Most toy collaborations feel like a cash grab. You know the ones—slap a popular face on a generic mold and call it "limited edition." But then there’s hirono x little prince. Honestly, when POP MART first announced this pairing in late 2024, it felt less like a marketing stunt and more like a therapy session in vinyl form.
Hirono, the moody, introspective boy created by artist Lang, isn't your typical "cute" collectible. He’s usually scowling or looking like he just lost his favorite marble. Pairing him with Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s Le Petit Prince? It’s a match made in melancholic heaven. Both characters are essentially about the same thing: the painful, confusing process of growing up without losing your soul.
What’s Actually in the Box?
If you're hunting for these, you're looking for the 12 standard figures and the elusive "chase" versions. The set officially dropped on October 25, 2024, and it’s been a staple in the resale market ever since. Each figure stands roughly 8 to 12cm tall. They aren't just plastic statues; they’re little dioramas of loneliness and wonder.
The standard lineup includes:
- The King: Hirono in a cardboard crown. It’s a jab at how we try to control everything when we actually rule nothing.
- The Rose: This one is gorgeous. Hirono is literally wrapped in petals, looking fragile but incredibly proud.
- The Fox: Features a fox tail draped over Hirono’s face, emphasizing that "what is essential is invisible to the eye."
- The Businessman: Perched on a moon, crunching numbers that don't matter.
- The Lamplighter: Carrying the burden of a light that never goes out.
- The Snake: Balanced with an apple, hinting at the dangerous deals we make to get "home."
Then you have the secrets. The Pilot is the 1/72 rare chase, featuring Hirono in goggles and a propeller cap. But the one everyone actually loses their mind over is the Little Prince Special Edition. It’s the 1/144 super secret, showing Hirono suspended from a fluffy white cloud. If you pull that, you've basically won the lottery.
Why Everyone Is Obsessed With Hirono x Little Prince
It’s about the vibe. Hirono has always been a "mirror" character. Lang designed him to reflect the messy parts of being human—the fear, the isolation, the quiet hope. When you mix that with the philosophical weight of The Little Prince, you get something that resonates with adults who feel a bit lost in the corporate grind.
Take "The Tippler" figure. In the book, the drunkard drinks to forget he’s ashamed of drinking. In the hirono x little prince version, the figure is slumped against a cracked barrel. It looks tired. It’s a heavy theme for a "toy," but that’s why people love it. It doesn't pretend life is all sunshine and rainbows.
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Practical Tips for Collectors
If you're trying to get your hands on these in 2026, the game has changed. Most official POP MART stores are low on stock, so you're looking at secondary markets like StockX or eBay.
- Watch the Prices: A single blind box originally retailed for about $19.99. Nowadays, "confirmed" figures (where the box is opened but the figure is new) for popular ones like The Rose or The Fox can go for $35 to $50.
- Beware of Fakes: This collab is a prime target for bootlegs. Check the weight. Real POP MART figures use high-quality PVC and ABS. They should feel substantial, not like hollow, light plastic.
- The Magnet Detail: Some figures in this series, like The Lamplighter, use magnets for their accessories. Fakes often skip this or use cheap glue.
- Displaying Your Set: Because these figures are top-heavy (especially The King and The Businessman), a tiered acrylic display case is your best friend. They tend to topple if you just line them up on a flat shelf.
The Hidden Meaning in the Details
Look closely at The Geographer. He’s surrounded by books but hasn't seen the world. In the Hirono version, he looks almost buried by his own records. It’s a perfect critique of our digital age—knowing everything about everywhere through a screen but experiencing nothing.
The hirono x little prince collaboration works because it stays true to the source material. It reminds us that "all grown-ups were children first," even if we've forgotten how that felt. It’s a small, physical reminder to keep that childlike curiosity alive, even when the world feels a bit too heavy.
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Your Next Steps for the Collection
- Check Local Toy Groups: Often, collectors trade duplicates to avoid the high markups on StockX.
- Inspect the Box: If buying "New Old Stock," ensure the holographic POP MART sticker is present on the bottom.
- Start with Your Favorite: Don't feel pressured to buy the whole set of 12 at once. Grab the character that speaks to your current mood—whether that's the lonely King or the wandering Pilot.
This series isn't just about filling a shelf. It's about owning a piece of a story that’s been breaking and mending hearts since 1943.