Labubu: How a Quirky Monster Toy Became a Global Sensation
A small plush monster named Labubu has transformed from Hong Kong graphic novel character into a viral collectible phenomenon. The toy, designed by Kasing Lung and sold by Chinese brand Pop Mart, has sparked frenetic demand worldwide, fuelled by international celebrity endorsements, limited releases, and enthusiastic unboxing culture with viral videos on all over the social media.
Let’s learn why is labubu so popular and expensive and also if they are good or evil and why people are so obsessed with these dolls:
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| Credit: PopMart |
Labubu debuted in 2015 as part of The Monsters, a graphic novel series inspired by Nordic folklore created by Kasing Lung. Each figure presents a furry imp-like monster with pointy ears, large expressive eyes, and nine sharp teeth, giving it a mischievous yet endearing appearance. The character remained niche until 2019, when Pop Mart teamed up with Lung and began selling Labubu toys in collectible “blind boxes”.
Early adopters were drawn by the surprise element, each box contains one of several variants, and rare “secret” figures appear only once among dozens of boxes. This randomness adds tension to the purchase experience, with fans chasing elusive versions.
But,
How did Labubus become so popular all of a sudden?
Here’s how:
In April 2024, K‑pop star Lisa of BLACKPINK was photographed with a Labubu charm on her bag. The post ignited a frenzy, especially across Southeast Asia. Pop Mart reported massive spikes in traffic and overnight lines outside outlets in Thailand and Malaysia.
Other high-profile fans, including Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Madonna, Simone Biles, Hilary Duff, David Beckham, and Emma Roberts, fuelled international attention.
Major auction houses have since sold life-size and oversized Labubu figures for over $100,000.
In Beijing, a 131 cm mint-green model fetched around 1.08 million yuan (€131,000).
According to The Times, in the UK, a four-foot version brought in over £110,000, sold from a rare 2017 series of only 120 copies.
This gave a major business boom and expansion to Pop Mart, which recorded steep revenue gains in 2024, with total annual sales reaching 13.04 billion yuan (~US$ 1.8 billion), a 107 percent increase year-over-year.
The Monsters series, including Labubu, contributed roughly 3.04 billion yuan, up 726.6 percent. Their retail footprint now includes over 400 stores in China, 2,190 vending-style outlets, and more storefronts worldwide.
Australian Pop Mart locations reported long queues, even physical scuffles, before temporary shutdowns in the UK due to crowd control issues during restocks.
In online channels, tag-based collector communities share unboxing videos, pricing tips, and resale alerts, contributing to the craze.
What explains the appeal?
Several factors help explain Labubu’s explosive growth:
1. Striking but accessible design
The toy stands out with its oversized head, sharp teeth, and fuzzy body. Its odd blend of cute and creepy resonates across age groups.
2. Blind-box mechanics
Consumers spend repeatedly chasing rarities. Occasional “secret” figures trigger anticipation and competitive bidding.
3. Celebrity influence
Social endorsements by Lisa and other personalities gave the brand instant credibility. After Lisa’s Instagram post, Lisa’s influence triggered international queues and immediate sellouts.
4. Collector community and online clout
Videos tagged #Labubu on TikTok and Instagram exceed 1.4 million mentions. Collectors document each purchase, share strategies for acquiring rare models, and caution against fakes nicknamed “Lafufu”.
I know you want to know more, so here are short answers to your most asked Labubu questions:
Why is Labubu so popular?
Labubu's popularity stems from its unique design, a mischievous, imp-like character with distinctive teeth and expressive eyes, combined with successful collaborations, limited editions, and the addictive "blind box" collecting phenomenon. Its playful yet slightly edgy aesthetic appeals to a wide audience.
What is the story behind the Labubu?
Labubu is part of "The Monsters" series created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. The character is a mischievous imp or elf who, despite a sometimes grumpy or playful demeanor, often brings good luck. The overarching narrative of "The Monsters" revolves around a group of fantastical creatures living together.
Is Labubu good or evil?
Labubu is generally portrayed as mischievous and playful, rather than outright evil. While sometimes a bit naughty, it's typically seen as a benevolent imp.
Is Labubu a girl or guy?
Labubu is designed as a gender-neutral character.
Who is the CEO of Labubu?
Labubu is a character created by artist Kasing Lung. It is primarily produced and distributed by POP MART, a major player in the collectible toy market. Therefore, there isn't a "CEO of Labubu" in the traditional sense, but rather the artist and the company that produces the toys.
Why is the Labubu doll so expensive?
Labubu dolls can be expensive due to factors like their collectible nature, limited edition releases, collaborations with other artists or brands, high demand, and the "blind box" element which encourages multiple purchases to complete a set or find a rare chase figure.
Which Labubu is rare?
Rare Labubu figures are typically the "secret" or "chase" figures found within blind boxes, limited edition collaboration pieces, or highly sought-after older releases. Their rarity is often due to extremely low production numbers.
Can Christians have Labubu?
Yes, Christians can have Labubu. Labubu is a fictional character and a collectible toy, not a religious idol or symbol. So, even Muslims, Hindus, and all other religious groups can have a labubu doll.
How to spot fake Labubu?
Spotting fake Labubu often involves checking for poor paint quality, flimsy materials, incorrect packaging details (misspellings, blurry printing), and the absence or inconsistencies of official holographic stickers or QR codes (though some fakes attempt to replicate these). Purchasing from authorized retailers is the best way to ensure authenticity.
Does Labubu have 10 teeth?
Yes, Labubu is famously characterized by its prominent, often visible, ten teeth.
What's the difference between Labubu and Lafufu?
"Lafufu" appears to be a misspelling or a misunderstanding. The correct and popular character is "Labubu." There isn't a distinct character known as "Lafufu" in The Monsters series or by Kasing Lung. There are some fake versions named as lafufu being sold as the original.
Do fake Labubu have QR code?
Some sophisticated fake Labubu figures may attempt to replicate QR codes, but often these codes will either not work, lead to suspicious websites, or not link back to official POP MART authentication pages. It's one factor to check, but not foolproof on its own.
Which Labubu color is most popular?
Popularity can vary, but original and classic color schemes (like the mischievous blue or pink versions) are consistently well-loved. Special edition and collaboration colors also gain significant popularity upon release.
Is Labubu a monster?
Yes, Labubu is part of artist Kasing Lung's "The Monsters" series, so it is indeed categorized as a monster or fantastical creature.
Is Labubu a blind box?
Yes, Labubu figures are predominantly sold as "blind boxes," meaning you don't know which specific figure you'll get until you open the package. This adds an element of surprise and encourages collecting.
Okay, so,
What comes next?
Pop Mart has begun collaborating on labubu lines tied to Coca‑Cola, One Piece, museum gift shops like the Louvre, and even music industry tie-ins.
A recent charity auction with K‑pop group Seventeen sold 14 custom dolls starting at $300 each.
The firm faces challenges with counterfeit copies and hype-driven safety issues. In the UK, in-store sales are paused while Pop Mart rethinks its release strategy following reports of crowd episodes and resellers buying via bots.
Analysts wonder whether Labubu might become tomorrow’s fad or maintain momentum through further partnerships. While some critics dismiss it as irrational consumerism, few doubt Pop Mart’s agility in building one of the fastest-growing toy brands of the decade.
As collector prices stretch into six figures, Labubu has become more than a fashionable accessory; it represents a cultural moment at the crossroads of art, pop culture, and commerce.
