Love them or loathe them, Labubu dolls have clawed their way from quirky collectibles to a billion-dollar global obsession that shows no signs of slowing down.
If you’ve ever wondered whether Labubu dolls are simply quirky collectibles or something more, buckle up. These toothy, elf-like creatures have become an unlikely global craze—boosting Pop Mart’s profits, fueling resale markets, spurring celebrity selfies, and even shaping modern iconography in soft power. My own daughters are obsessed with them, proof that the fascination stretches across generations and continents. Dive in to uncover how a fuzzy monster became the world’s most peculiar obsession.
What Is A Labubu, Anyway?
Labubu originated in 2015 as one of Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung’s characters in his “The Monsters” series, influenced by Nordic folklore and mythology. The creatures feature pointed ears, big eyes, and mischievous grins revealing exactly nine teeth. Though the name “Labubu” has no literal meaning, the character is described by Pop Mart as “kind-hearted and always wanting to help, but often accidentally achieving the opposite.”
From Artist’s Creation to Global Retail Titan
Business Insider reports that in 2019, Kasing Lung struck an exclusive licensing agreement with Pop Mart, a Beijing-founded toymaker, to produce Labubu figures. Initially sold as vinyl figurines in blind boxes—where buyers didn’t know which character they’d get—these collectibles gained traction slowly. But the spark ignited in 2023, when Pop Mart introduced plush keychains of Labubu, styled as bag charms and phone accessories—captivating collectors and fashionistas alike.
Dua Lipa and Rihanna helped catapult Labubu into global fashion status by sporting the quirky dolls as bag charms.
Celebrity Fuel: How Fame Ignited the Frenzy
In April 2024, Blackpink’s Lisa began posting Labubu on her bag on Instagram—triggering a regional social media explosion, especially across Southeast Asia. Soon after, global stars jumped on board: Rihanna was photographed with the doll clipped to her Louis Vuitton bag in February, Kim Kardashian shared her collection of ten Labubu dolls in April, and David Beckham posted one in May according to Forbes. With celebrity endorsements fueling visibility, Labubu mania metastasized from niche fandom to mainstream obsession.
Hard Numbers That Show the Monster’s Might
Reuters reports that financially, Labubu has proven monstrous in scale. In 2024, Pop Mart’s total revenue more than doubled to RMB 13.04 billion (≈ US $1.81 billion), with plush toy sales—driven by Labubu—soaring over 1,200% and accounting for nearly 22–23% of overall revenue. The “Monsters” series alone generated RMB 3.04 billion (~US $430 million), or 23.3% of total revenue for 2024.
In the first half of 2025, Pop Mart continued its blistering pace—The Monsters brought in RMB 4.81 billion (~US $670 million), constituting 34.7% of total revenue. Overall, H1 2025 revenue surged more than 200%, with net profit up nearly 400%. The CEO projected a staggering RMB 30 billion (~US $4.2 billion) in total revenue for 2025—easily eclipsing the year’s RMB 20 billion (~US $2.8 billion) target.
Global Reach: Expansion, Scarcity, and Scandal
Pop Mart now boasts hundreds of stores worldwide—including more than 40 in the U.S.—with plans to open ten more by year-end—and over 2,000 “roboshops” (vending machines) globally. Yet soaring demand has led to store sell-outs, long queues, even fights—so much so that UK stores paused Labubu sales briefly for safety reasons. The Daily Beast reports that counterfeit Labubus—often dubbed “Lafufus”—are flooding secondary markets, adding to both collector frustration and opportunity.
Labubu dolls have become more than toys—fans often pose them in playful scenes, like this pair soaking up the seaside sun.
Labubu: Soft Power or Cultural Symbol?
BBC News reports that state-backed media have touted Labubu as a triumph of “Chinese creativity, quality and culture in a language the world can understand”. Meanwhile, analysts suggest Pop Mart’s success showcases a rare win for Chinese brands in Western markets—“so good that no one cares they’re from China”.
FAQs (People Also Ask)
Why are blind boxes so addictive?
They play on randomness and the thrill of surprise. Many buyers chase rare “chaser” variants—on average, one in ten boxes contains one, compared to one in a hundred for similar collectibles. That uncertainty drives repeated purchases and intense engagement .
How many Labubu variants exist?
By mid-2025, Pop Mart released over 300 different Labubu figurines, ranging from a basic US$15 vinyl figure to a massive 31-inch “mega” edition at $960—and even a 4 ft model sold at auction for USD 170,000.
Are there controversies regarding Labubu?
Yes. Beyond safety concerns in the UK, China’s media criticized blind-box sales for their addictive nature. Pop Mart’s shares briefly dipped when authorities signaled tighter regulation. Counterfeit “Lafufus” have raised concerns about quality and safety.
Will Labubu be a lasting cultural icon, or just a fad?
Pop Mart is expanding the IP beyond toys—planning animated shows, themed cafés, and possibly theme park attractions. But whether the brand achieves lasting cultural resonance remains to be seen.
Conclusion
Labubu’s rise from a little-known art character to a global phenomenon is a case study in smart IP management, viral marketing, and strategic scarcity. It’s cute yet unsettling, whimsical yet commercially powerful—proof that in today’s attention economy, the weirdest things often go the furthest. Whether adorably odd or gloriously bizarre, Labubu has become an undeniable part of pop culture folklore.
