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The American Girl Shared Universe (13+)

People & Blogs

Introduction

Since its creation in 1986, American Girl has introduced numerous characters with in-depth stories that span various periods in history. A popular theory suggests that all American Girl characters exist within a single universe and timeline, referred to as the American Girl Shared Universe (AGSU).

Overview of Historical Characters

The historical characters within the AGSU, listed in chronological order, are:

  • Kaya'aton'my (1764) - A Native American girl living in the Pacific Northwest.
  • Felicity Merriman (1774) - Residing in Colonial Williamsburg, Felicity has a best friend doll named Elizabeth Cole.
  • Caroline Abbott (1812) - A girl from Sacket Harbor, New York, during the War of 1812.
  • Josefina Montoya (1824) - Living near Santa Fe, New Mexico, during its time as part of Mexico.
  • Cecile Rey and Marie-Grace Gardner (1853) - Friends during the 1853 yellow fever epidemic in New Orleans.
  • Kristen Larson (1854) - A Pioneer who immigrates from Sweden.
  • Addy Walker (1864) - A girl who escaped slavery and navigates life during the Civil War.
  • Samantha Parkington (1904) - Living in New York during the early Progressive Era; her best friend doll is Nellie O’Malley.
  • Rebecca Rubin (1914) - A representative of the second wave of European immigration in New York.
  • Claudia Wells (1922) - A character from New York during the Harlem Renaissance.
  • Kit Kittredge (1934) - Living in Cincinnati, Ohio, during the Great Depression.
  • Molly McIntyre (1944) - Her story takes place during World War II in Jefferson, Illinois.
  • Mary Ellen Larkin (1954) - A girl from Daytona Beach, Florida, representing the Cold War era.
  • Melody Ellison (1964) - Living in Detroit, Michigan, during the Civil Rights era.
  • Julie Albright (1974) - A California resident representing the feminist movements.
  • Courtney Moore (1986) - Living in Orange Valley, California, focusing on technological advances during the AIDS epidemic.
  • Nikki and Isabelle Hoffman (1999) - Who live in Seattle, Washington, during the turn of the millennium.

Overview of Contemporary Characters

Contemporary characters include:

  • Lindsay Bergman (2001) - Based in Chicago, focusing on helping others.
  • Kaylee Hopkins (2003) - An environmental activist from California.
  • Marisol Luna (2005) - An aspiring dancer from Chicago.
  • Jess McConnell (2006) - Travels abroad with her archaeologist parents.
  • Mia St. Clair (2008) - A figure skater from New York.
  • Chrissa Maxwell (2009) - From Minnesota, overcoming bullying.
  • Kanani Aina (2011) - A photographer from Hawaii who loves wildlife.
  • McKenna Brooks (2012) - A gymnast in Seattle.
  • Sage Copeland (2013) - An artist from New Mexico.
  • Isabelle Palmer (2014) - A dancer from Washington, D.C.
  • Grace Thomas (2015) - A baker who travels to Paris.
  • Leah Clark (2016) - A photographer traveling to Brazil.
  • Gabriella McBride (2017) - A dancer and poet from Philadelphia.
  • Tenny Grant (2017) - An aspiring musician from Nashville.
  • Luciana Vega (2018) - A pioneering astronaut aspirant.
  • Blair Wilson (2019) - A farmer from fictitious Bluefield, New York.
  • Kira Bailey (2021) - An environmental advocate from Michigan.
  • Evette Peters, Marita Ooa, and M. Williams - Other contemporary characters, focusing on various modern issues.
  • Kat Tan (2022) - A skier from Colorado, addressing racism.
  • Lyla Manetti (2024) - A gymnast connected to contemporary themes.

Theories Surrounding AGSU

Fans have developed various theories within the AGSU:

  1. Marie-Grace is Grandmary Theory: Marie-Grace, born in 1843, could plausibly be Samantha’s grandmother due to their potential familial naming patterns.
  2. Mary Ellen is Courtney's Mom Theory: The physical similarities between Mary Ellen and Courtney have led to speculation, but official names create hurdles for this theory.
  3. Julie is Kaylee's Mom Theory: While both have similar features and live in California, this theory lacks substantial support.
  4. Grandma Naa Connection: A known connection, as Naa is confirmed to be Kanani's grandmother through canonical sources.
  5. McKenna is Lyla’s Coach: This connection was confirmed with the release of Lyla, linking two generations of characters.

Challenges to the AGSU Theory

A major roadblock to this theory lies in the brand's presence across the timelines. Courtney features vintage American Girl items, and the Hoffman twins possess branded items, creating ambiguity. However, supporting evidence includes an Instagram video showing a character connection that brings a thread of continuity across timelines.

Conclusion

There are certainly numerous theories connecting American Girl dolls and characters throughout both historical and contemporary narratives. The AGSU serves as an intriguing framework for fans to explore the intertwining stories of these beloved dolls.

Keywords

American Girl, Shared Universe, characters, historical, contemporary, theories, Marie-Grace, Grandmary, connections.

FAQ

What is the American Girl Shared Universe (AGSU)?
The AGSU is the theory that all American Girl characters, both historical and contemporary, exist within one universe and timeline.

Who are the main historical characters in AGSU?
Notable characters include Kaya, Felicity, Samantha, and Addy, spanning from 1764 to 1986.

What significant theories exist within the AGSU?
There are several theories, including those suggesting familial connections between characters, such as Marie-Grace being Samantha's grandmother.

Are contemporary characters also part of the AGSU?
Yes, characters from the Girl of the Year line and the World By Us line contribute to the AGSU narrative.

What evidence supports the existence of the AGSU?
Connections made through character similarities, timelines, and specific story events hint at an interwoven universe.