You’ve all seen Monster High Create a Monster sets by now. Mattel is taking a slightly different approach to the concept with the Inner Monster series. Sold in starter sets and expansion kits, Inner Monster kits allow you to create your own monster from the inside out. The idea is that you use charms called emoticons and face plates to flesh out your character. The starter set comes with one complete doll, one outfit, one wig, a handful of charms (ie emoticons), two pairs of shoes, two wings, a purse and a face plate.
Inner Monster
Besides the face plates, which have a very Hexadecimal quality to them, the neatest feature of the Inner Monster dolls have to be their eyes. On top of the hard plastic Inner Monster head is a ‘brain’. When you press down on the brain, the dolls eyes change.
Inner Monster
Inner Monster
Inner Monster
Inner Monster
There are three sets of eyes to choose from, all unique. Her face paint is pretty simple, but I’m sure Mattel expects people to use face plates.
Inner Monster
Unlike most Monster High heads, this is a very hard plastic. It will turn left and right, but won’t tilt forward. The Inner Monster torso is pretty neat. It’s see-through. Inside the torso is a spine and rib cage. That’s the reason the head doesn’t tilt. The spine attachment, being a different color, leaves a bit of a collar on the doll that is noticeable on my particular version. The rib cage has little holes that you can fill with emoticons.
Inner Monster
Inner Monster
Inner Monster
Inner Monster
Getting to the spine is a bit of a hassle. You literally have to pull off both legs, arms and her head. You, also, have to double check to make sure you have the emoticons in perfectly, or else the torso won’t close properly. The joints, though, work well. None seem too loose or too tight.
Inner Monster
Inner Monster
My Inner Monster wears a cute little outfit. It’s a black halter with pink polka dots and lots of fun designs that will allow your character to be whoever you’d like! I have two issues with the outfit. One is relatively minor. I wish it had been designed to cover the neck attachment. The second issue is slightly more subjective. I don’t see much point in the outfit covering her entire torso. I wish there had been some cutouts on the dress that might have shown off the emoticons a bit. I think it would look pretty neat!
Inner Monster
Inner Monster
Just like the Create a Monster wigs, these Inner Monster wigs need work. As usual, there is a huge rim around the outside of the wig, which is totally noticeable on styles without bangs. The style is kind of wild. I love the blue, though. It reminds me of Stormer from Jem and the Holograms. The wig stays on very well, even when the doll is held upside down.
Inner Monster
Her faceplate stays on well. It fits perfectly into the ridges on the sides of her plastic face. It makes her eyes look a little more deeply set, but still has a nice effect!
Inner Monster
Inner Monster
Inner Monster
Inner Monster
This Inner Monster comes with an extra pair of shoes, a useable purse (great for holding the emoticons!) and two wings (blue and pink). She also comes with a diary that allows you to create many characters, and a comb.
Expansion packs are available. They feature a complete outfit and a face plate. For more on the extra packs, check out my moms video review below.
The Inner Monster line is pretty interesting and is a nice take on the whole ‘create a monster’ idea. It can definitely be improved upon though, especially in the neck joint. I would like to see her have the same poseability as other Monster High dolls one day. However, I love how easy it is to change the eye color and the face plate idea is neat!
What do you think of the new Inner Monster line? Share your thoughts below!
