The Comprehensive Guide to the Social Media Phenomenon
Labubu is a viral designer toy that you must have spotted online when they were all those strange looking creatures with nine teeth and wide eyes everywhere. This is Labubu — a toy designed by a Hong Kong artist and it has been making collecting enthusiasts really happy. The charm of the picture book hero created by Kasing Lung has taken him to all corners of the world where he has turned into a popular culture item. Apart from being a subject of play, friends, and art, the little monster became a search term with over 2.1 million Google searches and has become one of the celebrities’ favorites such as Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and BLACKPINK’s Lisa. It’s not only a toy. It has become a necessity in life. The time we are currently living in where things are no longer simple has driven its popularity. It is a tool for those who have no other choice, that still holds the aura of its early days. Whether you’re a newcomer looking for the details or you’ve been keeping tabs on the toy world for quite some time now, this guide will provide you with a complete introduction to the Labubu toy — from its Nordic folklore origins to the current red-hot collector’s market.
Key Points
- Labubu, the character invented by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, became a sensation after the release of artists’ toy line. The featured prominent teeth, the first thing, and the body, which gives vibes of comfort, were a few of the reasons the social media community embraced the character instantly upon its appearance.
- A Chinese designer toy-giant company called The Pop Mart took Labubu under its wings and in no time the toy became the epitome of judgment-day fervor by means of a surprising box approach that saw to it only a select few saw the light of the day.
- The gust of celebrity demonstrations being a worldwide phenomenon has uplifted more than just the fan base of Labubu that have seen the likes of BLACKPINK’s Lisa and Rihanna.
- Labubu’s unconventional take on Printed by kind permission of Norway Transpress, Norway, www.transpress.no, from partly in Transpress, partly in Norwegian. Even with added text and a new cover, the translation would have to have been labeled as a refactoring, and exact page counts should still have been stated in the catalog. Also, the original catalog language largely remained (12, mostly Norwegian, pages out of 16). Its night epopee takes the torch from the young poets and becomes the main thing in the poem, while the beauty of the landscape and the pains of the poets are not the most visible features of the poem anymore, but they are still present.
- Labubu figures often go for very high prices in the market because they are usually limited and have secret variants that collectors cherish. Quite often, such figures are traded for a few hundred dollars or even more of course in the secondary market.
Collecting & Trading Culture
The Thrill of the Blind Box
The history of Labubu’s success is deeply connected with the blind box model where the product is delivered in a mystery manner and people are eager to find out what is inside — this excitement helps in fostering the sense of community and the trading culture. The presence of some ‘secret figures’ in the series can be a significant challenge for both the seller and the customer as the assets are very difficult to be found in the market.
It is a common practice among fanatics and collectors to buy a full box (12 figures) to have a higher chance of unraveling a cryptic variant. The fan base of trading communities not only survive but also prosper in these situations as they give each other tips, trade duplicates, and rejoice in finding rare specimens.
Authentication Tips: Spotting a Real Labubu
When a collectible becomes hot, it is not only the genuine ones that proliferate but also the fake ones. Some of the critical items to look at while identifying real Labubu figures are the following:
- Nine visible teeth: The cutest feature of Labubu is his snouts with the tooth that counterfeiters find very easy to miss.
- Pop Mart hologram: One way of identifying a non-fake figure is by its holographic sticker and through checking the company’s packaging.
- High-quality craftsmanship: Consistently sewn stitches, rich-colored paintwork, and similar surfaces are the characteristics you must spot to confirm your product quality.
- Serial codes: Real products can be tracked if the product’s code is registered into their system, just like how the trading card industry does it for their valuable collectibles.
As the number of counterfeits is on the rise purchasing from a licensed Pop Mart dealer or a verified reseller is the best way to stay secure.
Market Value & Investment Potential
Labubu figures are usually priced at the beginning of a sale with very low and affordable prices (usually between $10–$15 USD per blind box). However, some editions of the figures have seen prices on the secondary market go up to $200 or even more.
The elements that have a direct effect on the price of Labubu are as follows:
- Rareness (secret editions or limited releases) | Series popularity (e.g., collaborations or seasonal drops) | Packaging condition (original box and card included = higher value) | Market hype (celebrity endorsements, restock scarcity)
Not a few, but many collectors have started considering Labubu as an alternative investment, similar to what sneakerheads or art toy investors do. There is price volatility in the market, so being proactive in tracking collector forums and pricing platforms before making any major trades or purchases will prove to be a wise move.
The Story Behind Labubu
Now that we know Labubu originated in the storybook era of Kasing Lung, we should go deeper and find out what got Labubu so famous. In his illustrations, the character lived in a land of unique creatures who were both strange and adorable. Labubu’s blend of Nordic mythology connections with childlike and humorous monsters is what made this creature distinguishable by the curious look in its eye and the smile. And it was also mysterious.
Originally shown as a drawing in the storybook, later it became the 3D toy and collectible when Lung and Pop Mart, the one of Chinas’ biggest forces in the designer toy scene harnessed the power of collaboration. Being the brains behind different series and the main characters of many different collaborations, one may say that Labubu became the flagship of Pop Mart. From mentioning other events, we see that Labubu was present at scary Halloween drops, romantic Valentine’s editions, and even enchanted forest themes.
Each figure has its own story to tell, whether it be a pirate, a magician, or a creature from another world.
What’s special about Labubu that makes everyone love it so much?
It is almost certain that when people see Labubu, they see more than a toy; they see a source of creativity, an expression of personal freedom, and the recipient of their insatiable curiosity. The second theme is definite the story because of the narrative introduced in each series. Sons of concrete have the ability to be themselves introduced there, and the owner through the figurines can communicate a part of a novel to others. It is also easy to notice the alienation effect whereby the extended family is the flippers, consisting of the next generation and old persons who are vigilant. Likewise, similar cases such as the ones used in the refugee camp remain unsolved and discussions on displacement increased.
At a time when we are all becoming increasingly aware of the tangible nature of joy, Labubu provides a means of making a small escape into the world of fairy tales.
Conclusion: It’s Time To Set Off On Your Labubu Adventure
Now seen as the archetypal children’s character, a funny picture book figure, Labubu currently is a limited-edition collectible unit across the globe, and its popularity is just starting. The figure and its iconic design are almost a direct result of the viral spread in the designer world, connecting fashion, pop culture, and the button-down. Whether it is the hunt for scarce pieces, the addition of small chaos to your own desk, or the mere enjoyment that comes with the act of collecting, Labubu epitomizes beyond just that, creativity, social belonging, and the small things that bring joy.
Is Labubu, without a doubt, a lovable naughty monster who is challenging your heart?
Such accomplishments can be made successful if you start the Labubu journey by:
- Engaging with the official agents of Pop Mart (authentic stores)
- Becoming a member of the different collector groups that are online (Discord, Reddit, Instagram)
- Trading as well as attaining fulfillment through your collection activities
Each Labubu is a story in itself. What will yours be?