Why is labubu so popular?

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1. The Design & Emotional Appeal

Labubu, created by artist Kasing Lung, is a grinning “monster elf” with nine sharp little teeth, big round eyes, and rabbit-like ears—part of his Monsters series inspired by Nordic folklore Solflare+15Wikipedia+15MoneyWeek+15. Its “ugly‑cute” aesthetic blurs childhood nostalgia with playful discomfort, resonating strongly with Gen Z’s desire for quirky self‑expression Indiatimes+3Vogue Business+3Byrdie+3.

2. Influencer & Celebrity Power

The craze ignited in April 2024 when Blackpink’s Lisa was spotted with a Labubu keychain, quickly followed by sightings of Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Kim Kardashian with the doll CoinMarketCap+15Wikipedia+15Wall Street Journal+15. Shared on Instagram and TikTok, these celebrity endorsements fueled a viral global obsession.

3. The Blind Box Thrill & Scarcity

Pop Mart sells Labubu figures in a “blind‑box” format (randomized surprises), which encourages collecting, repeated purchases, and a rush for rare variants. This surprise element has been described as a “legal dopamine casino” Byrdie+11The Courier-Mail+11MoneyWeek+11. Some editions are so limited that stores crash under demand, especially during the “Massive into Energy” series release Wall Street Journal+1Wikipedia+1.

4. A Global & Community-Driven Movement

The hashtag #Labubu has amassed millions of posts on TikTok, connecting collectors who customize, trade, and show off their prized finds. Some collectors like Dani Barron have over 150 pieces valued over USD 10,000—and they customize their duplicates into art pieces Phantom+15People.com+15Wall Street Journal+15.

📈 How Much Has Labubu’s Value Risen?

• Retail & Resale Prices:

Official retail price for a blind-box Labubu is around ¥59–69 (approximately USD 27–30) MoneyWeek+5Wikipedia+5Vogue Business+5. In resale, times article estimates values near ¥15,000 (~USD 2,200), up from the retail cost of ~¥599 (~USD 87) in China MEXC.

Special editions fetch even higher sums. For example:

A 31-inch mega edition can cost up to USD 960 retail ForbesWikipedia.
At auction, a mint-green 4-foot Labubu sold for USD 170,000, and a ¥1.08 million sale (~USD 150,500) was recorded at a Beijing auction house Forbes+8Wikipedia+8Artsy+8.

• Series Collaboration Values:

Limited-run collaborations such as:

Labubu × Vans Oldskool vinyl doll (USD 2,000–3,000),
Labubu × Ultraman (USD 4,500+),
Artist special editions (USD 2,000+) Solflare+15Snkrdunk+15The Courier-Mail+15.

• Sales & Business Impact:

In 2024’s first half, Labubu and Monster Series products generated over ¥6.3 billion (~USD 870 million), accounting for about 23% of all Pop Mart revenue (~RMB 3 billion) Wall Street Journal+15Forbes+15Wikipedia+15.

Pop Mart’s profits surged—up projected 350% in H1 2025 thanks to global Labubu demand and overseas store expansion The Courier-Mail. In early 2025, Pop Mart’s share price rose 178% following mega popularity of the series MoneyWeek.

Pop Mart CEO Wang Ning’s stake in the company propelled his net worth to about USD 21.1–22.7 billion by mid‑2025, making him one of China’s youngest billionaires Wikipedia+1Reddit+1.

🎯 What Drives Value Beyond Prices?

Cultural Symbolism & Emotional Comfort:
In turbulent times, many collectors view Labubu as more than just a toy—more like a comforting token or creative outlet during stress, a way to bond emotionally with others Vogue Business.
Trend Signals & Fashion Accessory:
Seen dangling from designer bags or as bold charms, Labubu taps into Gen Z fashion and self‑expression trends, blending function and nostalgia in a small collectible Vogue Business+15InStyle+15People.com+15.

🚨 Risks & Sustainability

Trend Fatigue & Counterfeits:
Some early adopters warn that Labubu might follow other fads and lose value over time. Counterfeits like “Lafufu” are gaining traction in markets like India, where real Labubu are scarce The Times of India+15Reddit+15Vogue Business+15Byrdie+10MEXC+10Indiatimes+10.
Regulatory Scrutiny:
Chinese regulators have raised concerns about blind box marketing, especially its addictive effects on minors, prompting discussions over possible increased regulation Wall Street Journal+1MoneyWeek+1.

✨ Summary

Design & storytelling from Kasing Lung are key to emotional resonance.
Virality via social media and celebrity exposure launched a true global craze.
Blind-box scarcity drives collectibility, repeat sales, and high secondary market pricing.
Business momentum: billions in sales, massive profit growth, and skyrocketing Pop Mart stock.
Emotional & fashion value: toys act as status tokens, comfort items, and creative collectibles.

Labubu’s value has escalated from retail tens of dollars to resales in the thousands—and occasionally in the hundreds of thousands for rare editions. Beyond price, its cultural impact has transformed it into one of the defining collectible phenomena of mid‑2020s pop culture.