First Year Boxes

The best way to see international differences in packaging is by looking at the first year "side flap" boxes, as any country that carried Jem products would have had them.  All foreign (Non-US) dolls have boxes peculiar to the corresponding country that manufactured or assembled it.  All countries, except for Spain and Mexico sold dolls that were manufactured in China or Hong Kong.  The easiest way to tell a foreign box from an American one (besides just not being only in English) is the "Truly Outrageous!" tag under the main Jem logo which, for each country has a different translation.  The Hasbro logo and licensing information will also tell which market the doll was originally sold to.  Occasionally there will be other signifiers of a foreign issued doll box.  So far, these are all the different countries I've seen with their own distinct 1st year Jem doll packaging.

USA
Australia &  New Zealand*
Belgium*
Canada
France
Germany
Italy
Mexico
The Netherlands
Spain
United Kingdom

*so far, I've never seen but are worth mentioning for various reasons.

US 1st Year doll boxes
 
As Jem is an American product, I'm using the US version as the definitive version of a Jem doll/packaging.  The first 8 dolls (Jem, Aja, Kimber, Shana, Rio, Pizzazz, Roxy and Stormer) all came in rectangular boxes with a "flap", shown left. The flap on the side is embellished with large, highly realistic rendering of the doll's character.  Each box is particular to the doll that came in it.  The licensing/manufacturing information on the side panel can differ due to where the doll was made or assembled and is not a variation.
Among these eight, there are four sub categories:
Jem/Jerrica, The Holograms (Aja, Kimber, Shana) The Misfits (Roxy, Pizzazz, Stormer) and Rio.  All are based on the same template, but each has differences peculiar to it's subgroup. 

1986 Holograms Box
Kimber, Aja and Shana, had a common illustration, the same used for "The First Year Illustrated Poster" on the back, along with text about the Jem/Jerrica triangle, etc.  Also included is a description of the box contents, stock numbers, the Hasbro logo. Lastly, there are Jemstar points, which could be redeemed for mail-in special offers.  The box flows from yellow to orange to pink, and has primarily violet writing on it. 

1986 Jem/Jerrica Box
very similar to the Holograms box.  Differences are:
  • the cassette tape image is replaced by a drawing of Jem and a notation about the Jemstar earrings & Jerrica's extra fashion.
  • The back of the box has some extra text relating to her batteries (by Jerrica's leg)
    		•

    		1986 Rio Box
    Similar to Jem/Jerrica & the Holograms boxes, the back illustration and text is almost the same, except the "Fully Poseable Doll" text (under the Rockin' Roadster) has been removed. My Rio has his name written on the top, side and bottom flaps, I don't know if all Rio's do or not; I also have a Stormer with the same thing so it's not peculiar to him. 

    		1986 Misfits Dolls Box
    Pizzazz, Stormer, and Roxy came with the Misfits Illustrated poster image on the back, also with statements like "...they'll do anything to undermine Jem and the Holograms - even sabotage their concerts!"  Also included is a description of the box contents, stock numbers, the Hasbro logo. Lastly, there are Jemstar points, which could be redeemed for mail-in special offers.  Unlike the Holograms boxes, the Misfits boxes have an extra colour- purple, on the bottom, the text being more pink on these boxes.  Only the Misfits got the extra glory of having their name banners printed on the back of their boxes as well as the front.

    US Variant ("name" boxes)
     
    		Left: Stormer "name" box, beside a Roxy non-named box.
    Some flap boxes have the name of the doll printed on the side, top and bottom panel.  It doesn't seem to matter the country of origin (Hong Kong or China) but as the second year doll boxes also have the names like this, my guess is that it was a feature added to later-run issues of the dolls.  I don't know if all dolls had this variation or not; my Rio has the name so I don't know if there is a "non-named" box for him. 

    US Variant ("Audition Contest" boxes)
     
    		"Audition contest" box. 
    Some dolls from 1986 had a star printed on the upper right corner of the box advertising the Jem Audition Contest.  On the side of the box was the "no purchase necessary" rules. Inside you got a piece of paper with all the directions and information, along with the music from the Jem Theme Song.  Basically you phoned the number and sang the Jem song to get prizes (and I've been doing it for free all these years...)  Thanks to Amber Frisch for the scan of the corner sticker and box side panel!  Here is an article about the girl who won first prize!

    International Boxes
     
    International Differences.
    As with the US, International "flap" doll boxes generally follow the same formula of the four subgroups (Jem, Rio, The Misfits & The Holograms), but this section is to find what is specifically different about an international box. 

    Due to language differences, the following things are often different, and so are the things to use to identify an international box. 
    1. Doll's name
    2. Cassette Tape Information 
    3. Hasbro Logo (appears on back as well)
    4. Truly Outrageous Tag (also appears on back and side)
    5. Stock Number (also appears on back and side)
    6. Audition Contest Panel, often is not there on US dolls. 
    7. Manufacturer information
    8. Jemstar Points

    Belgian
     
    It has become increasingly apparent that there are no Belgian first year doll boxes (boxes with both French & Flemish/Dutch text).  It would appear as though the Dutch 1st year dolls would have sufficed for the Belgian market in the first year.   If you have a Belgian first-year doll box, please let me know about it!

    Canadian
     
    		Holograms/Misfits/Rio Box
    See the numbered example box above to understand the numbering system described here.
    Boxes are written in English and French text.
    1. Doll's name: Depending on the doll, reads: "________ des Holograms" or "________ des Misfits".  Rio & Jem/Jerrica remain the same as US boxes.
    2. Cassette Tape Information: Song titles remain in English, the rest of the writing is in French and English.  The font is noticeably different from the US one.
    3. Hasbro Logo: the same as the US.
    4. Truly Outrageous Tag: is in a different, smaller font, and reads below that "Vraiment Extravagante". 
    5. Stock Number: Same system as used in the US
    6. Audition Contest Panel, Information needed.
    7. Licensing information/Country of manufacture: Hasbro Canada, Inc./Longueuil Quebec/J4G 1G2"
    8. Jemstar Points/Proof of Purchase; Are there, and are in French and English

    *Thanks to Jean-Nicolas from Québec, Canada / popartmusic81 for this photo
    Photo Needed, photo below will help in the meantime! Jem/Jerrica
    See the numbered example box above to understand the numbering system described here.
    Boxes are written in English and French text.
    1. Doll's name: Jem/Jerrica, same as US.
    2. Earring/Fashion Information: In English & French, in a larger, different font from the US.
    3. Hasbro Logo: the same as the US.
    4. Truly Outrageous Tag: is in a different, smaller font, and reads below that "Vraiment Extravagante". 
    5. Stock Number: Same system as used in the US
    6. Audition Contest Panel, Information needed.
    7. Licensing information/Country of manufacture: Hasbro Canada, Inc./Longueuil Quebec/J4G 1G2"
    8. Jemstar Points/Proof of Purchase; Are there, and are in French and English

    For more on Jem in Canada, go here.

    Canadian Variant ("Audition Contest" boxes)
     
    		Some Canadian First-Year doll boxes have an "Audition Contest" star printed beside their name banner, like the US audition contest boxes do. 

    *Thanks to Jean-Nicolas from Québec, Canada / popartmusic81 for this photo & information!

     

    French
      

    		 See the numbered example box above to understand the numbering system described here.
    Boxes are written primarily in French, with some English (song titles, etc)
    Front of Box
    1. Doll's name: Depending on the doll, reads: "______ du groupe Holograms" or Misfits.  Rio & Jem/Jerrica remain the same as US boxes.
    2. Cassette Tape Information: Song titles remain in English, the rest of the writing is in French.
    3. Hasbro Logo: the same as the US.
    4. Truly Outrageous Tag: below it reads "Elle rock... elle choque!" (loosely translated to "She rocks... she shocks!") 
    5. Stock Number: Information needed.
    6. Audition Contest Panel, has a short description of Jem and the Holograms (nothing to do with the audition contest)
    7. Licensing information/Country of manufacture: unknown
  • 8. Jemstar Points/Proof of Purchase are there.

    • For more on Jem in France, go here.

    *Thanks to Jean-Nicolas from Québec, Canada / popartmusic81 for this photo!

    French Variant ("Free Tape" boxes)
     
    Photo Needed
    		 Like the Spanish box shown below, some first year Jem/Jerrica boxes came with a large white sticker applied that advertised a free cassette with her purchase.  At this point I am not entirely sure which cassette, if it came in the box, or how else it could be acquired. 

    German
     

    See the numbered example box above to understand the numbering system described here.
    Boxes are primarily in German, with some English text.
    1. Doll's name: Depending on the doll, reads: "________ von den Holograms" .  I don't know about the Misfits or other dolls.  Note that it is not "van de Holograms/Misfits", those are Dutch boxes.
    2. Cassette Tape Information: Song titles remain in English, the rest of the writing is in German.
    3. Hasbro Logo: the same as the US, "Die Holograms" text 
    4. Truly Outrageous Tag: the same as the US, no additional text.
    5. Stock Number: information needed.
    6. Audition Contest Panel, Information needed.
    7. Licensing information/Country of manufacture: Copyright 1986 Milton Bradley/ gmBh under Berne & Universal/Made in Hong Kong/H32.
    8. Jemstar Points/Proof of Purchase; unknown

    *Thanks to Jean-Nicolas from Québec, Canada / popartmusic81 for this photo and information.

    For more on Jem in Germany, go here.

    Italian
     

    		Holograms/Misfits/Rio Box

    See the numbered example box above to understand the numbering system described here.
    Boxes are primarily in Italian, with some English text.
    1. Doll's name: Depending on the doll, reads: "________ delle Holograms" .  I don't know about the Misfits or other dolls.
    2. Cassette Tape Information: Song titles remain in English, the rest of the writing is in Italian.
    3. Hasbro Logo: the same as the US.
    4. Truly Outrageous Tag: has an extra "Rock N' Shock!" line under it.
    5. Stock Number: Different system than US
    6. Audition Contest Panel: has a short description of Jem and the Holograms (nothing to do with the audition contest)
    7. Licensing information/Country of manufacture: © 1986 MB Italy S.r.l./under Berne & Universal Copyright Convention./Made in Hong Kong/H32." Notice the later date (US ones say 1985), and Italian Hasbro/MB information. The bottom flap's serial number has an "IT" distinction beside it. 
    8. Jemstar Points/Proof of Purchase; are there but with no explanation as to what they are on the box.

    		Jem/Jerrica Box

    See the numbered example box above to understand the numbering system described here.
    Boxes are primarily in Italian, with some English text.
    1. Doll's name: Jem/Jerrica (same as US)
    2. Jem "star" logo: Same as US, translated into Italian.
    3. Hasbro Logo: the same as the US.
    4. Truly Outrageous Tag: has an extra "Rock N' Shock!" line under it.
    5. Stock Number: Different system than US
    6. Audition Contest Panel: has a short description of Jem and the Holograms (nothing to do with the audition contest)
    7. Licensing information/Country of manufacture: © 1986 MB Italy S.r.l./under Berne & Universal Copyright Convention./Made in Hong Kong/H32." Notice the later date (US ones say 1985), and Italian Hasbro/MB information. The bottom flap's serial number has an "IT" distinction beside it. 
    8. Jemstar Points/Proof of Purchase; are there but with no explanation as to what they are on the box.
    Other: like the US box, Jem/Jerrica boxes have some additional text on the back, relating to her batteries (by Jerrica's leg in the drawing). 

    *Thanks to Gina for providing these photos!

    For more on Jem in Italy, go here.

    Dutch
     

    		See the numbered example box above to understand the numbering system described here.

    Boxes are written primarily in Dutch, with some English (song titles, etc).  As so I (and many other collector's I've spoken too) haven't yet seen 1st-Year Belgian box, it's reasonable to guess that these Dutch-only boxes were probably meant for the Belgian market as well. 

    1. Doll's name: Depending on the doll, reads: "________ van de Holograms/Misfits".  It is important to distinguish this from "von der Holograms/Misfits, as those are German boxes.
    2. Cassette Tape Information: Song titles remain in English, the rest of the writing is in Dutch.
    3. Hasbro Logo: the same as the US.
    4. Truly Outrageous Tag: remains the same as the US, no difference.
    5. Stock Number: Different system than US
    6. Audition Contest Panel: has a short description of Jem and the Holograms (nothing to do with the audition contest)
    7. Licensing information/Country of manufacture: reads "© 1986 MB/International BV/under Berne & Universal Copyright Convention./Made in Hong Kong/H32."  Notice the later date, US boxes typically are dated 1985.
    8. Jemstar Points/Proof of Purchase; are there but with no explanation as to what they are on the box.

    For more on Jem in The Netherlands, go here.

    The UK
     
    Photo Needed.
    		 See the numbered example box above to understand the numbering system described here.
    Boxes are written  in English and strongly resemble US packaging.
    1. Doll's name: Same as the US.
    2. Cassette Tape Information: Same as the US.
    3. Hasbro Logo: the same as the US.
    4. Truly Outrageous Tag: remains the same as the US.
    5. Stock Number: Information needed.
    6. Audition Contest Panel; information needed.
    7. Licensing information/Country of manufacture: Hasbro Industries (UK) Ltd, Wokingham, Berkshire.
    8. Jemstar Points/Proof of Purchase; information needed.

    For more on Jem in the UK, go here.

    UK Variant ("Free Video" boxes)
     
    Photo Needed
    		 Some dolls (possibly only Jem/Jerrica) had their side flap completely covered by a sticker and an actual video tape glued to it, the episode on it was The Rock Fashion Book.

    Spanish
     
    Photo Needed  Holograms/Rio Box
    See the numbered example box above to understand the numbering system described here.
    Boxes are written completely in (Catalan) Spanish
    1. Doll's name: Depending on the doll, reads: "________ De Las Holograms" or Misfits.  Spanish boxes capitalized the "De Las" part, Mexican ones have them lower case ("de las").
    2. Cassette Tape Information: Entirely in Spanish, as the songs themselves are dubbed in Spanish. 
    3. Hasbro Logo: the same as the US.
    4. Truly Outrageous Tag: is replaced by "Verdaderamente Fantástica".
    5. Stock Number: Different from the US, not shown on the side panel.
    6. Audition Contest Panel; has a short description of Jem and the Holograms (nothing to do with the audition contest)
    7. Licensing information/Country of manufacture: (translated) Made In Valencia, Spain by MB España, dated 1986.
    8. Jemstar Points/Proof of Purchase; on the back, with instructions to clip and save them. 
    Other:
    The Spanish boxes are the only ones I know of that don't have a glued down flap on the top, instead just a regular recloseable top.

    		Jem/Jerrica Box
    See the numbered example box above to understand the numbering system described here.
    Boxes are written completely in (Catalan) Spanish
    1. Doll's name: Jem/Jerrica, just like the US.
    2. Cassette Tape Information: Entirely in Spanish, as the songs themselves are dubbed in Spanish (or so I thought?  There is some debate over this)
    3. Hasbro Logo: the same as the US.
    4. Truly Outrageous Tag: is replaced by "Verdaderamente Fantástica".
    5. Stock Number: Different from the US, not shown on the side panel.
    6. Audition Contest Panel; has a short description of Jem and the Holograms (nothing to do with the audition contest)
    7. Licensing information/Country of manufacture: (translated) Made In Valencia, Spain by MB España, dated 1986.
    8. Jemstar Points/Proof of Purchase; on the back, with instructions to clip and save them. 
    Other:
  • The Spanish boxes are the only ones I know of that don't have a glued down flap on the top, instead just a regular recloseable top. 
  • Has a sticker on the back advertising Duracel batteries (placed beside the notation that Jem comes with them included)

    •  

     
     
     
     
     

    For more on Jem in Spain, go here.

    Spanish Variant ("Free Tape" boxes)
     
    		Some (all?) first year Jem/Jerrica boxes came with a large white sticker applied that advertised a free cassette with her purchase.  At this point I am not entirely sure which cassette, if it came in the box, or how else it could be acquired.  As I have the only Spanish Jem/Jerrica doll I know of, I don't know if they all have this sticker or not. 

    Mexican
     


    Boxes are written completely in (Mexican) Spanish
    1. Doll's name: Depending on the doll, reads: "________ de las Holograms" or Misfits.
    2. Cassette Tape Information: Entirely in (Mexican) Spanish, as the songs themselves are dubbed in (Mexican) Spanish.  The song titles are differently titled than those from the Spanish dolls. 
    3. Hasbro Logo; It is similar to the Hasbro logo, but not the same; they are made under license by Juguetes Con Vida.
    4. Truly Outrageous Tag: is replaced by "Es Fabulosa". It is not written on the back of the box, but it is everywhere else it would normally be on the US box (top flap, etc)
    5. Stock Number: It is the same for Jem, I have yet to see another doll's box
    6. Audition Contest Panel; is not there, like typical US boxes.
    7. Licensing information/Country of manufacture: Licensing information/Country of manufacture: The information is shown on the other long side panel (adjacent to the side flap), "Hecho en Mexico por Plasticos Iga S.A. Bajo licencia de Hasbro Bradley Inc."
    8. Jemstar Points/Proof of Purchase; are not there.

    For more on Jem in Mexico, go here.

    Australian & New Zealand.
     
    Photo Needed
    		 Information Needed.  I have heard that Australia & New Zealand's Jem products were only imports from the UK or the US, but I'm wondering if that's not totally true.  If anyone out there has a specifically Australian or New Zealand Jem doll box, feel free to contact me! 
    For more on Jem in Australia, go here.
    For more on Jem in New Zealand, go here.