Labubu. The name might sound like a sneeze, but in collecting circles, it’s the sound of a stampede. This wide-mouthed, mischievous-looking character, part bunny, part gremlin, has become the unlikely object of a global obsession. Forget Beanie Babies or vintage Barbies; Labubu is the hottest collectible on the planet, driving dedicated collectors to extreme lengths and leaving casual observers scratching their heads.
But what is Labubu? It’s the creation of Hong Kong-based artist Kasing Lung, part of the “The Monsters” series produced by toy company Pop Mart. These are not your average playthings. They’re art toys, designed to appeal to adults with a passion for design and a willingness to spend serious money. A single, unopened blind box , the way most Labubus are sold, adding to the thrill of the chase , can retail for around $15. However, rare or highly sought-after variants can fetch hundreds, even thousands, on the secondary market. The original drop had some issues, and those who missed out feel the aftereffects.
The frenzy is fueled by several factors. The element of surprise is key. Each blind box contains one of a dozen or so different Labubu designs, with even rarer “secret” figures sprinkled in. This creates a powerful gambling dynamic, encouraging collectors to buy multiple boxes in hopes of landing their grail Labubu. Social media also plays a massive role. Unboxing videos flood YouTube and TikTok, showcasing the latest hauls and fueling the desire for others to join the craze. The #Labubu hashtag is a thriving community, with collectors sharing photos, trading tips, and lamenting their empty wallets. There are dedicated threads just to discuss “pull rates”, a subject that drives the secondary market prices.
The global scale of the Labubu phenomenon is truly remarkable. From Hong Kong to London, New York to Jakarta, people are lining up outside Pop Mart stores, refreshing online marketplaces, and engaging in intense bidding wars. But for the casual buyer, the secondary markets can be incredibly taxing, not to mention risky for those unfamiliar with identifying fakes. Few could have predicted it , this sudden, intense passion for a slightly unsettling, yet undeniably cute, vinyl figure.
“It’s more than just a toy,” says Sarah Chen, a 32-year-old collector from Singapore who runs a popular Labubu fan account on Instagram. “It’s about the thrill of the hunt, the joy of discovery, and the community you become a part of. I’ve made friends from all over the world through our shared love of Labubu.”
But the Labubu craze isn’t without its critics. Some accuse Pop Mart of exploiting consumer psychology through its blind box system, creating a sense of artificial scarcity and encouraging excessive spending. Others point to the environmental impact of producing and shipping millions of plastic toys around the world. Still, others rue the rise in forgeries, noting the difficulty distinguishing a real piece from a fake.
Here is what is fueling this frenzy:
- Limited Availability: Artificially scarce “blind box” releases.
- Social Media Hype: Unboxing videos and collector communities.
- Unique Designs: The quirky and captivating appeal of Kasing Lung’s creations.
- Investment Potential: The possibility of reselling rare figures for profit.
- Community: A shared passion connecting collectors globally.
The pursuit of Labubu has led to some unintended consequences. Retailers have seen an uptick in suspicious activity, and there is a lot of talk about what is and isn’t considered ethical in toy scalping circles. Recently, a viral video surfaced on X.com showing a group of adults allegedly cutting open blind boxes in a store to identify the contents, sparking outrage among collectors who play by the rules. Similar complaints flood Facebook groups dedicated to Labubu collecting. “People are getting desperate,” one user commented. “It’s ruining the fun for everyone else.”
The long-term sustainability of the Labubu craze remains to be seen. Like all collectible fads, it is bound to eventually peak and decline. But for now, Labubu reigns supreme, capturing the hearts and wallets of collectors around the world. While some find the whole thing perplexing, others see it as a harmless , if somewhat expensive , form of self-expression and community building. Just be careful of those fakees. It’s a tricky world out there.
Even art critics have weighed in. “The success of Labubu and similar art toys highlights the blurring lines between art, design, and commerce,” says Dr. Emily Carter, an art historian specializing in contemporary culture. “These figures are not simply toys; they are carefully crafted objects that tap into our desire for novelty, collectibility, and belonging. They speak to a generation that values individuality and self-expression, and they offer a tangible way to connect with others who share their aesthetic sensibilities.” Of course, that doesn’t mean she’s going to start collecting them herself.
It seems that the original intent was pure artistry, but now there are complex issues regarding market manipulation, forgery, and unsustainable production practices. What started as a whimsical artistic expression, has cascaded into something almost unmanageable. Whether Labubu’s popularity will continue its ascension or come crashing down, one thing is certain: its impact on the art toy world will not be forgotten any time soon.
