The Sweet Story of Sonny Angels

Written by: Anna Pafenberg

As modern social media apps such as TikTok and Instagram have introduced scrolling through videos at one's leisure, the community of blind box lovers have taken people’s feeds by storm. Whether it’s showing off their large collection of collectible dolls, plushies, and figurines, or simply opening them on camera, people are obsessed with blind box toys. The most popular, and arguably most viral of these toys, is the humble Sonny Angel. These toys are described on the official Sonny Angel website as little boys who like to wear different types of headgear. These naked cherubs can be spotted sporting everything from a hat depicting a cup of sugar to one in the shape of an elephant, the possibilities are endless!

The first Sonny Angel, born on May 15, 2004, was a little baby boy sitting down and was around 18 cm tall. Sonny Angels soon developed into the smaller, standing up figurines. Sonny Angels come in boxes of 12, each box will have one of each variant of the series. Each series has a theme such as animal, food, or some other overarching similarity between the 12. Most people don’t buy boxes, but rather purchase one at a time through small shops who buy the larger boxes. There is also a chance to pull a ‘secret’ or a Robby Sonny Angel. The secret is a mystery Sonny Angel that has a rare chance of being included in the box. The Robby is a rabbit figurine that is also rare like the secret. If Robby or the secret are included in the box, they will replace one of the guaranteed twelve featured there.

Overall, Sonny Angels have brought people much joy, which was the goal of their creator, Toru Soeya. Soeya also created the Smiski, another very popular blind box. Soeya wanted the Angels to look like American Kewpie Dolls and be a way to bring great happiness and serenity. Kewpie was created by the first published female cartoonist, Rose O’Neill. Her goal for Kewpie was also to spread love and good will. Kewpie was featured in many political cartoons and newspapers. Sometimes he was a symbol of the women's rights and suffrage movements. Cherubs like Kewpie and Sonny Angels are found all over the world in art and tradition. The idea of the figure of Cupid, a cherub, was all based on spreading love around the world. 

As a whole, Sonny Angels have become the face of the blind box empire. Resellers are left and right, trying to sell them at an exponential price. Whether you love them or hate them, it seems that Sonny Angels are here to stay and continue spreading lots of love and happiness around.