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Labubu
Brand of collectible plush toys From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Labubu (/lɑːˈbuːbu/ lah-BOO-boo; Chinese: 拉布布 ⓘ) is a line of high-end[3] collectible plush toys created by Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung.[4] The series features zoomorphic elves with exaggerated facial expressions, of which the central figure is Labubu, a monster with sharp teeth, large ears and a scruffy appearance.
The toys are produced and sold exclusively by China-based retailer Pop Mart,[2][5][6][7] which releases Labubu figures primarily in sealed boxes that conceal the specific character inside, a method known as blind box packaging. Over time, the series expanded to include different versions of Labubu and other related figures, often released in limited runs or as part of themed sets.
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History
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Labubu began as a character designed by Kasing Lung (born 1972),[8][9] a Hong Kong–born artist raised in Utrecht, Netherlands, who later settled in Antwerp, Belgium.[10] Labubu was part of Lung's story series The Monsters, which was influenced by Nordic folklore[11][12] and mythology that he enjoyed during his childhood.[6]
Labubu was first introduced in 2015[6] with "Monsters" figurines produced by the company How2Work;[1] the toy gained wider recognition in 2019 following a collaboration with Pop Mart.[2][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 US$15 for an eight-centimetre (3 in) vinyl figure to $960 for a 79-centimetre (31 in) "mega" edition.[13] In June, a 1.2-metre-tall (4 ft) mint-green Labubu was sold for $170,000 at the first official Labubu auction, held in Beijing.[14] An anime adaptation in 156 4- to 5-minute episodes in a 7-minute time-slot is planned to be broadcast in mid-2025.[citation needed]
Pop Mart CEO Wang Ning's 48.73% stake in the company has made him a US$21.1 billion fortune (as of 7 July 2025, up from $1.8 billion in 2024), making him the youngest member of China's top ten billionaire list at 37–38.[15]
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Design
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Labubus are described as having a playful yet slightly fierce look, featuring round, furry bodies, wide eyes, pointed ears,[16] and nine sharp teeth that form a mischievous smile.[5][12] 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),[17] and Zimomo (the leader of The Monsters, with a spiked tail).[1][18] The dolls have been produced with a variety of appearances.[5][7][19]
The first Labubu key-ring line, titled "Exciting Macaron" (Chinese: 心動馬卡龍), was released in October 2023.[7] Other collections include "Fall in Wild", the seven-figurine "Have a Seat" (Chinese: 坐坐派對) line,[20] and "Massive into Energy" (Chinese: 大動力系列).[7]
Pop Mart has also collaborated with various brands, producing a Coca-Cola–themed winter blind box series of eleven Labubus in late 2024[21] and a 13-figurine line of The Monsters re-imagined as characters from the manga and anime One Piece in early 2025.[22] Other figures have been released exclusively at various museums,[20] such as the "Labubu's Artistic Quest" series sold at Pop Mart's store at the Louvre in Paris.[23]
Blind boxes
Labubu figures are often sold in blind boxes, collected into themed lines, which contain a toy chosen at random from that series.[24][25] Series often contain a rare "secret" figure in addition to the designs advertised.[20]
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Popularity and public issues
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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.[2][26] This sparked a trend that quickly contributed to its growing recognition in Thailand and other parts of Southeast and East Asia.[5][27] Labubus have also received endorsements from celebrities such as Rihanna and Cher, and have been used in promotional efforts for unrelated films, with actors like Javier Bardem interacting with the toys as part of marketing campaigns.[28]
In 2025, 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." Corsillo also wrote that, like Jellycat, Labubus blur "the line between toys and fashion".[13]
Demand for Labubus has been high enough to crash the website on at least one occasion.[13] Due to the brand's popularity, counterfeit versions, sometimes colloquially referred to as "Lafufus", have appeared in the market.[14] Counterfeit accessories are also available for purchase online. Some collectors have reportedly also taken interest in these fakes, due to their unconventional designs.[13]
Pop Mart's 2024 interim report, released on 20 August, stated that the line generated sales of 6.3 billion Chinese yuan (approximately US$870 million) in the first half of the year.[16]
In May 2025, Pop Mart announced it had paused selling Labubus in all 16 of its stores in the United Kingdom until June to "prevent any potential safety issues" following multiple reports of customers fighting over them.[29]
The Federation Council of Russia proposed banning the sale of Labubus. The reason was their "frightening appearance" and potential harm to children's mental health. 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.[30] 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.[31][32]
In July 2025, authorities in Iraq's Kurdistan Region announced they had banned the sale of the doll due to claims they resulted in behavioral problems in children. Authorities also seized at least 4,000 dolls in the Erbil area, following media reports of the dolls also containing 'demonic spirits'.[33]
At the exact same date, The New York Times noted the widespread cultural presence of Labubu toys, describing them as "adorable furry monsters with sharp teeth" and comparing their chaotic-cute appeal to popular film characters like Stitch (Lilo & Stitch) and Toothless (How to Train Your Dragon). The article credited Labubu with influencing the season’s surge in cute sidekick characters across major studio films.[28]
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Cultural impact
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Thai amulets
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.[34][35][36]
Political promotion
In September 2024, the People's Action Party (PAP) Sengkang team in Singapore held a grocery distribution event for senior citizens at Compassvale Crescent, Sengkang. During the event, a Labubu plush keychain dressed in a white shirt bearing the PAP logo was introduced. Lam Pin Min, chairman of the PAP Sengkang West branch, shared photos on social media of the doll participating in the event, describing it as the team's "latest and cutest volunteer". The doll appeared in the group's official photo and featured in a subsequent TikTok video.[37]
Nine Emperor Gods Festival
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.[38][39]
Psychological concerns and bans
In 2025, members of the Federation Council in Russia, including Ekaterina Altabaeva and Tatiana Butskaya, proposed banning Labubu dolls. They cited the doll's "terrifying appearance" and its potential negative influence on children's mental health, alongside the lack of Russian language labeling on packaging.[40][30][41] Similarly, authorities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq seized over 4,000 Labubu dolls and imposed a ban, alleging that the toy could influence children’s behavior and attract "demonic spirits". However, no scientific evidence was provided to support these claims.[42]
Demonic conspiracy theories
Labubu has been associated with conspiracy theories linking it to the ancient Mesopotamian demon Pazuzu, primarily due to its sharp-toothed grin and eerie aesthetic. These theories gained popularity on platforms like TikTok and Reddit, with some users claiming supernatural experiences and even destroying their dolls in public.[43][44][45][46] Pakistani actress Mishi Khan also voiced concern, warning that the dolls may attract negative spiritual energy or jinn.[47] Designers and cultural analysts, however, have dismissed these claims, stating that the character draws from European folklore and does not contain occult symbolism.[48]
Marketing criticism and overconsumption
Labubu is sold using a blind box model, which has been criticized for encouraging overconsumption and emotional dependency through artificial scarcity. Critics argue that this approach leads to obsessive collecting, financial exploitation, and the promotion of materialist values.[49] Some editorials have referred to the fan culture surrounding Labubu as a reflection of modern consumer idolatry.[50]
Counterfeits and quality concerns
The popularity of Labubu has led to widespread counterfeiting. Imitation dolls, often called "Lafufu", have been sold globally, prompting legal action by Pop Mart, including a lawsuit against 7-Eleven in California for selling counterfeit toys.[51]
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See also
References
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