Licca-chan

Licca-chan (リカちゃん, Rika-chan) is a Japanese fashion doll launched on July 4, 1967, by Takara, and created by former shōjo manga artist Miyako Maki. Enjoying the same kind of popularity in Japan as the Barbie series does in the United States, Takara had sold over 48 million Licca-chan dolls as of 2002, and over 53 million as of 2007. Takara has provided an extensive background story for the Licca-chan doll, including an age (11), where she attends school, names and occupations for her parents, and her favorite books (Anne of Green Gables and A Little Princess). Licca-chan also likes Doraemon. In 2001, a pregnant adult version of Licca-chan was introduced, which included a postcard the purchaser could send to Takara for a baby doll. The baby came with a key which allowed the doll to be returned to its standard proportions. The release of the doll happened to coincide with the birth of Aiko, the daughter of Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan, a factor which helped boost the sales of the new doll. Since then, other versions of Licca-chan have been introduced, including a new "Departure Licca", released just ahead of the 40th anniversary in 2007. A Licca-chan video game was released for the Nintendo DS in Japan on November 29, 2007. This game was later released in the U.S. on October 14, 2008, as Lovely Lisa.