Home's Boov

These figures are for the new DreamWorks Animation film Home.  In this movie, Earth is invaded by an alien race called the Boov.  The Boov change colors depending on their "mood."  Almost all of these 18 figures are depictions of the main character Oh (voiced by Jim Parsons) in his various emotional colors.  The three exceptions are a calico cat named Pig, a generic Baby Boov, and the leader/antagonist Captain Smek (voiced by Steve Martin). The film opens in theaters on March 27, 2015.

The 18 figures are made by Kid Designs, and are sold singly in blister packs. They range in size from 1.75 to 2 inches, depending on how extended their antennae are.  They are made of a medium-hard, semi-pliable plastic that is common to many figures. While they lack any articulation, the plastic and paint is top quality.  They cost $4 each.

The default "mood" of  a Boov corresponds to either purple or pink.  Here is what we learn about their emotional states based on the 15 colored Boov figures: 

Blue = Doubtful or Sad

Green = Naughty or Grumpy

Yellow = Shocked or Frightened

Orange = Excited or Silly

Red = Angry (only one figure)

Bright Pink = Bashful or Loving

Light Pink = Happy or Cool

Purple = Joyful or Fascinated

Fortunately, the expressions of my favorite figures corresponded with my favorite colors, so I probably can live without attaining the full set.  The full set is $72 after all.  I should also mention that they couldn't resist that seemingly obligatory toyline gimmick of labeling this "First Series" -- so, if these do well, we can expect even more figures in the future. 

Critter Sitters

Critter Sitters are these new figures by Ja-Ru. This is a company which has been making cheap (and very often derivative) toys since 1961.   According to their website, Ja-Ru is the leading supplier of "impulse toys" around the world.  They distribute in 35 countries.  Hopefully these Critter Sitters will make it to Ecuador and Peru -- where they must be absolutely hilarious. 

The name Critter Sitters could suggest just about anything.  Cute kitties and puppies?  Nope. Cute guinea pigs? Guess again. Maybe the 1980s toy series of anthropomorphized animals in cute T-shirts? No, not this time.

I mean, they are cute -- don't get me wrong.  But they're styled after freaking headhunters!  They're like shrunken heads, voodoo dolls, and Norfin Trolls all in one. Let's make a toyline that reflects cannibalism and ritualized violence.  Seriously -- let's do it.

The body of a Critter Sitter is made of hard, hollow plastic.  It is 1.5 inches tall (not including the hair).  They have strong magnets inside their bodies (down at their feet) allowing them to connect to a metal-embedded "contact disc." As the young girl on the package shows, you can put the contact disc under your shirt -- with the Critter Sitter on the outside -- and walk around with him on your shoulder.  It's the exact same gimmick as the recent toyline Shoulder Buddies.  Hey wait a second, didn't the Shoulder Buddies have that wild troll-hair too?  Yep.  I told you Ja-Ru toys are derivative.  Except, unlike Shoulder Buddies, the Critter Sitters are neon-colored zombie cannibals!

They come in four different colors.  From what I can tell, there are seven different sculpts.  My goal is to find each sculpt in green.  As you can see, I have three so far.  I also got one of each of the other sculpts (in each of the other colors), so you can see what they look like.  You can also see the simple-but-loud packaging, typical of Ja-Ru and other "impulse toy" companies.  If you come across the other four sculpts in green, please let me know.  They are currently at TRU and cost $2 each.  They may also be available at other fine retailers where cheap toys are sold.