Eyes of V

If you’ve been around out & about or even on the internet, you’re most likely no stranger to the Labubu & Sonny Angel craze. The cherub angels & cute little monsters have taken the internet by storm. From long lines to crazy resale prices, people will do anything & everything to get their hands on authentic Labubus and or Sonny Angels. But why? 

Both Labubus and Sonny Angels have been around for several years but have recently gained major popularity from social media. So much popularity that resale value can range from $30 to even $500! Now keep in mind that the Labubus and Sonny Angels are two completely different toy designs but can still cost a pretty penny. 

The ones that came into popularity first these past couple of years were the Sonny Angels. The little cherub angels were designed by Toru Soeya in 2004 after being inspired by the Kewpie dolls that were popular back then. Toru created his dolls in order to support working women in Japan feel less stressed & only during the economic hardships at the time. The angels come in small blind boxes which was a concept inspired by Japanese traditions that adds an element of surprise.

Ironically the very first Sonny Angel design was released without any of the headgear we now know & love today. There are many different collections to choose from such as various animal series, a flower series, a birthday series and so much more. By November of 2023, the cherub angels were skyrocketing in sales and popularity thanks to the booming trend of the dolls on TikTok. Many would refer to them as “tiny boyfriends” and “little babies” as many around the world showcased their collections of Sonny Angels.

Sonny Angels were on top of the world in popularity, so much so that even celebrities such as Bella Hadid and Iris Law showcased their love for the tiny cherub angels. But in the shadows emerged even bigger, fluffier and menacing creatures known as Labubus.

The Labubus came to life in 2015 by Kasing Lung, artist based in Hong Kong, in order to try to capture his new series “The Monsters”. The Labubus we all know & love identify as girls while the big version of them with a tail is considered a male as well as their king known as Zimomo. The creatures soon started gaining traction in 2019 when Kasing decided to partner with Pop Mart, the toy company in which we see them on now, in order to reach bigger audiences.

In 2023 is when they slowly started climbing the popularity charts in little trinkets when Pop Mart released a new collection of them, “Exciting Macaron”, where you were now able to carry them wherever you pleased on whatever you pleased as they included key rings into the new collection. Then soon after in 2024, they skyrocketed in popularity when BLACKPINK’s singer Lisa revealed the love and admiration she has for the little fluffy creatures and soon after Rihanna was spotted with a pink Labubu. Soon after everyone and their mothers became obessessed with getting their hands on Labubus so much that resale prices can go up to $80+ and authentic ones are sometimes hard to get your hands on. But why are people so obessessed with having tiny trinkets?

Many of us fall victim to these trends but never fully have an actual answer other than they are cute & adorable. Which is very valid in order to purchase an item. But when the target audience is mainly for kids but even adults are obssessed, what about these fluffy Labubus and tiny Sonny Angels that have myself and many others in such a chokehold? Many of us are gravitated towards tiny trinkets for many reasons such as sentimental value, the joy of collecting and simply showing off your personality and who you are. A lot of the times they bring comfort to many people during hardhsips where they may feel alone or even need some type of motivation to keep them going.

Collecting items in general is such a huge part of what makes each of us human whether it be tiny trinkets, rocks as a child, shoes and so much more. Each piece of a collection can tell such a story about someone and their journey. A lot of the times as well, as adults we tend to collect things sometimes we never had the opportunity to have as a child due to certain situations and starting a collection of things you love is almost like accomplishing a life goal all while healing your inner child that maybe never had the chance to actually heal.

In the end, the Labubu and Sonny Angel craze is about more than just trends or toys, it’s about nostalgia, comfort, self-expression, and the simple joys that come with collecting. Whether you’re drawn to their quirky designs, the thrill of the hunt, or the emotional connection they provide, these tiny figures have carved out a big place in the hearts of many. As with any cultural phenomenon, they reflect something deeper about our need to connect, with ourselves, our pasts, and with others who share our passions. So whether you’re a longtime collector or just starting out, know that you’re participating in something much more meaningful than meets the eye.