This summer, a strange gremlin like doll with wide eyes, a furry body and a mischievous toothy grin caught the attention of millions worldwide. Known as a “Labubu,” this cute but creepy doll went from a small collectible to a global obsession, generating more than $670 million in sales in the first half of 2025.
Created by Kasing Lung, a Hong Kong artist, labubus are a plush monster with large, pointed ears, wide eyes and a mischievous smile with nine sharp teeth. Its design is inspired by elvish forest monsters from Lung’s fairytale picture book series, “The Monsters.” These cute little plushies are sold by Pop Mart, and they come in a range of different sizes and colors. The most popular ones come in blind boxes so buyers don’t know which Labubu they’ll receive, adding on to the excitement and demand.
Labubu’s rise in popularity started from social media and celebrity endorsements. The trend first began in April 2024 when BLACKPINK’s K-pop idol, Lisa, was spotted with a Labubu keychain, inspiring fans all across Asia. Soon after, stars like Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and Cher were seen carrying around the dolls as well, causing fans in the United States to jump on the trend. Grammy award-winning artist like Lizzo even shouted out the toy in her verse on the “Whim Whamiee” remix by Pluto and YKNiece, rapping, “can’t even outdress my Labubu.”
Platforms including Tiktok and Instagram also started releasing unboxing videos, fanarts, and collectors showing off their Labubu collection, displaying its “ugly-cute” charm that made these dolls so famous. The Labubu fandom quickly spread online with people making memes, edits, and even cosplaying as the doll.
“I think people like labubus because they are scary, but kind of cute in some ways,” said junior Zamya Hunter.
However, not everyone thinks these fuzzy monsters are cute. Some people argue that they find Labubus unsettling or overrated. Others have also pointed out how expensive they are, especially for rare editions which could range from $100 to over $900.
“I feel like people buy them because of FOMO (fear of missing out),” said senior Darly Young, “and consumer culture really plays a part in that.”
Many students and parents have also raised awareness and concerns about how Labubu and their blind box system encouraged kids to keep buying their dolls in hopes of getting a rare Labubu.
Whether you love or hate Labubus, it’s no doubt that Labubus has taken the world by storm. Some people see them as fun and cute collectibles, while others find them as creepy little monsters. Either way, Labubus has left a huge impact, and it is one of the biggest pop culture trends in 2025.
