"Labubu Mania: How a Toothy Elf Doll Conquered Pop Culture"

The Labubu Doll Phenomenon: A Global Craze Redefining Collectible Culture
In the ever-evolving world of pop culture, few phenomena have captured the collective imagination as swiftly and intensely as the Labubu doll. These quirky, plush, elf-like creatures with their mischievous grins and sharp teeth have transcended their origins as niche collectibles to become a global sensation. From adorning the handbags of celebrities like BLACKPINK’s Lisa and Rihanna to sparking frenzied queues outside stores and commanding six-figure auction prices, Labubu dolls have redefined what it means to be a "must-have" accessory in 2025. This 1000-word article delves into the origins, appeal, cultural impact, and controversies surrounding the Labubu doll, exploring how a small, toothy monster became a symbol of modern consumerism and nostalgia.
Origins of Labubu: From Nordic Folklore to Pop Mart
The Labubu doll, part of "The Monsters" universe, was created by Hong Kong-born, Netherlands-raised artist Kasing Lung in 2015. Inspired by Nordic folklore and fairy tales that fascinated him during his childhood in Utrecht, Lung crafted a whimsical storybook series featuring a tribe of playful, slightly mischievous elves. Labubu, the star of this series, is characterized by a round, furry body, wide eyes, pointed ears, and a signature grin revealing nine sharp teeth—a design that’s equal parts cute and creepy. Other characters in the universe, such as Mokoko, Pato, Spooky, Tycoco (Labubu’s skeleton-like boyfriend), and Zimomo (the tribe’s spiked-tailed leader), add depth to this fantastical world.
Initially introduced as figurines by the Hong Kong-based company How2Work, Labubu gained modest traction among toy collectors. However, it was Lung’s 2019 partnership with Chinese retailer Pop Mart that catapulted the doll into the mainstream. Pop Mart, founded in 2010 by Wang Ning, specializes in "blind box" collectibles, where buyers purchase a sealed package without knowing which specific figure they’ll receive. This marketing strategy, combined with Labubu’s unique aesthetic, tapped into a growing appetite for surprise and scarcity-driven products, setting the stage for a global craze.
The Blind Box Appeal and Celebrity Endorsement
The allure of Labubu dolls lies partly in their blind box distribution model, a concept Pop Mart perfected with earlier successes like Molly dolls. Each blind box contains a random figure from a themed series, such as "Exciting Macaron" (released October 2023), "Have a Seat," "Fall in Wild," or "Massive into Energy." Some boxes include rare "secret" figures, which can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars on resale platforms like eBay and StockX. This element of chance, akin to opening a pack of trading cards, fuels excitement and encourages collectors to buy multiple boxes in pursuit of coveted designs like the Chestnut Cocoa or Chinese New Year editions.
The Labubu phenomenon exploded in April 2024 when BLACKPINK’s Lisa was photographed with a Labubu keychain clipped to her Louis Vuitton bag. Her endorsement sparked a tidal wave of interest, particularly in Southeast Asia, where fans rushed to emulate her style. Celebrities like Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, Dua Lipa, and David Beckham soon followed, showcasing Labubus as bag charms or collectibles on social media. In India, celebrities like Ananya Panday and influencers like Shantanu Dhope joined the trend, further amplifying its reach. This celebrity-driven hype transformed Labubu from a niche toy into a fashion statement, blurring the lines between collectible and luxury accessory.
A Cultural and Fashion Phenomenon
Labubu’s appeal extends beyond its cute-yet-creepy aesthetic. As New York Magazine’s Liza Corsillo noted, the dolls’ "hard-to-explain cuteness" and scarcity-driven marketing make them both huggable and highly desirable. Their versatility as bag charms, keychains, or display pieces has made them a staple in streetwear and high fashion alike. Men’s fashion magazine GQ highlighted Labubu’s role in the growing market for men’s luxury handbags, noting how they add a playful, personalized touch to otherwise serious accessories. Collectors like Thania Gonzalez, a Los Angeles-based fashion content creator, customize their Labubus with miniature outfits—some even sporting bootleg Prada or Louis Vuitton clothing—further cementing their status as a fashion-forward collectible.
The dolls’ cultural impact is evident in their integration into diverse settings. In Singapore, the People’s Action Party used a Labubu plush keychain as a "volunteer" at a community event, while the Ling Lian Bao Dian Temple dressed Labubus as devotees during the Nine Emperor Gods Festival to attract younger generations. In Thailand, Labubus are believed to bring wealth and good fortune, adding a layer of cultural significance to their popularity. These instances highlight how Labubu has transcended its role as a toy to become a symbol of community, creativity, and cultural relevance.
Economic Impact and Market Dynamics
The Labubu craze has been a financial boon for Pop Mart, which reported $1.8 billion in global revenue in 2024, with $423 million attributed to Labubu sales alone—a 729% increase from 2023. The company’s market cap of $43.28 billion dwarfs that of traditional toy giants like Mattel and Hasbro, underscoring the power of its blind box strategy. Pop Mart operates over 2,000 "roboshops" (vending machines) and stores in more than 30 countries, yet demand consistently outstrips supply, leading to sell-outs within seconds and long queues at physical locations.
The secondary market for Labubus is equally robust. Rare figures, such as a secret Labubu from the "Big Into Energy" series, can fetch $500 on StockX, while a life-size, mint-green Labubu sold for $172,000 at a Beijing auction in June 2025—the highest price ever for a Labubu item. This auction, hosted by Yongle Auction, saw nearly 1,000 bidders and total sales of $520,000, reflecting the dolls’ growing status as art collectibles. However, the high demand has also spawned a market for counterfeits, dubbed "Lafufus," which often feature incorrect tooth counts or lack the Pop Mart logo under the foot.
Controversies and Criticisms
Despite their popularity, Labubu dolls have faced scrutiny. In Russia, officials like Ekaterina Altabaeva claimed the dolls’ "fierce" appearance could frighten children, prompting calls for a ban. In Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, authorities seized 4,000 dolls in July 2025, citing concerns about behavioral issues and unfounded claims of "demonic spirits." A viral conspiracy linking Labubu to the Mesopotamian demon Pazuzu, fueled by a misleading Instagram post and a Simpsons episode, sparked panic among some fans, though fact-checking sites like Snopes debunked these claims, affirming Lung’s fairy tale-inspired design.
Critics also argue that Labubu’s success reflects excessive consumerism, with collectors spending thousands on blind boxes in pursuit of rare figures. The frenzy has led to disorderly lines and even fights in the UK, prompting Pop Mart to temporarily halt sales in its 16 stores there. Yet, for many, the thrill of the hunt and the joy of unboxing outweigh these concerns, as evidenced by vibrant online communities on Reddit, TikTok, and Discord where fans share tips and showcase their collections.
Why Labubu Resonates
Labubu’s meteoric rise can be attributed to a perfect storm of nostalgia, exclusivity, and cultural relevance. As design academic Gozde Goncu Berk suggests, the dolls tap into a broader trend of "comfort core meets camp," offering a playful escape from the complexities of modern life. Their quirky aesthetic and customizable nature appeal to both children and adults, evoking a sense of childhood simplicity in an era of global uncertainty. The blind box model, meanwhile, gamifies collecting, turning each purchase into a dopamine-fueled adventure.
Moreover, Labubu’s global appeal reflects the growing influence of Asian pop culture. As China’s Xinhua news agency noted, the dolls showcase "Chinese creativity, quality, and culture" on a global stage, even if their Hong Kong-Dutch origins complicate this narrative. For many fans, however, the dolls’ origins are secondary to their emotional and social value, whether as a status symbol, a creative outlet, or a shared obsession within collector communities.
The Future of Labubu
As Labubu’s popularity shows no signs of waning, Pop Mart plans to expand its international presence and artist collaborations, ensuring the brand’s longevity. Limited-edition releases, such as the Coca-Cola-themed winter series and the One Piece-inspired collection, keep the hype alive, while partnerships with institutions like the Louvre add cultural cachet. However, the dolls’ reliance on scarcity and viral trends raises questions about their staying power. Will Labubu fade like past fads such as Beanie Babies, or will it endure like Hello Kitty?
For now, Labubu remains a cultural juggernaut, embodying the intersection of art, fashion, and consumerism. Whether clipped to a luxury handbag, displayed on a collector’s shelf, or sparking debates about demonic influences, these toothy elves have left an indelible mark on 2025. As collectors continue to chase the next rare drop and celebrities flaunt their customized Labubus, one thing is clear: the mischievous grin of Labubu is here to stay, at least for now.