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New ‘historical’ American Girl doll is from way back in the ‘80s

The newest American Girl hails from a bygone era, an ancient decade few will remember — the 1980s. Courtney Moore, the latest “historical character” from the beloved doll brand, may feel more nostalgic than old-fashioned to the many adults who personally lived through the Reagan era. “Growing up in 1986, Courtney’s story reflects the pop …

The newest American Girl hails from a bygone era, an ancient decade few will remember — the 1980s.

Courtney Moore, the latest “historical character” from the beloved doll brand, may feel more nostalgic than old-fashioned to the many adults who personally lived through the Reagan era.

“Growing up in 1986, Courtney’s story reflects the pop culture of the decade from sky-high hair, neon-colored fashions, music television, and video gaming to major historical moments surrounding women in government and space exploration, as well as larger cultural shifts around blended families and emerging technology,” according to a new statement from the company. “She is a total ’80s girl.”

Courtney, a gamer from a fictional California town, joins a line of other historical gals from America’s past, including Revolutionary War-era Felicity, Depression-era Kit, and 1941’s Nanea — with Julie, whose story is set in 1974, being her closest companion age-wise.

The doll itself costs $110, with the option to buy a miniature version of the World War II-era American Girl doll Molly ($30), to add a meta element to the fictional 18-inch toy’s story.

Her other accessories, available for purchase separately, include a working, doll-sized Pac-Man Arcade ($149.99), ’80s-chic bunk-bed bedroom set ($225), Care Bears sleeping bag set ($36) and an already backordered sleepover set featuring a boombox with cassettes ($50).

Courtney also has an online play site set to launch Oct. 1, which will include an interactive mall experience and dance-challenge tutorial.

American Girl partnered with the band the Go-Go’s and the nonprofit Girls Who Code to announce the doll and to promote Courtney’s empowerment of female gamers: Through Dec. 31, the toy company is matching customer donations to the educational organization, dollar for dollar up to $50,000.

The child of the ’80s is the first new historical character American Girl has released in three years, although an online parody, which went viral in July, may have convinced some that there was another doll was in the works. “Meet Karen,” read the fake ad for a gun-toting white doll who refuses to wear a face covering while grocery shopping during the coronavirus pandemic. “She’s an independent thinker who refuses to wear a mask in public places!”

The American Girl doll manufacturer said it was “disgusted,” by the joke.

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