what is labubu

Labubu is a line of collectible plush toys created by Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung. The central character, Labubu, is a monster-like elf with sharp teeth, large ears, and a scruffy appearance. The toys are produced by the China-based retailer Pop Mart and sold primarily in blind boxes, where the specific character inside is a surprise. Labubu originated as part of Kasing Lung's story series "The Monsters," inspired by Nordic folklore, and first appeared in 2015. The character quickly became very popular across East and Southeast Asia and helped popularize the trend of blind box collecting on a global scale. Labubu figures vary widely in size and price, with some rare editions selling for very high prices. The brand has also inspired fashion collaborations and has planned anime adaptations. Pop Mart's CEO Wang Ning gained significant wealth due to the success of Labubu and related products, making Labubu one of the most notable collectible toy phenomena in recent years.