# Labubu Toys Labubu Toys are collectible vinyl plush toys created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung in 2015 and distributed by Pop Mart. The sharp-toothed monster character became a global sensation in 2024 after BLACKPINK member Lisa was spotted with one on her designer bag, sparking celebrity adoption, viral memes, and widespread collecting frenzies. ## Overview Labubu is a fictional monster character with a distinctive appearance: sharp-toothed grin with nine serrated teeth, pointy rabbit-like ears, furrowed eyebrows, and a round furry body[1]. Despite looking mischievous and slightly scary, the character is described by Pop Mart as kind-hearted and eager to help, though she often accidentally causes the opposite effect[2]. The toys come in various forms including vinyl figures, plush dolls, keychains, and bag charm pendants, with the keychain versions being especially popular as fashion accessories[3]. Labubu is part of a larger cast called "The Monsters," which includes characters like Zimomo (the spike-tailed leader), Tycoco (Labubu's skeleton-like boyfriend), Spooky, and Pato[4]. Collectors often note that Labubu is female, a fact that surprises many who assume the character is male[2]. The toys are sold through Pop Mart's "blind box" system, meaning buyers don't know which exact design they'll receive until opening the package, with some rare variants commanding high resale prices[5]. The character's aesthetic has been described as "cute horror" or "kimo-kawaii," blending traditional kawaii cuteness with an unsettling edge[6]. This juxtaposition of big innocent eyes with a nightmarish grin gives Labubu a unique appeal that sets it apart from typical cute collectibles. Over 300 different Labubu designs have been released in various sizes, colors, and themed collections[7]. ## How It Spread Labubu's transformation from niche collectible to global sensation happened on April 16th, 2024, when Lisa from BLACKPINK posted an Instagram story showing a Labubu keychain attached to her designer handbag[10]. The K-pop megastar's endorsement triggered immediate buying frenzies across Asia and beyond. Lisa wasn't an official brand spokesperson, which made her genuine enthusiasm even more influential[3]. Within months, other celebrities followed Lisa's lead. Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Rosé were all spotted carrying Labubu toys in 2025[9]. British rapper Central Cee visited a Glasgow sneaker store and bought out their entire Labubu stock, later posting photos of them clipped to his Hermès Birkin[5]. Pop Mart reported that The Monsters series generated $419 million in sales in 2024, with net income jumping 188 percent and overall revenue more than doubling[2]. The craze brought chaos alongside profits. Customers fought over the toys in stores from Los Angeles to Singapore, prompting police intervention at toy shows[3]. Pop Mart paused Labubu sales at all 16 UK stores in late May 2024 after reports of customer fights[9]. A family allegedly broke into a claw machine filled with Labubu boxes and stole three of them[3]. StockX saw Labubu sales explode from fewer than 100 transactions in all of 2023 to over 1,000 daily sales in 2025, with some buyers paying four times retail[5]. Online, Labubu memes spread across TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit. The toys also sparked bizarre conspiracy theories in mid-2025, with some TikTok users claiming Labubu resembled the demon Pazuzu from "The Exorcist" and warning that the dolls were demonic[7]. Some owners reportedly destroyed their toys or listed them online as "possessed," though most fans dismissed the panic as absurd[7]. ## How to Use Labubu toys are primarily used as fashion accessories, with the keychain and pendant versions designed to clip onto bags, backpacks, and purses. The styling popularized by Lisa involves attaching a Labubu plush pendant to a luxury handbag as a playful contrast to high-end fashion[10]. Collectors also display larger vinyl figures and plush dolls on shelves or desks. Participating in Labubu collecting typically involves purchasing "blind boxes" from Pop Mart stores or vending machines, where the specific design inside remains unknown until opening. This element of surprise drives repeat purchases as collectors hunt for rare variants. Some collectors line up overnight before new releases or restocks[3]. Secondary market trading happens on platforms like StockX, where rare colorways command premium prices[5]. ## Cultural Impact Labubu's success marked a turning point for Pop Mart's global expansion. The company grew to approximately 500 retail shops and 2,500 toy vending machines across 30 countries, with stock prices more than tripling in 2024[3]. The Los Angeles Times and other major outlets covered the "Labubu craze" as a mainstream cultural phenomenon[3]. NBC News reported on the trend reaching American audiences, with Walmart beginning to carry Labubu through its third-party marketplace via StockX[2]. The toys also attracted brand collaborations. Pop Mart announced partnerships with Uniqlo, Coca-Cola, and Godiva[11]. The August 2025 Godiva collaboration featured a "Labubu Dubai chocolate" themed collection with soft serve and chocolate shakes topped with pistachio kunafa[11]. These crossovers positioned Labubu alongside established characters like Hello Kitty in the premium collectibles space. Counterfeiting became a significant issue as demand outpaced supply. Fake Labubus flooded online marketplaces, and smuggling operations emerged to circumvent Pop Mart's distribution controls[9]. The toy was described as "tariff proof" during the 2025 trade tensions, as consumer demand showed no signs of slowing despite economic pressures[12]. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is Labubu Toys? Labubu is a collectible vinyl plush toy character created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, featuring a sharp-toothed grin, pointy ears, and a furry body. Distributed by Chinese toy company Pop Mart, the toys are sold in blind boxes and have become popular fashion accessories worn as bag charms[1]. ### Where did Labubu Toys come from? Labubu originated in Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung's 2015 illustrated children's book series "The Monsters," influenced by Nordic mythology. Pop Mart began producing the character as vinyl plush toys in 2019[8]. ### What does Labubu Toys mean? "Labubu" is a fictional name created by Kasing Lung for an elvish forest monster tribe in his stories. The name doesn't have a direct translation but matches the character's playful, mischievous personality[1]. ### How do you use Labubu Toys? Labubu toys are primarily used as bag accessories, with keychain and pendant versions designed to clip onto handbags, backpacks, and purses. This styling became popular after BLACKPINK's Lisa was seen with one on her designer bag[10]. ### Is Labubu Toys still popular? Yes, Labubu saw massive sales in 2024-2025, with Pop Mart reporting $419 million in revenue from The Monsters series and over 1,000 daily sales on StockX in 2025[2][5]. ### Why did Labubu become so popular? Labubu went viral in April 2024 when BLACKPINK member Lisa posted an Instagram story showing a Labubu on her handbag. Her genuine, non-sponsored endorsement triggered a global buying frenzy among fans[10]. ### Is Labubu a boy or a girl? Labubu is canonically female, though many people initially assume the character is male. The fanbase is quick to correct this misconception[2]. ### What celebrities have Labubu? Beyond Lisa from BLACKPINK who sparked the trend, celebrities including Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Rosé, and Central Cee have been photographed with Labubu toys[5][9]. ### Why are people fighting over Labubu? High demand combined with limited supply and blind box distribution created intense competition. Pop Mart paused UK sales in May 2024 after customer fights, and police had to manage crowds at toy shows[9]. ### Is Labubu demonic? No. In mid-2025, some TikTok users spread conspiracy theories comparing Labubu to the demon Pazuzu from "The Exorcist," but these claims have no basis. Labubu is a fictional children's book character designed to look cute despite a mischievous appearance[7]. ### Who created Labubu? Labubu was created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, who introduced the character in his 2015 illustrated book series "The Monsters." The character draws inspiration from Nordic mythology[8]. ## References 1. [https://www.blippo.com/blogs/characters/labubu]() 2. [https://www.nbcnews.com/select/shopping/what-is-a-labubu-rcna210622]() 3. [https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-11-05/labubu-craze]() 4. [https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/labubu-toys]() 5. [https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/what-are-labubu-dolls]() 6. [https://smartbuy.alibaba.com/popmart/what-is-labubu-meme]() 7. [https://www.arabnews.com/node/2611291/saudi-arabia]() 8. [https://en.gallery-kaikaikiki.com/2020/10/bio_kasing-lung/]() 9. [https://www.teenvogue.com/story/blackpink-lisa-found-the-cutest-bag-charm-at-pop-mart]() 10. [https://www.harpersbazaar.com.sg/lifestyle/labubu-what-it-and-who-are-its-celebrity-fans]() 11. [https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/labubu-craze-the-5-wildest-scandals-about-the-hot-new-toy/]() --- Source: https://meme.com/memes/labubu-toys Published by meme.com — The Internet Meme Library