Hunting for Rare and Mystery Squishmallow Squad Plush Collections

An Introduction to Squad Plush

Plush toys have been popular playthings for children and adults alike for generations. In recent years, a new style of plush toy called "squishmallows" has emerged as a hugely popular trend among plush collectors. Squishmallows come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and designs, featuring cute faces and ultra-soft fabric that gives them their distinctive "squishy" quality that fans love.

One of the most exciting new releases in the squishmallows lineup has been the mystery squad series. These special edition squishmallows come in blind packaging, so you never know which one you'll get until you open it up! The mystery aspect makes hunting for rare and coveted squad members extra thrilling for hardcore collectors. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the mystery squad craze and what makes these blind box plushes so much fun to collect.

The Origins of the Mystery Squad

Squishmallows first appeared on the plush toy scene in 2017 and quickly became sought after for their incredibly soft and squeezable fabric. The quirky, cute designs like unicorns, dragons, llamas and more appealed to a wide audience. It didn't take long for the brand to capitalize on the collecting craze by releasing limited editions and rare designs.

In 2021, Squishmallows released their first blind box series called the Mystery Squad. This line features characters with names like Avery the Avocado, Drella the Dragon Fruit and Benny the Banana. What makes the mystery squad so fun is that each design comes in different ultra rare varieties distinguished by different facial expressions or colors. You might find a rare version with a winking face or a colorful ombre pattern instead of the standard edition.

The Excitement and Strategy of Collecting

For many collectors, the mystery squad series has reignited the thrill of their hunt to collect them all. Fans enjoy the surprise factor of not knowing which design or variety they'll uncover in each squad package. Online communities share news of mystery squad sightings and trade secrets for finding ultra rare figures.

Building a full collection requires dedication along with some strategic shopping skills. Since the packages are sealed, collectors cannot simply cherry pick the rarest squads. Purchasing full, unopened cases from authorized distributors can improve odds, but collecting a full set will still take persistence. Trading with other collectors helps fill in gaps too.

Some of the most coveted mystery squad editions include the rare all-black Avery, specialty squad members like Drella with a starry print, and "Your Majesty" Benny sporting a jeweled crown. Rare finds like these make opening a fresh mystery box extra exciting!

Fun for All Ages

One of the great things about the mystery squad series is that it appeals to a wide range of ages. Little kids love the surprise toys and cute characters. Teens and adults enjoy the thrill of the hunt for rare finds. Collectors of all ages also have fun trading and showing off their squads.

The mystery squad series has also created opportunities for collectors to bond. Parents can search for the rare squads alongside their children. Couples and friends may hunt together and then trade doubles. Online communities allow fans of all ages to share their passion for collecting.

Squishmallows already have mass appeal thanks to their cute appearance and satisfying squish. The mystery squad series has added a whole new layer of enjoyment for collectors searching for those extra special editions.

Displaying Your Collection

One of the best parts of completing your mystery squad collection is finding fun ways to display your rare finds. Arranging your squads together makes a bold statement in any room.

Some collectors neatly line up their mystery squads on shelves as a rainbow of colorful characters. Others arrange them in creative poses and groupings on beds, couches or desks. You can get really clever with staged scenes and stories. Adding props or even making tiny costumes can take your squad display to the next level.

Displaying your rarest and most coveted mystery squad members in a glass case or shadow box adds a museum-like flair. Labeling each squad member makes your display doubly impressive. However you choose to show them off, a complete mystery squad collection is sure to draw awe and envy.

Hunting for the Rare Ones

Building up a mystery squad collection requires dedication, patience and a bit of luck. Certain rare or limited edition squads can prove extremely elusive even for the most seasoned collectors.

Secondary markets like eBay and Mercari have allowed resellers to fetch Premium prices for the rarest mystery squad members, sometimes hundreds of dollars! Of course, scoring an ultra rare squad in person provides the biggest thrill of the hunt.

Retailers like Target, Walgreens, Claire's, BoxLunch and Five Below have all carried mystery squad series. following online alerts groups can help collectors move quickly when a store gets a fresh shipment. Attending squishmallow events and squad reveals also improves the odds of snagging an exclusive.

Persistence pays off when hunting the rarest mystery squads. But many devoted collectors agree, the hunt itself brings almost as much happiness as collecting the full set!

Fun Variations to Collect

The mystery squad line features tons of variation in each character. Hunting for subtle differences gives an added challenge for eagle-eyed collectors!

Take Miles the Dragon for example. His basic version sports pink wings and purple horns. The ultra rare royal blue Miles has sparkly wings. A third variety features a stunning rainbow colors shimmer pattern. Minor details like facial expressions also vary between standard, rare and limited editions.

Other characters like Fifi the Fox, Maggie the Stingray and Duke the Dragon have multiple tail or fin styles across mystery squad varieties. Accessories like Connor the Cow's bandana or Scarlett the Strawberry's chocolate drizzle add more diversity. Every little difference is exciting for true squad collectors to uncover.

Exclusive capsule releases through certain retailers also factor into the thrill of collecting all the mystery squads. Overall it keeps fans engaged in the hunt for new finds.

The Legacy of Mystery Squads

In just a couple years, the mystery squad series of squishmallows has made a huge splash in the larger plush collecting world. The blind box aspect combined with ultra rare designs has appealed to fans of all ages and interests.

These mystery capsule plush bring together the innocent delight of soft toys with the excitement of never knowing what you might find inside. The hunt for rare editions encourages connection and community. At their heart, the mystery squads spark childlike joy and nostalgic fun.

As Squishmallows continue to expand their collections, many fans remain dedicated to completing their mystery squad set. The legacy of this blind box series will no doubt impact future plush trends and innovations. But those limited edition mystery squads will always hold special memories for the collectors who lived the hunt of finding them all!

FAQs

What are mystery squads?

Mystery squads are a series of blind box squishmallow plushes where you don't know which specific design you'll get until you open the package. This makes collecting full sets extra fun.

Where can I find mystery squads?

Mystery squads are sold at various major retailers including Target, Walgreens, Five Below, Claire's and BoxLunch. Special capsule releases may be exclusive to specific stores.

What makes some mystery squads rare?

Variations in colors, patterns, expressions and accessories render some squads much harder to find. Limited edition releases also contribute to rarity and value.

How much do rare mystery squads cost?

On secondary markets like eBay, ultra rare squads can fetch hundreds of dollars thanks to high demand. At retail stores, typical mystery squad prices range from $5 to $15.

What's the best way to collect full mystery squad sets?

Buying in bulk cases improves odds. Trading, social media groups and attending release events also helps. Ultimately patience and persistence are key when hunting rare squads!