Some of the most popular blind boxes you’ll want to unbox ASAP
Growing up, my grandparents would take me and my brother out at Ala Moana Center, a mall in Honolulu, HI, and we would each pick out a blind box. My brother and I would spend almost an hour at the toy shop, trying to decide which box to get and shaking the boxes to see if we could get the toy that we “wanted.” This tradition lasted throughout my childhood, and to this day I still get excited about the possibilities of what could be in these concealed packages.
Blind boxes, just as the name sounds, is a box that contains a “mystery” collectible toy or figurine. Having recently risen in popularity, these blind boxes are often sold in themed series, and are created by well-known companies, many of whom have broken into the toy industry in recent years. Having many appealing characteristics including the cuteness or aesthetic of each figurine, the surprise aspect of not knowing which figurine you’ll get, and the potential of getting the “rare” 1/100 chance figurine.Â
As blind boxes have continued to grow in popularity, sales have continued to rise especially in the US. This has become prominent as specific companies have begun to dominate the market. The following are some of the most popular blind box figurines:
- Sonny Angels. These figurines are a mix between a chubby baby boy and a fairy, usually dressed in special themed attire. Some of the most popular themes include fruits and animals, all of which are found within each blind box. Users can choose the theme of the blind box, but they aren’t able to see exactly what type of food or animal is in the box until they are opened.Â
- Smiskis. These are cute, little green and blue colored creatures that are posed doing everyday things, like holding a toothbrush, doing a yoga pose, helping move some boxes, and even walking a dog. These figurines even glow in the dark!
- Labubus. These monster-shaped keychains have recently begun to rise in popularity after K-pop idol Lisa, a member of the girl group Blackpink, was seen in public with one of the figurines on her bag. Today, labubu dolls are almost impossible to find even months later, with many trending videos highlighting the likelihood of getting scammed with off-brand labubus, also known as “lafufus.”Â
P.S. A quick tip to make sure that the blind box you’re purchasing is “legit” is by thoroughly inspecting the packaging and staying hypervigilant about the cost of items! Packaging that do not include original logos or potentially have misspellings in their descriptions, or prices that seem “too good to be true” are just a few notable signs that these items are fake.
This being said, all of these blind box figurines have continued to stay prevalent, only increasing in popularity as fanbases continue to expand. Just recently, I’ve gotten back into collecting more niche figurine blind boxes, and get a lot of my inspiration from social media posts. For example, a few weeks ago, I made a trip down to the Bay Area and had the chance to purchase a few Sylvian Family / Calico Critter blind bags that I now have displayed on my shelf in my bedroom! As these blind boxes continue to captivate the hearts of tens of hundreds of thousands around the world, it’s clear that their appeal extends far beyond the figurines themselves. Whether it’s the nostalgia of childhood traditions, the element of surprise, or the desire to get the “rarest” option, blind boxes have paved the way for fans and toy collectors alike for years to come.Â
As we continue to unbox the mystery, one figurine at a time, it’s safe to say that these tiny treasures are worth the hype, and are likely to remain a beloved part of our collectible culture for years to come. A sense of nostalgia, surprise, and fun ultimately make blind boxes worth the hype.