If someone told you a bug-eyed, snaggle-toothed little creature with fuzzy ears and a permanently shocked expression would become the hottest fashion accessory of the decade, you’d probably laugh. But Labubu is out here proving that joy doesn’t have to come in sleek packaging. Sometimes, it shows up looking like a goblin who raided a candy store, and somehow, that’s what the world needed.
Labubu was born from the wonderfully weird imagination of Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, who first introduced the creature in a dark fairytale comic called The Monsters Trilogy. This wasn’t your average cute story. It had mystery, mischief, and a creature that looked like it crawled out of your dreams and into your heart. Fast forward a few years, and Chinese toy titan Pop Mart decided to give Labubu a proper glow-up in plush and vinyl form. The result? A collectible so odd and charming that it started flying off shelves faster than you can say “Jack Robinson”.
Pop Mart didn’t just sell a toy. They sold a suspense-filled experience. Each Labubu comes in a sealed blind box, meaning you don’t know which version you’re getting until you open it. It’s like toy roulette. Could be the basic version or it could be the rare, glittery one worth a month’s rent. That thrill is half the fun. The other half is figuring out where on earth you’re going to put your fifth Labubu.
Soon enough, the celebrities came knocking. BLACKPINK’s Lisa flashed her Labubu keychain like it was the new Birkin. Rihanna said, “Yes, please.” Kim Kardashian probably has a whole squad of them chilling next to her skincare line. From Dua Lipa to David Beckham, it felt like everyone cool had one. And just like that, Labubu went from collectible to couture.
In Nigeria, the Labubu fever came in hot. Several TikTokers went viral for unboxing rare editions while making faces that screamed “This cost me a small fortune, but I’m obsessed.” Prices for these little weirdos can range from ₦200,000 to ₦260,000. For context, that’s enough to buy a decent goat or like, ten bags of rice. But priorities, right?
Of course, Nigerians being the creative kings and queens that they are, didn’t stop there. Some folks made DIY versions from old dolls or traditional effigies and named them “Lafufu.” Yes, you read that right. Lafufu. These bootleg Labubus quickly became their own meme culture, complete with side-eyes and fashion statements that Labubu himself would probably applaud.
Behind the laughs, there’s real business going on. Pop Mart’s stock is booming. Founder Wang Ning is now one of China’s richest people, sitting comfortably on a multi-billion-dollar empire built on funky little creatures. According to a recent BBC report, one four-foot-tall Labubu was sold for a record 1.08 million yuan ($150,324; £110,465) at Yongle International Auction in Beijing. That’s the price of an actual small house.
Labubu has also become the darling of art collabs and fashion drops. There’s a Louvre collection, a Coca-Cola series, and even a K-pop group tie-in with Seventeen. At this point, if Labubu ever runs for office, it might win. People are that invested. It is now considered the most expensive toy of its kind globally.
But what makes Labubu truly special is its glorious weirdness. It’s not symmetrical, it’s not classically cute; rather, it looks like a troll and a bunny had a baby during an arts-and-crafts night. And somehow, that’s exactly why people love it. In a world obsessed with polish and perfection, Labubu is proof that being a little odd is the new fabulous.
This is not just about toys anymore instead, it’s about finding joy in things that make absolutely no sense. It’s about unboxing hope, one funny-looking figurine at a time. It’s about bragging rights and dopamine hits and saying, “Yes, I spent $100 on this because it makes me smile.” And sometimes, that’s reason enough.
So if you ever feel like life is getting a little too serious, maybe what you need is not another productivity hack, but a weird little creature with spiky teeth, bug eyes, and absolutely no shame. Labubu gets it. Labubu delivers, every single time.
And honestly? Joy has never looked this bizarre, this fabulous, or this wildly unforgettable.
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