Kitsch alarm: “Sonny Angel” ensures internet hype

If you want the strawberry baby, you pull the carrot with a lot of bad luck. If you hope for the sweet panda, you will get the giraffe instead. We are talking about “Sonny Angel”, the collective figures from Japan, which are sold in so -called “blind boxes”. Means: If you buy it, don’t know what you get. And that is exactly what makes things so exciting – or so frustrating.

Designed by the Japanese designer Toru Soeya, he named the miniature after his nickname “Sonny”. For the appearance, he was based on the KEWPIE dolls of the early 20th century. Specially thought as a joy bearer for young Japanese women, soya baptized them unofficially “Pocket Boyfriends”. Strange when you consider that things represent infants. But Jackie Bonheim, marketing director of the distributor “Dreams Inc.” made it clear that the attraction was platonic and would only be based on cute.

There are two variants: who stands firmly on both legs, and equipped with an adhesive strip that enables it to attach it to cell phone sleeves or other surfaces. Seen in this way, a loyal companion for everyday life. The fact that he attracts skeptical looks of ignorant on the street is unlikely to surprise. Mind you, it is still the image of an infant.

Different series that are sold as animals, fruit, vegetables, flowers or seasonal special editions such as Valentine’s Day vary in terms of approximately ten and fifty euros, depending on the provider. The limited goods are quickly sold out and rarely cheap on the second market. Nevertheless, they keep causing a conversation and hunting for new creatures a modern collective sport. Because what tonie hearing characters are for children are Sonny Angel for the Gen-Z: wall shelves are specially purchased to put the accumulated miniatures in a row-and yes, some lovers already have more than 50 of them.

The figurines, which are reminiscent of a shrinked latber of teletubbies, have developed into a real phenomenon in social media in recent months. On Instagram, the American account has a follower number of 264,000. And while Tikoker like Paula Senfkorn happily keep their latest angels in the camera, international influencers continue to pursue the trend. Bretman Rock recently received a Sonny model from musician Frank Ocean and two individual versions of himself.

At first glance, these are similar to the film character Moana from “Vaiana”. The result: his unboxing video received over a million likes. “I absolutely need a Bretman Rock Sonny Angel!” Commented an enthusiastic fan. What many do not know: These are counterfeits from the Philippines. Kendrick Lamar, Sza and Tyler, The Creator are also available on the website at proud prices of $ 65 to $ 75. In fact, personalized Sonny’s can also be ordered. Admittedly, the pieces look with great attention to detail – even if they are not original. As with any short -lived wave, there are far inferior images on platforms such as Aliexpress and Temu at unbeatably low prices.

“Manno, I really wanted to have the Bok Choi!” Murdy a young woman sadly in a clip. The numerous videos on Tikkok keep looking through great disappointment if people do not unpack the motif they wanted. In a world in which social recognition is increasingly being measured via hashtags and likes, the question arises whether the hype around the Sonny Angel is only an expression of our excess consumption. A collection of plastic beings that breastfeed the same urge after confirmation, like any other luxury goods. But why are so many people hanging on these tiny sculptures? Probably because they arouse memories of your own childhood. Similar to the jellycat fabrics that put us back in past, carefree times.

Sure, twenty euros for a piece of plastic would probably be better invested somewhere else. But maybe it is exactly this apparently banal collecting trend that gives us a little moment of joy and escapism in today’s world. A retreat in a often too rational world.