The Labubu Doll Phenomenon: How a Chinese Designer Toy Is Taking the World by Storm

What Are Labubu Doll and Why Are They So Popular?

Have you noticed those adorable yet slightly mischievous-looking plush toys with pointed ears and toothy grins appearing on luxury handbags or all over your social media feed? Meet Labubu, the designer toy character that has captured hearts worldwide and become one of China’s most successful cultural exports in recent years.

Labubu doll are collectible toys created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung and produced by Chinese toy company Pop Mart. These small monsters with their distinctive pointed ears, wide eyes, and signature nine sharp teeth have evolved from niche collectibles to global fashion accessories, with celebrities like Blackpink’s Lisa and Rihanna sporting them on designer bags.

But what exactly has made these quirky toys so irresistible to collectors around the world? And what can their rise tell us about Chinese pop culture’s growing global influence? Let’s explore the Labubu phenomenon and discover why these charming little monsters have become so much more than just toys.

The Origin Story: From Fairy Tales to Fashion Icon

Labubu’s journey began in 2015 when Kasing Lung, a Hong Kong-born artist raised in the Netherlands, created a story series called “The Monsters.” Drawing inspiration from Nordic mythology and fairy tales, Lung developed a tribe of monster characters including Zimomo, Tycoco, Spooky, Pato, and most famously—Labubu.

According to Pop Mart’s description, Labubu is “kind-hearted and always wants to help, but often accidentally achieves the opposite.” This endearing personality, combined with the character’s distinctive appearance, resonated with fans who saw something both cute and slightly rebellious in Labubu’s design.

The turning point came in 2019 when Lung entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Pop Mart, China’s leading art toy company. This partnership transformed Labubu from a character in storybooks to a collectible phenomenon sold through Pop Mart’s innovative “blind box” retail strategy—where buyers don’t know which specific design they’re getting until they open the package.

The Cultural Significance of Labubu

While Labubu itself was inspired by Nordic mythology rather than Chinese folklore, its meteoric rise represents something significant about contemporary Chinese creative industries and their growing global impact. As a product created by a Hong Kong artist and marketed by a mainland Chinese company, Labubu exemplifies the powerful combination of Hong Kong’s creative talents with mainland China’s manufacturing prowess and marketing capabilities.

The success of Labubu doll illustrates how Chinese pop culture and design are gaining international recognition not just through traditional cultural elements but through fresh, original creations with global appeal. The character has become an ambassador of sorts for China’s creative industry, showcasing the country’s ability to create and market original intellectual property that resonates worldwide.

Popular Labubu Collections and Series

Labubu has been released in numerous collections since its debut, each with unique themes and designs that collectors eagerly anticipate. Here are some of the most popular Labubu series:

• The Monsters Classic Series: The original Labubu designs featuring basic colors and the signature toothy grin.
• Labubu Into Energy Series: Released in early 2025, this collection features vibrant neon colors and sold out within seconds of launch. The collection includes SiSi (yellow), HeHe (grey), BaBa (light brown), ZiZi (purple), QuWu (green), and DaDa (pink), with a secret “DuoDuo” variant in brown with a red nose.
• Fall in Wild Series: Nature-themed Labubus dressed in outdoorsy attire including bucket hats, overalls, and rain boots. This series gained massive attention after Blackpink’s Lisa was spotted with one.
• Labubu Time to Chill: Features Labubus in relaxed poses with movable eyes and various points of articulation, dressed in dungarees.
• Let’s Checkmate Series: Chess-themed Labubus with unique patterns and accessories.
• Macaron Series: Pastel-colored Labubus inspired by the popular French confection.
• Regional Exclusive Editions: Pop Mart has released country-specific Labubus including the Singapore Merlion Labubu and Thailand-exclusive designs, which have become highly sought after by international collectors.

Understanding the Blind Box Phenomenon

The “blind box” concept is central to Labubu’s popularity and collecting strategy. Here’s what makes it so effective:

• Each blind box is sealed so collectors don’t know which specific Labubu design they’re purchasing until they open it.
• Standard collections typically include 6 “regular” designs plus one “secret” or “chase” figure that’s considerably rarer (typically a 1/144 chance).
• This element of surprise creates a lottery-like thrill that drives collectors to purchase multiple boxes in hopes of completing their collection or finding rare variants.
• Pop Mart also offers “full sets” for some releases, guaranteeing one of each regular design (though usually not the secret variant).
• The blind box format has created a robust secondary market where collectors trade or sell their duplicates or rare finds.

How to Identify Authentic Labubu Doll

As Labubu’s popularity has soared, so has the market for counterfeits (often called “Lafufus” by collectors). Here’s how to spot authentic Labubu doll:

• Official Packaging: Authentic Labubus come in Pop Mart’s branded packaging with proper logos and high-quality printing.
• Quality Check: Examine the nine teeth carefully—they should be evenly spaced and well-defined. Counterfeit versions often have misshapen or uneven teeth.
• Tag Inspection: Official Labubus have the “MONSTERS” logo centered on tags, while fakes often have off-center or misprinted tags.
• Color Accuracy: Authentic Labubus have precise, consistent coloring. Counterfeits often feature overly bright or noticeably different color tones.
• Purchase Source: Buy directly from Pop Mart stores, their official website, or authorized retailers to ensure authenticity.

The Pop Mart Business Model

Pop Mart has revolutionized the designer toy industry with an innovative retail approach:

• Founded in 2010 by Wang Ning, Pop Mart has grown into China’s largest designer toy company with over 350 stores and 1,800 vending machines (called “Roboshops”) across Asia.
• Their strategy combines physical retail, e-commerce, and innovative vending machines that dispense blind boxes in high-traffic locations.
• Pop Mart partners with over 100 designers globally, but Kasing Lung’s Labubu has become their flagship IP, driving over $419 million in revenue for “The Monsters” series in 2024 alone.
• The company has expanded rapidly internationally, with stores across Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America.
• Pop Mart hosts major toy conventions including the Shanghai Toy Show and Beijing Toy Show, which attract hundreds of thousands of attendees annually.

Collecting and Caring for Labubu Doll

For those beginning their Labubu collection, here are some tips:

• Display Options: Many collectors use acrylic display cases or dedicated shelving to showcase their Labubu collections while protecting them from dust.
• Preservation: Keep your Labubus away from direct sunlight to prevent color fading, and store them in a cool, dry place.
• Value Retention: Keeping the original packaging, including blind boxes and authentication cards, helps maintain the collectible value.
• Community Engagement: Join Labubu collecting groups on social media platforms like Instagram, Reddit (r/labubu), and Facebook to connect with fellow enthusiasts.
• Accessories: A growing market exists for fan-made Labubu accessories, including tiny outfits, miniature furniture, and custom display stands.

The Cultural Impact of Labubu

Beyond being collectibles, Labubu doll have had a significant cultural impact:

• Fashion Integration: Labubu has become a fashion statement, with dolls adorning luxury handbags from brands like Hermès, Miu Miu, and Bottega Veneta at fashion weeks globally.
• Celebrity Endorsements: Beyond Blackpink’s Lisa, celebrities including Rihanna have been spotted with Labubu accessories, contributing to their mainstream appeal.
• Cross-Industry Collaborations: Labubu has collaborated with major brands including Uniqlo, Coca-Cola, and various luxury fashion houses.
• Museum Exhibits: Several art museums have featured Labubu in exhibits exploring contemporary collectible culture and its intersection with traditional art.

Learning Mandarin Through Pop Culture

The popularity of Labubu doll presents a unique opportunity for language learners interested in Mandarin Chinese. Pop culture phenomena like Labubu can serve as engaging entry points into Chinese language and culture, particularly for younger learners or those who connect with visual and tactile learning experiences.

Here are some ways the Labubu phenomenon can enhance your Mandarin learning journey:

Why Toys and Collectibles Enhance Language Learning

Incorporating toys and collectibles like Labubu into language learning taps into several effective educational principles:

• Tangible learning aids: Physical objects create stronger memory associations than abstract concepts.
• Emotional connection: We learn more effectively when emotionally engaged with the subject matter.
• Cultural immersion: Collectibles provide cultural context that makes language learning more relevant.
• Community engagement: Shared interests in collectibles create opportunities for authentic communication.

At GoEast Mandarin, we believe that effective language learning happens when students connect personally with Chinese culture. Whether through traditional elements like calligraphy and cuisine or contemporary phenomena like Labubu doll, these cultural touchpoints create meaningful contexts for language acquisition.

Beyond Collecting: Labubu Doll as Cultural Ambassador

What started as a collectible toy has evolved into something more significant. Labubu has become a cultural ambassador of sorts, representing a new wave of Chinese creative exports that appeal to global audiences.

In Thailand, where Labubu’s popularity exploded after Blackpink’s Lisa was spotted with the doll, the Thai government has even partnered with Pop Mart to leverage Labubu’s popularity for tourism promotion. A life-sized Labubu mascot in traditional Thai attire visited Bangkok landmarks, creating cultural exchange opportunities.

Similarly, Singapore released a special Merlion Labubu, combining the iconic national symbol with the popular character. These cross-cultural iterations demonstrate how Labubu has transcended its origins to become a vehicle for cultural dialogue.

Start Your Mandarin Journey with GoEast

The Labubu phenomenon illustrates how contemporary Chinese culture is evolving and gaining global influence. For language learners, keeping pace with these cultural developments makes Mandarin learning more relevant and engaging.

At GoEast Mandarin, our teaching philosophy embraces both traditional and contemporary Chinese culture. Our courses incorporate authentic cultural elements that help students connect personally with the language they’re learning.

Whether you’re fascinated by designer toys like Labubu, Chinese cinema, traditional festivals, or cuisine, our personalized teaching approach helps you learn Mandarin through the cultural elements that interest you most.

Ready to start your Mandarin learning journey?

GoEast Mandarin offers customized courses for all levels, from complete beginners to advanced speakers. Our professional teachers are experienced in making Chinese language accessible and engaging through cultural context.

Take the first step today! Sign up for a free trial class to experience our teaching approach and discuss your Mandarin learning goals.

Book Your Free Trial Class →

FAQs About Labubu Doll