We all know Smiski spend most of their time hiding in corners. Unfortunately, fake ones are lurking in the dark corners of marketplaces and stores too.
So how do you know if a Smiski is authentic before you've handed over the cash? We've pulled together all the info to help you spot fakes and shop for real Smiski blind boxes, keychains and other accessories.
Just here to find retailers authorised to sell Smiski in Australia? Jump to the list of official stockists.
Real vs fake Smiski: spot the difference
It's easy to see the differences in the Smiski figure, packaging and foil bag when an authentic one and a fake are side by side.
If the super-shiny figure or wonky hula hoop didn't give it away, the packaging does. This particular fake may have come in a foil bag, but it has a Sonny Angel Hipper printed on it! The box is also missing the Smiski branding, and is printed on glossy paper - whereas the real Smiski boxes are matte (not shiny). What you can't see here is that the box also arrived flat (we had to fold it into shape!). Not all fakes are as easy to spot as this, but these are some of the more common signs to keep in mind.
Seven simple ways to spot a fake Smiski figure
We've pulled together some simple checks for Smiski blind boxes, but most also work for Smiski keychains, straps and accessories too. Some checks work before you buy; others are easier once your Smiski arrives (at least you'll know for next time).
Before you buy
1. Always look for official stockists
If you want to guarantee authentic Smiski products, it's pretty simple - just shop at authorised retailers! We've pulled together a list of the official Smiski Australia stockists or you can view the same list on the official Smiski Australia and New Zealand Instagram.
2. Look closely at the blind box
Dreams Inc., the Japanese creator and manufacturer of Smiski, lists all the Smiski products ever made. Compare the figures pictured with the official designs (hint: you'll find images of each figure on our Smiski product pages too!). It's also a good place to check if you're hearing something like "Smiski One Piece" which turned out to be just someone very good at photoshop.
Real: Smiski blind boxes have their familiar hexagonal shape, with sharp printing on matte (non-glossy) cardboard. The blind box should show the Smiski branding in both English and Japanese. The colours always match the official imagery for that series, which you'll see on official stockists' websites or in store.
Fake: Watch for blurry printing, incorrect colours, copied artwork or packaging that doesn't match any official release. Some fake Smiski Hippers have even shown up in the narrower Sonny Angel-style packaging, which is a major red flag. If the box is flat, you've found a fake.
3. Be cautious of bargain prices
Real: Genuine Smiski products are usually pretty similarly priced across authorised retailers, although prices obviously vary between standard blind boxes, Hippers, keychains and other accessories.
Fake: If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is! Bargain prices and huge discounts are a big red flag. Be especially cautious if a seller claims to have large quantities of unopened Smiski Series 3 or 4 blind boxes. Dreams Inc. currently has these blind box series on production pause and hasn't manufactured them for several years, so genuine stock is difficult to find. Official strap accessories featuring designs from Series 3 and 4 are still available. These are keychain strap capsules inspired by the original blind box figures.
When it arrives
4. Check the markings underneath
Real: Genuine Smiski figures are embossed underneath with "SMISKI © Dreams", "Made in China" and the year they were made. This applies across the Smiski range (keychains, zipperbites, toothbrush holders - you name it). The lettering is embossed into the vinyl, so you should be able to see and feel it.
Fake: The markings may be missing, faint, crooked, difficult to read or contain spelling errors. They may also look like they've been printed onto the figure instead of being embossed into the vinyl.
5. Look at the shape and finish
Real: Smiski figures are made from solid ATBC-PVC (vinyl), giving them a sturdy feel and a smooth, matte finish. Their shapes are softly rounded, with clean edges and details that match the official design.
Fake: Copies often have a really shiny or oily-looking surface, and they usually feel a lot lighter. The manufacturing may look clunky, with rough edges, bulky shapes or proportions that are noticeably different from the real figure. You'll also notice that the head is usually not attached to the body when you open the box!
6. Test the glow
Real: Let a Smiski bask in daylight or under a bright light, then turn out the lights to see that mysteriously familiar glow. Authentic Smiski are made from a special phosphorescent material that gives their bodies that famous glow in the dark. You'll also see a fairly even glow. Objects made from the darker green material are designed not to glow, creating a Smiski silhouette that's just as curious at night.
Fake: A fake Smiski figure will usually fail to glow at all, or light up unevenly and look really patchy.
7. Check the foil bag and booklet
Real: Inside a genuine blind box, there's always a foil bag printed with Smiski branding and often a small information booklet for the series. Some Series 1 figures include a bonus Little Smiski. When there is a separate little figure or piece, it will have its own clear plastic bag inside the main foil bag.
Fake: Finding the main figure sitting loose or visible inside a clear plastic bag is a warning sign. Fake boxes are usually missing the information booklet or have a poorly printed one. If there's a foil bag, it's usually the wrong design or branding.
Should a Smiski blind box be shrink-wrapped?
Dreams Inc. is gradually increasing the security of the outer packaging used for Smiski blind boxes. All Smiski blind boxes are glued shut, though many now also have shrink wrap.
So don't panic if your blind box is or isn't shrink-wrapped. It depends on the series and when the stock arrived. When buying Smiski at authorised retailers, you may see this newer packaging or even a mix of both. This is all while manufacturing catches up and stock transitions across different series. Shrink wrap alone won't tell you whether a Smiski is real (yet!)
Where to buy real Smiski in Australia
We've made it a little easier to check the official list published through the Instagram account of Funky Fenix, the exclusive distributor of Smiski in Australia. That means they're the only ones officially allowed to bring Smiski into Australia and distribute them to approved retailers (official / authorised stockists).
You can also view the official Australian stockist list on the Smiski Australia and NZ Instagram.
If someone is selling Smiski and they're not on the official list, there's no guarantee the products are authentic. You may only discover the difference once you open the box - or turn out the lights and find there's no glow!
Looking for real Sonny Angel too?
Smiski and Sonny Angel are both made by Dreams Inc. If you're also a Sonny Angel collector, we've also put together a guide for where to buy real Sonny Angel figures and spot fakes.
Official online Smiski stockists in Australia
- Blink Box - that's us! 🥳
- Leo & Bella
- Things Adorable
- Tiny Paper Co.
Official retail stores stocking Smiski around Australia
Sometimes it's nice to hunt for Smiski in person. So we've added the complete list of authorised Smiski stockists across Australia:
Smiski stockists in Sydney & NSW
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Hands
- Newtown - 279 Australia Street
- Paddington - 255C Oxford Street
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Kinokuniya
- CBD - The Galeries
- Chatswood - Level 5, Westfield Chatswood
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Mooii
- CBD - Regent Place
- CBD - QVB
- CBD - The Galeries
- Burwood - 89 Burwood Road
- Chatswood - B019 Lower Ground, Chatswood Chase
- Parramatta - L02 Westfield Parramatta
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Nest & Burrow
- Moss Vale - 420 Argyle Street
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Zarlak Kids
- Terrigal - 3/15 Church Street
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Zebra Finch
- Kotara - Westfield Kotara
- West Newcastle - Marketown Shopping Centre
Smiski stockists in Melbourne & VIC
-
Invite Me
- Yarraville - 66 Anderson Street
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Jasper Junior
- Fitzroy - 269 Brunswick Street
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Kawaii Kids
- Birchip - 41 Cumming Avenue
- Horsham - Horsham Plaza
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Little Elwood
- Elwood - 82 Ormond Road
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Moko Select
- CBD - Emporium, Lonsdale Street
- Chadstone - Chadstone Shopping Centre
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Mooii
- CBD - 283a Swanston Street
- CBD - Melbourne Central
- Doncaster - Westfield Doncaster
- Maribyrnong - Highpoint Shopping Centre
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Mr Good Times
- Bendigo - Bath Lane
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Poppyshop
- Carlton - 283 Lygon Street
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The Crafty Squirrel
- Ballarat Central - Cnr Urquhart & Errard Street
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The Woodsfolk
- Hawthorn - 39 Church Street
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X-Playground
- CBD - Cnr Berrbang Lane & Blender Lane
- CBD - Shop 9/259 Collins Street
- Doncaster - 642 Doncaster Road
Smiski stockists in Brisbane & QLD
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Bills Store
- Peregian Beach - 3/10 Kingfisher Drive
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Coming Up Roses
- Balmoral - 118 Bilyana Street
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Hurley Burley Toys
- Southport - Shop 2/19 Warehouse Road
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Let the Children Play
- Mackay - 2/127 Sydney Street
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Little Cove Collective
- Noosa Heads - Bay Village
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Mooii
- CBD - Queens Plaza
- CBD - Uptown, Queen Street
- Carindale - Westfield Carindale
- Chermside - Westfield Chermside
Smiski stockists in Adelaide & SA
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Flourish Gift and Home
- Hyde Park - 114 King William Street
- Maylands - 171 Magill Road
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Toyworld
- Adelaide - Myer Centre
- Gepps Cross - Home HQ
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Wander Home
- Grange - 675 Grange Road
Smiski stockists in Canberra & ACT
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Chilada
- Gungahlin - 48 Gungahlin Place
- Majura Park - Majura Park Shopping Centre
Smiski stockists in Perth & WA
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Mooii
- Karrinyup - Shop 0315A, Karrinyup Centre
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Mukau
- Cowaramup - Shop 2/69 Bottrill Street
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Olivia & Grace Giftware
- Mount Lawley - 672 Beaufort Street
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Pop & Fun Perth
- CBD - Shop 5B, City Station Concourse
- Leederville - 136 Oxford Street
Smiski stockists in Tasmania
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Sandy Bay Gifts
- Hobart - 197 Sandy Bay Road
Smiski stockists in the Northern Territory
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Tini Store
- Stuart Park - 47 Stuart Highway
When in doubt, stick with an official stockist. At Blink Box, we only stock authentic Smiski blind boxes and accessories, so you can enjoy the surprise of who’s inside - without the shock of opening a fake.
