Layout by: Edward Tabig
Published by: Lean Miguel Tizon
Date published: November 15, 2024
Time published: 9:34 AM
Ranging from angels to monsters and other unique themes, collectors are all about the unmatched cuteness of the currently popular figurines. These usually small toys captured the hearts of the people with their distinct, adorable features, may it be a set of pointy teeth or dainty, colorful clothing. Their skyrocketing fame brought upon a fever of joy and charm that many could not resist.
With most of these collectibles packaged in a blind box, buyers are even more enthralled to get a sweet surprise upon purchasing. For the very same reason, certain figurines are quite expensive and in high demand, specifically the ones that are rarely pulled. Regardless, avid collectors go to great lengths just to get hold of their desired figurine.
One of the factors that fueled the collectibles trend is the newly discovered uses for them. Nowadays, figurines aren’t only displayed on shelves; they are also tagged as decorative keychains and fashion accessories. However, opinions are divided regarding these toys, with some in favor and some not fully understanding the hype. So, let’s further explore the world of collectibles and find out why many are jumping on the bandwagon.
SONNY ANGEL
Sonny Angel figurines depict a cherub-like boy named Sonny, wearing different eye-catching headgear and garments. Released in May of 2004, the first Sonny Angel used to be noticeably bigger by four inches compared to the now three-inch figure. Following its launch, Sonny Angel has continued to manufacture numerous versions and series such as the Hippers and the Marine Series, where the figure demurely accented a selection of sea animals. Soon enough, Sonny Angel became sensational and filled many hearts with delight.
Toru Soeya, the talented illustrator behind Sonny Angels brought life to these figurines thanks to his skills and artistic visions. He shared that the figurines were inspired by the Kewpie character created by Rose O’Neill. Similar to Sonny Angel, Kewpie is a plump infant known for appearing on products like Kewpie mayonnaise and campaign posters. Both Sonny Angel and Kewpie fall closely related to the Latin putti Renaissance figures which symbolize peace, prosperity, and guardianship [1].
“He may bring you happiness” is the tagline that Sonny Angel wants their customers to remember [2]. These figurines are advertised as endearing displays and little healing companions that help bring glee into our lives. Collectors loved this concept, especially the latter. Today, we see several individuals accompanied by their own pocket-sized dainty angels wherever they go and we can't blame them. After all, who could ever leave such a friend behind?
It is evident that buyers were successfully captivated by their innocent and cute visuals, bringing peace and a bit of fun into a repetitive, mundane lifestyle. This explains that Sonny Angel possesses more qualities than just being a tiny doll; it can also serve as our reliable buddy carrying positive energy but in the form of a toy.
LABUBU
Big eyes, tall ears, and serrated teeth. These are the trademarks of the cherished monster character, Labubu. Covered in varying colors of soft fuzz, we can often see these figurines attached to bags, providing a refreshing splash of color and appeal to one’s outfit. The internet went crazy over its quirky combination of monster attributes and undeniable charm.
A creation of Kasing Lung in 2015, Labubu is a character in Lung’s original story entitled “The Monsters”. In the story, the fluffy figure is described as a monster with good intentions but causes harm by mistake. Derived from the illustrator’s creativity and childhood experience, Labubu conforms to Nordic folklore, which Lung took an interest in as a child.
After collaborating with Pop Mart, Labubu’s popularity drastically climbed when Blackpink’s Lisa shared a picture of her monster friend on social media. The star's influential power made fans and other celebrities in Thailand give in to the figurine’s mischievous smile. Eventually, the hot, growing enthusiasm for Labubu became international. In the Philippines, some of the personalities that proudly adored the Labubu figurines include Marian Rivera, Vice Ganda, and Heart Evangelista.
Up until now, the wacky monster has continued to dominate online discussions with its playful qualities. Yet, in spite of the uprising fondness for Labubu, a number of netizens questioned the figurine because of its price point and the sinister theories linked to it. However, most of these concerns have been addressed and debunked, and as a result, Labubu's fame has hardly been affected. The figure proceeds on boosting supporters' serotonin levels, and many can't get enough of it.
HIRONO
Another iconic character available in Pop Mart to take note of is Hirono. Unlike most collectibles which have a fixed expression, Hirono figurines are created to represent multiple human emotions. Composed of a normally glum-looking little boy, the Hirono collection exhibits meaningful art in its variations.
Hirono was born through a Chinese designer named Lang. His creations play around with a wide array of emotions including love, joy, sadness, fear, kindness, cowardice, and such [3]. This branding became their bestselling trait, as the hidden stories behind these figurines deeply resonated with collectors. Hirono’s eyes and attires narrate implicit messages which shows Lang’s meticulousness as an artist.
Hirono’s emotional approach is impeccably shown through their releases, for example, in the Reshape Series. With the theme “Everyone Reshapes Themselves Unconsciously”, the set tells about how we unknowingly change and evolve over time, through the fascinating and symbolic designs of the figurines. Throughout Hirono’s releases, they perfectly encapsulated the nature of humans, each sculpture portraying something worthy of pondering.
Hirono proved that figurines can be much more complex with meanings that are beyond the shape of a collectible toy. For this reason, buyers are additionally motivated and are looking forward to increasing their collection.
Aside from being visually pleasing, figurines like Sonny Angel, Labubu, and Hirono tell inspiring stories and present characters that appeal to our minds and feelings. Whether it be innocence, playfulness, or relatability, they each possess traits that make them unique. From their rise to population, we can learn that value is seen in individuality. These figurines are the best examples of why we should embrace our quirks and see beauty in being different. Above all, with the elation that they bring, we are reminded that joy can be found even where we least expect it. Likewise, they reinforce the idea that happiness, simple or complex, big or small, appears in all places and forms—sometimes enclosed in a box, waiting to be revealed.
IMAGE SOURCES:
S, M. (2024, September 27). ♡︎. Pinterest. https://ph.pinterest.com/pin/4574037116632311/
N. (2024, October 11). black cat sonny angel~. Pinterest. https://ph.pinterest.com/pin/19914423346893616
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De La Cruz, L. (2024, October 30). Labubu by my brushππ». Pinterest. https://ph.pinterest.com/pin/294493263152504815/
α»c, C. (2024b, July 24). Transparent Wallpaper. Pinterest. https://ph.pinterest.com/pin/50243352085806932/
i n s i g h t. (2023, December 16). Pinterest. https://ph.pinterest.com/pin/21884748181951201/
ππ:ππ :: grace ❤. (2024, February 11). HIRONO The Other One Series. Pinterest. https://ph.pinterest.com/pin/628463323030159649/
REFERENCES:
[1] Buckley, G. (2024, March 5). Sonny Angels: The art history behind your new best friend - The Mancunion. Mancunion.com.
https://mancunion.com/2024/03/05/sonny-angels-art-history/
[2] Sonny Angel. (n.d.). https://www.sonnyangel.com/en/refine/
[3] Sarah. (2024, October 23). Discover the magic of Hirono Figures: Pop Mart’s emotional collectibles. blindboxbuzz. https://blindboxbuzz.com/stories/hirono-figures/
[4] Rizal, D. (2024, September 26). The real backstory of Labubu & all you need to know about the toy. MS News - Independent News for Singaporeans. https://mustsharenews.com/labubu-facts-explainer
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