If you've been scrolling through social media lately, you've probably noticed cute, slightly unsettling elf-like creatures with pointy ears and serrated teeth popping up everywhere. Meet Labubu – the toy that's taken the world by storm in 2024.
What Exactly is Labubu?
Labubu is a vinyl collectible toy that looks like a mischievous little elf with distinctive rabbit-like ears and a mouth full of sharp teeth. Created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung back in 2015, Labubu belongs to a fantasy world called "The Monsters," which includes twelve different monster characters.
The name comes from Nordic mythology, where "Labubu" refers to creatures living in the depths of forests. But don't let the mythology intimidate you – these toys are more quirky-cute than scary.
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| Kasing Lung - Creator of Labubu |
How Did This Trend Start?
While Labubu has been around since 2015, the massive explosion in popularity happened in late 2023 and really took off in 2024. Here's what sparked the frenzy:
- The Pop Mart Effect: Pop Mart, a Chinese toy company known for blind box collectibles, partnered with Kasing Lung to mass-produce Labubu. Their mystery blind box model – where you don't know which design you'll get – created an addictive collecting experience.
- Celebrity Endorsement: The trend went into overdrive when Thai-born K-pop superstar Lisa from BLACKPINK posted photos with her Labubu collection on Instagram. With over 100 million followers, her posts sent fans worldwide scrambling to get their own.
- Social Media Virality: TikTok and Instagram exploded with Labubu content. People started filming their "unboxing" experiences, showing off entire collections, and even dressing up their Labubus in tiny outfits. The hashtag #Labubu has racked up hundreds of millions of views.
Why Are People Obsessed?
The appeal is surprisingly multifaceted:
- The Thrill of Blind Boxes: You never know which variant you'll get. This gambling-like excitement keeps collectors coming back for more, hoping to score rare "chase" editions.
- Cute but Edgy: Labubu hits that sweet spot between adorable and slightly creepy. It's not your typical cutesy character – those teeth give it personality and edge.
- Status Symbol: Owning Labubu, especially rare variants, has become a flex on social media. Some limited editions resell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
- Community and FOMO: The collecting community is huge. People trade duplicates, discuss their collections online, and nobody wants to feel left out of the trend.
The Global Impact
- What started in Asia quickly spread globally. Pop Mart stores in places like Singapore, Thailand, and China have seen massive queues, with some locations selling out within hours. The craze has reached Europe, North America, and beyond.
- Resale markets have gone wild too. A Labubu that retails for around $10-15 can resell for $50-200 depending on rarity, with special editions fetching even more.
The Bottom Line
- Labubu represents more than just a toy trend – it's a perfect storm of collectible culture, celebrity influence, and social media virality. Whether you think they're adorable or bizarre, there's no denying these pointy-eared creatures have captured the zeitgeist of 2024.
- Will the trend last? Only time will tell. But for now, Labubu has secured its place in pop culture history as one of the most unexpected viral sensations of the year.
Whether you're a collector or just curious about the hype, Labubu is a fascinating example of how a nine-year-old character design can suddenly capture the world's imagination through the perfect combination of scarcity, celebrity power, and social media magic.