz reproductions like the upcoming Pretty ‘N’ Punk line. Along with PNP, the other reproduction collection on the tip of nearly every Bratz fan’s mouth is the Series 3 collection. While most of the Fall lineup for Bratz was expected to commence by July 23rd, Amazon surprise-dropped the Series 3 dolls on July 11th leaving collectors in a frenzy to purchase the freshly reproduced dolls.
Why is Series 3 being lauded as one of the biggest doll releases this season? Well, if you didn’t already know, MGA has been slowly reproducing and reintroducing beloved characters from the Bratz brand with their “Core Series” line since 2021’s 20 Yearz Special Edition collection consisting of the core four Bratz girls and Cameron in their debut fashion looks. The following year, fans were surprised to see reproductions of five secondary characters (Meygan, Kiana, Kumi, Nevra, and Dylan) from the brand’s prime years with the Series 2 collection. Now, almost nine months later, MGA has officially released their Series 3 lineup—Dana, Felicia, Tiana, Fianna, and Koby!
The Bratz team at MGA Entertainment was kind enough to send me the full Series 3 line plus the Funky Fashion Furniture Retro-Swing Chair reproduction playset, and I am so excited to finally share my thoughts and options about this release! Keep reading for a detailed review on the Bratz Series 3 dolls, including tons of pictures plus details on the dolls’ hair, faces, accessories, and how they differ from the original releases!
the packaging
If there is ever anything Bratz could never fail at doing, it’s package design! Simple yet stunning, the Bratz Series 3 collection features each character in standard trapezoid packaging with holographic elements, character artwork, and character name and icon motifs. Each doll comes with a different set of clothing pieces and accessories. Each of the girls comes with two full outfits including a jacket/wrap, second pair of shoes, a hairbrush/comb, and poster; Koby comes with the same pieces, but no jacket. Dana, Tiana, and Koby come with sunglasses; Dana, Tiana, and Fianna come with earrings. Felicia’s comes with additional fuzzy boot warmers. Unlike some of the brand’s previous releases in the past two years that came with plastic shell packaging with cardboard inserts, the Series 3 dolls all have half-plastic/half-cardboard shell packaging.
The basic trapezoid packaging is something that has been seen throughout the years with many Bratz releases (especially during the early years) and is not new for dolls like Funk Out! Fianna and Nu-Cool Koby, but this is the first time that it has been seen with deluxe releases like Funk ‘N’ Glow Dana, Campfire Felicia, and Welcome To Fabulous Tiana; all three of these dolls were released in deluxe packaging for their respective collections. Because of this new packaging and lower price point, the once-deluxe dolls do not come with all of the fashion pieces and accessories their original dolls had.
Along with packaging changes, each doll has brand-new character artwork. Similar to Series 2 which has 2002-style artwork, the Series 3 dolls have 2003-style artwork (could we see the brand moving up a year with each new “Core Series” release?) based off each doll’s original artwork. Each character’s artwork mimics their original character artwork, but is updated to fit the 2003 vibe. I absolutely love each new character artwork, especially Dana and Felicia’s! Koby’s artwork throws me off a little as he looks like a strange mix between the early ‘02 and ‘03 styles of artwork for the Boyz line. Dana, Fianna, and Koby keep their original nicknames and character icons, while some updates are made for Felicia and Tiana. Felicia, who has always been referred to as “Glam Gecko”, finally receives a character icon design that is introduced in this collection. Tiana is given a new nickname in this collection, being dubbed “Hot Sauce” with a new chili pepper icon design; in 2008, with the Triiiplets (Third Edition) release that many fans consider to be non-canon to the brand’s lore, Tiana was given the nickname “Elegant Elephant”. It seems that MGA is retconning Tiana’s original nickname in favor of something more fitting for her character—I like this change! The back of each box features solo character artwork similar to the Flaunt It! dolls, along with a bio, "I Come With” list of the box’s contents, and group character artwork at the bottom.
My feelings towards the Series 3 boxes is the same as my feeling towards the Series 2 boxes… I love them! Seeing secondary characters, especially Tiana and Felicia, in this type of basic yet iconic packaging really makes me emotional. Having basic releases in sleek packaging is something I’ve wanted to see for nearly every Bratz character throughout the years and I’m so happy to see that happening with the Core Series lines. The color stories for each character matching their icon color palettes is also a really fun touch and it’s so fun seeing the different colors all together!
On a random note, I have received confirmation that Dana will have a packaging variant in later production runs where she will be dressed in her second outfit (with the skirt) rather than her first outfit. It is unknown when this variant will start hitting retailers.
Swipe to the end of the gallery to get barcodes for Series 3!
the dolls, fashions, ‘n’ faces
Some of the dolls featured in Series 3 closely replicate their original counterparts, while some have drastic changes. To be clear, while Bratz has been producing reproductions for the past two years, I do not believe some of them—especially the Core Series lines—are intended to be completely faithful reproductions. In fact, I view the Core Series lines to be opportunities to reintroduce characters to the brand in core looks at an affordable price point. Additionally, this makes sense if the brand ever wants to use these characters in future collections as it builds character familiarity with consumers. While I appreciate the faithfulness that the 20 Yearz Special Edition/Series 1 dolls had to their source material, there are some things I am willing to let go when it comes to the more recent lineups; on the opposite end, there are also things that I really wish were present with these Core Series reproductions.
Out of all the reproductions, Koby is likely the most faithful to his OG counterpart. Series 3 Koby shares the most similarities with his Nu-Cool doll from 2003, but I will note that he does not come with his bag, jewelry, and his second outfit tops are one piece instead of separates like his original. Otherwise, Koby is a solid reproduction and I have no complaints—though I would’ve loved a bag! Dana’s pieces are well-made and very similar to her original Funk ‘N’ Glow doll, which in turn recycles pieces from Funk ‘N’ Glow Cloe and Sasha from the first edition of the line. Something disappointing about Dana is that she does not come with her black velvet cowperson hat, which was one of my fave fashion pieces from the OG version! Fianna has a lot of differences from her Funk Out! doll in terms of fashion, most notably her first outfit’s colors differing from her OG’s. Some fans were shocked to see FNG Dana get reproduced as opposed to more basic dolls like Style It! and Funk Out!, but I honestly love that they went with FNG instead—but, I wouldn’t have minded a Style It! Dana with nylon hair. The original Funk Out! Fianna has a more burgundy top, wrap, and sandal color, while the Series 3 version is more of a plum-like purple. I would attribute this change to the fact that it is hard to source the same exact fabrics from nearly twenty years ago, and I don’t mind this update at all—it works! Funk Out! Fianna being the choice for this series makes the most sense as it is not only Fianna’s first appearance with two full outfits, but also most recognizable from her appearance in the television series and the various animated characters modeled after her. Fun fact: Funk Out! Fianna’s outfits were mostly recycled from the “Flash ‘N’ Dash!”, “Last Dance!”, and “Secret Crush!” fashion packs from 2003. Felicia is the reproduction that has many fans torn between disappointment and excitement as she is missing several fashion pieces, including her hat, gloves, and pajama set; in lieu of her pajamas, she comes with her original yellow tank top (not to be confused with Campfire Yasmin’s tank top, which is basically the same) and Campfire Cloe’s skirt. While I understand the disappointment, the only thing I wish she came with is her hat because it definitely compliments her first look well. I don’t mind Felicia not coming with her pajamas and I’m glad that MGA is looking to give her a more “casual” look as she would otherwise stand out too much with a pajama set, but I do wish they considered giving her a different pair of second shoes as they look odd with that second outfit. I do hope that, maybe one day in the future, MGA considers giving us the modified version of Felicia’s pajamas that they teased in an Instagram post back in May. Tiana’s pieces are pretty spot-on, though the metallic-like shine on her pants are a more vibrant pink rather than a deep red. One major downside, just like Series 2, is that the dolls do not come with handbags. I really would’ve loved if they had bags! But, I guess they just don’t fit in the budget…
Moving on to faces and face application method, there are more similarities and differences to explore between the 2023 and OG counterparts. Koby’s face is practically the same as his original doll. Dana, who uses the First Edition Cloe screening, is pretty much the same as her original doll though some batches (not that many have been seen so far) seem to have a wonky placement. My Dana, as well as several others, have looked pretty good so far! Fianna uses the Stylin’ Salon ‘N’ Spa (Second Edition) Fianna screening just like her original, but the placement is much better! Funk Out! Fianna is known, and often ridiculed, for her “fivehead”. Series 3 Fianna’s placement reduces her forehead size and looks gorgeous; the screening placement looks refined and similar to the Hot Summer Dayz Cool Pool Fianna doll. Felicia looks almost exactly like her Campfire counterpart—I’m stunned by how gorgeous she is! Felicia uses the Slumber Party Cloe screening; Slumber Party is rumored to be the next major reproduction line after Pretty ‘N’ Punk, which means a potential reproduction Slumber Party Cloe's face is almost guaranteed to look gorgeous. Tiana is given the biggest screening update in the line, using a completely different screening than her original doll. Welcome To Fabulous Tiana has her own unique screening that was never used again after her release. Series 3 Tiana looks a lot more like her original prototype in which she has slimmer eyes. I am unsure if Series 3 Tiana replicates an exact screening, but her eyes remind me a lot of Secret Date Jade’s screening; the main difference between these two is that Tiana uses the open mouth mold while Jade uses the closed mouth mold. Tiana’s new face is stunning and a much needed update to this doll!
Are you wondering what head mold and face application is used on the Series 3 dolls? The Series 3 dolls use the original 2001 head mold (with the exception of Koby who uses the 2003 Boyz head) and spray method for their face application.
If you’ve already read my explanation on how Bratz faces are applied, feel free to skip to the next section! If not and you’re interested in learning more, keep on reading! Nearly every Bratz doll between 2001 and 2014, except for a select few, has a face screening that was painted using the “spray” method. The spray method ensures the eyes are elongated across the face for a classic, sultry Bratz look. Between 2015 and 2016 (except for the V Files x Bratz doll), and for the Bratz 20 Yearz Special Edition dolls released last year, the “sticker” method was used to apply the dolls’ faces. The sticker method is hit-or-miss as the 20 Yearz dolls looked beautiful (in most cases), while it played a huge role in the discontinuation of the brand in 2016. A new method was introduced to the Bratz brand with the Rock Angelz reproductions last year, which is UV printing. UV printing is a more cost-effective method to apply dolls’ faces as spraying seems to be less common in the doll industry these days. Holiday Felicia, the GCDS dolls, Sweet Heart Meygan, and the JimmyPaul dolls also use the UV printing method. However, the GNO 21st Birthday Edition dolls reintroduced the spray method to the brand ever since the 2018 Collector dolls. Hopefully, the spray method will be the continued standard for the Bratz brand.
the hair
A burning question for many fans is: What type of hair do the Series 3 dolls use? All of the dolls featured in this collection originally used saran hair, which was the standard for Bratz dolls during their prime years. In short, the Series 3 dolls use premium nylon hair. Read below for an overview on hair types used on Bratz dolls!
Just like the face printing method section, feel free to skip this portion if you’ve already read my explanations on the differences between Bratz hair types! Nylon hair appears to be a new standard for the Bratz brand, as is the case for most MGA doll brands since 2019, which is something I fully support. For context on some of the different hair types used on Bratz, nylon has often been confused with polypropylene, which is a hair fiber that was used in a majority of lines between 2008-2013 and is known for being hard to manage and prone to degrading over time, because of a name mix-up over a decade ago. Saran—which has been used on most Bratz released between 2001-2007, 2015-2018, and on most of the Bratz 20 Yearz Special Edition dolls (except for some later variants which use nylon) released in 2021—is a great hair fiber that has always satisfied collectors, though it is prone to yellowing and degrading over time. Nylon is another premium hair type that can be easily restyled with heated hair tools and is less likely to degrade over time like saran and polypropylene can do. Saran hair is harder to come by in certain colors and is not as commonly used in modern doll productions due to rising prices, so nylon provides a way for consumers to have these hair colors without resorting to using low-grade polypropylene. Nylon also tends to feel really nice and oftentimes better than saran, so I hope this is something that stays for most—if not all—future Bratz doll releases.
Bratz Series 3 Underwear Details
I personally enjoy nylon hair and prefer it in some cases. Some fans may be hesitant to accept nylon as the new standard for Bratz dolls because it tends to “poof” up on their heads (for example, the Rock Angelz 20 Yearz Special Edition dolls are often referred to as having “helmet heads”), but it seems that the rooting technique for the latest Bratz dolls has significantly improved. If you are having trouble getting the factory product out of your dolls’ hair that makes it feel “crunchy”, I recommend washing it once (maybe twice depending on how much product is used) with dish soap then following up with a conditioner rinse; a boil wash is not necessary for nylon hair and can damage it, but a flat iron and other heated hairstyling tools may work better for styling their hair after it has been washed and dried.
Stay tuned for a special video on my YouTube channel where I wash and restyle the Series 3 and Pretty ‘N’ Punk dolls’ hair!
the bodies
Unsurprisingly, the Series 3 dolls use the original 2001 bodies with the exception of Koby who uses the 2003 Boyz body. While I am not the biggest fan of the original bodies and would like an upgrade in the future, the body keeps in line with the reproductions being mostly faithful to the original dolls. Similar to the Fall 2022 dolls, the body’s plastic is closer to the plastic on the original bodies and is less “matte” like other reproductions released in the past year. Just like the Series 2 dolls, all of the girls have different colored underwear that matches their color palettes!
other features
As I mentioned earlier in the article, all of the dolls come with a poster featuring character art. All of the girls come with a poster similar to the 20 Yearz and Series 2 dolls, and features character art of the Series 3 girls while Koby comes with a poster that features only his artwork. The poster can be found in between the cardboard backing of the box and measures at 11x17 inches.
FUNKY FASHION FURNITURE RETRO-SWING CHAIR PLAYSET
Also expected to release very soon is a reproduction of the Funky Fashion Furniture Retro-Swing Chair playset, or as some fans like to call it: the egg chair! At the time I am writing this article, I do not know a solid release date but I am expecting it to be very soon!
As someone who owns the original version of this playset, I have to admit that I love the reproduction much more! The original uses a darker faux fur fabric, while the reproduced version uses a baby pink faux fur fabric that feels more plush than its original counterpart. Some fans have noticed that the reproduction doesn’t come with all of the accessories that the original had—the pen, diary, and water bottle. I personally don’t mind that these accessories were omitted, especially if Slumber Party reproductions eventually come out because those will likely come with the pen and diary accessories. The chair is extra cute and can make a perfect addition to any doll or miniature collection—not just Bratz! I see the chair being sized well for other brands around Bratz size like L.O.L. Surprise! and all of its spinoffs or even some taller brands like Rainbow High, Monster High, and others.
where to buy
If you’re wondering where you can buy the Series 3 dolls, they have just started sales on Amazon (U.S. and international) and will soon become available at other retailers. MGA’s direct-to-buy website, LOLSurprise.com, ships to the U.S. and several other countries—there is currently no info on when the site will start selling them, but likely soon. The dolls and playset are expected to hit physical Target stores by August and physical Walmart stores by October. I recommend staying tuned to the official Bratz social media channels for more release info as it comes out! Please note that all information is subject to change.
I am not sure where the Series 3 dolls will be sold outside of the United States nor will I be able to post about it, but my best advice is to contact local retailers to see if they’ll be selling them, especially if those retailers sold the 20 Yearz dolls last year! Some tips I do have is to check Myer and OzToy Store in Australia and EB Games/GameStop in Canada. International fans also have the option of checking the retailers listed on MGA Entertainment’s Where To Buy webpage or contacting their international offices for more info. The dolls retail for $26.99 USD and the playset retails for $24.99 USD; please ignore prices that are higher than this on websites like Amazon and Walmart—these websites allow third-party sellers to sell on their platforms and any prices higher than the retail price are from these sellers, not from the retailers directly.
I want to mention this because I know a lot of fans may worry about the dolls being sold out at some retailers. I need to reiterate this: do not worry! The dolls will likely be restocked. As to when restocks will happen, you will have to keep up with that on your own as there are never set dates for restocks. More than enough dolls have been produced for people to purchase, so be patient and make sure to not give in to reseller prices!
Below is a list of some links for the Series 3 dolls and Funky Fashion Furniture playset!
Bratz Series 3 Dana: Amazon, LOLSurprise.com, Walmart, Target
Bratz Series 3 Felicia: Amazon, LOLSurprise.com, Walmart, Target
Bratz Series 3 Tiana: Amazon, LOLSurprise.com, Walmart, Target
Bratz Series 3 Fianna: Amazon, LOLSurprise.com, Walmart, Target
Bratz Boyz Series 3 Koby: Amazon, LOLSurprise.com, Walmart (not yet available), Target
Bratz Funky Fashion Furniture Retro-Swing Chair: Amazon, LOLSurprise.com (not yet available), Walmart (not yet available), Target (not yet available)
OVERALL THOUGHTZ
The side of the Series 3 doll boxes… they look so satisfying lined up like this! Did you check out my unboxing video yet? Check it out here!
Overall, I am more than satisfied with the Series 3 collection and blown away by how much growth the brand has had since their doll relaunch in 2021. Truthfully, it is shocking to look at the Series 3 dolls and know that they were produced in 2003. The quality and attention given to the dolls—missing pieces aside—is some of the best we’ve had in years. Series 2 was a strong collection, but Series 3 is even stronger and proving that Bratz is ready to be put back on the map. Series 3 just further confirms my personal feelings towards the brand, and that it has potential for so much more! I hope that, at some point in the next two years, MGA takes the time to craft a proper playline reboot that isn’t reproduction-focused. While I don’t foresee Bratz taking on the doll market the way it did back in the 2000s immediately, I can see a bright future for the brand if they keep it up. I’m rooting for Bratz all the way!
Thank you again to MGA Entertainment for gifting me this set of Series 2 dolls, and thank YOU—the reader—for reading this article about the collection!
I hope you keep checkin’ out Lookin’ Bratz for more news and reviews in the future! Make sure to check out my YouTube unboxing video for another look at the dolls and subscribe for more Bratz videos.
Stay tuned to LookinBratz.com for more news on the Girls with a Passion for Fashion, and make sure to check out Lookin’ Bratz on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok for more scorchin’ Bratz content and news!
Also, stay tuned for my Pretty ‘N’ Punk 2023 review coming VERY soon! Keep up-to-date with all the latest and upcoming Bratz releases with the Bratz 2023 Masterpost!
xoxo
