All the Smiski series explained
By Léna, co-founder & Art Director at swap-iit
⏱️ Reading time: ≈ 5 mins
The Smiski are my favourites – the little glow-in-the-dark green creatures that started the whole swap-iit adventure. 💚 But between the numbered series, themed series and special editions, it’s easy to get confused. Here’s a clear guide to all the Smiski series, and where to start.
Contents
- What exactly is Smiski?
- How does a Smiski series work?
- The numbered series (Series 1, 2, 3, 4…)
- Themed series
- Special and functional series
- Where to start with your Smiski collection
- What about duplicate Smiski figures?
- FAQ: the Smiski series
What exactly is Smiski?
Smiski are shy little creatures (around 7–8 cm) created by Dreams, the Japanese company behind… Sonny Angel! What makes them special is that they’re phosphorescent – they glow in the dark. By day they hide away in the nooks and crannies of your home; by night they light up. Launched around 2015, they celebrated their 10th anniversary in 2025 and have become a global star of the kawaii collecting scene.
How does a Smiski series work?
The principle is simple and consistent: each series contains 6 standard poses plus 1 rarer secret figure. You buy them in blind boxes, so you don’t know which one you’ll get until you open them. A full ‘assort box’ usually contains 12 boxes, but be warned: even if you buy a whole box, there’s no guarantee you’ll get the full series or the secret figure. That’s the whole appeal (and frustration) of it.
The numbered series (Series 1, 2, 3, 4…)
These are the ‘original’ series, with no specific theme – just Smiski figures in their most iconic poses: lying down, crouching, peering out… Series 1 is where it all began: it’s the foundation, the ideal starting point for a collector. Then came Series 2, 3, 4, etc., in the same spirit.
Themed series
This is where Smiski really comes into its own: each series depicts a little scene from everyday life. Among the best known are:
- Living: the Smiski are settling into the living room (one of the most popular ‘home’ themes, perfect for beginners).
- Bath and Toilet: off to the bathroom, amongst the bubble bath, rubber ducks and shampoo.
- Study / Reading: the studious Smiski, poring over their books.
- Hanging Out, Moving…: still the same concept of everyday vignettes.
Each theme has its own atmosphere, and it’s often the world that speaks to you the most that guides your choice.
Special and functional series
Dreams also releases more original ranges, some of which are actually quite useful:
- Feature: the DIY Smiski, one of the recent series.
- Key: Smiski figures that ‘watch over’ your keys (as key rings).
- Bath Ball: a bath bomb that dissolves in the water to reveal a surprise mini Smiski.
- Toothbrush holders, soft toys…: Smiski goes beyond its figurine format to gently take over your bathroom and shelves.
New series are released several times a year: the list above is not exhaustive, so be sure to check the official website for the latest releases.
Where to start with your Smiski collection
My advice: start with Series 1 (the essence of Smiski) or with an ‘in-house’ series like Living, which is very accessible and adorable. Above all, choose the range that really appeals to you, open one or two boxes for the fun of the surprise, and let your collection grow naturally. There’s no need to want everything all at once.
What about duplicate Smiski figures?
As with any blind box, the more you open, the more duplicates you end up with (hello to my own triple set of Smiski 🙃). Rather than letting them gather dust in a drawer, swap-iit lets you swap them for the poses you’re missing, safely.
We’re launching in September 2026. The waitlist is open: the first 500 people to sign up will receive a lifetime Founder badge and priority access. 💛
FAQ: the Smiski series
How many Smiski series are there?
There are many of them (numbered series, themed series, special editions), and new ones are released several times a year. For the full, up-to-date list, please refer to the official Smiski website.
How many figures are there in a Smiski series?
There are usually six standard poses, plus one rarer secret figure. A full case usually contains 12 blind boxes.
What is the secret Smiski?
It’s the rare figure hidden within a series, distributed at random and much harder to get hold of than the six standard poses.
Which Smiski series should I start with?
Series 1 (the original series) or an in-house series such as Living are excellent starting points. The best thing is to choose the range that appeals to you most visually.