Blythe

We conducted a special interview with Junko Wong, who oversees the overall production of Blythe, about various aspects of the 25th anniversary!

Be sure to check it out!

Q1) The Beauty Contest has been announced as a special event for Neo Blythe’s 25th anniversary. What led you to decide to hold it again after 16 years? Also, what kind of event would you like it to be, and what are your hopes or expectations for it?

Answer:  When Neo Blythe was first introduced in 2000, she immediately became a muse for creativity - inspiring fashion design, photography, customization, and storytelling. Twenty years ago, we created the Beauty Contest as a “world stage” for these artists, much like a championship for Blythe.

Now, after 16 years, Blythe has entered a new era. A younger generation is discovering her visually, but may not yet know the depth of creativity and imagination she inspires. This contest is meant to rekindle that magic - to celebrate the true Neo Blythe, highlight authentic dolls in a time of many imitations, and reveal fresh, mesmerizing visions of her beauty.

Most of all, this is a community event. The finalists are not major brands or famous designers, but passionate collectors and artists shaped by Blythe herself. I hope people around the world will participate, vote, and experience the exhibition - and rediscover why Blythe is such an extraordinary muse.

Q2) Are there any other special projects or plans currently in progress to celebrate the 25th anniversary?

Answer: 　To celebrate the 25th anniversary, we will hold a series of intimate exhibitions, mainly at the Junie Moon store in Daikanyama, which has a small gallery space. Many newer fans may not know the full 25-year journey, so we want to showcase the evolution of Blythe through the dolls themselves - especially the anniversary dolls released once each year. Each of these special editions carries the energy, hopes, and memories of that moment in time, marking another year of Blythe’s life. Seeing all 25 together will be very meaningful.

We will also present a special exhibition of collaboration dolls created with brands and designers. These projects often take years to complete, making each one unique and unpredictable. In addition, a small collection of limited-edition commemorative goods will be released just before the Beauty Contest in Fall 2026 - keepsakes to remember this milestone year.

Twenty-five years is a long journey, and we want to celebrate it in a way that feels both personal and unforgettable.

Q3) I believe many people are looking forward to the Neo Blythe 25th Anniversary doll. There may not be much that can be announced yet, but could you share a small hint about this year’s anniversary doll?

To celebrate the 25th anniversary, our main event will be the exhibition of the 25 finalists of the Neo Blythe Beauty Contest, held October 16-18 in Harajuku at a venue directly across from our Harajuku store. Autumn will mark the grand climax of this anniversary year, and the 25th Anniversary doll will be released in early fall so that fans can bring her with them to the exhibition - to share in that historic moment together.

Twenty-five years is a lifetime - a journey shaped by radiant joy, formidable challenges, and an unwavering belief in something extraordinary.

When CWC first created Blythe, we were not toy makers at all, but storytellers and visual creators. We did not design a product - we nurtured a cultural icon, a living work of art. That bold choice changed everything.

Today, reaching this 25-year milestone feels nothing short of miraculous.

Blythe is no longer simply a collectible - she is a symbol of art, fashion, imagination, and emotional connection around the world. To me, she has always been an angel of art - an angel of miracles.

This 25th Anniversary Blythe embodies that miracle. Modern, pure, and unlike any of the previous anniversary dolls, she emerges in luminous white - a color of hope, renewal, and peace. In a time when the world is yearning for light, she stands as a quiet yet powerful beacon.

Her white attire is not a fragile gown, but an expression of inner strength

- the presence of a warrior angel. She feels like a guardian of what is good and true, a figure of courage wrapped in grace. Every detail of her hair and makeup intensifies this vision, creating a beauty that is both breathtaking and entirely unprecedented. This is a Blythe that only a landmark anniversary could bring into existence - bold, symbolic, and unforgettable at first glance.

She is not merely a doll to display, but one to treasure for what she represents. A turning point. A promise. The beginning of the next era of Blythe.

With her arrival, a new chapter opens - and those who welcome her will hold a piece of that future in their hands.