Labubu Dolls: Mischief, Monsters & Collectible Mania

Move over, Barbie. Step aside, Beanie Babies. There's a new darling in the collectible world, and it's a tiny, toothy, delightfully devilish creature with a cult following that's growing faster than you can say “Labubu!”

A creature of contradictions—both playful and a little sinister, Labubu is a mischievous, pointy-eared, fang-bearing creature with a grin that suggests it's either about to hug you... or steal your snacks! Part adorable, part slightly unsettling (in the best way), Labubu is the breakout star of Kasing Lung's "The Monsters" universe—a fantastical world filled with quirky, expressive creatures that feel like they've jumped straight out of a fairy tale.

“Labubu can do what I want to do, but I don’t dare to do it,” said the brilliant artist Lung. Born in Hong Kong in 1972, Lung’s artistic journey began with an early-life move to the Netherlands—a transition that would profoundly shape his creative vision. He learned Dutch by reading children’s books and fairytales, and he developed a deep fascination with Nordic folklore, its mythical creatures (such as elves) and haunting tales. These ancient stories would later become the foundation for his iconic creations: Labubu and The Monsters.

“I created something that is linked to these fairytales” he said. Blending whimsy and darkness, Lung’s characters captivate with their mischievous charm and otherworldly allure.

Labubu is produced by the Chinese toy company Pop Mart, which is known for selling collectible designer toys, often in "blind boxes" (where the specific character is unknown until opened). Labubu has become a global phenomenon, gaining cult status thanks to  its unique design, the thrill of the blind box experience, as well as celebrity endorsements and viral social media trends.

And it is not just the children that have fallen under these whimsical little monster’s special; adults of all ages have also been chasing this creature down into the rabbit hole of adorable chaos.

This sudden frenzy for dolls is not new. Past toy crazes included the Cabbage Patch Kids riots of the 1980s (where parents literally fought in stores to snag one), Beanie Babies mania in the 90s, the Furby’s late 90s takeover, Tamagotchi’s digital pet obsession, Funko Pops in the 2010s, the very colorful ‘Good Luck Trolls’ who were popular during the 1960s, 80s, and again in the 90s and, throughout all that, there’s always been Pokémon.

But besides the addictive thrill of the hunt, the blind box experience, the FOMO (fear of missing out), and perhaps the desire to belong to a special community of Labubu fans, there is admittedly something special with Labubu.

The doll has personality—something many mass-produced dolls lack. What starts with "I'll just get one..." quickly spirals into shelves full of grinning little monsters, each with its own quirky charm and style.