Allowed to enjoy small stuff

The Jambar 

When scrolling through social media, there’s a good chance people are caught up in the cycle of watching blind box videos, which can be absolutely addictive. 

​For those who don’t really understand what they are, or think they’re just for kids — which they’re not — a blind box is a miniature figure that’s concealed in a box, so buyers don’t know what’s inside.

​Before people open the box, there is typically a guide on the side that lists all the options they may get. In this process, people may sit with their friends or film a video where they pick which figure they want.

There are instances where someone might get something they don’t want or a figure they already have, which is a risk that comes with the purchase. 

There is a brand called Pop Mart, based in Beijing, which creates overpriced but adorable figurines. Stores are typically found in bigger cities, such as New York and Los Angeles. The closest location to Youngstown is a vending machine located in the Pittsburgh area.

There is a popular TikToker by the username @vanillamace, that gained fame through the blind boxes trend. There is a specific video where she is opening a SKULLPANDA, Pop Mart blind box, and says multiple times she does not want the Christmas tree figurine. Lo and behold, she gets it.

Even though it wasn’t what she wanted, it still brought attention to how enthusiastic and reactive these unboxings are. ​​

One of the most popular blind box toys Pop Mart offers are Labubus, or fuzzy monster figures with a usable keyring. Kids and adults just went crazy for them last year. They retail around $27.99 — if they’re available. Last year, it was hard to get a real one due to high demand and production issues. 

​In an NBC News article, Emily Brough, head of licensing at Pop Mart North America, stated that Labubus generated nearly half a million in revenue, making it highly successful in the blind box market.

These blind boxes are a growing trend, and people of all ages get involved in this craze. An article by Forbes Magazine stated that the reason adults love these Labubus is because it reminds them of their weird childhood toys, such as Furbys, Cabbage Patch Kids and Troll Dolls. 

Apart from nostalgia, people of all ages feel a rush when they open a blind box  — it’s a gamble. People want more because they don’t know what they’re getting. Consumers these days yearn for that momentary rush. 

An article by The Gazelle stated that the blind box craze is similar to a soft form of gambling. 

“The world is conditioned to expect quick dopamine. Social media causes the release of dopamine by presenting us with new and shiny things constantly, which triggers the brain’s search and explore functions,” the article stated. 

Labubus are just the start — there are more lovable Pop Mart figures, such as the Peach Riot series, Nyota, Hirono and SKULLPANDA.

Other retailers such as Dreams Inc. are fueling the blind box trend with mystery figurines in the brands Sonny Angels and Smiskis.

They are collectable figurines, not necessarily toys and not marketed towards children. Most of the time these figures have cartoonish features making them seem like a toy, and people assume they are one. However, adults are allowed to buy them, and they shouldn’t be shamed for wanting to. 

These ‘silly’ blind boxes are a simple pleasure of life, spreading joy through a surprise. 

 

Leave a Reply