This mischievous monster is part of The Monsters universe, created by artist Kasing Lung, a Belgian-Chinese illustrator known for his quirky, storybook-inspired characters. Labubu first appeared in his picture books back in 2015 and was later brought into collectible form through a collaboration with the designer toy company POP MART.
A Little Monster with a Big Personality
Labubu looks like a mix between a goblin, a rabbit, and a mischievous elf. It has a signature toothy grin (with nine tiny teeth), long limbs, wild fur, and huge expressive eyes. Its design blends cute and creepy in just the right balance — which is part of what made it such a hit.
Labubu isn’t just a character — it’s part of a whole world. The creature has friends, a backstory, and appears in dozens of themed blind box collections, from forest elf versions to space adventures and dessert-inspired editions.
There’s a common rumor that the name "Labubu" comes from a play on Chinese words — with “labai” meaning “very” and “bu” meaning “step” — supposedly suggesting a character who’s always on the move and getting into things. While it sounds fun and fitting, this isn’t actually true. The name "Labubu" was created by artist Kasing Lung as a fictional, whimsical name without a specific meaning in Chinese.
How Did Labubu Become So Popular?
Labubu’s rise began slowly — mostly appreciated by fans of Kasing Lung’s art — but took off rapidly after POP MART launched it as part of their blind box figure lines. Collectors were drawn in by the unique look, mystery packaging, and the thrill of finding rare “secret” versions.
Things really escalated when Labubu appeared in the hands of celebrities, especially Lisa from BLACKPINK, whose fans quickly picked up on the creature’s charm. Soon after, figures began selling out within minutes, and resale prices for rare Labubu toys skyrocketed online.
Rare Editions and Secret Figures
Like many blind box series, Labubu has its share of rarities. Most collections include one or two secret or super secret figures — usually with metallic colors, unusual outfits, or whimsical themes (like gold armor or unicorn horns). These are inserted in ratios like 1:144 or even rarer, making them highly sought-after by fans and resellers alike.
Prices for these secret figures can easily reach $100–300 on resale platforms, depending on rarity and condition.
You can find Amazon POPMART storefront here https://amzn.to/4ndteKv
Not Just Toys, But a Subculture
What started as an art project turned into a global trend. Today, Labubu isn’t just a figure — it’s part of a lifestyle. You’ll find plush keychains, seasonal drops, special collaborations, and even fashion tie-ins. Pop-up events around the world attract crowds of collectors hoping to grab limited editions or trade with others.
Despite the hype, Labubu remains at its core what it was at the start: a weird little creature with big ears and a bigger personality. And maybe that’s exactly why people love it.
