A Hirono blind box captures collectors' hearts and is more than just a toy. Artist Lang, who created the Hirono series, designed the character to convey emotional depth and to represent emotions such as joy and sadness. Thus, you can easily find a relatable figurine, whether you are new to the Hirono blind boxes or already a fan. These boxes also appeal to collectors due to the element of surprise, since you won't know which character you are getting until you open the box.
What is a Hirono Blind Box?
A Hirono blind box is a beautiful collectible toy box containing a random Hirono figurine. The Hirono character was created by Artist Lang and produced by POP MART, a popular toy company in Beijing. Lang designed the Hirono character to represent a world where emotions are celebrated and to help foster human connections. Thus, Hirono figurines differ from other regular toys because of their creative storytelling design. This emotional design turns every Hirono figure into a piece of art, captivating collectors who are emotional and art-focused.
What is the story behind Hirono?
Lang, the creator of Hirono, is from Luoyang in Henan. He grew up with a love for music, photography, and movies, and studied art because he wasn't sure he would get into college. Lang learned about design at Zhengzhou College, where he dreamt of making toys. He moved to Beijing in 2010 in pursuit of this dream and presented his ideas to more than 30 companies, but he was rejected. This changed when his college friend and Pop Mart founder, Wang Ning, invited Lang to join the team. Within a year, Lang was the company's art director and co-founder, helping shape its success.
The Hirono character came to life in 2021. Lang was inspired by his newborn child, whom he wanted to be wild, free, and not too obedient. The character also represents his early life in Beijing, and the loneliness of struggling. Thus, Lang designed Hirono to show it is okay to feel all kinds of emotions, even the ones you can't show. The figurines are a voice for unspoken feelings.
Lang also hosts art shows in Beijing and Shanghai. He enjoys exploring different types of art and displays paintings, sculptures, and more at these events. This ability to blend different art media enables Hirono to evolve beyond a toy and become a global artistic movement. Lang believes art should be free and invites people to use it to explore their emotions and share the experience.
Why are Hirono blind boxes so popular?
The Hirono Pop Mart blind box is hugely popular because the figures express human emotions that feel real and relatable. This relation creates an emotional connection to the character, making the figurines more than just decorative toys.
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Vulnerability and solitude
Hirono figurines are often seen alone or uncertain, which reflects the emotional sensitivity and loneliness that many people experience. It is this vulnerability that makes Hirono feel human and easy to relate to.
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Growth and self-discovery
Lang's life inspires the figurines, and many of the designs show the character exploring, learning, or changing. Collectors often perceive this as a representation of their own journey.
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Protection, shelter, and identity
A Hirono series often has themes of hiding, masks, armor, and shelters. This indicates a desire to feel safe and understood by others, which enables Hirono to capture the idea of protecting your inner self.
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Emotional connection to collectors
Hirono's character is a reflection of feelings that people often find hard to express, such as uncertainty and quiet hope. They feel deeply personal, and many collectors see themselves in Hirono's stories and expressions.
Are Hirono blind boxes worth collecting?
Yes, the blind boxes are worth collecting, and here's why. Hirono figurines offer collectors emotional and aesthetic value, making them worth more than money. They are meticulously designed and painted, and come in a small size that is easy to display on desks and shelves. The Hirono character also has a strong emotional appeal that captivates collectors. Additionally, Hirono blind boxes feature rare or limited-edition figures that can appreciate over time.
10 Most popular Hirono blind box series
The first Hirono series was released in 2021 by POP MART. Since then, more official series have been released. Every new series introduces a fresh theme but maintains the emotional and thoughtful nature of the character. Since every series builds on the last, Hirono captivates new collectors while still entertaining the old fans. Each series has 12 standard figures and 1 secret figure that is hard to find.
Series 1: The Other One (October 2021)
The first Hirono blind box series is a mirror of hidden emotions. Figures such as the ghost who wanders lost and lonely and the marionette who's free with nowhere to go, tell human stories. Thus, the collectibles in The Other One series are representative of the masks people often wear to fit in. Other characters include Vagrancy, The Monster, and Amnesia.
Series 2: Little Mischief (August 2022)
Little Mischief is a story about resilience, especially when you're facing challenges. In the series, Manacle displays how challenges can protect and teach us, while Loose Fish is about finding freedom. Little Mischief encourages being tough in the presence of fear and following your dreams even when it's tough. The secret edition in this series is Unknown Journey, a figure about finding who you are. It is special to collectors as it mixes fun and deeper thoughts.
Series 3: City of Mercy (December 2022 - Discontinued)
The City of Mercy series is a deep exploration of love, freedom, and purpose in an unjust world. Its figurines represent the challenges of being self-aware in a society guided by strict rules and expectations. The City of Mercy is special because it invites collectors to reflect on their journey. This series was discontinued due to copyright or licensing issues, which led to it being considered a limited run. Because of this, its figures are some of the most highly sought in the resale market. They include figurines such as Echo, Insight, and Fallen Angel.
Series 4: Mime (July 2023)
This series is about the unseeable connections that influence and shape our lives. It portrays people as being part of a maze, looking for meaning and sometimes getting lost. Silent, the secret edition, is a reminder that everything turns to stillness. All the other figures show moments of self-expression, doubt, and discovery. Mime's invitation to think of the hidden parts of our journey appeals to collectors. It includes figures such as Poem, Destroy, and Patience.
Series 5: Reshape (December 2023)
Reshape is about changing who you are and rebuilding afresh internally. It is a journey into transformation, self-discovery, and resilience. Figures such as the burdened Parasite and the stitched Healing tell stories about being messy when rebuilding yourself. The Hirono Reshape series calls on collectors to explore who they will become in a world that's constantly asking them to change.
Series 6: Shelter (July 2024)
Shelter is highly emotional for fans because it is a reminder that everyone needs a place to belong and feel safe. The series explores the search for a safe place for the soul to rest in the middle of life's challenges. Figurines such as Sunny Doll and Birdy represent finding refuge as Hirono journeys through the chaos. The Hirono Shelter series is a reflection of how the feelings that hurt us can protect us and drive us forward.
Series 7: Hirono × Le Petit Prince (October 2024)
The seventh series of Hirono's story is inspired by The Little Prince's story and is all about uncovering the things that truly matter in your life. Hirono × Le Petit Prince encourages us to practice kindness and keep our childlike wonder. In addition, it reminds everyone to cherish the treasures that give life meaning and celebrates friendship, innocence, and the simple joys that guide us in our journey.
Series 8: Hirono × CLOT (December 2024)
The Hirono x CLOT series was created in collaboration with Edison Chen's fashion company, CLOT. All the characters in this eighth part are a visual representation of rebirth and self-discovery. Figures in the series, such as Yin-Yang, Ning Ning, and Kung Fu, illustrate breaking boundaries to find freedom. By blending traditional elements with modernity, this series explores themes of resilience, individuality, and transformation. Ning Ning, the secret edition, is a playful reminder to challenge rules and explore your own identity.
Series 9: Hirono Echo (April 2025)
The Hirono x Echo series is an invitation for us to trace memories as they flash through our lifetime. These figurines are small reminders of our childhood, rebellion, wonder, and sorrow. They include figures like Soul Connection, Pieces of Memory, Caught You, and Breakout Plan. This series uses small poetic moments, objects, and silhouettes to tell stories.
Series 10: Hirono Skyward (2025)
This series is a limited series that displays Hirono as standing firm against the winds of the world. It features Hirono on a soaring bird or in a cloud soaring pose rather than the typical blind box style. The Hirono Skyward series symbolizes imagination, freedom, and hope. It captures the spirit of wonder, and the figure invites you to look towards distant hopes and dreams.
Best Hirono blind box toy store: Blindboxpro by Sounds of Love
BlindBoxPro is a specialist store that focuses on supplying authentic blind box toys. We offer licensed collectable merchandise that is curated to provide real value and emotional appeal. Our store is designed with collectors in mind and provides the following advantages.
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Authentic, licensed products
BlindBoxPro works with official brands and clearly states where the products come from. This means there is no risk of buying counterfeit blind boxes.
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Curated blind box collections
We don't stock anything and everything at our store. Instead, we carefully select blind box toys to sell based on design quality, popularity, and collectors' demand. BlindBoxPro also offers other collections such as MINISO × Disney Pixar Toy Story, MINISO × Harry Potter, Sanrio Kuromi Cozy House, and more.
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Trusted sourcing and transparency
All our products are sourced through genuine channels and have a clear explanation of the product, where it comes from, and what to expect. We believe transparency builds reputation.
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Choice of single boxes or full sets
Whether you are looking to buy a single blind box or a complete set, BlindBoxPro does not limit you. We allow you to collect in your own way.
How to display and preserve Hirono figures
Like all other collectibles, proper preservation of Hirono figures is essential to maintain their aesthetic value and their worth in the resale market. Thus, you need to treat them like art, with proper handling, storage, and maintenance, whether they are on display or tucked away.
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Display case recommendations
We recommend transparent and dust-proof acrylic cases or glass display cabinets to keep the figures visible. Add an LED strip light at the top of the display cabinet to highlight the figures.
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Avoiding damage and discoloration
Keep the figures away from sunlight since UV rays can cause them to fade or weaken their material over time. Furthermore, if the figurines are not on display, store them in a cool, dry place since extreme heat can damage or discolor them.
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Keeping collector value intact
Keeping the original packaging you purchased a blindbox in, even if it's open, can boost its value. Moreover, handle the figures carefully and clean them with a soft brush or air blower.
FAQ
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What are the rarest Hirono Shelter figures?
The Hidden Version figures are the rarest of the Hirono Shelter blind box series. It is the secret figure in the series, meaning it is produced in limited quantities. This creates a scarcity that makes them have a higher resale value than others in the series.
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What's unique about Hirono blind boxes?
These figures are unique because they focus on emotional appeal over physical appeal. They represent inner feelings, which makes them feel relatable and more than just a toy.
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What makes Hirono different from other Pop Mart characters?
Hirono is different because it is an emotional, quiet, and introspective character, while other POP MART figures are cheerful. It explores a deeper theme, attracting a more mature audience.
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Are there secret figures in every Hirono series?
Yes. Every Hirono series has 1 secret figure in addition to the 12 standard figurines. The secret ones are rare to find and can appear in 1 of 72-144 blind boxes.
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Is Hirono blind box from Japan or China?
The Hirono blind box and its creator, Artist Lang, are both from China. The company that produces them is also based in China, although the blind boxes are very popular all around the world.
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Is City of Mercy discontinued?
Although you may be lucky to find some stores with leftover stock, City of Mercy was discontinued and is no longer in production. However, it is still a beloved part of Hirono's journey and a highly sought-after collectible.
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What themes does Hirono explore most?
The Hirono series focuses on transformation, self-discovery, and resilience in the face of challenges and invites collectors to explore these emotions. It also explores different parts of life and uses the figures to offer a unique perspective.
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Where can I buy authentic Hirono blind boxes?
BlindBoxPro is your one-stop shop for all your Hirono blind boxes. We have authentic figures from multiple series, ranging from the first one to the last. Our store also offers other collectors' blind boxes in addition to Hirono.
