The Labubu collector's guide: everything you need to know in 2026
A small, mischievous creature with pointy ears and an impish grin has become the most talked-about plush character on the planet. Labubu, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and produced by Pop Mart, has gone from an underground designer toy to a genuine cultural force — endorsed by celebrities, commanding five-figure auction prices, and generating over 1.3 million TikTok videos.
If you're new to Labubu, this is everything you need to know. If you're already collecting, this is your reference guide.
What is Labubu?
Labubu is a fictional character designed by Kasing Lung, a Hong Kong-based artist known for his work blending cute and slightly dark aesthetics. The character is part of Lung's "The Monsters" universe — a world of whimsical, slightly mischievous creatures that exist between cute and eerie.
The name "Labubu" has no specific meaning. Kasing Lung has said it's simply a sound that felt right for the character — playful, nonsensical, memorable.
Pop Mart, the Beijing-based collectible toy company, produces Labubu as part of their blind box product line. Founded in 2010, Pop Mart has grown into a multi-billion-dollar company largely on the strength of blind box collectibles. Labubu is their breakout character — the one that crossed over from niche collector circles into mainstream global culture.
How blind boxes work
If you've never bought a blind box, the concept is simple and deliberately addictive.
You purchase a sealed box. Inside is one figure from a series — but you don't know which one until you open it. Each series contains 12 standard designs plus one or more "secret" designs that appear at a much lower probability (typically 1 in 144 boxes, or about 0.7%).
The standard figures are all desirable — that's important. You won't get a "dud." But some designs within each series are more popular than others, and the secrets are genuinely rare. This creates a trading economy where collectors swap duplicates and hunt for the designs they're missing.
The psychological mechanism is well-documented: variable ratio reinforcement. The uncertainty of what's inside each box activates dopamine pathways in the same way slot machines do. Each purchase is a small gamble with a guaranteed positive outcome (you always get something you want) and a chance at an exceptional outcome (the rare secret figure). It's remarkably effective.
Pop Mart sells blind boxes individually (typically £10–15 per box), in cases of 12 (guaranteeing all standard designs), and through their proprietary vending machines in retail locations worldwide.
Why Labubu went global
Three events turned Labubu from a Chinese collectible into a worldwide phenomenon.
Celebrity adoption. In late 2024, Lisa from BLACKPINK was photographed with a Labubu hanging from her bag. The image went viral. Within weeks, Rihanna and David Beckham were spotted with their own Labubu figures. The celebrity effect was immediate and massive — Google searches for "Labubu" increased by over 4,000% in the weeks following Lisa's photo.
TikTok virality. Unboxing videos are perfect content for short-form video. The suspense of opening a blind box, the reveal, the emotional reaction — this format generates views. Over 1.3 million TikTok videos now carry the #labubu hashtag. The algorithm rewards emotional reactions, and blind box reveals deliver them consistently.
Scarcity and resale. Limited production runs and genuine scarcity created a secondary market. Rare Labubu figures — particularly secrets and collaboration editions — sell for hundreds or thousands on resale platforms. The most expensive Labubu sold at auction exceeded $100,000 (a one-of-a-kind prototype). This financial dimension attracted speculators alongside genuine collectors, creating a feedback loop of demand and scarcity.
The major Labubu series
Pop Mart releases new Labubu series regularly. Here are the most significant:
The Monsters — Classic Series. The original line. Features Labubu in various poses and expressions. These are the "foundation" of any collection and include some of the most valuable early figures.
Labubu Macaron Series. Pastel-coloured Labubu figures designed as bag charms. This series was pivotal — it positioned Labubu as a fashion accessory rather than just a shelf collectible. The bag charm format is now Labubu's most recognisable.
Labubu Have a Seat Series. Labubu figures seated in various positions, designed for desk display. Popular in office settings and among working professionals.
The Monsters — Tasty Series. Food-themed Labubu figures (Labubu as sushi, as ice cream, as a dumpling). Highly sought-after for their humour and display appeal.
Collaboration editions. Pop Mart regularly collaborates with brands and IP holders. Labubu × Disney, Labubu × specific artists, and event-exclusive editions are among the most valuable. Collaborations are always limited run.
New series are announced on Pop Mart's official channels and typically sell out on launch day for popular editions.
How to buy Labubu
Pop Mart stores. Physical stores exist in major cities across Asia, Europe, and North America. In-store purchases guarantee authentic products. Many stores have blind box vending machines ("Roboshops") for impulse purchases.
Pop Mart app and website. The official digital channel. New releases drop here simultaneously with physical stores. The app includes a "shake" feature for mystery box purchases that simulates the physical experience.
Authorised retailers. Select department stores and toy retailers carry Pop Mart products. Verify authorisation — this is important for authenticity.
Resale platforms. StockX, eBay, Mercari, and specialist collectible platforms carry secondary market Labubu. Expect to pay premiums for rare figures. Always verify authenticity (see below).
Pop Mart Roboshops. The vending machines placed in shopping centres, airports, and transit hubs. These accept contactless payment and dispense a random blind box. They're designed for impulse purchases and do well in high-traffic locations.
Spotting fakes
The Labubu counterfeit market is substantial. Here's how to verify authenticity:
Packaging quality. Genuine Pop Mart boxes have consistent, high-quality printing with sharp colours and no pixelation. Fakes often have slightly blurred text, incorrect colour saturation, or misaligned printing.
The Pop Mart holographic sticker. Every genuine blind box has a holographic security sticker with a unique code. This code can be verified through Pop Mart's official app.
Figure quality. Authentic Labubu figures have clean paint application with no bleeding between colour zones, consistent material quality (the vinyl should feel uniform), and precise mould lines. Fakes typically show rougher seams, inconsistent paint, and cheaper-feeling material.
Weight. Counterfeit figures often feel lighter than genuine ones. If you've handled authentic Labubu before, the weight difference is noticeable.
Price. If it seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Standard blind boxes retail for £10–15. Anyone selling "guaranteed secrets" at retail price is selling fakes.
Source. Buy from Pop Mart directly, authorised retailers, or established resale platforms with authentication services. Random social media sellers and unverified marketplace listings are the highest-risk sources.
Resale values: what Labubu figures are worth
Values vary enormously based on rarity, series, condition, and market demand. General ranges as of early 2026:
Standard figures (common): £8–20. Most standard designs trade near or slightly below retail, especially for recent series.
Standard figures (popular designs): £20–50. Within each series, certain designs are community favourites and command modest premiums.
Secret figures: £80–300. Secrets are the primary value drivers. A secret from a popular series in mint condition with box will typically sell in this range.
Collaboration/event exclusives: £100–500+. Limited-run collaborations with major brands or event-exclusive figures are genuinely scarce and hold value well.
Ultra-rare prototypes and one-offs: £1,000–100,000+. These are auction-grade items — one-of-a-kind pieces, artist proofs, or earliest production samples.
The resale market is volatile. Values can spike after viral moments and drop as new series redirect collector attention. Treat any "investment" framing with scepticism — collect what you love, and view any appreciation as a bonus.
How to display Labubu
The most popular display approaches:
Bag charms. The macaron-format Labubu is designed to hang from bag straps. This is the most visible display method and the one that drove celebrity adoption. Use the included keychain clip.
Acrylic display cases. For serious collectors, stackable acrylic cases protect figures from dust while keeping them visible. Arrange by series for a clean look.
Floating shelves. A dedicated shelf with figures spaced evenly creates a gallery effect. Group by colour palette or series theme rather than release date.
Desk display. The "Have a Seat" series is specifically designed for desk edges and monitor tops.
Keep the boxes. For value retention, store original boxes flat in a dry location. Box condition significantly affects resale value.
The community
Labubu collecting is intensely social. Key community spaces:
Reddit (r/popmart) — English-language discussion, trade posts, and series reviews.
Discord — Multiple active servers for Pop Mart collectors with trade channels, drop alerts, and authentication help.
TikTok and Instagram — The primary content platforms. #labubu, #popmart, #blindbox.
Facebook Groups — Surprisingly active for trading, particularly in Southeast Asian markets.
Pop Mart's own community features — The app includes social features, collection tracking, and a marketplace.
The community is generally welcoming to newcomers. The shared excitement of blind box reveals — the collective gasp when someone pulls a secret — creates genuine connection between strangers.
Where Labubu goes from here
Pop Mart shows no signs of slowing Labubu production. Upcoming collaborations, new series, and expanded retail presence (particularly in Europe and North America) will continue driving demand. The company's IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange gave them capital for aggressive global expansion.
The bigger question is longevity. Will Labubu maintain cultural relevance as the blind box trend matures, or will a new character claim the spotlight? History suggests that well-managed designer toy properties can sustain collector interest for decades (look at KAWS, Bearbrick, and Funko Pop). Pop Mart's challenge is balancing scarcity with accessibility — too rare and new collectors can't enter; too common and existing collectors lose interest.
For now, Labubu is the undisputed king of collectible plush. Whether you're buying your first blind box or hunting for a missing secret, welcome to the community. The ears are pointy, the grin is mischievous, and the obsession is real.