My initial thoughts on Z Yang!

It's a new month and a fresh beginning. At least that's how I'm looking at it. 😄

It's also an exciting month at AG- though haven't they all been? Z Yang is here marking the 5th doll released by American Girl this year. I'll be honest, it's a little bit overwhelming. Five dolls in five months is unprecedented for the time I've been collecting. To give you some background Suzie 'Z' Yang is a Korean-American girl who lives in Seattle. She started off as a character who AG used to make the Z Crew stopmotion videos with. Now Z has been released with her own story and collection. Her interests include filming videos, photography, blogging, and writing. She even has her very own Kit Kittredge doll that she makes stop motion videos with! (Yes- if I get Z she'll have to have a mini Kit of her own!)

I went into the Mall of America location and had to actively find where Z was placed on display because the GOTY aisle is now Gabriela and Tenney/Logan. I was worried she'd be stuffed into a sad little display like what poor Addy is currently in, but much to my surprise Z has her own little alcove on the first floor. My initial thoughts were that AG had done a fantastic job with her collection. Yes, some of the items are repeats from previous sets. Honestly? I expected that. After all, Z was made solely for the Z Crew videos and her items and wardrobes in the videos were a mix of previous pieces.  So I was thrilled to see this trend continue into her collection. Z loves filming videos and taking photographs, another trait that made it into her available collection. Her film accessories are so detailed- much better than either of Lea's cameras. It's a must have set, in my opinion, and is on my wishlist!

I was really excited to see the doll in person too. Z is irresistible, which makes me so happy considering she is the first Korean-American character they've produced, but she's currently the only named East Asian character available direct from AG. For those arguing that Z looks too much like #30, #40, or #64- I can tell you that her mole, the longer length of her hair, and her hair being parted on the opposite side makes Z unique. It's much like Tenney and #24- yes, they share a lot of similar characteristics but they're each different enough to stand out as unique characters.

Between her unique sense of style and wonderful characterization, I adore Z. I hope to bring her home as soon as I can. In fact, a particular Z captured my heart at AGP and I just had to take a photo of her. I hope to find my Z with a similar expression of friendship & warmth.

Isn't she the cutest?

At this point you might think I've forgotten something huge- and you would be right. Yes, Z has permanently sewn on underwear. Yes, it changes the bottom shape of the doll in some cases to appear as though it's got a lump. Yes, the band of the underwear does peek above the current swim bottoms. For me? It's not really a huge deal. The only dolls in my collection who who wear swimsuits are Lea & Rebecca, and they hardly do anyways. The shape could be frustrating, but I don't change my dolls underwear nor do some of them even have them at this point. Once it's under the clothing it's not something I'm paying attention to. Given a choice I'd prefer that my dolls not have them, but it isn't bad enough for me to not want Z. I'm sure there are collectors who would disagree with me and that's okay.