Collecting designer figurines has become a worldwide phenomenon in recent years, with brands such as Pop-Mart becoming popular by selling blind-boxes and mystery surprises where people gamble their chances of finding valuable figurines. Gaining popularity through social media and the excitement of surprise collectibles, people of all ages search for limited-edition figures, rare designs, and exclusive series. Once seen as a simple hobby, it has quickly turned into a mainstream passion with fans lining up at stores for new releases.
All collectors start somewhere, usually with one or two collectibles. According to an article on PR Newswire, the Toy Collectibles Industry, which is valued at $16.7 billion in 2024, is anticipated to grow, with projections indicating an industry value of approximately $43.7 billion by 2034.
“I collect a lot of other things, but if it’s about this [Smiskis & Sonny Angels] in particular, I first found them online,” junior KJ Palacios said. “I love physical media and maximalism, and I love to fill my room with cool things. I think it’s so fun to have shelves of things, and the designs of Pop-Mart figures, Smiskis, and Sonny Angels are super cute too. I like my room to be a reflection of what I love.”
Many people get hooked on these popular figurines through exposure to ongoing trends that capture the attention of thousands of people across the globe.
“I heard about the Labubu trend a few weeks ago, and I looked into it and was surprised to see everyone saying that the Labubus are popular because they’re ugly, and that’s their whole appeal. I couldn’t disagree more,” English teacher Kristina Haley said. “I think they’re so cute, and they remind me a lot of the monsters from ‘Where The Wild Things Are,’ which is one of my favorite books. I think a lot of people like them for a lot of reasons not only because they’re cute or so ugly that they’re cute, but it’s fun to be a part of a community of collectors, it’s something that you can connect with people over, and I think that’s a great thing.”
However, there has been debate on whether these collectibles are worth the money. According to MagnifyMoney, six in 10 Americans are collectors, and most consumers believe that collectibles aren’t a good investment.
“I do think they’re a waste of money,” junior Hana Abram said. “The purpose behind these figures makes it less appealing, and for me, I don’t find any meaning for them. But I understand if it’s individual and specific to you, but when it comes to Sonny Angles, Labubu’s, I don’t understand why people are obsessed with them and you can become a hoarder, spending your money on things that aren’t useful.”
With social media playing a major role in spreading the trend worldwide, there are instances where people take it to another level of consumerism. Buyers collect and spend hundreds of dollars on exclusives and limited-edition items to increase collection value while also flaunting the item’s rarity.
“I see a lot of overconsumption on social media, especially nowadays when things become popular,” sophomore Jaidelyn Wiseman said. “I see people buying as much as they can of the product just so they can show it off to others. Sometimes when buying collectibles, the seller puts a limit on how many you can buy, and I think they implement this rule because people can buy all of the stock at once.”
Labubus’ have become a popular figure to collect, with limited edition series and exclusives. A straitstimes article highlights that the net income for Pop-Mart toy company reached $572 million dollars in 2024 compared with $137 million a year earlier.
“I think certain figures like Labubu’s got popular because of their appearance and people displaying them, making them look interesting,” junior Jenny Nie said. “I see a lot of people showing off or displaying their collectibles on social media, making them even more appealing. I like collecting Smiskis, and seeing a new series online makes me want to get one as well. I also think that the certain aesthetic each one has, how they have different styles and series and overall just different types [of] figurines that anyone would like.”
Certain models are sold for hundreds of dollars, thousands being spent on these figurines. Many wonder if these keepsakes have value, if any value, which some may have in the future, but most collectors find a different kind of benefit.
“What interests me most about these collectibles is that they’re more than just decorations,” Leung said. “They reflect my personality and the things I love; some of them even feel like little pieces of who I am. While I believe that some of my figures will gain value over time, their real worth to me isn’t just about money- they hold personal meaning.”
