Secrets of MOTU Classics Star Sisters! Unproduced lost She Ra doll toys from the 1980's find a home

Scott ToyGuru Neitlich continues his Director's commentary on the long lost Star Sisters from teh vintage She Ra and the Princess of Power toy line. Classics is all about making these lost concepts in a modern collector line and this is a shinning example. How the figures were made, how a direct choice in when to reveal them played into their release and how Terry from design got so excited for glitter!

[@m.e.9299]

Classics was the Highlight of all the Lines so far. Just great work.

[@spectorcreative1872]

Made with love

[@GameHammerCG]

That Eagle gets everywhere. I loved it as a kid but it’s hilarious how often it got reused back in the day.

[@spectorcreative1872]

Most used tool of them all

[@tonlito22]

At least Freedom got his own sculpt, if only because he's from a different company.

[@MalibuSkipper]

I'm old enough to remember a lot of this. I remember picking up a Shower Power Catra at the store and being so excited about this new wave. Only to never see any of the other dolls. They became a thing of myth although I was able to score a NRFB Netossa about two years later from a toy dealer loooooong before the days of ebay. I was so happy to see these finally made for collectors. The POP line in Classics was what got me to finally subscribe.

[@spectorcreative1872]

Yeah it can become such a let down but glad we got to them in classics!

[@Canoby]

I never knew about the more obscure She Ra figs/unrelease prototypes, but watching this video reminded me of the glory days of 80s toydom; if history had played out differently I totally could have seen these toys being a hit with girls back then. And brothers who needed to round out their MOTU cast

[@spectorcreative1872]

Those were the days!

[@genesanford9412]

The work that go,s into our toys is beyond most fans imagination .Thanks

[@spectorcreative1872]

It was a labor of love

[@tferlisi9561]

I am so impressed with how frequently you put out content!

[@spectorcreative1872]

Well thank you! And please do share with others, it helps the channel a ton!

[@frazzy5015]

A lot of fans at the time hated that you put this set in the sub, but I liked it. They're stunning figures. Thanks for mixing it up and not just doing the obvious stuff all the time. I think your approach in this regard is even influencing Origins now.

[@spectorcreative1872]

Figures that needed to be done, and in the long run I think it was worth the slot

[@nathanieltaylor6992]

Thank you for another great video! I love the Classics versions of the Star Sisters. I'm glad they made it into the line! Maybe the original prototypes will make it into production. I'm surprised Mattel has never done a commemorative line for POP like they did with MOTU.

[@spectorcreative1872]

It was a great set to wok on

[@hemanmmo2973]

Glad that you made them in the Classics

[@spectorcreative1872]

Me too! It is what Classics is all about

[@proudhug]

This might be an enormous project, but I'd love to see a long series of videos detailing the entire mythology of MOTU/POP as presented in Classics in chronological story order, going through all the eras and what each of the characters were doing in that time.

[@spectorcreative1872]

I may just get to that in time!

[@GameHammerCG]

Oh so THAT’S what that star sisters episode was about. I did wonder when I watched it, since it seemed to go nowhere for the story. Thanks for explaining it.

[@spectorcreative1872]

And now you know! And Knowing is half the battle

[@paluxyl.8682]

Back in the days I have get the Deluxe Star Sisters package at an ebay auction just for 23 Euro + free shipping . My favorite is Tallstar , I wish in the package would be more extention parts (20 parts would be much better) .... my figure got always the extra parts in the arms and legs , but she don't really looks tall . Some people who has seen her haven't even notice that she is taller than the other figures , lol

[@spectorcreative1872]

I like adding double parts to make her extra Tall!

[@paluxyl.8682]

@@spectorcreative1872 I would do it too , but it's not so easy to find more parts ......

[@kellyb4882]

I never understood the backlash that came with this figure set (besides the pricepoint at that time I guess). The best day of any particular month was the day my (multiple) subscription Classics arrived! Loved the figures and was excited to add them to my collection!

[@spectorcreative1872]

Well fans will be fans

[@BowserTheThird]

Definitely suggest watching the Netflix series of She Ra, the end really pays off and it definitely gets better as the seasons continue

[@michaelwegman722]

I love the Star Sisters. Granted i'm a huge POP fan. But some complained about the brighter colors when they were first released. Now that we have all the other POP characters (which many themselves have bright colors) I think they look great and fit in perfectly.

[@spectorcreative1872]

The whole idea!

[@michaelwegman722]

@@spectorcreative1872 that’s what I figured. But some toy fans can’t get passed pastel colors 😂

[@TitularHeroine]

0:56 Aaaghh!! First Mate Jenny!! Love her! 5:10 More vocally imitative onamotapoiea type sound effects please sir. Lastly, no unboxing to this one unfortunately, but I am right now customing a Gleek from a dollar store monkey figurine. And that's just as good! Best to you always.

[@spectorcreative1872]

So noted!

[@ccbeck]

I loved the Star Sisters figures. The thing that confused me the most about MOTU Classics was that they never made the Twiggets. They were in almost every episode of the Filmation cartoon but never made it to the line. Weird.

[@spectorcreative1872]

We had pans to get to them, it was the tooling.

[@ccbeck]

@@spectorcreative1872 That does make sense. You definitely couldn't use any existing parts.

[@johnmorey720]

I really wish that I had picked up more Mythic Legions birds. They're amazing!

[@spectorcreative1872]

I know right!

[@archlogan5573]

Seeing these makes me remember when I got my Star Sisters pack, it had multiple QC issues and I had to exchange it for another set (not once but twice!) This got me thinking.... what happens to Classics figures that were returned? And specifically, what happens to OPENED Classics that were returned? Do they just end up in a dumpster somewhere or what? lol

[@spectorcreative1872]

If there is a defect they are destoryed

[@Beedo_Sookcool]

These were a neifty set. I bought an extra so I could give all the extensions from both sets to one Tallstar . . . and also so I could experiment with making "prototype colours" versions of the figures. Now that I have a Molotow Liquid Chrome paint pen, and some chrome foil stickers, that plan is getting closer to bein realised.

[@TitularHeroine]

Some paint pens are really versatile, durable, long-lasting, and criminally overlooked. It's cool to see someone reference one.

[@Beedo_Sookcool]

@@TitularHeroine Aw, I freakin' love my Molotow Chrome pens! They really spruced up my Titans Return Trypticon, and I hope to try them out on my Classics Flying Fists He-Man, when I get the chance.

[@spectorcreative1872]

Nice!!!

[@blackphoenix77]

I hope that we can get the Star Sisters in the Masterverse Princess of Power line. I'd love to see a more translucent and sparkly version of Jewelstar with her action feature intact.

[@spectorcreative1872]

Let’s Hope thé line keeps going!

[@ivane5110]

It gives me hope that one day, somewhere, action figures of the 3 people in the status that I saw (multiple times?) in King Randor's courtyard will be made. Actually, it makes me want to go back through all of the original He-Man's and see what very minor characters would be cool as figures (since I now know its possible someday)

[@spectorcreative1872]

Hey you never know!

[@Abhothra]

Do advancements in material science help decide which (vintage) figures can be made?

[@spectorcreative1872]

Not really. Just takes a creative lead

[@ajbartley3432]

Ok...Hoping like hell Scott covers why they went with that hideous Deco version over the Proto Toys deco! Cos that still boggles my mind!

[@spectorcreative1872]

Did you watch?

[@robertwishin2868]

Just looking at the Eagle and its reuse, I know that the toy company can use the mold over and over again and understand the value of multiple uses. But does the original sculptor or designer get any royalties for multiple uses of their original sculpt? More curious about the artist owning their work vs repetitive use for work that was contracted out or commissioned.

[@spectorcreative1872]

There is no set rule. It depends on it if is a work for hire

[@magitek09]

I remember hearing a while back someone complaining about there not being star sisters toys of the new she-ra series and now I see it's kinda part of their legacy XD

[@spectorcreative1872]

They are there!

[@Southpaw-qf4ju]

Now if someone would release figures for The Andrews Sisters. Maybe include a build-a-figure of The Boggie-Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B. Just a thought.

[@spectorcreative1872]

Make it happen NECA

[@Beedo_Sookcool]

Love it!

[@Jag2045]

Hi Scott, you mentioned in other videos that MOTUC couldn't use any DCUC items (i.e. you couldn't just reuse Gorilla Grodd for Gygor, it had to be an original sculpt) as DC own the rights, so how is it that the MOTUC falcon was able to be used in DCUC for Beast Boy and the Wonder Twins?

[@spectorcreative1872]

I actually did a video on this. See common/shared parts!

[@Jag2045]

@@spectorcreative1872 Thanks Scott - just watched it & was a very informative video 😃

[@knightwolfpro4494]

I liked the Star Sisters but much like Mechaneck I felt like we didn't get enough extension pieces.

[@spectorcreative1872]

Oh man, what I wanted to do with Mekaneck....

[@darkwoods1954]

Boy I resented having to pay for this three pack. None of the three packs ever worked for me. I never managed to sell this one as I could never get the price I paid for it back. Really need to find it up out of the garage as after so many years now it may be worth more so I can at least make my money back on them. One three pack I would have loved is the Horde Invaders from Origin of the Sorceress.

[@spectorcreative1872]

We kinda needed a 3 pack to get all of these out. If we did the Sisters one single at a time it would have taken forever!

[@Launchpad05]

The Star Sisters only appeared in ONE episode of 'She-Ra' from season 2, and it was just a brief cameo.

[@spectorcreative1872]

Yup.

[@AustynSN]

Burple-type containers appeared in two products. A made-for-TV product that was a whole set of them whose name I don't remember, and "Burple" itself, which was sold in stores and basically had knock-off kool-aid powder and sugar already in it so you could fill it up with water and make a beverage with it. As to why it didn't survive the market? I'd say the colossal pain-in-the-donkey matter of cleaning the blasted thing. Those knooks and crannies were perfect hiding places for nasty microorganisms to flourish and grow.

[@spectorcreative1872]

But they made such a great sound!

[@AustynSN]

@@spectorcreative1872 Maybe, but the first time you reused them, but realized you'd not properly rinsed all the soap out before making more kool-aid.... ! I also came to realize that the main selling point of them (saving space) was moot because they didn't stack and space in the fridge is a concern more on the horizontal axies than vertically.

[@rodrickadamginsburg8960]

I envy Tallstar!

[@spectorcreative1872]

We all do

[@rodrickadamginsburg8960]

@@spectorcreative1872 especially those of us God blessed in many ways but left out that blessing in the height department.... 😇

[@chihoxtra]

It’s sad that they don’t come with the signature action features.

[@spectorcreative1872]

Alas, the tooling...

[@johnmorey720]

Dying your pet bird pink and gluing a headdress to its head is not good pet ownership, tbh.

[@spectorcreative1872]

From a certain point of view

[@justicierodelaliga]

So, what problem do you have against Elongated Man and Elasti-Woman (Doom Patrol) that you didn´t mention them as superheroes with stretching powers? :( You could even include Metamorpho and Element Girl as their powers could be used that way if they wanted.

[@spectorcreative1872]

The list goes on and on

[@TitularHeroine]

He said "there aren't many *female* characters with stretching powers in pop culture".

[@79mraw]

I bet those Burples were a nightmare to clean. That's probably why they faded into obscurity.

[@spectorcreative1872]

Ha! I still miss them

[@SmokeForPants]

Were the more expensive quarterly/special items like this produced in the same quantities as a regular figure? It definitely seemed like supply far outstripped demand for these. And this was before you guys really got going with PoP characters, so even PoP fans were probably grumbling that you gave them these instead of more relevant characters.

[@spectorcreative1872]

Any figure that was in the sub was produced at the same quota.

[@fatihuludag]

I didn't collect the Classics Line, and the Stars Sisters still not exists to me... and the Classics version are Filmation look with flat design... no details... cannot replace the real vintage versions of the Star Sisters of the 80's. I was so happy Super7 released He-Ro and Eldor in his original vintage look with great artwork vintage packages... Wished Mattel or Super7 would Do this same for Star Sisters. I want display them to my vintage collection. Otherwise the Star Sisters in my view still prototypes and not reproduced...

[@spectorcreative1872]

I really liked what we were getting from Super 7. Wish they had not lost the license

[@fatihuludag]

@@spectorcreative1872 When not Super7, why not Mattel Do this? Never got a representing the original vintage versions of the Princess Of Power, like the commemoratives with MOTU. I think anniversary should be always something to do with vintage as exclusives - not a Power-Con She-Ra 35th in Origins-style.

[@westcoastgio6328]

the burple probably went away because of how hard they are to clean...

[@spectorcreative1872]

So I hear!

[@ajbartley3432]

Um......The horseman asked a fan which style to go with...Fail.

[@spectorcreative1872]

Which fan?

[@ajbartley3432]

@@spectorcreative1872 Ill reply in messenger.

[@archlogan5573]

I know exactly what you are talking about. I remember that person saying they influenced the 4H's decision. The prototype colors would have been a million times better!

[@ajbartley3432]

@@archlogan5573 Absolutely! The sisters were already an uphill battle with the 'we only want furry pants and boots' Brigade...... Choosing to diminish their appeal and also make one Candy Pink (instead of Translucent Red...which we KNOW even the most ardent furry Pants Fan LOVES!) and anothers colors Clash violently... Yeah.....

[@PM-oq8dg]

Scott. What do you think the impacts of this proposed California law on non gendered toy aisles is going to have on "boys" and "girls" departments in big toy companies?

[@TitularHeroine]

Wait... what? Are they going to be arranged by age group instead or something?

[@PM-oq8dg]

I saw a story called "California law would fine department stores $1,000 for separating toys by gender". Scott often mentions the Boys and Girls lines - and Mattel is based in California so I was naturally curious.

[@TitularHeroine]

@@PM-oq8dg I don't doubt it... I got on this train of thought about all sorts of mismatched IPs all jumbled up in the planogram, re-packaging because of traditional colors, and so on.

[@spectorcreative1872]

I don't think that law will stand up in the courts. I am not gettign political, but factually, the government can't tell a private company how to sell their merchandise.

[@AlucardNoir]

I really should stop watching these. I was in a bookstore earlier today and they had a kids section that was selling Transformers and I almost bought a Hot Rod, I don't even like Hot Rod. And you know what the worst part was Scott? I was sad the quality of Transformers toys had gone up so much since I was a kid. You're a bad influence Scott.

[@spectorcreative1872]

I take full responsibility

[@joeholtster1891]

The Netflix versions look horrible. Glad I don’t pay for Netflix.

[@blackphoenix77]

Agreed; they made Jewelstar into a guy! I couldn't stand the Netflix She-Ra show. 👎