In 1983 Mattel created three brand new head-molds for Ken. The Hawaiian/Hispanic head was only used for three dolls, but the black Ken mold was used several times up to 1989, and the Caucasian head-mold was still being used up to 1990.
SUN GOLD MALIBU KEN #1088
Sun Gold Malibu Ken was to come in all three new versions. The first to be released was the Caucasian blonde. In France he was also known as Ken Saint Tropez. All versions came with the identical swimsuit and accessories.
SUNSATIONAL MALIBU KEN
Sunsational Malibu Ken already existed as a Caucasian Superstar blonde and a unique rooted-hair black Ken. Mattel now released a painted-hair black version and a Hispanic version.
SUNSATIONAL MALIBU KEN #3849
SUNSATIONAL MALIBU KEN #4971
The Hispanic Sunsational Malibu Ken comes with the regular sunglasses, but has a turquoise towel and shorts.
CRYSTAL KEN
Crystal Ken was also known in Canada as Ken Scintillant, in France as Ken Gala, and in Finland as Kavaljeeri-Ken. There is an even rarer Mattel France version called Ken Super Gala, with the code #266. Crystal Ken is the first Ken with the new less flexible body mold, which meant the head and torso could only turn sideways, rather than swivel around. However some rare early versions can be found with the previous body mold.
CRYSTAL KEN #4898
The two boxed versions of Crystal Ken below have the earlier, more flexible, body mold. The Canadian packaged version is especially interesting (for detail freaks like me, anyway!) as it has a typo (Scintillante – changed to Scintillant in later versions, as shown further below).
Between 1984 and 1986 the Kens produced under licence by Estrela in Brazil were called Bob. For more information see section 1984-87 Bob & Ken by Estrela Brazil.
CRYSTAL KEN #9036
I have read that this was a Toys “R” Us exclusive. This would help explain the 1984 box date and odd code number (which suggest he was released in 1985).
SAFARI KEN #4974
Safari Ken had an extremely limited release in Europe and Canada, and possibly Australia. In Canada he was also known as Ken au Safari. Notice how similar he is to the Campin’ Out Set Ken below.
(CAMPIN’ OUT SET) KEN #4984
This Ken was part of a larger set called the Barbie & Ken Campin’ Out Set. He is wearing a variation of the outfit worn by Safari Ken and the Fashion Classics outfit #2897. The set is dated 1983, so was released either late 1983 or 1984. I’ve read it was an Otasco store exclusive. I have yet to find any printed catalogue evidence, but the boxes seem to back this up, as they are only ever found with Otasco price stickers.
GREAT SHAPE KEN
There are several versions of Great Shape Ken. He was also known as Enorm-in-Form Ken in Germany, Gymping Ken in Sweden, Jumppa Ken in Finland, Ken Palestra in Italy and Ken Super Sport 2 or Ken en Superforme in France. The British and (similar dark green) Canadian versions have a different code number. In Canada the dark green version was called Exercise Ken and Ken s’entraîne and the regular version was called Ken en bonne forme. Mattel Spain produced their own version called Ken Ritmic, and Rotoplast in Venezuela produced Ken Deportivo. In the UK there was also a set with Great Shape Barbie, Ken & Skipper packaged together in a gift box. In 1986 Mattel US released a version of Great Shape Ken with the addition of a Walkman (see the 1986 boys section).
GREAT SHAPE KEN #7318
Markings: © 1968 Mattel Inc. U.S. & For. Pat’d. Other Pat’s. Pending Hong Kong.
Note that the Canadian variation below doesn’t just have a missing yellow stripe to his t-shirt – his face paint is quite different, with oddly slanted eyebrows. He was produced in Malaysia, so must be a later version c.1986.
The Spanish version is dated 1985 on the reverse of packaging.
GREAT SHAPE KEN #7310
According to the British Mattel trade catalogue, Great Shape Ken was released in 1985, so presumably the similar dark green version sold in Canada was also released in 1985.
KEN DEPORTIVO #51-0146
HAWAIIAN KEN #7495
NECK MARKINGS
© 1983 Mattel Inc. These markings are to be found on every regular Great Shape Era Ken, including the Kens produced by Mattel Spain (and presumably by Mattel in France and Mexico).
BOOKLETS & CATALOGUES
The French brochure below gives the unique Mattel France code number (266) for Ken Super Gala, the French version of Crystal Ken, which I am yet to find NRFB. Est-ce que tu a cette poupée dans sa boite francaise? Ecrit-moi!: contact@somethingabouttheboy.com.
THE JAPANESE KENS
The Japanese Kens were produced under license from Mattel, but have little to do with Ken as he exists in the rest of the world. In true Japanese comic-book style these Kens have those huge scary ‘cute’ eyes, and look more like boys (or even girls) of eight, rather than eighteen. There are obviously collectors out there who like them, as they sell for huge amounts of money, but personally I think they are creepier than Chucky, so you won’t find any pictured here!
Mattel licensed two Japanese companies – Takara from 1984 to 1986, and Ban Dai from 1986 to 1989. Ban Dai Kens are usually marked Ma-Ba on the boxes (MAttel + BAn Dai). There are several Takara and Ma-Ba Kens, and Takara also produced several outfit sets.