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What is Labubu? Origins & Design
Labubu, created in 2015 by Hong Kong–born artist Kasing Lung, raised in the Netherlands, inspired by Nordic folklore and a picture-book character series called The Monsters, source:Wikipedia.
Distinctive features: round fluffy body, pointed ears, wide eyes, and a mischievous grin with nine sharp teeth—a perfect blend of creepy-cute aesthetic.
Part of a tribe including Zimomo, Mokoko, Tycoco etc., each with unique personalities and designs .
The Pop Mart Powerhouse & Marketing Strategy
Pop Mart officially released Labubu in 2019, riding the surge of blind‑box collectibles, timed drops, and limited‑edition releases.
Their strategy: intense exclusive drops, celebrity endorsements, influencer marketing, and global hype with over 1.7M TikTok videos, nearly 10,000% growth in Google searches in June 2025 alone.
Builds dopamine-like excitement: each purchase is a surprise, tapping into consumer psychology like a “legal dopamine casino”.
Celebrity & Social Media Surge with Labubu Blind Boxes
Blackpink’s Lisa ignited the craze by posting her Labubu keychain in 2024, followed by Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Lizzo, and Brad Pitt unboxing Labubu blind boxes on TikTok.
Labubu appeared at San Diego Comic‑Con 2025, drawing massive crowds and media coverage, with fans personalizing and showing them off on bags/backpacks
Global Expansion & Store Openings
Pop Mart opened its first store in Germany—Berlin—on July 25, 2025, with fans camping overnight, influencers in line, and even journalists covering the frenzy.
The brand has expanded to Australia (stores in Melbourne) and North America, broadening its global footprint significantly.
Financial Surge & Business Impact
Pop Mart revenue more than doubled in 2024 (~¥13.04 billion) with plush toy sales up 1,200%, thanks in part to Labubu.
First half 2025 profits projected to surge by 350%, with over 200% revenue jump attributed to global Labubu demand and collaborations with Coke, One Piece, and others .
In June, a 4‑ft mint‑green Labubu sold for $170,000 at auction, confirming its status as a collectible asset worth hundreds of thousands.
Also Read: AI vs Copyright, The Lawsuit Against Anthropic
Latest 5 Fact News – July 2025 Highlights
- Berlin’s first Pop Mart store opened on July 25, 2025, fueling queues and viral lines for original Labubu—fake “Lafufu” knockoffs couldn’t deter fans.
- Comic‑Con 2025 saw Labubu trending at Pop Mart’s booth, with fans eagerly unboxing and displaying their new monsters (Source:Reuters).
- Underground counterfeit Lafufu market exposed in Shenzhen—with Chinese authorities cracking down heavily to protect IP and Pop Mart’s prestige.
- Reports from Canal Street (NYC) detail fake Lafufu dolls selling as cheap as $10, with real Labubu resales hitting up to $5,000.
- ‘Today’ show host Jenna Bush Hager called adult Labubu collectors “a little weird,” though fashion icons defended the joyful, quirky trend
Why Labubu Is More Than a Doll?
| Key Driver | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Blind‑box mystery | Encourages repeat purchases to “collect them all” |
| Stylish adult appeal | Seen as bag charms or accessories for Gen Z/Millennials |
| Art + Pop culture | Hybrid of designer toy, collectible, and fashionable accessory |
| Scarcity & resale | Limited editions, secret drops, and astronomical auctions create value |
| Emotional attachment | Fans connect with character lore and expressive design |
Labubu isn’t just another plush toy—it’s a cultural phenomenon democratizing collectibles through game-like surprise, celebrity-driven visibility, scarcity marketing, and strategic global expansion. It’s a case study in modern viral brand building—art meets entertainment meets commerce.
