You've seen them hanging off Hermès Birkins. You've seen them in the hands of K-pop royalty. You might’ve even seen grown adults sprinting through a mall in Bangkok or Singapore just to get their hands on a blind box. It’s wild. If you’re looking at these serrated-teeth creatures and wondering labubu what are they, you aren't alone. They look a bit devious. They have that mischievous "I just ate your homework" grin. But behind the fuzzy exterior is a multi-million dollar collectible empire that has redefined what we think of as a "toy."
Labubu isn't just a doll. It’s a cultural phenomenon.
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It started in the mind of Kasing Lung. Back in 2015, the Hong Kong-born artist, who spent much of his youth in the Netherlands, drew inspiration from Nordic folklore to create "The Monsters." Labubu is the star of that show. She’s a small, elf-like creature with long, pointed ears and a row of nine sharp teeth. Despite looking like a bit of a monster, Kasing Lung has gone on record saying she’s actually very kind-hearted, even if she’s always getting into trouble.
The Pop Mart Explosion
The turning point was 2019. That's when Kasing Lung signed an exclusive license agreement with Pop Mart. If you aren't familiar with Pop Mart, think of them as the titans of the "blind box" industry. They took these niche designer toys and turned them into accessible, mass-market collectibles.
Suddenly, you didn't need to go to a high-end art gallery to find a Labubu. You could just go to a vending machine or a bright, neon-lit store in a shopping center.
But accessibility creates its own kind of chaos. Because they are sold in blind boxes—meaning you don't know which specific version you're getting until you tear the foil—the "hunt" became the appeal. People started chasing the "Secret" figures. These are rare 1:72 or 1:144 ratio pulls that can resell for ten times their original price within minutes of being unboxed. It’s gambling for the aesthetic generation.
Why are they everywhere now? The Lisa Effect
If you want to know why Labubu went from "cool designer toy" to "global shortage," look no further than Lalisa Manobal. Yes, Lisa from BLACKPINK.
In April 2024, Lisa posted a photo on her Instagram story holding a Labubu "Macaron" plush. The internet essentially broke.
Fans didn't just want to listen to her music; they wanted her keychain. Almost overnight, prices on the secondary market tripled. In Thailand, the obsession reached such a fever pitch that government agencies actually had to issue warnings about Labubu scams. When a global superstar treats a $30 toy like a luxury accessory, the world notices. It bridged the gap between toy collectors and the fashion elite.
Not just for kids: The "Art Toy" psychology
Why would a 35-year-old professional spend $500 on a set of fuzzy monsters?
It’s "Kidult" culture.
We live in a high-stress world. Honestly, there is something deeply comforting about these tactile, whimsical objects. They are "Art Toys." This isn't Hasbro or Mattel. These are pieces of a creator's soul, mass-produced but still retaining that indie, edgy feel. They don't have a cartoon show attached to them. They don't have a movie. You provide the personality.
The design of Labubu is specifically engineered to be "ugly-cute." In Japanese culture, they call this kimo-kawaii. It’s that perfect balance of something being a little bit creepy but mostly adorable. Those nine teeth are sharp, but the eyes are wide and curious. It’s a vibe that resonates with people who find traditional, hyper-polished toys a bit boring.
Navigating the Labubu Versions
If you’re trying to buy one, you’ll quickly realize there isn't just one "Labubu." There are layers to this.
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First, you have the Vinyl Plush series. These are the ones Lisa made famous. They have soft, furry bodies but vinyl faces and feet. The "Exciting Macaron" series is the gold standard here. They come in colors like Sea Salt Coconut, Sesame Bean, and Toffee.
Then there are the Blind Box Figures. These are smaller, usually 3 to 4 inches tall, and made entirely of PVC/ABS plastic. Each series has a theme. One month Labubu is a sponge, the next she’s a monster in a garden, or a character from a fairy tale.
Finally, there are the MEGA editions. These are the 400% or 1000% sizes. They stand over a foot tall and are meant for serious home decor. They are expensive. They are heavy. They are basically statues.
The dark side of the craze: Fakes and Scams
When something gets this popular, the counterfeiters come out of the woodwork. The market is currently flooded with "high-grade" fakes.
If you’re buying from a third-party seller on a site like eBay or a local marketplace, you have to be careful. Real Labubus have a specific weight to them. The stitching on the plush versions is tight. Most importantly, newer Pop Mart products come with a QR code on the box that you can scan to verify authenticity on their official platform. If the price seems too good to be true—like a $15 Macaron plush—it is 100% a fake.
Why the hype won't die soon
Usually, these trends flame out in six months. Labubu is different because Kasing Lung keeps evolving the lore of "The Monsters." Labubu isn't alone; she has friends like Zimomo (the one with the tail) and Tycoco (the skeleton).
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It’s an ecosystem.
Pop Mart is also incredibly smart about "drop culture." They release limited editions tied to specific cities or festivals. There’s a "Singapore Edition," a "Thailand Edition," and various holiday releases. This keeps collectors on a treadmill of newness. You never truly "finish" a Labubu collection.
Real-world impact and "Toy-nomics"
In Southeast Asia, Labubu has actually influenced local economies. In Bangkok, stores dedicated entirely to "dressing up" your Labubu have opened. You can buy tiny sweaters, miniature glasses, and even little designer-inspired shoes for your plush toy. It has become a sub-economy.
People are treating these toys like assets. I’ve talked to collectors who view their "Secret" pulls as a better investment than some stocks. While that’s debatable, the liquidity of a rare Labubu is surprisingly high. You can sell one in minutes on the right Discord or Facebook group.
What to do if you want to start collecting
If you're ready to jump down the rabbit hole, don't just go buying the first thing you see on a random website.
- Find an official Pop Mart store or authorized retailer. This is the only way to pay the actual retail price ($15–$30) rather than the "Lisa-inflated" prices ($60–$100+).
- Join the community. Follow "The Monsters" on social media. Join local collector groups. People often trade duplicates, which is the most cost-effective way to get the specific ones you want without buying fifty boxes.
- Decide on your "line." Do you want the soft plushies to hang on your bag, or do you want the plastic figures to display on a shelf? Mixing them gets expensive fast.
- Check the QR code. Always. Even if the box looks perfect, the scan is the only thing that matters in the resale world.
Labubu is a reminder that we never really outgrow the need for play. She represents a shift in how we consume art—not as something hanging on a wall, but as something we carry with us, something we can touch, and something that makes a boring commute feel a little more like an adventure. Whether she’s a fad or a mainstay, one thing is certain: those nine sharp teeth have left a massive mark on global pop culture.
Next Steps for Collectors:
Verify your current collection by scanning the Pop Mart anti-counterfeit QR codes on the side of your packaging. If you are looking to purchase your first piece, prioritize the "The Monsters - Exciting Macaron" series for maximum resale value and portability, but ensure you are buying from a verified source to avoid the massive influx of "Grade A" counterfeits currently hitting the market. For the most accurate pricing data, check "Sold" listings on secondary marketplaces rather than "Active" ones to see what people are actually paying in real-time.