Labubu…
It’s cute but a bit creepy. With its big eyes and sharp teeth, that cheeky grin either wins you over or makes you keep staring. What began as a simple doodle by Kasing Lung has turned into a billion-dollar sensation in the global toy market. Pop Mart, the company behind it, is making money very quickly. In 2025, profits soared. Revenue from the Labubu “Monsters” series jumped an astonishing 668% compared to the previous year, exceeding ¥4.81 billion. That’s more than Barbie or Hot Wheels during the same time. Who would have predicted that?
The secret?
It’s more than just a toy; it’s the excitement. Pop Mart’s blind boxes keep people engaged. You open one with your heart racing, unsure of which character you will get. Sometimes it’s a common one, and sometimes it’s a rare find. When someone reveals the golden character, fans cheer like they are at a championship game. Then came the plushies. Soft and fuzzy with long fur and bright colors, their demand surged, and sales increased over 1,200%. Just when you think the excitement can’t grow, Pop Mart releases mini Labubu charms at $22.99, which usually sell out within hours.
But here’s the twist
it’s not kids driving this trend. It’s adults. Collectors, resellers, students with Labubu totes, and even office workers hanging charms on their monitors all contribute to the movement. Pop Mart notices this too. They have opened stores in New York, London, and Singapore. Each launch looks the same; fans line up with boxes in hand, hoping for that one rare find.
Of course, this frenzy has its downsides. Fake Labubus are everywhere, with some cheap copies that look off and might even be unsafe. There’s also the risk of “blind-box fatigue” since today’s excitement can fade quickly. Add tariffs, shipping issues, and global politics, and Pop Mart’s shining empire faces real challenges.
Still, the momentum is impressive. New plushies, fresh blind-box collections, and even talks of animation projects show that Pop Mart wants Labubu to become more than just a collectible. They aim for it to become a cultural symbol. And honestly, it might succeed. Labubu is more than a toy; it represents a feeling. Mischief and chaos wrapped in a fluffy monster appearance. Barbie had her movie, Hot Wheels built a legacy. But for now, Labubu is racing ahead without looking back.
So if you ever see one sitting on a shelf the real one, not a counterfeit grab it quickly. Chances are, it will be gone by tomorrow.