With an increase in a desire to personalize belongings these past few years, it’s no surprise that teenagers and adults alike have picked out their favorite phone cases, bag charms, and accessories to match a personal aesthetic. One popular choice for personalization is the Hipper.
Hippers were originally released by Dreams Inc. in 2021 as a specialized line for Sonny Angels, a type of collectible pocket-sized companion intended to bring happiness and comfort to stressed individuals.
Unlike the traditional Sonny Angels that sit or stand on flat surfaces, however, Hippers usually feature a flat “stomach” or front, and include an adhesive that allows them to fit perfectly to the edges of smartphones, computers, and pen stands. From rearview mirrors and headphones to lip glosses and photo frames, collectors have found creative and ingenious ways to display Hippers, whose cutesy appearance brings joy to their lives.
“I think they’re cute, though I think some places overcharge for them,” said senior Paula Eccleston.
“Whether at work or on the go, you can be with your favorite characters anytime, anywhere,” the Sonny Angel website declares, adding to the appeal of Hippers over traditional figurines. Coupled with the blind box element that Sonny Angels come in, not knowing which figure will emerge from the box certainly creates a desire for buyers to purchase more.
Despite their initial release being five years ago, the demand for Hippers has remained strong, and so has the response from its parent company. Since then, Dreams Inc. has expanded their Hippers, bringing collectors five different Sonny Angel Hipper series— as well as adding the Hipper format to other popular blind box characters, such as Smiski, Mofusand, and even Hello Kitty.
Zealous crafters have also placed their own spin on Hippers, creating DIY Hippers to attach onto their devices; whether it’s a mini tanghulu or Miffy laying down, these figures, placed most commonly on mobile phones, create excitement in everyday life and are excellent talking points with peers.
At Arcadia High School, many students have Hippers of their own.
“I [also] think they’re really cute,” said senior Minhtam Nguyen, remarking that she’s seen many classmates with Hippers adorned on their cell phones and laptops. “I have my own Smiski Hipper at home—it used to be on a laptop, but I’ve since moved it so it hangs on a wall.”
It is clear that these adorable, adhesive figures have been immensely popular.
