You’ve seen him. That small, scruffy kid with the oversized clothes and the heavy, melancholic eyes staring back at you from a shelf. He doesn't look like a typical toy. He isn't smiling, he isn't "cute" in the traditional Sanrio sense, and he definitely isn't trying to sell you a bubbly personality. This is Hirono. Specifically, we’re talking about the series that started the entire craze: Pop Mart Hirono The Other One.
Honestly, it’s rare to see a blind box series hit this hard. Usually, people want the flashy, bright stuff. But Hirono? He’s raw. He’s messy. He’s basically a mirror for all the parts of ourselves we try to hide when we’re "peopling" at work or on social media.
The Story Behind The Other One
Hirono isn't just a random character cooked up by a corporate design team. He was created by an artist named Lang. Lang’s own life is baked into the resin of these figures. Back in 2010, he moved to Beijing—a "Beijing drifter"—chasing big dreams and hitting a wall of rejections. He showed his toy ideas to over 30 companies. They all said no. They didn't "get" his vibe.
Eventually, his college friend Wang Ning, who just happened to be the founder of Pop Mart, brought him on board. By 2021, the world got its first taste of Lang’s inner world with Pop Mart Hirono The Other One.
The name Hirono actually comes from the Japanese word for "wide field." It’s supposed to represent openness and emotional depth. But the character itself? He feels more like a kid lost in that field. Lang actually drew inspiration from his own newborn child, wanting to capture a spirit that was wild, free, and—most importantly—not "obedient."
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Breaking Down the Characters
The Other One consists of 12 standard figures and one elusive "secret" figure. Each one is a physical representation of a specific emotional state. No fluff. Just feelings.
The Heavy Hitters
- Amnesia: This is one of the most popular ones. He’s wearing a bright yellow raincoat. You’d think it’s for the rain, but it’s actually a shield. It’s about how we "forget" things just to survive the day. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed and just wanted to tune the world out, this is you.
- The Ghost: He’s draped in a white sheet, looking like a low-budget Halloween costume, but the vibe is "invisible." It captures that specific loneliness of being in a crowd but feeling like no one actually sees the real you.
- Cuckoo: This one is fascinating. He’s wearing a paper crown and holding a clock. It’s a critique of success and anxiety. The crown is fragile. The time is ticking. He looks calm, but he’s basically a ball of nerves inside. Relatable? Extremely.
The Survivalists
Then you have figures like Being Alive, which features Hirono in a sort of makeshift armor. It’s not about being a warrior; it’s about the walls we build to protect our families and our dreams. The figure asks a blunt question: is the price of safety worth the loss of freedom?
Marionette is another standout. The strings are snapped. He’s standing alone. It represents that terrifying, liberating moment when you stop doing what everyone else wants and start figuring out your own path. It’s messy because he doesn't have a "script" anymore.
The Secret: Dreaming
If you’re hunting for the "chaser," it’s Dreaming. The odds are 1 in 144. It’s a surreal piece that represents the hidden self—the version of you that only exists when you’re asleep and the world isn't watching. It’s rare, expensive on the secondary market, and arguably the most poetic piece in the set.
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Why This Series Changed the Blind Box Game
Before Pop Mart Hirono The Other One dropped in October 2021, the designer toy scene was dominated by "kawaii" aesthetics. Think Molly or Dimoo. They’re great, but they’re "happy." Hirono was a risk. He was the first series to lean into sadness, fear, and cowardice as valid, collectable emotions.
Collectors didn't just buy them; they connected with them.
You’ll see people on social media posting their Hirono figures with long captions about their mental health or their struggles at work. It’s weirdly therapeutic. Lang basically gave us a way to display our "inner child" without it being a cliché. These figures are 3.1 inches of pure, unvarnished humanity.
Real Talk: The Market and Collecting
If you're trying to get into this series now, be prepared. Because it was the first series, and because it’s so beloved, the original Pop Mart Hirono The Other One boxes can be tricky to find at retail price ($19.99). You'll often see "confirmed" figures (where the box is opened but the foil is sealed) selling for a premium on eBay or specialized toy groups.
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A few things to watch out for:
- Authenticity: Pop Mart figures have QR codes on the box. Scratch and scan. If it doesn't lead back to the official site, it’s a fake.
- Condition: Since these are art toys made of PVC/ABS, they’re durable, but the paintwork on the Hirono series is intentionally "distressed." Don't mistake a stylistic smudge for a factory defect.
- The Box: Serious collectors want the card. Every blind box comes with a character card. If you're buying second-hand, make sure the card is included; it’s half the value.
What to do next
If Hirono’s vibe resonates with you, don't just stop at The Other One. Since 2021, Lang has released several follow-up series that continue the narrative:
- Little Mischief: Explores childhood trauma and "masks."
- City of Mercy: Focuses on forgiveness and healing.
- Reshape: All about how we change and rebuild ourselves over time.
- Mime: A quiet, still series about invisible struggles.
Actionable Insight: If you’re a new collector, start by looking for a "Single Blind Box" of the current series available in stores (like Echo or Shelter) to get a feel for the quality. But if you want the "soul" of the character, keep an eye out for Amnesia or The Ghost from The Other One. They are the definitive Hirono pieces.
Ultimately, Hirono reminds us that it’s okay to be a little broken. In a world that demands perfection, a small plastic boy in a paper crown is a pretty good reminder that we’re all just doing our best.