Walk into any coffee shop in Seoul, Bangkok, or New York right now. Look at the back of the person’s phone in front of you. Odds are, you’re going to see a tiny, wide-eyed creature clinging to the top edge. It’s either a Sonny Angel Hipper or, increasingly, a Labubu.
These aren't just toys. They are cultural signifiers. They are the 2020s version of the Tamagotchi, but with way more resale value and zero risk of "dying" if you forget to feed them. But there is a massive shift happening. While Sonny Angel basically invented the "Hipper" category, the chaotic energy of Labubu is currently threatening to topple the crown.
If you've spent any time on TikTok or Xiaohongshu lately, you know the vibe. It’s pure dopamine.
The Rise of the Labubu Sonny Angel Hipper Craze
It started with a simple problem. We all have phones, and those phones look identical. A gray slab of glass. A black rectangle. People wanted a way to make their tech feel human. Sonny Angel, the brainchild of Toru Soeya and the Japanese company Dreams, solved this with the "Hipper." These are small figurines with an adhesive backing designed to sit on flat surfaces like laptops or smartphone frames.
Then came Labubu.
Labubu is a monster. Well, technically, she’s part of "The Monsters" collection created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. She has jagged teeth, a mischievous grin, and an aesthetic that is decidedly less "angelic" than her predecessors. Since Pop Mart picked up the license, the Labubu fever has hit an all-time high, especially after BLACKPINK's Lisa started posting her own collection online.
Honestly, the moment Lisa carries something, the price triples. That is just how the world works now.
Why Do People Care This Much?
It's the "blind box" mechanic. You don’t know what you’re getting. That hit of cortisol followed by either massive disappointment or pure euphoria is addictive. When you mix that with the Labubu Sonny Angel Hipper trend, you get a community of collectors who are willing to pay $100 for a $15 plastic doll just because it has the right "rare" colorway.
Actually, calling them plastic dolls feels a bit reductive. To collectors, they’re art pieces. They represent a specific intersection of toy culture and high-fashion accessory.
Comparing the Vibes: Angel vs. Monster
If you’re trying to decide which one to stick on your iPhone, you need to understand the subcultures.
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Sonny Angel Hippers are the "clean girl" aesthetic. They are soft, pastel, and weirdly naked (except for the hats). They look like they belong in a sun-drenched apartment next to a matcha latte. The most popular ones are usually the fruit or vegetable series. The strawberry Hipper? It's the holy grail for a certain segment of the internet.
Labubu, on the other hand, is for the chaos lovers. Labubu looks like she just set something on fire and isn't sorry about it. The fur textures in the "Macaron" series or the vinyl finishes of the newer drops offer a tactile experience that Sonny Angel doesn't quite match.
The Labubu Sonny Angel Hipper rivalry isn't really a fight; it's a mood choice. Some days you want to be a cherub. Some days you want to be a sharp-toothed forest sprite.
The Logistics of the "Stick"
One thing nobody tells you before you buy your first Hipper? The adhesive isn't permanent.
Eventually, that little guy is going to fall off. If you're using a silicone case, you're basically living on borrowed time. Most serious collectors end up buying third-party 3M adhesive dots because the factory glue just doesn't hold up to the heat of a phone battery or the friction of being shoved into denim pockets.
It’s a design flaw we all just collectively agree to ignore because the aesthetic is too good.
Market Value and the Resale Trap
Let’s talk money. This gets dark fast.
A standard Sonny Angel Hipper retails for around $10 to $12. A Pop Mart Labubu blind box is usually in the $14 to $18 range. But if you want a specific one—say, the Labubu "Have a Seat" vinyl plush or a limited edition Sonny Angel—you’re looking at $50 to $250 on the secondary market. Sites like StockX and Depop are flooded with them.
Why? Because Pop Mart and Dreams are masters of artificial scarcity.
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They produce enough to keep people interested but not enough to satisfy the demand. This creates a "drop culture" that mirrors the sneaker world. You have to be at the store at 10:00 AM on a Tuesday or you’re paying a 400% markup to a reseller on Instagram.
Is it worth it? Honestly, probably not from a financial standpoint. But as a piece of ephemeral pop culture? People are clearly voting with their credit cards.
The "Lisa Effect" and Global Dominance
In 2024 and 2025, we saw Labubu explode specifically because of Southeast Asian celebrity endorsements. When Lisa (Lalisa Manobal) posted a photo with a Labubu pendant, Pop Mart stores in Thailand were literally cleaned out in hours. This pushed the Labubu Sonny Angel Hipper trend into the mainstream.
It wasn't just for "toy collectors" anymore. It became a fashion accessory on par with a designer handbag. You started seeing these charms dangling from Hermès Birkins and Dior saddles.
This crossover is where the real power lies. When a "toy" becomes a "fashion statement," the ceiling for growth disappears.
How to Spot a Fake (And Avoid Getting Scammed)
With high prices come the counterfeiters. The market is currently drowning in fake Labubus and Sonny Angels.
If you’re buying a Labubu Sonny Angel Hipper from a random seller on a marketplace, look at the eyes. For Sonny Angel, the paint should be matte and perfectly centered. If the eyes look a little "wonky" or the pupils aren't symmetrical, it’s a fake.
For Labubu, it's all about the teeth and the feet. Real Pop Mart products have specific branding on the foot and the "teeth" should feel like a distinct part of the mold, not just painted-on white triangles. Also, check the box. Real boxes have a holographic scratch-off sticker with a QR code that connects to the official verification site. If that's missing, walk away.
Seriously. Don't waste $60 on a bootleg that smells like industrial chemicals.
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Sustainability and the "Plastic" Problem
We have to address the elephant in the room. These are small pieces of PVC. In an era where we're supposed to be reducing plastic waste, the trend of buying dozens of tiny plastic figurines is... complicated.
Most collectors argue that because these are "collectibles" and not "disposable toys," they don't end up in landfills. They stay on shelves or get sold to other collectors. But the packaging? The foil bags, the cardboard boxes, the plastic inserts? That’s a lot of waste for a 3-inch figure.
Some brands are starting to look at more eco-friendly packaging, but we aren't there yet. If you're conscious about your footprint, the best way to participate in the Labubu Sonny Angel Hipper trend is to buy "open box" figures. This means someone else already did the blind box gamble, and you’re just buying the specific figure you want without the extra waste (and the risk of getting a duplicate).
Customization: Taking the Trend Further
The community doesn't just stop at sticking the figure on the phone.
There is a whole cottage industry of "re-painting" and "outfit making" for these dolls. People crochet tiny sweaters for their Labubus. They use UV resin to add glitter or "jewelry" to their Sonny Angels.
This DIY aspect is what keeps the trend alive. It’s not just a product; it’s a canvas. When you see a Labubu Sonny Angel Hipper that has been customized to look like a specific anime character or a goth version of itself, you realize this isn't a passing fad. It’s a hobby that allows for genuine creativity.
What’s Next for the Hipper?
The next evolution is likely "Smart Hippers." There are already rumors and small-scale tech startups looking at embedding NFC tags into these figurines. Imagine tapping your Labubu to your phone and it automatically opens your favorite playlist or changes your wallpaper.
We're moving toward a world where our physical "charms" have digital functions.
Actionable Steps for New Collectors
If you're just starting your journey into the world of Labubu Sonny Angel Hipper collecting, don't just go out and buy the first thing you see.
- Download the Official Apps: Pop Mart has an app that tracks drops. Use it. Don't rely on third-party news that is often three days late.
- Join Local Trade Groups: Facebook and Discord are better than eBay. You’ll find real people who want to swap duplicates for "cost price" rather than the inflated reseller rates.
- Invest in Good Adhesive: As mentioned, the stock glue is weak. Get some clear 3M double-sided tape or "mounting putty" if you want to switch them between cases frequently.
- Know the "Secret" Odds: For most series, the "Secret" or "Chase" figure is 1 in 144. If you’re buying a single box, your odds are low. Don't chase the secret unless you have the budget to be disappointed.
- Check the Phone Clearance: If you have a massive phone (like the Pro Max or Ultra models), a Hipper fits easily. If you have a smaller phone or a foldable, check the placement first. A Hipper on a flip phone is a recipe for a broken hinge or a lost toy.
The Labubu Sonny Angel Hipper phenomenon is about finding a little bit of joy in a digital world. It's a tiny, tangible friend that hitches a ride on your most-used device. Whether you're in it for the investment or just because the little monster makes you smile when you're checking your emails, there's no denying the grip these figures have on modern culture.
Keep your eyes on the next Pop Mart drop. The Labubu "V2" series and the new Sonny Angel seasonal Hippers are expected to break the internet again by mid-year. Get your 3M tape ready.