What are Sonny Angels?
Sonny Angels are small, cherub-like figurines with varied headgear. A Sonny Angel is essentially a very small figurine (about 3 inches (76 mm) in height) that looks like a cherubic boy angel. Sonny Angels are usually naked with a baby-like body, but they wear distinctive hats and headgear. The variants of these decorative “hats” are what make Sonny Angels a collectible item—fans want to collect as many versions of the figurine as possible. Sonny Angels are also sold in “blind boxes,” meaning that you can choose the series you want to buy (e.g., Harvest, Animals, Marine, Birthday, Snack, etc.), but the actual figurine design you get will be a surprise. According to the company behind the doll, Sonny Angel is the character of “a little angel boy who likes wearing all sorts of headgear. He is always by your side to make you smile. Sonny Angel will provide healing moments in your everyday life.” Sonny also has a “best friend” named Robby Angel, who’s a more rare, bunny-like character who can change his skin color and appearance. What are Sonny Angels used for? Sonny Angel dolls aren’t really used for anything in a practical sense—they’re just for fun! For some people, it’s a hobby to collect different figurines, similar to how you might collect action figures or stuffed animals. They can decorate your room or office, and certain versions of the figurine (called “hippers”) can hug onto your phone or laptop. We’ll cover more on this topic in the next section.
Why are Sonny Angels so popular?
Sonny Angels are beloved for their fun looks and surprise element. If you ask a Sonny Angel fan, they’ll likely tell you that they like the doll because it’s fun, cute, and nothing more! Also, with the “blind buying” element, the purchasing process itself is fun, since you’ll never know which figurine you’ll get. Some also claim that there are mental health benefits to the figurine and that they can boost comfort, nostalgia, and a sense of companionship. This is especially true for younger members of Generation Z, among whom the Sonny Angel dolls are most popular. Sonny Angels also blew up on TikTok, and they’re often featured in viral videos, which is likely responsible for the figurine’s massive popularity, as well as its likelihood to sell out. Sonny Angels are also known for being (relatively) cheap, making them an easy collectible for young people on a budget. Which Sonny Angels dolls are the most popular? The three most popular Sonny Angel series are the Hippers Harvest Series, the Animal 4 Series, and the Marine Series. Here’s a brief breakdown of the figurines you’ll find in each series: Hippers Harvest: These Sonny Angels wear fruit and veggie headwear and are in a “climbing” pose to be attached to other objects and furniture. Hat variations include: blackberry, cherry, pear, strawberry, carrot, apple, pineapple, eggplant, melon, radish, mushroom, and chili pepper. Animal 4: These Sonny Angels wear animal-inspired hats. Variations include: lion, horse, goat, gorilla, hippo, anteater, cheetah, shiba inu, calico cat, peacock, buffalo, and alpaca. Marine: These Sonny Angels wear hats inspired by sea creatures. Variations include: shark, jellyfish, dolphin, seal, seahorse, whale, clownfish, shell, penguin, manta ray, blowfish, and starfish.
How much are Sonny Angels?
Depending on the retailer and series, Sonny Angels cost $10-12 USD. On the Sonny Angel website, and from most retailers, the figurines are usually $10 to $12 dollars. However, the massive popularity and collectible nature of the dolls—combined with some limited edition releases—has created a huge resale market. Some rare figurines can be resold at much higher prices, sometimes up to ten times the original cost. Secret “Robby” figurines (a rabbit-like figure who’s Sonny’s “best friend”) can even sell for up to $250. Some collectors also organize trade events where they can exchange Sonny Angel figurines with other consumers. This is usually done with the goal of finishing a series or acquiring a certain rare or sought-after doll.
Where can you buy Sonny Angels?
Buy Sonny Angels through their official website or at a licensed retailer. If you want to buy an authentic Sonny Angel at a reasonable price, you can get a blind box from the official Sonny Angel online store. However, in any given 30-day period, you can only buy 1 blind box per series through the website. Alternatively, use the Sonny Angel Store Locator to find an official, licensed retailer in your area. Once you’ve found a store near you, give them a call to make sure they have Sonny Angels in stock—they sell out fast! Another option is to buy a Sonny Angel figurine through an online seller. Many marketplaces—like Amazon, Depop, eBay, and AliExpress—will have sellers advertising specific Sonny Angel dolls and blind boxes. However, these resellers are not licensed by Sonny Angel. So, there is a chance that these products are fake or counterfeit. It’s best to be cautious and learn to spot fake Sonny Angels before buying from third-party sellers. Read this forum to see if any wikiHow users in your area have insider tips on where to buy legit Sonny Angel dolls.
When does Sonny Angel restock?
The official store restocks sporadically but announces the dates on social media. There aren’t specific times or dates when the Sonny Angel store restocks their products. However, when they do plan to restock, it’s generally announced ahead of time on their official Instagram or website. In some cases, an out-of-stock item on the website may also show an estimated restock date below the “Purchase” button. If you want to know when a local Sonny Angel store or retailer near you will restock, it’s best to call them individually and ask.
Where did Sonny Angels come from?
Sonny Angel figurines were first released in Japan in 2004. Toru Soeya, the creator of Sonny Angel, first designed the character to offer comfort and companionship to young working women during Japan’s 2004 recession (and the later 2008 crisis). The doll was initially released as a 7 inches (180 mm) figurine that was inspired by Kewpie, a similar baby-like doll. Later, it was sized down to be 3 inches (76 mm) in height—which is the version that took off on TikTok in 2023 and has gone on to be sold in over 33 countries. Over on TikTok, the hashtag #sonnyangel had over 532 million views (as of March 2024).
What’s the controversy around Sonny Angels?
Some people dislike the nudity or “creepy” nature of Sonny Angels. Any controversy around the Sonny Angels usually stems from their “nude” appearance. Some people claim that they portray a sexualization or fetishization of the naked infant body. However, many consumers—and the company itself—have rejected this take, stating that the dolls are innocent characters without any definitive anatomical features. They were also originally intended to be sold to young women who wanted a nostalgic item that reminded them of their childhood toys. Other people believe that Sonny Angels are “creepy” or unsettling, usually due to their nakedness or the permanent side-eye expression they wear. On a deeper level, some online commenters have accused Sonny Angel of taking advantage of the “inner child” consumerism trend. They claim that the dolls lead to excessive spending, a focus on collecting for the sake of collecting, and price gouging on the resale market. However, opposers of this point argue that this could be said for any collectible item, including baseball cards, Pokémon cards, or action figures. Since most of these items are collected by predominantly cis-men, it makes the “consumerism” and “excessive spending” argument sound more like a misogynistic double standard. All this being said, Sonny Angels are generally uncontroversial and well-liked by most people—any dislike or backlash is largely subjective.
Sonny Angel vs. Labubu
Sonny Angels and Labubus are collectible toys with different aesthetics. The Sonny Angel is a cherubic, baby-like collectible figurine with a cutesy face and headwear. Its main intent is to provide a sense of comfort, calm, nostalgia, and companionship. Labubus, on the other hand, are furry dolls with bunny ears and creepy-cute monster-like faces. They’re often used to make a fashion statement, which isn’t as prevalent with Sonny Angels. Both dolls, however, are “blind-buy” items that come in surprise boxes. They’re also highly collectible and popular among the Millennial and Gen Z generations.
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