If you identify as a millennial, be prepared to feel personally attacked.
On Feb. 22, American Girl launched two new dolls to join their famous collection of “historical characters.” However, some fans of the toy company are feeling slighted, as the new dolls—twins named Isabel and Nicki—are from the ’90s, which doesn’t feel that long ago for some customers.
“Did you just say historical?” one follower asked on the company’s Instagram post about the new additions. Another wrote, “The 90’s are now historical dolls… I’m not okay with this.”
“what happens when we reach the 2000s do we go back to Kaya and restart?” a third fan chimed in, referencing the indigenous doll from the 1760s.
The company responded to the shock by writing on Twitter Feb. 22, “Didn’t mean to hurt so many feelings today.”
All jokes aside, Isabel and Nicki seem to be an interesting addition to the brand’s diverse lineup. “With their stories set in Seattle in 1999, Isabel and Nicki bring the dial-up decade to lifefor fans, highlighting the tech boom and society’s embrace of the Internet, as well as the ground-breaking music, fashion trends, and television entertainment of the era,” American Girl noted in a statement. “Though they share the same birthday, these twin sisters are as different as glitter and grunge.”
Jamie Cygielman, General Manager of American Girl, noted the growing nostalgia for the ’90s for the unexpected decision.
“From the start, The American Girls Collection® has been central to our mission in helping build girls of strong character through inspiring stories and products that show them how the past is full of lessons that can be applied to the present,” Cygielman added. ” We know our fans will love getting to know more about the ’90s with Isabel and Nicki and discovering the girl power in all of our beloved heroines.”
While we hate to be the bearer of bad news, we should also note that some popular dolls from the ’90s, including 1770s heroine Felicity and 1850s adventurer Kirsten, have been retired.