🐰 Meet Labubu
Created in 2015 by HK-born illustrator Kasing Lung, Labubu is part of a strange/adorable world called The Monsters. Labubu looks like a bunny-elf with big ears, sharp little teeth, and a mischievous grin.
Labubu began as a character in Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung’s illustrated series The Monsters (2015). Lung, who grew up in the Netherlands, drew inspiration from Nordic fairytales, particularly mischievous elves and forest spirits.
The result? Labubu is a kind-hearted yet chaotic creature with long ears and a toothy grin. What started as an art concept soon transformed into a collectible figure line, resonating with fans who loved its “creepy-cute” charm.
🎉 Why Labubu Is Everywhere (And Why You Should Care)
In 2019, POP MART took Labubu and turned it into a blind-box collectible, meaning you buy a sealed box and you don’t know which version you’ll get. Surprise = hype.
You might’ve spotted those fuzzy little monster-toys dangling from luxury bags, popping up in TikTok unboxings, or appearing in queuing crowds at toy stores. That’s Labubu and the wave behind it is more than just a “cute toy trend”.
Ugly-Cute
🔥 Why Gen Z & young people are into it
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It’s playful & weird: Labubu isn’t the typical sweet plush , it has attitude. That weird-cute combo strongly appeals when you prefer something different.
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It’s social & shareable: Unboxing videos, blind-box chats, swap groups, it’s a community thing. You see someone else get the “secret” version, it sparks FOMO.
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It doubles as fashion/accessory: These toys aren’t just sitting on shelves. They’re bag charms, street style pieces, even runway accessories. If you’re into aesthetics + attitude, this hits.
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It taps nostalgia & surprise: Think about blind-bags you got as a kid, the thrill of opening it. Labubu re-packages that feeling for older kids/adults who still want a little fun.
How POP MART turned this into a global Millionaire Company
POP MART didn’t just sell toys. They built a vibe:
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Drops in big cities, online restocks, even vending-machines and “roboshops”. Scarcity + surprise = lines + hype.
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Collabs & fashion tie-ins: Because if a toy becomes “cool accessory,” the market expands.
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Global reach: What started in China has fans and stores all over now. The world’s joining in.
Pop Mart didn’t just notice the hype, they turned it into a full-blown phenomenon.
In the first half of 2025, the company raked in RMB 13.88 billion (≈ USD 1.93 billion), with net profits shooting up nearly 400%. Labubu alone pulled in RMB 4.81 billion (≈ USD 670 million), that’s over a third of their total revenue.
The plush toy craze, led by the mischievous little elf, skyrocketed 1,200%, now making up 44% of all sales. By Q3, the momentum was unreal: revenue surged 245–250% year-on-year, domestic sales jumped 185–190%, and online channels quadrupled.
Overseas? Even wilder. The Americas saw a 1,265% jump, Europe 735%, and Asia-Pacific over 170%. CEO Wang Ning now predicts international revenue might soon outpace domestic sales entirely.
🌍From Chengdu to California
Labubu’s rise from quirky blind box to global icon is full of wild and memorable moments. ✨
In Chengdu, fans literally camp out overnight just to snag the newest drops. 🏕️
Meanwhile in Los Angeles, Pop Mart pop-ups pull in collectors, fans, and curious passersby all at once. 🌎💥
Image via Kasing Lung’s Instagram
And in October, at The Monsters’ 10th Anniversary in Shanghai, Tim Cook got a custom Labubu straight from Lung himself,white fur, glasses, jeans, blue shirt… and a tiny orange iPhone. 🍊📱
Social media erupted. 🔥
Pop Mart’s stock? +6% overnight. 📈
The vibe was clear: Labubu isn’t just a toy. It’s a cultural bridge, winning over teens, collectors, and even tech giants. 🌍💖
Beyond the Labubu:
Pop Mart’s not stopping at Labubu—they’re rolling out other characters too: Skullpanda, Hirono, Dimoo, and the newest starry-eyed recruit, Twinkle Twinkle, perfect for the holiday season. ✨🎄
But let’s be real—nothing hits like Labubu.
It’s more than a toy. It’s a companion for a generation carving its own path in a crazy competitive world. 🌍💥
Labubu says: be weird, go at your own pace, claim your space.
In a world where trends pop and vanish in a flash, this mischievous little monster sticks.
Imperfect, quirky, and oddly comforting, Labubu is basically a tiny, toothy manifesto for Gen Z. 🐰💖
📌 What this means for you (yeah – you doing social media/blog stuff)
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For your food/travel/China content: Maybe think of limited drops or collectible items around your brand. A fun toy, bag-charm, or surprise element that ties into your vibe could work.
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On social media: Unboxings are gold. Show the “which one did I get?” moment. Let the suspense be part of the story.
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For engagement: Build community. Encourage fans/followers to show their versions, trade stories, snap pics.
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For visuals: Use that weird-cute aesthetic + style. People think “toy” then see “fashion”. You could merge food/travel visuals with collectible visuals (e.g., a Labubu-style character eating street food in Shanghai).
[Cover image by Catherine for That’s]