For all the hapa children, there's now a doll that looks like them

Dollmaker Jilly adds Riley, a hapa doll ,to its collection of Asian dolls.

Toy makers are creating more dolls that look like the new diverse America, including dolls of mixed race.

Jilly Bing, the company known for The Jilly Doll and toys celebrating Asian American heritage, expands its collection with today's launch of the Riley Doll, a new character designed to represent mixed Asian and Caucasian backgrounds, sometimes referred to as hapa.

"As the number of Americans identifying as mixed-race Asian grows, The Riley Doll offers children a reflection of their experiences, showing they can be 100% Asian, 100% Caucasian, and 100% themselves," says Jilly Bing founder, Elenor Mak.

"The Riley Doll was created in response to strong consumer demand, as a mixed Asian doll was the top request from the Jilly Bing community."

RELATED: Mattel introduces a new Filipino Barbie.

The market for toys like Riley exists. Over 3.5 million Americans identify as mixed-race Asian, making them the fastest subgroup within the Asian American community, according to the US Census. And, based on Census data, mixed -ace babies are becoming more and more common as people of various racial backgrounds live, work and play together.

The Riley Doll gives a growing number of children a face to match theirs—she's a mirror for millions of children who don't fit into one category and don't want to have to choose between their diverse heritage.

The Riley Doll joins the company's flagship doll Jilly, an Asian American doll which launched in Summer of 2023, and became so popular that she is now sold at Macy's and Toysrus.com.

FYI: The Riley Doll is priced at $68 and available exclusively online at www.jillybing.com. To learn more about Jilly Bing or subscribe to the company newsletter, visit their website.

Riley reflects the spirit of today's diverse generation," states a Jilly press release. "As the daughter of an Asian father and Caucasian mother, Riley is confident, loves outdoor adventures, and enjoys snacks from her favorite Asian grocery store. She proudly chooses a non-traditional topping—sprinkles on her Asian shaved ice—saying, 'My mix, my way,' inspiring kids everywhere to celebrate their unique tastes and embrace individuality.

The Riley Doll furthers Jilly Bing's mission to create lovable Asian American characters that reflect the diversity of today's community—in appearance, backgrounds, interests, and personalities. From adventurous to being bold, these characters resonate across a wide range of experiences. Jilly Bing aims to broaden cultural understanding in a fun, lighthearted way, engaging children of Asian heritage and beyond.

Delving more into the doll's backstory and to give the toy a personality, the press release continues: 

Riley is an adventurous girl of Asian and Caucasian descent. She is full of energy and loves to explore the outdoors, fueled by snacks from her parents' favorite Asian grocery store. Her favorite treat is Asian shaved ice with sprinkles. When Dad grimaces at the nontraditional toppings, Riley says, 'My mix, my way.' When Riley is hiking or playing on the beach, her bucket hat shields her from the sun. But when she needs a buddy, Riley's hat transforms into Chilly Cheeks, her 'cool' Asian shaved ice sidekick, who is always ready to join her on an adventure.

The Riley doll is just the latest example of toymakers trying to expand their customer base by meeting the demand for more diversity beyond predominant White dolls. Several other toymakers are attempting to meet that growing demand, including Mattel, the nation's largest toymaker, which introduced a new Filipino doll two weeks ago.

"For so many of us, growing up meant feeling pressured to choose one side of our heritage," says Mak. "The Riley Doll is here to show kids they don't have to choose—they can celebrate every part of who they are."

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