Who is Labubu
Pointy ears, big eyes and nine sharp little teeth in a wide grin. Labubu looks a bit like an elf and a bit like a little monster — and it's exactly this mix of sweetness and mischief that made it the most recognisable collectible figure in the world within just a few years.
Labubu comes from the universe of The Monsters, created by illustrator Kasing Lung. It shares its world with a whole gang of friends — including pink Mokoko and Zimomo. Figures from this world are made by the Chinese company POP MART, the same one behind Skullpanda, Hirono and Crybaby. I wrote about the artist himself separately in the section Artists: Kasing Lung.
Labubu is neither cute nor scary. It's right in between — and that's why it's hard to walk past it without a second look.
If you've landed here because you finally want to figure out how Have a Seat differs from Big Into Energy and what's actually in the box — this guide is for you.
Bag charms or figures — the two worlds of Labubu
Before you start collecting, it's worth knowing that Labubu comes in two main forms:
- Plush bag charms (vinyl plush pendant) — a soft plush Labubu with a vinyl face, approx. 17 cm, with a clip for a bag or backpack. These are the ones that caused the biggest craze.
- Vinyl figures — hard, smaller (usually approx. 7–11 cm), made to stand on a shelf. They often form little scenes and collaborations with other brands.
Most series are sold as a blind box — you don't know which design you'll get until you open the box. Each series has several standard designs and one rare secret. If blind boxes are new to you, start with the article Blind box – what it is and why it took the collector world by storm.
Plush bag charms — from Macaron to Hair Salon
Labubu in pastel macaron colours — each with a different flavour and expression. This is the series that kicked off the real craze for The Monsters, and it's still one of the most collected.
Labubu caught in various sitting poses. One of the most beloved series — soft, cuddly, with the same toothy grin. If you want to protect it from dust, you can get a dedicated protective box.
The most dynamic take on Labubu: each design has a different pose and personality, and the mix of vinyl and soft plush gives it a modern edge. The bag charm is approx. 17 cm.
The first series of The Monsters bag charms in which every Labubu has real hair made of soft fibre. You can comb it, trim it and curl it — the charm isn't finished when you open the box, that's when it starts becoming yours.
A soft Labubu with a wild, nature-inspired vibe. This bag charm doesn't come in a blind box — you know exactly what you're getting. A good choice when you're buying a gift and don't want to leave it to chance.
Vinyl figures and collaborations
Vinyl figures are Labubu made to stand on a shelf. They're smaller than the bag charms, but they tell whole stories — and in collaborations Labubu dresses up as characters from other worlds.
The Monsters at their laziest: from a morning stretch to lying completely flat. The figures are approx. 7 cm and look great lined up on a desk.
Labubu and friends comb the forests in search of the missing Mokoko. Each figure is a different scene from this adventure — together they tell the whole story.
Labubu in Coca-Cola's red and white, in a winter edition: on skis, on a snowmobile, with presents. The secret design is Labubu at the wheel of a red Coca-Cola truck. Perfect for Christmas.
A crossover of two worlds that rule pop culture: The Monsters meet the Sanrio characters. For fans of both universes — and for those who just can't choose.
Labubu takes on the role of the Straw Hat Pirates — each one in the costume of a different character from the cult manga and anime.
Labubu also means accessories: earphone cases, bags, Pop Bean cards and mini figures. Everything I currently have in stock is in the Labubu collection.
How to spot an original Labubu
Popularity has its dark side: Labubu is now one of the most counterfeited figures in the world. Fakes, commonly called 'Lafufu', usually have crooked teeth, a different fur colour, sloppy prints and no hologram.
- Hologram and card — original bag charms come with a POP MART hologram sticker and a character card.
- Teeth — an original has exactly nine of them, even and symmetrical.
- Price — if a Labubu costs a fraction of the normal price, it's almost certainly not genuine.
I described this in detail in the guide How to check if a Pop Mart figure is original. At Kickomi I sell only originals — find out more on the page Authenticity guarantee.
Where to start your Labubu collection
- For your first Labubu — a plush bag charm from the Have a Seat or Exciting Macaron series. The classic most collectors start with.
- For the shelf — Lazy Yoga or Finding Mokoko figures, which form scenes together.
- For a risk-free gift — Fall in Wild, because there's no blind draw.
- For Christmas — Labubu × Coca-Cola in its winter edition.
And if you're curious how much the rarest pieces can cost, read The most expensive Labubu in the world.
All original Labubu at Kickomi.
See the collection →
