The Labubu Toy Craze Why Everyone Talking About This Furry Monster

The Labubu Toy Craze: Why Everyone’s Talking About This Furry Monster

The Labubu toy phenomenon has taken the world by storm, transforming from an obscure collectible into a global fashion and pop-cultural icon. From viral blind-box unboxings to A-list celebrity endorsements, Labubu isn’t just a plush—it’s a lifestyle. Here’s everything you need to know about this mischievous plush monster, what makes it so irresistible, and why it’s trending like wildfire.

1. Roots in Art and Nordic Mythology

Labubu’s story began in 2015, conceived by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung. Inspired by Nordic folklore and illustrated in his comic series The Monsters, the original character featured sharp, pointed ears and a cheeky grin full of jagged teeth (Wikipedia). Pop Mart, a Beijing-based collectible toy company, recognized its potential and revived Labubu as both vinyl and plush figures in 2019, rebooting the character for a new audience (Wikipedia).

2. “Ugly-Cute” Appeal Meets Blind-Box Thrill

Unlike generic plush toys, Labubu embodies a compelling duality—its devilish grin and killer teeth are strangely charming, creating the “ugly‑cute” aesthetic beloved by Gen Z and Millennials (TrendHunter.com). Add to that the blind-box mystery—where each figure is randomly packed, with rare secret variants hidden among standard colorways—and you’ve got a mix of collectibility and adrenaline that keeps fans coming back (Axios).

3. Celebrity Power & Social Media Momentum

In early 2024, Blackpink’s Lisa was spotted carrying a mini-Labubu charm on her bag, and the Internet exploded (Wikipedia). Soon after, a celebrity ripple effect followed: Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, Dua Lipa, David Beckham, and Marc Jacobs were all seen flaunting their own Labubus (Axios). Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram became flooded with unboxing videos, revealing spins, fights, and thefts—some handbags have even been snatched over these charms .

Celebrities and influencers have helped push labubu into high-fashion territory: think of it as the new Birkins-friendly bag charm, only fuzzy and fangy.

4. Skyrocketing Sales & Market Frenzy

Pop Mart’s results speak for themselves. The company saw over 350% profit growth in early 2025, largely thanks to Labubu sales (AP News). Overall revenues from plush toys surged more than 1 200% in 2024—accounting for around 22% of total income (AP News). Cumulatively, Labubu has grossed over $423 million—a sterling success for a figure under $30 retail (Diario AS).

Yet, with secondary-market prices for rare editions climbing into the hundreds or even thousands, some enthusiast markets feel like an exclusive club .

5. Controversy & Cultural Questions

Where there’s hype, controversy follows:

1. “Evil or not?” Some observers online have likened Labubu’s grin to ancient demon Pazuzu, sparking conspiracy theories (Snopes). Snopes debunked these rumors, confirming the toy’s whimsical roots in fairy tales (Snopes).
2. Regulatory backlash: Concerned about overstimulation and mental health effects on children, authorities in Russia and Iraq’s Kurdistan Region have moved to ban or restrict sales (Wikipedia).
3. Obsessive collecting? Reports of broken finances, long queues, unbalanced demand, and even fights over limited releases (in Britain and Ireland) have surfaced (The Sun). One Glamour article titled “Going Broke for Labubu” explores the intersection of addiction and collecting (Glamour).

6. What the Trend Reveals About Consumer Culture

Labubu exemplifies a shift: toys aren’t just for kids—these are collectibles, investments, and fashion statements rolled into fuzzy creatures. Their blind-box model dovetails with the social media era: limited supply, dopamine-rich surprise, and shareable reveals . Financial analysts even note parallels between Labubu drops and retail investment trends like crypto and meme stocks (MarketWatch).

In short, Labubu reflects a broader move toward thrill‑based consumption. And like previous crazes—Beanie Babies, Cabbage Patch Kids, fidget spinners—it may yet evolve or fade, depending on whether novelty gives way to nostalgia or saturation (AP News).

7. Future Forecast: What’s Next for Labubu?

• Anime debut: An official Labubu animated series—156 episodes long—is slated for mid‑2025 .
• Larger-than-life auctions: A 4‑foot mint-green Labubu fetched approximately $170,000 in a Beijing auction, proving the character’s crossover from toy to art investment (Wikipedia).
• Counterfeit caution: “Lafufus” – unofficial bootlegs—have emerged, creating a gray market Pandora’s box (Wikipedia).
• Social backlash & regulation: With growing concern from parents and regulators, Pop Mart may need to adjust its tactics or face potential bans (zh.wikipedia.org).

Pop Mart Labubu blind box