Smiski

Somewhere on a shelf stands a glowing creature about six centimeters tall. No big smile, no big eyes, just a calm presence. That's a Smiski. And according to the story, it just lives there.

The name literally comes from a corner

Smiski is named after the Japanese expression sumi ni iru, literally "to sit in a corner", from sumi: corner or niche. That's exactly where they belong: on the edge of your desk, among plants, on a windowsill, in the bathroom cabinet. These are the places we usually walk past. In Japan, it's common to place something precisely there, and that's precisely the charm of these figures.

Smiskis were conceived in 2015 by the Japanese company Dreams Inc. as little creatures that quietly live in people's homes and go about their daily routines. During the day, you see a light green figure. As soon as it gets dark, you discover that they are glow-in-the-dark and gently light up. Only then do they reveal themselves.

Why do they look so neutral?

Place a Smiski next to, say, a classic Western collectible figurine and the difference is striking: bright colors, big eyes, a wide smile, an energetic pose. A Smiski doesn't participate in that. It has a funny pose but no expression, no color that tells you how you should feel.

That is deliberate. Precisely because there is nothing on that little face, you can read anything into it yourself. Happy, lost, just resting. It makes a Smiski a silent companion instead of a figure that demands attention. That's precisely why they work so well on a desk, a bedside table, or among your storybooks.

Make a game of it

Here's a fun way to get even more enjoyment out of it. Hide your Smiski somewhere in the house, in a place you don't immediately see but that makes you smile when you notice it: on the edge of a frame, among the spice jars, behind the faucet. Whoever finds it can hide it again.

Simple, and it lasts for months. Children love it, but it works just as well between two adults who try to surprise each other every morning. If you have two, everyone can hide their own Smiski, and it becomes truly exciting.

How does a blind box work?

Each series has six figures plus one rarer "secret" figure that is randomly distributed. You only see which one you have when the box is open. Or, as collectors like to say: the Smiski chooses you.

Which Smiski series are there?

Each series gives the creatures their own activity, and that's the most enjoyable part of collecting: together they form a small world. With us, you'll find the Living Series, the Bathroom Series, the Yoga Series, the Bed Series, the Birthday Series, the Moving Series, and the Construction Series, in which they wear their work clothes. Additionally, there are the strap series and the Zipper Bites, small hangers for your school bag, key ring, or zipper, and the rechargeable Smiski Touch Light as a night light.

Smiski or Sonny Angel?

Many collectors of Sonny Angel are also fans of Smiski. Both come from Japan, both are in a blind box, and they even come from the same company. The difference lies in the atmosphere: Sonny Angel is a cheerful naked doll with a different hat each time, while Smiski is the silent creature that lights up when you turn off the light. Want to know more about the difference between a Smiski and a Sonny Angel? Read our blog >

Where can you buy Smiski?

You can shop all Smiski series online at In den Olifant. We have been selling toys in Antwerp since 1970 and closely follow the new Smiski series. On each product page, you'll find how many figures are in the series and what that series depicts, so you can choose online just as well as at the counter. Please note that blind boxes contain small parts.

Eager to start collecting or add to your collection? Are you looking for Smiski figures in Belgium or the Netherlands? Then you've come to the right place at online toy store In den Olifant from Antwerp.

Choose your favorite series, put it in your basket, and let yourself be surprised by who moves in with you. Ordered just like that, and soon there will be one in a corner you never noticed before. Please note: because Smiskis are popular, they sometimes sell out quickly. Therefore, you can choose a maximum of 2 per order.