Rama Llama is Jem and The Holograms' pink-haired pet llama. She was an exclusive mail-in figure, part of Hasbro's Jem toyline, which was released in 1987.
History[]
In order to obtain a Rama Llama action figure, the customer would first be required to buy either a Jem, Rio or Rockin' Roadster doll/toy from Jem's Glitter 'n Gold Fashion, and then get a coupon for a mail in rebate offered at various toy retailers (there actually wasn't mention of Rama Llama on this coupon). When the consumer received the rebate cheque in the mail, they'd also receive an offer for a Rama Llama figure. The story on the offer read:
"On her recent tour of South America, JEM was presented with this magnificent pet Llama.
Rama Llama is sizzling hot pink, has long hair to comb and style, and comes with a grooming brush and blanket.
As the bands' official mascot, she travels everywhere with JEM and the Holograms.
NOT AVAILABLE IN ANY STORE!"
The figure came equipped with a traditional South American-styled blanket and a llama-shaped grooming brush. She cost $8.50 total and was available until March 31, 1988, or while supplies lasted. Leftover Rama Llamas would be repurposed into "Pony Friend Llama" (or simply "Llama") of the My Little Pony toyline (also by Hasbro), apparently only sold in Canada.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Her name is a reference to the Rāmāyana, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and important text of Hinduism, the other being the Mahābhārata.
- Apparently, Hasbro never went through promotion of Rama Llama and due to this the figures were not mass distributed.
- The concept behind the offers was that Jem was on a tour throughout the five continents collecting souvenirs and Rama Llama was the one from South America.
- It seems that the idea of a pet for Jem came from Hasbro, as opposed to being from Sunbow, the producers of the animated series.
- There is a rare Rama Llama prototype with yellow fur, although these were test prototypes only, so that the toy could be checked for quality, length and construction, but she was always going to be pink. This is referred to as the "Easter Llama".
- There is also a Rama Llama pre-production prototype without any fur at all.
- Her original name was going to be "Dolli Llama".
- This name was probably a pun to the word "doll".
- Concept art by Stefanie Clark Eskander, designer of the doll, shows that the Dolli Llama (as she was known back then) was planned to come with more accessories apart from the blanket and brush; these included: a bowler hat, a hat box, a neckpiece, and an eating dish.
References[]
External links[]
- Jem's Mascot: Rama Llama at Jem Vs Pranceatron - Source for information and images.