Two little boxes, both equally adorable, and you have to choose. On the left, a Sonny Angel, on the right, a Smiski. Both small, both Japanese, both come in a sealed box that you're not supposed to peek into. And then inevitably comes the question: but really, what's the difference?
The short answer: a Sonny Angel is a standing cherub with a whimsical hat in the shape of an animal, a piece of fruit, candy, or another type of headwear, and you collect them by series. A Smiski is a neutral creature, sitting or climbing, that glows in the dark and that you place in a corner of your room. Same Japanese studio, same blind box, different kind of fun.
What is the difference between a Smiski and a Sonny Angel?
The easiest distinction is what they do when you take them out of the box. A Sonny Angel stands upright and looks at you. It's about seven to eight centimeters tall, always the same little angel, and everything revolves around what's on its head: a flower, a fruit, an animal hat, and occasionally a full costume in special series. That hat is also how you know which ones you already have and which ones you don't, and that's where the collecting begins. A Smiski, on the other hand, does the opposite: it sits, hangs over an edge, or presses its nose against the wall, and prefers to disappear as inconspicuously as possible into a corner. During the day, you hardly see it. Turn off the light, and this mini figure will glow softly.
That's also where the difference in what you do with them lies. People collect Sonny Angels. They stand in a row on a shelf, they're traded at school, and anyone who has a duplicate gets rid of it within a week. Smiskis are placed. One on the edge of the bathroom cabinet, one between books, one peeking down from the top of your door frame. Sonny Angel collectors count how many they have. Smiski people know exactly where each one is.
Sonny Angel: the little angel with the hat
Sonny Angels have been around since 2004, released by Dreams Inc. and conceived as a little friend who watches over you during a busy day. Originally, they were a 'pocket boyfriend' for Japanese women. That sounds vague until you place one on your desk and notice that you look at it from time to time. The slogan that has been with them from the start, he may bring you happiness, says exactly what it's about: no grand promises, just a little bit of happiness coming your way.
What makes collecting so addictive is that you choose the series but not the figure. You buy the Animal series or the Fruit series, and only when the blind box is open do you know who was inside. That moment unfolds the same for everyone: a quick look at what could be inside, manifesting, hoping, and then unwrapping the paper, opening the plastic bag, and then either a squeal or a deep sigh. If there's a secret, the day is completely made. And yes, that's why you can only take a maximum of two per customer from us. Otherwise, the first person to come by would leave with the entire box, and there would be nothing left for anyone else.
Smiski: the creature that hides in the corner
The name Smiski comes from the Japanese sumi ni iru, which means something like sitting in a corner. This wasn't chosen by chance, but is precisely the charm of the product. They hide in the corners of your room, and according to the story, they emerge when no one is looking. They have existed since August 19, 2015, and are therefore exactly 11 years old today, much younger than their older brother, and they come from the same Japanese company as the Sonny Angels.
The Smiski figurines each have their own pose and all have a neutral face. No big eyes or striking expression; no, you get to decide how your Smiski feels and project that emotion onto your figurine.
The real trick also lies in the glow in the dark. Leave them in the light for a while, turn off the lamp in the evening, and then they glow softly greenish. Children find that magical, teenagers just think it's cool above their bed. Maybe it also helps to finally spot them. Each series also has its own poses: one leaning against an edge, one holding on, one lying sprawled. Precisely why they fit so well into the way many people furnish their rooms, with small things in the right place instead of many things piled up.
What they have in common
They both come from the same house: Dreams Inc., the Japanese company founded in 1996 by Toru 'Sonny' Soeya. The same man conceived Sonny Angel in 2004, naming the figure after his own nickname, and eleven years later, the Smiskis rolled out of the same studio. You can see this in the way they are made: soft shapes, simple faces, and a finish that is much finer than you would expect from such a small thing. They are not cheap plastic trinkets from a grab bag; they are small works of art that someone has thought about for a long time.
They are both also in a blind box, and that's half the fun. You choose the series, not the figure. You only know who you got once the box is open. That moment of surprise is precisely why they work so well as a small gift: no decision stress for the giver, but an unboxing moment for the recipient. Duplicates are part of it, and they are worth their weight in gold for trading with someone who is looking for that one item you already have.
And what about the Hippers?
There's a third option, often overlooked. Hippers are Sonny Angels that don't stand upright but lie on their stomachs and cling to an edge. At the bottom, there's an adhesive strip that can be removed, so they move from the top of your laptop screen to the mirror in the hallway and back. For those who don't have a shelf free but fancy such a figurine, this is often the best option.
Hippers exist in both Sonny Angels and Smiskis, around classic themes, but also collaborations with well-known characters, and these usually fly off the shelves the fastest.
Which one suits whom
If you want to please someone who enjoys collecting, trading, and keeping lists, then a Sonny Angel is a good choice. It's a series with a beginning and an end, there's a rare secret among them, and there's endless debate about which one is the most beautiful. It's also the brand that has gained enormous popularity in recent years thanks to TikTok and other social media. Sonny Angels also have the largest trading circuit, so you can always get rid of duplicates.
If the recipient is more someone who decorates their room than someone who collects, then go for a Smiski. It doesn't demand space on a shelf; it seeks a corner. And that glow in the dark remains a small treat, even for those who consider themselves too old for toys. For a teenager who has everything, this is usually the safest choice.
If you're still in doubt, we have good news: these are not opposing camps. Most people who start with one end up with something from both within a year. These collectible figures get along perfectly on the same shelf.
Three questions we often get
Can you see which figure is in the box? No, and that's the point. The boxes are identical and randomly distributed; we also don't know what's inside. Shaking or squeezing mainly spoils your own surprise.
What do you do with duplicates? Trade them. At school, in trading groups, or just with a friend who doesn't have yours yet. A duplicate isn't a failure; it's a trade piece.
Why is there sometimes nothing in stock? Because new series come in small quantities and sell out faster than we can unpack them. We don't always know in advance when something will arrive, and we don't reserve, because then there would be nothing left for others. If you follow us on Instagram, you'll see it in our stories as soon as something new arrives.
Curious what's in stock today? Take a look at our webshop in the Sonny Angel collection and at the Smiskis. And if you can't decide: just take one of each ;-)
