Labubu

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Labubu
Labubu The Monsters Exciting Macaron series from 2023
TypePlush toy
Invented byKasing Lung (龍家昇)
CompanyHow2Work (2015–2019)[1]
Pop Mart (2019–present)

Labubu (Chinese: 拉布布) is a brand of collectible plush toy monster elves created by Hong Kong born Dutch designer Kasing Lung (Chinese: 龍家昇[2]) and marketed by and sold exclusively at China-based retailer Pop Mart.[3][4][5][6] Labubu is also the name of the main character in the series.[7]

History

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Labubu began as a character designed by Kasing Lung (1972–),[8][9] a Hong Kong–born artist raised in the Netherlands. Labubu was part of Lung's story series The Monsters, which was influenced by Nordic folklore[10][11] and mythology that he enjoyed during his childhood.[5]

Labubu was first introduced in 2015[5] with "Monsters" figurines produced by the company How2Work;[1] the toy gained wider recognition in 2019 following a collaboration with Pop Mart.[3][1] This partnership boosted Labubu's popularity among collectors.

By 2025, Labubu had released over 300 different Labubu figurines, ranging in size and price, from $15 for a three-inch vinyl figure to $960 for a 31-inch "mega" edition.[12] In June, a four-foot-tall mint-green Labubu was sold for $170,000 at the first official Labubu auction held in Beijing.[13]

Design

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Labubu dolls have been sold by Pop Mart since 2019.

Labubus are described as having a playful yet slightly fierce look, featuring round, furry bodies, wide eyes, pointed ears,[14] and nine sharp teeth that form a mischievous smile.[4][11] Aside from Labubu herself, other figures also belong to a "tribe" called "The Monsters", including the characters Mokoko, Pato, Spooky, Tycoco (Labubu's "skeleton-looking" boyfriend),[15] and Zimomo (the leader of the Monsters, with a spiked tail).[6][1][16] The dolls have been produced with a variety of appearances.[4][6][17]

The first Labubu key-ring line, titled "Exciting Macaron" (Chinese: 心動馬卡龍), was released in October 2023.[6] Other collections include "Fall in Wild", the seven-figurine "Have a Seat" (Chinese: 坐坐派對) line,[18] and "Big into Energy" (Chinese: 大動力系列).[6]

Pop Mart has also collaborated with various brands, producing a Coca-Cola-themed winter blind box series of eleven Labubus in late 2024[19] and a 13-figurine line of The Monsters re-imagined as characters from the manga and anime One Piece in early 2025.[20] Other figures have been released exclusively at various museums,[18] such as the "Labubu's Artistic Quest" series sold at Pop Mart's store at the Louvre in Paris.[21]

Blind boxes

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Labubu figures are often sold in blind boxes, collected into themed lines, which contain a toy chosen at random from that series.[22] Series often contain a rare "secret" figure in addition to the designs advertised.[18]

Reception

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The toy gained widespread attention in April 2024 after K-pop group Blackpink member Lisa was spotted with a keychain Labubu on her bag.[3][23] This sparked a trend that quickly contributed to its growing recognition in Thailand and other parts of Southeast and East Asia.[4][7]

New York Magazine's Liza Corsillo wrote that the "toy’s appeal is fueled by a hard-to-explain cuteness — they’re kind of ugly, but huggable, with a devilish grin — as well as surprise and scarcity." She also wrote that, like Jellycat and other sought-after bag charms, Labubus blur "the line between toys and fashion." She noted that fans like their wearability, as they can be clipped to a purse or backpack.[12]

Demand for Labubus have been high enough to crash the website on at least one occasion.[12] Due to the brand's popularity, counterfeit versions, sometimes colloquially referred to as "Lafufus," have appeared in the market.[13] Counterfeit accessories are also available for purchase online.[12] Some collectors have reportedly also taken interest in these fakes, due to their unconventional designs.[12]

Pop Mart's 2024 interim report, released on August 20, stated that the line generated sales of 6.3 billion Chinese yuan (approximately US$870 million) in the first half of the year.[14]

In Russia, the Federation Council proposed banning the sale of Labubus. The reason was their "frightening appearance" and potential harm to children's mental health.[24] In Russia, Ekaterina Altabaeva, deputy chair of the Committee on Science, Education and Culture, stated that the figures cause children to feel fear. She called on Rospotrebnadzor and Rosobrnadzor to consider banning them.[24] Tatyana Butskaya, first deputy chair of the State Duma Committee on Family Protection, reported that Labubus were being sold in Russia in violation of regulations. According to her, there wasn't a single word in Russian on the toys, and the marking did not indicate that they were manufactured in Russia.[25] However, the manufacturer does not officially position the toy as a children's toy: it has an age limit of 15 years.[26]

Anecdotes

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Thai Amulets

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In 2024, due to the viral popularity of Labubu in Thailand, many Thais began to believe that its image could bring wealth and good fortune. As a result, it was made into Buddhist amulets and sacred tattoos (sak yant)[27][28][29].

Nine Emperor Gods Festival

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In October 2024, during the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, Singapore’s Ling Lian Bao Dian Temple introduced collectible toy elements for the first time in an effort to attract younger generations to traditional religious practices. Four Labubu figurines were dressed as devotees, in white clothes, white hats, and yellow sashes, and participated throughout the festivities. The move drew widespread attention and debate on social media. While some praised the idea as cute and culturally innovative, others questioned whether it was disrespectful to the deities. The temple clarified that the toys were merely acting as "devotees" and were not being worshipped as offerings, hence no disrespect was intended. Videos of the event garnered high viewership on social media, drawing many young people to the temple to see the figurines in person[30][31].

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Bargeron, Sadie. "Blackpink's Lisa's favorite Pop Mart toy Labubu causes global mania". JingDaily.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  2. ^ "Lot 311: 龍家昇 Kasing Lung(Hong Kong)". Invaluable. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Cheung, Adam. (2025-04-30). ""I was told they were sold out. I always wanted one immediately": Why countless guys are obsessed with those weird and wild Labubu dolls". British GQ. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
  4. ^ a b c d Tabiolo, Jewil Anne M. (2024-10-19). "All You Need to Know:Labubu 'hottest collectible' right now". SunStar. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  5. ^ a b c Fernando, Jeff (2024-10-23). "Labubu mania sweeps the Philippines: Celebrities can't get enough of these whimsical toys". Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  6. ^ a b c d e Haridasani Gupta, Alisha (2025-04-27). "How These Little Elves Turned Into a Global Sensation". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  7. ^ a b The Fifth Person (2024-11-06). Labubu Craze: Can Pop Mart Keep Climbing?. Retrieved 2025-06-05 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ Meet Kasing Lung, the Artist Behind Labubu and the Monsters, By Eric E. Surbano. https://www.prestigeonline.com/th/people/kasing-lung-artist-labubu-the-monsters-pop-mart/
  9. ^ Sukri, Hazeeq (26 September 2024). "4 things to know about Labubu, the popular Pop Mart figure with fans including Blackpink's Lisa". CNA Lifestyle. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  10. ^ a b Surbano, Eric E. (2024-09-21). "Decoding the Labubu hype from its origins to creator and celebrity endorsements". Prestige Online - Malaysia. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  11. ^ a b c d e Corsillo, Liza (2025-06-12). "The Confused Aunt's Guide to Labubu". The Strategist. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
  12. ^ a b Gulino, Elizabeth (2025-06-11). "Would You Pay $170,000 for a Labubu?". TheCut.com. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
  13. ^ a b Bharade, Aditi; Liam, Erin (2024-11-15). "A fluffy, $85 toy is taking Asia by storm and sparking legions of knockoffs. Inside the meteoric rise of Labubu". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  14. ^ Rodriguez, Rebecca (2025-05-22). "What is Labubu? Why is she so popular? We have answers". NBC News. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  15. ^ Zachariah, Natasha Ann (2024-11-14). "Going ga-ga over Labubu: The toy that has fans fighting, faking and stealing it". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  16. ^ Maruf, Ramishah (2025-05-17). "This gremlin-looking toy from China is proving to be tariff-proof". CNN. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  17. ^ a b c Bell, Crystal (2025-05-22). "The cult and community of Labubu". Mashable. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  18. ^ James, Jesse (2024-12-09). "Pop Mart and Coca-Cola Unite for The Monsters Collection: A Must-Have for Collectors". Stupid Dope. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  19. ^ Muliani, Johanna (2025-03-10). "How to purchase the Monsters x "One Piece" and Labubu collection in Singapore". Prestige Online. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  20. ^ "Pop Mart: Unveiling an Innovative Retail Experience at the Louvre". PR Newswire. 2024-07-30. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  21. ^ Maguire, Lucy (30 April 2025). "Labubus, Jellycats and Crybaby: Why are toys going viral in 2025?". Vogue Business. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  22. ^ Chang, Andrea (2024-11-05). "Overnight lines, mall fights and instant sellouts: Labubu toy mania comes to America". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  23. ^ a b "В России предложили запретить модные фигурки Лабубу — сенатор считает их вредными для психики" [Russia proposes banning fashionable Labubu figurines — senator believes they are harmful to the psyche]. Kanobu.ru (in Russian). 2025-05-29. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  24. ^ "Роскачество начало проверку Labubu. Из-за их огромной популярности в Думе готовят законопроект о «правильных игрушках»" [Roskachestvo has begun an inspection of Labubu. Due to their huge popularity, the Duma is preparing a bill on "correct toys"]. Pravilamag.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  25. ^ "«Уродский» тренд с парижскими корнями: как Лабубу продают на миллиарды и при чем тут Лиса из BLACKPINK" [The "ugly" trend with Parisian roots: how Laboubu is sold for billions and what does BLACKPINK's Lisa have to do with it]. RTVI.us (in Russian). 2025-06-01. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  26. ^ "ยันต์ลาบูบู้ เรียกทรัพย์ เมินดราม่าสายมูต่อแถวรอสัก ย้ำซอฟต์พาวเวอร์คนจีนชอบ". Thairath. 2024-05-19.
  27. ^ "พระพยอมติงยันต์ลาบูบู้ เหมือนเอาของบูชามาเป็นของเล่น". ช่อง 7HD. 2024-05-21.
  28. ^ "冷门IP，在外国意外爆火成财神？". 澎湃新闻. 印客美学. 2024-07-26.
  29. ^ Jiaxing, Ren (2024-10-08). "庙宇为吸引年轻一代 引入潮玩共庆九皇爷诞". 8world (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2024-12-05. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
  30. ^ Leong, Dana (2024-10-07). "Labubu's appearance in Nine Emperor Gods festival gets internet talking". AsiaOne. Archived from the original on 2025-05-12. Retrieved 2025-06-24.