By: Meagan So, Staff Writer
The popularity of Smiskis, Sonny Angels, Labubu, Mofusand and blind boxes are rocketing, with everyone raving about these trending hippers, (phone accessories), and mystery figures hidden inside of eye-catching boxes. These blind boxes live up to their name, being literal boxes that you open “blindly”. There is a list of possible collectibles on the outside of each box, showing what could be hidden within. However, you play a game of chance, never knowing what you’re going to get. In addition, the cost of branded blind boxes are pretty hefty, typically costing around 15-45 dollars each. So why are people willing to spend so much money on these, and gamble with the possibility of not getting a specific reward?
Tatiana Becerra (9) explained her reasons behind the purchases of these blind boxes. She shared, “When I see the blind box, and I [look at] the variety of [figurines and] what they have to offer.” Becerra continued, “I look at the ones I like. Let’s say I like seven out of the ten possible. I’m gonna buy it because what are the possibilities of me getting the one I might not like as much out of those ten?” She continued listing off the statistics and logical thinking she takes into consideration when deciding whether or not to buy a box. Becerra talked about how when she does end up purchasing a one, factors like anticipation and excitement of seeing what she got that makes the experience much more thrilling. As for the appeal of the mystery trinkets inside, Becerra enthusiastically explained her fascination around the mini figurines by referring to her past blind box purchases, one being the strawberry Sonny Angel currently attached to her phone.
She commented, ”For me, I find them adorable, like the little eyelashes, little smile, and the way that they are just designed to be on your phone”, adding, “It’s [also] the cuteness they provide that make your day the more you look at them [that makes them so likeable].”
Grace Choy (9), had similar opinions on the appeal of blind boxes. She explained, “There’s something about opening them and seeing what you’ll get that makes them so exciting [instead of just buying the object inside]. There’s a thrill to seeing what character you get.” She added, “The figures inside are similar to toys but are also pieces of art. You can play with them, use them for decoration, and collect different characters.” Additionally, Choy shared her reasons as to why she is willing to spend so much on these boxes of chance. She said, “I usually make sure I like most of the possible characters before buying. That way, there is a low chance of me getting the one I don’t want.” She also broke down her backup strategy, sharing, “If I don’t like the one I get, I trade it.”
Senior Ahn Nguyen (12), expressed her thoughts on the matter as well. She stated, “My favorite thing about blind boxes is that they’re a surprise and that you don’t know what you’re really gonna get but you know that the figurine would be good regardless…” Her opinions matched Becerra’s and Choy’s, who both mentioned how the surprise element has a relatively big effect on the likability of these novelties. However, her reasons behind purchases are slightly different from the previous interviewees. She explained, “I’m willing to spend a relatively big amount of money on the possibility of getting a certain figurine because I’m a big collector…” Nguyen said that if she “wanted to get a certain figurine”, she’d agree to pay quite a bit for it.
So it seems like the adrenaline, anticipation, excitement, and surprise that come with opening blind boxes are a common reason among all three interviewees and others of what makes these blind boxes so appealing, along with how the hype surrounding them is likely tied to their general popularity among society. Moreover, different people have different motivations for their purchases and the figurines that excite them.
