Kira: The History of Barbie's East Asian Friend!

[@jacqueline5625]

Nguyen is a common Vietnamese surname, hence why people believe that Kira is Vietnamese. The fact that she could be either - Vietnamese, Japanese (as per the book you cited), or just "vaguely Oriental" indicates where Western society was at the time with regards to understanding and recognizing nuances and diversity within Asian cultures! I had both Kira and Nia, and they were among my top three favourite Barbies that I ever owned. I especially loved Nia because of her outfit and earrings. I always wondered if Nia was supposed to be Native American.

[@GehennaDreams13]

Nia is listed as Native American on Barbie websites. So you were correct.

[@Misslou2425]

Kira was my first Barbie. I left her outside one day...the day before Hurricane Gilbert hit my island in 1988, Sept 12. She washed away. This video reminds me....l must repurchase her.❤

[@fire34fly]

I had to go back to the beginning of the video to make sure I wasn't going insane cause I remember you did do a video on Kira a bit ago, I thought I was turning into Madam web for a second

[@nicole4c475]

I saw this video a while ago. So you're not crazy

[@dolljunk]

Ng is actually a distinctive sound in Vietnamese, similar to Th or Ch in English. Nguyen is broken into Ngu and Yen in Vietnamese. Since it is hard to have Vietnamese sounds in English I prefer to say Noo-en for myself as people can wrap their heads around the word, though some people say Win (as Ng can sorta be said with a W sound ) depending on which english speaking country you're in and it suits an American accent more than a British or Australian accent I find.

[@kearosene]

Hi Joey! I love these videos and what they represent to me. I am actually Southeast Asian but I had a few Kira dolls, and I love them all. It made me feel seen in a way, also Nguyen is pronounced "Wen" :)

[@THEKINGSKAB]

id love a video touching on every single friend barbie has ever had

[@franzlim]

I would love to see you make a video dedicated to fashion Fever line and all the dolls in that line 😭❤️

[@dannyphillips6694]

Kira/marina was allways my fave as a kid.

[@dameneko]

My Scene Nolee! She was my girl, along with Jade from Bratz. I was bummed that Mattel had to discontinue the My Scene line.

[@JuLayLeeBee]

It’s coming back this year!

[@clos4824]

Great video! Even though Christie and Teresa are my favorite Barbie friends, Kira is the one that rounds out the group real well. I would love to see a video on Steffie, her history in the Barbie world and how her face mold has been used by so many different Barbie characters (Teresa, Midge and Christie).

[@dameneko]

I appreciate the care you take with these videos. It's clear you are truly passionate about what you do. I've seen other comments mentioning this, but I'd love for you to do a video about PJ! My older cousins had this doll. I think she was Barbie's cousin. She was a bit before your time and mine, but she's just lovely.

[@finland4ever55]

Francie was Barbie's cousin. PJ replaced Midge in the late 60s and 70s.

[@sanspie029]

I wonder why Kira never had her own Asian Ken. Christie has Steven and I think there is a Hispanic Ken for Teresa. I wondered what could have been?

[@sakuragyoza]

Very Velvet Barbie! Felt that one deep in my soul. Sun Jewel Kira was my first "This one is special" doll, and Kira still remains my favorite! 💜

[@romonaelrod7870]

Hi Joey,your microphone is working well. I don't hear the rain. I love the Kira and the other asian dolls.

[@3veraj]

I'm loving this series of exploring the different Barbie characters! Would love to explore PJ, Summer, and Allan!

[@Lulaa_the_human]

Nguyen is the last name of the character Diane from Bojack Horseman. She is Vietnamese, so I assume that is why many Barbie fans say that Kira is Vietnamese.

[@atrapforfools]

You are right but Nguyen is just a very common viet surname, most ppl know shes viet bc of that, not so much because of diane

[@MK_1Ultra]

Also she was given that last name by fans. Never officially release by Matell or Barbie tm

[@retsiko]

BOJACK HORSEMAN MENTION

[@Beautyymark]

@@atrapforfools 😂

[@Simplydeangelo]

Is it pronounced “nwen” ? First time i said “n-gu-yen” and i received nothing but laughs 😭

[@milamcneal3428]

💖💖💖💖💖 I’ve never had a Kira she’s so beautiful

[@AmberBrooklyn24]

Oh I loved Kira! Growing up, besides the regular white and black Barbie, Theresa and Kira were my absolute favorites ❤

[@coleXao]

I remember the kira from the 90s with the purple bikini,,,I also have the Kira Princess...iin my opinion the character Kira is one of the most beautiful molds done by mattel.

[@GehennaDreams13]

I loved my Kira doll growing up. I had a pearl bikini doll you have at the end of the video that use to swim with little kid me. Thanks for this video.

[@Elizabeth-wq3ig]

I bought that soccer Kira a couple years ago just for her face. She’s got beautiful violet eyes and a lovely coral lip color.

[@terrysilva6430]

I love Kira, I have a couple from the 90s. And the Nguyen name is pronounced gooyen, the N is silent. Anyway I love this series focusing on a specific doll. Im also british from Bermuda living in the US since I was 11. Hope you're doing well. Looking forward to your next video

[@ismaelrodriguez6420]

She also went by Mikko at one time. With hair down to her ankles. Gorgeous doll!

[@Spidrick]

Great video mate! I am a Kira stan and enjoyed the history lesson!

[@lizmorrison9393]

The blue is beautiful. Ur mike is good.

[@alienovel]

Nguyen is a common vietnamese surname pronounced “New-en”

[@PurpleandWhiteStories]

Much better split up as two separate videos. I had Beach Blast Miko and Rollerblade Kira as a child. Still have the rollerblades and they still worked last I tested them. 😅 Thanks for showing how Kira's face mold is still around after all these years.

[@didoryan3537]

I got one Kira from princess and pop star 2012

[@brenokisch]

would you do some ''friends of barbie around world''? i'm brazilian but i never found any brazilian friend of her lol

[@Carlos-ll7bz]

The only one I can think of is the Carnival Barbie in the 2000s!

[@muunprince1992]

Wasn't Tropical Miko released in 1985?

[@catherinesaris4255]

Whats interesting and amusing to me is that Kira was doing all kinds of sports in different Barbie doll lines but only in the early 90s she learnt how to walk and move with the Movin and Groovin line (???).

[@myriaht8034]

There is a Avon disney Mulan barbie, I purchased it for my high school computer teacher she was a huge Barbie collector

[@veen-a2092]

Raquelle full name is Raquelle Nia Lee Kim she’s said to be mix Hawaiian and Korean but she also used Raquelle Carson as her name as well so a little break up drama in the family I assumed?lol

[@danniifan3115]

Raquelle from the Barbie Diaries?!

[@veen-a2092]

@@danniifan3115 ???Life in the Dreamhouse

[@LaBellesGrace]

@@veen-a2092Raquelle was first introduced in the Barbie brand back in 2006 with The Barbie Diaries doll line and movie, which is why they asked :) I never knew she went by Raquelle Carson at one point. I’m going to guess it was during the early stages of her creation when she had blonde hair and green eyes right? Since Ken’s last name is Carson and he went back to blonde around that time? That’s interesting since she didn’t appear again since 2006, until 2010 in Barbie in a Fashion Fairytale. With Life In The Dreamhouse coming out less than two years later. 🤔 I think Joey needs to do a video on Raquelle next lol. (I have since deleted my three replies, as I found this unfortunately very miscommunicated conversation both saddening and unpleasant. What started out as an excited question about a fictional character somehow turned into a heated one sided debate. Fun facts and information about a nearly 20 year old fictional doll doesn’t matter once name calling and insulting someone’s intelligence and character are brought into the picture. That’s disgusting and downright cruel. Instead of bickering and feeling insulted, we should be happy to celebrate that we *both* enjoy these dolls and characters, and wish to share questions and knowledge on them without feeling attacked - regardless if it is in real life or online. (in moderation of course. Expressed opinions that potentially can cause harm towards another shouldn’t ever be taken lightly) Any disagreements that may have arisen on this thread, or anywhere else for that matter, should only be taken with respect and consideration of the others view point. In the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who is more “correct” about a fictional character when a real persons character and motive is being heavily misguided.)

[@veen-a2092]

@@LaBellesGrace No I know that I don't talk about the movies because in the movies the dolls play characters not themselves as the doll itself the Raquelle in Barbie diaries don't have a sure name she's just Raquelle

[@veen-a2092]

@@LaBellesGrace yeah....as you just said "alternate universe" even if Raquelle from Diaries movie is Raquelle she's just Raquelle she doesn't have any asianic feature so IDK why you'd confused her to be Asian. Now I don't know this "Designer" that you mention I've never read their article but the creator of Raquelle from Daries and Raquelle from life in the Dreamhouse are different people so I can't comment on how accurate their statements are BUT the difference is Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse are the dolls themselves they are dolls so and so while Barbie Daries are movies that are trying to sell dolls the characters aren't dolls they're movie characters while life in the Dreamhouse are the actual doll themselves. If my statement hurts your feelings IDK what to say it's better to learn how to handle a debate before you go to higher studies If you want me to write it nicer I'll be writing with a fonts if it helps your feelings

[@Nniikkolleta]

For my Kira, when I was 14, I've stolen money from my dad's metal box😝, to bay her. She was Unated Collors of Benneton Kira - Marina🥰

[@danniifan3115]

Did you ever pay him back?

[@Nniikkolleta]

@@danniifan3115 I didn't tell him😉 But I won't pay him, because ones he drow on face of my day to night 2008 barbie moustache 🧔wirh pen✍️ and destroy her, he told me that it was funny, but I was devastated 😭

[@lars7282]

Am I in a timeloop? I could SWEAR to have seen this video befor, I have such a Dejavu right now 😳😳

[@MrRuceba]

Me tooooo

[@Nefrit13]

You didn't listen to the intro then 😁

[@lars7282]

Why wouldn’t I? I know it’s split. I’m talking about the video itself.

[@callmethecommentcountess9329]

Can you do a grown-up skipper next?

[@julieletford5695]

What about Mikko?

[@muunprince1992]

Sit 'n Style and Picture Pocket Kira is my fave dolls of her too! Literally embodiment of the early 2000's. Wish they'd use Kira/Miko face mold to the Philippines dolls they produced in the 90's.

[@haylieamygoth3407]

I have Surf city Kira, and Palm beach Lea

[@Girl2TheCity]

As a huge Kira fan, I love 💕 this series ❤ Nolee from My scene Kira is in the current Totally Hair doll line Our girl is still here❤

[@BellaParkerPink]

This video is a reupload! You uploaded this before because I remember the thumbnail and I remember watching it!

[@ImTasty1978]

Kira to me …… don’t get me wrong, I love Barbie but there is something to be said about having a Barbie friend that looks similar to you. I’m mixed so I really gravitate to Black Barbie/Christie AND Kira …. It being the 80s/90s this is what you had. 😊

[@psychoDOLLogist]

Kira is a Japanese name, it only makes sense she would be Japanese originally 🫶

[@BeautyInsideABox]

I really don’t know why so many fan sites say she’s Vietnamese. I really wanna know where they got that idea from

[@Kent-cw9pl]

@@BeautyInsideABoxI think it may help to know where it was said her last name was Nguyen (pronounced "Winn"). That is a Vietnamese name so I believe that is where they are getting Vietnamese from.

[@twilightom]

I think the MTM BMR 1959 Kira could be a great addition to this magnificent recount of all the Kiras. I love the Kira face mold and it’s a pity that Mattel doesn’t use it more frequently.

[@ImTasty1978]

NOO-win , Nguyen

[@Lizzy91Mcfly]

I always wanted to have Kira especially the sit n style I wanted all dolls from that collection but I couldn't in Mexico they never sold kira and christie and Teresa was so hard to get but I got Teresa as a gift in 2000 christmas she is my first Teresa but I wanted so much to collect all barbie's friends and to have barbies that look different and that come from different places, I love your videos of the origin of these amazing barbies

[@dakotabarnes6048]

I remember her. I had tropical Miko barbie and the sensations Becky

[@jamesivanalcantara2663]

Kira Is One Of My Favorites Among Barbie's Friends! ❤❤❤❤ She Is So Gorgeous! 🥰

[@MK_1Ultra]

I love the fact that all the Viets named Kiras last name as Nguyen when she's been STATED in brand product as Japanese-American 😂😂😂

[@davidolivier1983]

I love Island fun Miko! That's when I started to follow this character. She was called Marina here in Europe. At that time, I was confused between Miko, Kira and Marina... there was no internet to do my research. Miko looks more Hawaiian than Asian. It's as from Kira's character that she started to look Asian.

[@FloraFioree]

Raquelle is a Korean American doll 🇰🇷

[@andyfirechild9823]

Kira is a Japanese name. I don't know if there's also other countries were Kira is a common name too. But the facemold was used for many different east and southeast Asian Barbies and I think it was meant to be ambiguous. It makes sense from a business standpoint to have a generic facemold that could be whatever Asian ethnicity the customer or Mattel wanted her to be. Super glad there's tons of different Asian facemolds now. But Kira does have a special spot in my heart. I love the 80's-90's the most for Barbie because she's so magical girl sparkly and cute. When I was little, I usually got the brunette white Barbies because there wasn't much of a selection of Asian dolls, but now as an adult collector, I love buying the pastel Kira dolls and redressing her in the pink outfits that 90's white Barbie got. Sad there weren't any east Asian Barbies in the Barbie movie. But at least we got an Asian Ken for the first time in sixty years. As another commenter expressed, I'm so curious what an Asian Ken might have looked like if they had made one long before the 2020's.

[@julieletford5695]

I love Kira.

[@emethborras6597]

:( i will miss u kira and hello lea lea is back!

[@serenasapphire8883]

I used to have wet and wild Kira and surf city Kira and Ocean friends Kira and Sapphire Splenda Kira, she was so precious to me! She looked JUST like me at the time and she had my name! I waited my whole Life for her! But unfortunately a fire burned down my house and whole town so I lost my Kira collection

[@bassantzaki8239]

Hi Joey, I'm a follower from Egypt 🇪🇬 Would love to see you covering the middle eastern / north African representation of Barbie. As far as I know there's been couple of Barbies released with Moroccan traditional clothing and one ancient Egyptian. There's only one hijabi (veiled) Barbie which was made in honor of Ibtihaj Muhammad -the American fencer-. Growing up in the middle east in the 90s and early 2000s most of the Barbies that we had in the market were the white/caucasian ones which kept me wondering is it based on market research that girls would prefer to have white dolls? Oh and also in the early 2000s some Sheikhs -Muslim religious men- stated that Muslim girls shouldn't be playing with Barbies coz they'd be encouraged to wear revealing clothes and heavy make-up. Around the same time Fula -a replica of Barbie- was released wearing either veil and/or modest clothes. I think it'll be interesting to have this covered in your channel. Hope you see my comment. Much love and God bless 😊

[@jka1165]

Love the video 💖 But isn't Raquel Korean-American?

[@Blaise86]

Ok but like I need a video on alllllll the Nicki’s

[@syndyannsulla5367]

i got dana and mico ❤❤❤

[@PRINCESS8606]

Love these videos.❤

[@garbageplanet7387]

Sun Sensation Kira is my all time favorite Barbie! As a kid I decided she was Hawaiian because she came in a bathing suit lol

[@Glitteringmoonstone2022]

Her job is just beach ⛱️

[@sarahlaurent-zurawczak1110]

Christie and Kira, my two favorites ! Curiously, I found Barbie herself less pretty, with less personality than those two... I played with them more than I played with Skipper and Barbie... And I had quite a few.

[@ReeceCie]

This is rly weird bc i seen this video up yesterday.. Am I going insane or something

[@exoticfry1032]

luv ur vids, such a doll

[@issyg.6174]

Any Doll news video?

[@LittlemisstoxicTfc]

Og lea was the doll i used for Jacob from Twilight 😭

[@LittlemisstoxicTfc]

I've been trying to figure out what doll it was for like 20 years

[@veen-a2092]

Oooh Nguyen I think thats why Nguyen is a Vietamese surename I think there are some Thai people that have this sure-name as well?

[@krystajustice1608]

Hi Joey I love Kira

[@JavonLee-fr8ir]

I want a lot of Barbie dolls I like Nikki Barbie dolls and the another Barbie dolls

[@NikolasOlah-ee9ez]

I love yours videos 😍😍😍🥰❤❤❤❤

[@spookyduck13]

I had a kira. She was so pretty. J believe she was a beach one

[@jeremygilmer]

What if he made a video about barbie's little sister stacy

[@syndyannsulla5367]

but old kira i got in 1999 ❤❤❤❤

[@dionneking8]

Cool

[@merrillmangaanddolls]

Kira is pretty doll

[@EryVcToys]

Deja Vu 🤯

[@Vanessa-nh5es]

🤗♥️😍🔥🧚🎉🧜🏻‍♀️

[@loreleymaidana6976]

Mattel applied the same criteria for any doll that is not Caucasian, even used for Dolls of the world Peruvian Barbie 😂

[@NikolasOlah-ee9ez]

I love youuuu 😘😘🥰🥰😘❤❤😇

[@britishchick09]

This video looks familiar... ;)

[@laureencriss8220]

I'm not sure, if they hadn't mentioned asian on the box one time, that people would know it. I wouldn't. She's beautiful tho.

[@nancyomalley6286]

Nguyen is pronounced 'Win'

[@nancyomalley6286]

Nu-win Sorry

[@Sophie_idk_lol]

In my opinion Renee is supposed to be 𝐾𝑖𝑟𝑎

[@LittlemisstoxicTfc]

I'm sorry for clicking off i really want to see this one lol

[@AlyssaHo-ed4kp]

I’m Vietnamese my moms last name is Nguyen

[@daniedd]

✌🏻😊❤️❤️❤️

[@krystajustice1608]

Hi Joey I love Kira