A cheeky, naked little cupid named Sonny Angel is all over the internet for a good reason. If you have not seen him eating dessert, or inside a bag, or sitting for an eye-catching picture, then you are the only one: Sonny Angel is by far the king of the internet today.
Just contact Carla Alicia Jones and ask her, a California-based digital creator; she will tell you how hacked she is. Animation figures, Funko Pops, and cute collectiblesโCarla has been a fan of all those. She got a Sonny Angel blind box as a present and lost her mind after not finding the figure she longed for after opening it. โI instantly craved more,โ she admitted. โItโs so addicting for me.โ
Within half a year, one tiny doll became 100 pieces. At present, she is the owner of the entire collection of different Sonny Angel series, SweetSonnyAngelz being her Instagram alias. She is confident these cutie-pie cherubs, who are yet to be crowned the stars of Instagram, are as good as Cabbage Patch Kids. She is not mistaken.
Who is Sonny Angel?
Visually, Sonny Angel may be perceived as a sweet trinket that people normally enjoy collecting โ a plump infant with wings that represents an angel and adorns himself with a funny hat. However, there is a more profound thing hidden beneath this simple design. To the vast majority of those who own a Sonny Angel, this toy is an embodiment of high spirits, happy childhood memories, and happiness. Think of it as a tiny companion capable of giving you lots of positive vibes.
When Toru Soeya, a toy artist from Japan, designed Sonny Angel in 2005, he borrowed his inspiration from the old-fashioned figure of Kewpie Doll. Soeya was seeking to invent a figure with the innocence and charm of a child that would be instantly loved by everyone. The funny combination of big eyes that look sideways and no clothes except a special hat revealed Sonny Angel. Does he carry a shocking message by not being dressed? No, it is just the opposite as he is a symbol of innocence.
โImagine a cherub,โ says Jackie Bonheim, the Brand Marketing Director at Dreams USA, who acts as the U.S. ambassador for the brand. โBut instead of a bow and a quiver of arrows, this angel is the one who brings happiness โ and possibly some feel-good hormone.โ
Why Sonny Angel Is the Internetโs Emotional Support Doll
Right on the box, it reads, โHe may bring you happiness.โ Sonny Angelโs fans know for sure heโs their happiness. Although the term seems strange out of context, Jackie, in reality, it meant more like a womanโs working partner โ the one who can give moral and emotional support but not a real lover.
Actually, Sonny Angel is representative of one character who is always the same little boy but just changed into new clothes with every series. Some fans may wonder why there arenโt different versions or skin tones. However, she gently explains to Jackie that this only figures out. Just like Hello Kitty, Sonny Angel never changes โ only his outfits do.
The collection includes many different sets of clothes. Not only fruit-themed hats and animal costumes, but also the Christmas and birthday Sonny Angel series, and the most loved Sonny Angel Cat Life series.
Every outfit indeed has a story. From the hat with a fruit to an animal and also the gifts that the Sonny Angel series and fan-favorite Sonny Angel Cat Life series have, a design can be found for everyone. This is one of the instances where magic manifests itself.
How Social Media Made Sonny Angel Famous
What stuns everyone about the Sonny Angel boom, even now, is how it picked up. There was no movie deal, no cartoon series, and no gigantic brand collaboration. It was just a rush of pure, organic loveโstarted by the creators, collectors, and ordinary from platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Danielle, the person behind the @SonnyAngelGallery, has a collection of over 300 Sonny Angels. She, however, is sure that the real reason why the brand went viral was the unboxing trend. The words that she used were, โYou get a real reaction when you open a blind box.โ She continued, โItโs exciting. You never know which one youโre going to get.โ
It demands you to do nothing but open a box, let others see your reaction, and, if you like, exchange with friends. Itโs this emotional genuinenessโthe surprise, the joy, the frustrationโthat is transmitted by the fans. Products become less important, and the experiences matter more.
The Blind Box Obsession
Sonny Angelโs blind box system is one of the many appealing characteristics. You wonโt know which figure youโve got till you unpack it. Itโs like a little lottery card in a soft color box. You might get a regular bunny. Or you might end up with an unusual Sonny Angel dinosaur or Robby Sonny Angelโor even a super-secret chase figure.
This unexpected turn of events is the reason why supporters usually purchase multiple boxes at once. You still have a chance to get the whole series in case youโre lucky. If not, there are still many Sonny Angels that are willing to exchange. Barters and trades, meetups, and fan exchange events are now commonly seen in major cities.
Why Sonny Angel Exploded in 2022
Sonny Angelโs instant outbreak in the market was not coincidental. Just when the world was getting out of this quarantine coma, people needed a lot of comfort, nostalgia, and small pleasures. In the morning there comes Sonny โ a tiny sign of peace and playfulness. It also marked the moment when the term โkidultโ was thrown around as a marketing buzzword.
The Toy Association gives us the news that toy purchases are no longer about kids. Nowadays, adults are the main clientele of toy stores. These adults mostly get their happiness from these toys, plushies, and collectible figures. Sonny Angel is just the right thing for them โ playful, aesthetic, and gives them an emotional boost.
Controversy? Sure. But Thatโs Part of the Story
Non-fans are also involved. On TikTok, critical users call Sonnyโs heroes โcreepyโ or โweirdโ and object to their nudity and side-glancing gaze. A viral video, which compared Sonny to the Coppertone baby, brought the discussion to the forefront โ and millions of views. Nevertheless, here is something we should keep in mind: the controversy is only instrumental in maintaining the discussion.
Whether they are adored or abhorred, Sonny Angels leave a distinct impression. This quality, naturally, leads to them being collectible items.
The Collectorโs Chase: Rares, Secrets, and Unicorns
Collectors love to play the role of a hunter in pursuit of one figure that is always hard to get. For Carla, it will be Ant Baby from the Afternoon Tea Series, and for Danielle, it is the Peanut Secret Sonny Angel from the Donna Wilson collab. These figures, which are very rare and can be resold at both physical and online stores, can raise the price to hundreds of dollars.
Jacqueline stated that they intentionally make these items limited and collectibles. โWe come up with six different series every year. As soon as the item is sold out, itโs gone,โ she said. Going from a Sonny Angel Halloween edition to a Sonny Angel Valentineโs Day edition, each launch brings across the point of being a scarce release and carries the charge of wanting more.โ
Accessories That Make Collecting More Fun
If you think that Sonny Angel is just a character, you are wrong because it is a whole lifestyle! His fans show off their Sonny Angel keychains, phone charms, plush bags, and even Sonny Angel phone cases. The newer Sonny Angel Hippers will let you make these characters become phone stickers or laptop stickers.
If you need something extra animated in your life, you have the option of the Sonny Angel Candy Store Keychain, whoโs winking at you, or dressing your small angel in clothes that are handmade out of Sonny Angel. If you have an artistic soul, you can create your own furniture and displays. However, most of the DIYs follow the theme of beds, bathtubs, or parties.
Where to Buy Sonny Angels Near Me
Do you know where to buy Sonny Angel in the USA? The official retailer is Sonny Angel U.S.A. if you are in the U.S. You can check out their newsletter as they regularly restock and frequently announce new releases and Sonny Angel discount codes.
It is known that Urban Outfitters has rarely stocked their exclusive drops, and therefore, if you are on a quest for a model that is rare or has a theme, Urban Outfitters Sonny Angel is certainly the ideal choice. You can always search for them at the local gift shops and pop-culture stores or just Google Sonny Angel near me or Where to buy Sonny Angels near me.
The Joy of Your First Sonny Angel
The moment Jackie from Dreams USA offered me the first ever Sonny Angel, it gave me a pause. I wasnโt going to be so greedy and ask for a special edition; it was my first one. But when I opened it and saw the Christmas Dinner Owl holding a golden goblet, the feeling came โ a tiny thrill of happiness. The combination of the packaging, the reveal, and the surpriseโeverything that happenedโwent so well together.
This is the essence of Sonny Angel. The little moments. The surprises. The joy from a three-inch plastic cherub.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sonny Angel
What is it about Sonny Angel that has made him so popular?
He does this by integrating enigma, loveliness, reminiscence, and emotional support โ in a single purely delightful event.
Which group of the Sonny Angel series is right for you?
Itโs a matter of personal preference, but the Marine Series, Animal Series 3, and Cat Life Series are the ones most loved by the fans.
Can you buy a fake Sonny Angel toy?
Absolutely. Trust only the official stores and do not forget to examine the original box design and trademark logos.
What is the thing that is a Sonny Angel Hipper?
You can think of it as one of the Sonny Angel forms being able to be stuck on any surface, such as phones or mirrors โ cute as well as practical!
Is there such a thing as a Sonny Angel birthday edition?
Certainly! Each year, there are special birthday Sonny Angel releases. You can register to be alerted when the stock gets replenished.
Did Robby Sonny Angel evolve into a different character somehow?
Definitely. Robby is Sonnyโs very uncommon pink friend, who only shows up once in a while as a surprise figure.
Final Thoughts
In a world where pleasure sometimes seems so short-lived, Sonny Angel strives to be the carrier of the values that are important yet simple. Heโs not a mere piece of collectibles but a whole happening. Sonny Angel is always available; he had to become a collector, beginning with his satisfaction in finding new options. So, take that blind box, be prepared to shoot your first impression in a video, and then perhaps you will indeed feel the joy they spoke of on the wrapper.
