If you’re active on social media, chances are you’ve seen the trending word: Labubu. You might be wondering, what exactly IS Labubu? I asked myself the same question when I first heard the funny-sounding word.
Labubu is unlike anything else in today’s toy market. It’s a plush toy, a charm, and an accessory all rolled into one. To describe its appearance, imagine if a demented bunny and an elf had a baby: that’s what a Labubu plushie resembles. They are almost so ugly, they’re cute.
How Labubu Gained Popularity
Labubu keychains can be found hanging from the backpacks of sixth graders or attached to the carabiners of indie, matcha-drinking 23-year-olds. The toy gained massive popularity thanks to its presence on social media and celebrity support. Its appeal across multiple generations of kids and young adults makes it stand out from other toys on the market. Whether you find them creepy, amusing, or strange, there’s no denying that Labubu is taking the world by storm.
One of Labubu plushies’ biggest draws is the blind box: you don’t know which Labubu style you’ll get until your shipment arrives. This surprise factor has made Labubu unboxing videos a hit on TikTok and YouTube.
The Labubu’s Origin
Now, you might be curious: where did this unusual toy come from? The Labubu toy was made by the Chinese toy company POP MART. These oddly distinctive toys draw inspiration from both good and evil folklore creatures featured in the book series The Monsters, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung.
According to POP MART, Labubu is “the most prominent” magical creature in The Monsters—a small monster with tall, pointed ears and serrated teeth.
When glancing at the Labubu website, you will find that these plushies are more than just toys—they’re “cuddly companions” with unique personalities. The most iconic figures are known as The Monsters, described as kind-hearted creatures who always want to help, but often accidentally do the opposite.
Different Types of Labubus
Among the Monsters, some notable characters include “Crybaby” (Labubus that encourage healing through crying), “Twinkle Twinkle” (a group of curious, uplifting star-shaped figures), and “Pucky” (based on Shakespeare’s mischievous sprite, Puck, from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”). There are even Disney and Harry Potter-themed Labubus!
The excitement doesn’t stop there. The Labubu universe (or the “Labubuniverse”) now includes cups, phone cases, bags, card holders, and even special display containers. You can show off your Labubu love with all these themed accessories.
Price
By now, you probably have a better sense of these strange and fascinating plushies. But what about the price? If you expected these stuffed animal toys to be affordable, you thought wrong. A single Labubu can retail for up to $80, and rare or limited editions can cost $2,000 or more. I guess that’s the price for owning the “hot new item” of the year.
Should You Buy a Labubu?
If you want to stay ahead of trends, have some spare cash, and want to impress Gen Z, a Labubu might be the perfect investment. But before you buy, ask yourself: how long will this trend last? Labubus might remain trendy into the fall, with possible Halloween and Christmas-themed releases. But as 2026 approaches, we are left to wonder what viral toy will become the next big thing.
Would you buy a Labubu? Let us know in the comments below.
Featured image via Declan Sun on Unsplash
This article offers a concise and engaging overview of the trending Labubu plushie, effectively covering its unique appearance, surprising origin from POP MART and artist Kasing Lung, and the factors contributing to its viral popularity like the blind box appeal. It highlights the toy’s appeal across multiple generations and its surprising high price point for a collectible.
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