The Labubu, explained. Will TomiKing sell The Monsters?

If you know, you know.

Labubu is one of those collectible figures that either looks like the stuff of adorable nightmares or becomes your instant obsession. And if you’re deep in the world of designer toys, vinyl figures, or the Pop Mart rabbit hole, you probably already get it. But if you’re new here, allow us to pull you gently down the strange and wonderful world of Labubu.

What is Labubu?

Labubu is a mischievous little creature created by Hong Kong-based artist Kasing Lung, and it lives in the broader universe of the "Monster Little" series, which has become a staple of Pop Mart's wildly popular designer toy lineup. With its spiky fur, oversized grin (those teeth!), tiny limbs, and strangely charming expressions, Labubu walks the line between creepy-cute and emotionally expressive. Some call it punk, some call it folklore, some just call it weird... and all of them are kind of right. To calrify, Labubu's are NOT demonic... That is just TikTok nonsense. They're 'elves' and not at all based on demons.

Labubu’s appeal lies in how it plays with contrasts: rough textures and soft shapes, jagged teeth and big curious eyes, muted colors and explosive personality. You can feel a story behind every expression. Whether it’s the standard forest-dwelling Labubu, one of the many themed series (Exciting Macaron, Have a Seat, Big Into Energy, and more), there’s always something new to hunt.

Pop Mart took Kasing Lung’s Labubu and gave it the global platform it deserved. Much like how Funko rode pop culture waves, Pop Mart doubled down on mystery box culture, and Labubu quickly became one of its flagship figures. Every release tends to include multiple blind box figures, a few rare chases, and the holy grail: the elusive secret editions.

Collecting Labubu quickly becomes an exercise in both patience and obsession. Chasers hunt full sets, seek out rare collabs, conventions, or regional releases.

Honestly, it’s hard to explain until you hold one.

They feel different. The vinyl has a weight and texture that sets it apart from mass-market toys. The sculpts are lovingly detailed. The colorways are playful yet elegant. There’s just a personality in these figures that feels like it taps directly into childhood whimsy, with just enough bite to keep it interesting for adults.

And there’s so much range. One moment, you’re looking at a sleepy little Labubu in pajamas, the next it's decked out as a Victorian ghost. Some look like they'd live under your bed; others look like they'd protect you from what lives under your bed.

Labubu fans also tend to fall into the deeper pool of designer toy collectors, so the passion level is high. There are online groups dedicated to trades, customs, and displaying the figures in ultra-stylized dioramas. There’s even growing interest from collectors who typically stick to Bearbrick or KAWS. The crossover is real.

Is Labubu Coming to TomiKing?

Let’s just say the TomiKing crew has been watching the Labubu craze with wide, sparkly eyes. While our roots are diecast and model trains, we never said we wouldn’t dip into the designer toy world. We already did it once with Bearbrick in the past, and if you think we haven’t been stockpiling Labubu for a potential future launch... you don’t know us well enough yet.

Final Thoughts

Labubu is what happens when an artist taps into something weird and wonderful and lets it grow. It’s got folklore bones, designer toy muscles, and pop culture skin. Whether you collect for the aesthetic, the art, or just because they make you smile, Labubu figures bring a unique joy to the hobby world.

So if you're a diecast head who never thought you'd be caught hunting a tiny grinning creature bag charm... welcome to the next phase of your collecting life.

#Team TomiKing