Living in a Labubu World

By Lauren Law Sep 24. 2025

Helen Ruan Art

Its ears shoot straight up like jagged knives. Its grin stretches wide with rows of razor-sharp teeth flashing inside. Its clawed little hands and feet twitch like it is ready to pounce. This ferocious little beast is none other than the collectible plush toy, Labubu.

Drawing inspiration from Nordic folklore, Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung created Labubu in 2015 as part of the book series “The Monsters.” Labubu's breakthrough came in 2019 when Lung partnered with Pop Mart to launch blind boxes, starting off with vinyl figurines, then transitioning to plush versions. When Lisa from Blackpink showcased her collection, demand surged across Thailand and other Southeast Asian markets. Endorsements from celebrities like Rihanna and David Beckham and unboxing videos on social media further fuel its global popularity. Life-sized plush statues have auctioned for over $150,000 and long queues have formed for new releases both online and in stores. Pop  Mart’s sales and profits surged, with revenues doubling in 2024 and first-half profits in 2025 rising nearly 400%, per AP News.

Customers purchase Labubus in sealed blind boxes, adding an element of surprise. While some adults find the design nostalgic, others keep Labubus as fashion accessories.

“My mom picked three Labubus up for me at Pop Mart in China. I like mine because they were a gift, but for a lot of people, it is more about buying into the hype than actually enjoying the toy,” Senior Gavin Liu said.

The rise of Labubus has led to a counterfeit phenomenon known as "Lafufu." These knockoff versions are sold at much lower prices and have flooded the market, mimicking the appearance of the original Labubu, but are more prone to breaking apart and are produced without adherence to the safety and quality standards set by Pop Mart. Government and consumer protection agencies in the U.S. and the U.K. have issued urgent safety warnings about “Lafufus” due to potential hazards such as the ability to block airways and pose choking risks due to their small size.

“Propelled largely by celebrity and influencer endorsements, trends like this rarely foster genuine human connection, reflecting a broader pattern to search for belonging but settling for shallow attachments. Labubu’s popularity will likely be replaced by another trendy item within a few years,” Junior Emma Huang said.

To spot a fake Labubu, count the number of teeth; real Labubus will always have nine teeth, while not all counterfeits have the same. While Lafufus may feel flimsy, authentic Labubus are durable, well-constructed and may include holographic stickers, QR codes or UV stamps. Although Labubus have captured the hearts of many collectors, several negative consequences arise. The blind-box model fuels consumption with people searching for rare variants or a missing piece to complete their set, allowing significant amounts of unwanted dolls to be discarded when the trend dies. In addition, Labubus are primarily made with polyvinyl chloride plastics, which are harmful to the environment and human health.

The craze of Labubu’s mirrors past collective toy trends like Beanie Babies and Furbies, but unlike earlier fads, the popularity thrives on the digital age and social media. Instead of relying on scarcity or being confined to retail stores, Labubus spread through online visibility and global fan communities. Labubus may not just repeat an old cycle of consumerism, but instead mark a larger shift in collectibles in an online sphere.

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About the Contributors

Lauren Law

staff writer

Lauren Law is a senior at Leland High School and this is her second year as a staff writer. She enjoys hanging out with friends, sleeping, and eating.

Helen Ruan

artist

Helen Ruan is a junior at Leland High School. She contributes to journalism as an artist. In her free time, she focuses on painting and developing new artistic skills. Beyond art, she enjoys reading manga and playing video games.