What is Labubu?
Labubu is a slightly ugly and strangely cute little monster that appears in "The Monsters", a character series created by Hong Kong-born, Dutch-raised artist Kasing Lung (龍家昇).
- He first appeared in the picture book "The Mysterious Buca" published by Kasing Lung in 2015.
- It will be available as a Popmart figure starting in 2019.
- A race of mischievous and curious girls who appear in "The Monsters."
- A character who goes on adventures in the forest.
- In fact, they are all girls, and there are many of them.
- Originally inhabitants of picture books, they were created in a world based on Norse mythology and fantasy.
Since 2019, the Chinese toy brand POP MART has commercialized them as blind box figures, and they have exploded in popularity, especially in Asia.
Its unique design has been spread through social networking sites as "scary but cute," "fugly," and "peculiar," and is now available at Harajuku stores and official online stores in Japan.
About Kasing Lung, the Creator
Kasing Lung began his career as a children's book author and has created many fantastical and slightly magical worlds inspired by old Scandinavian fairy tales and myths.
His creation of the storybook world "The Monsters" became a worldwide hit when he met the Chinese toymaker POP MART and sold it in a "blind box" format, where you never know what you will get. The combination of Kasing's one-of-a-kind worldview and POP MART's skillful production skills allowed Lovebu and Jimomo to leap out of the art gallery and become popular among celebrities and people of all ages.
Reasons for the spread of Lovebub's popularity
- The excitement of the blind box format
The "gacha" feeling of not knowing what you will get is appealing to Generation Z. - Celebrities and influencers use Lovebub.
The LOVEBU keychain was attached to the bags of world-famous artists such as LISA of BLACKPINK, and the popularity of the product spread explosively. - Ugly Cute" boom
The "Ugly Cute" toys, along with "Jellycat" and "Crybaby," have been attracting attention in the U.S. and Europe as representative "ugly cute" toys.
potipList of series and types of products released by Lovebu
Lovebub has released more than dozens of figures and goods, mainly from "The Monsters" series. We have compiled a list of particularly popular series.
Representative figure series
- The Monsters (classic version)
→ The most basic lovebug. It features a large mouth with fangs and gawking eyes. - Seasonal Edition
→ Halloween editions (pumpkin and witch lovebugs) and Christmas editions (reindeer and snowman lovebugs) are available. They are highly collectible and popular every year. - Collaboration Edition
→ Collaborations with world-famous artists and brands. In particular, the POP MART Harajuku store sometimes offers Japan-only designs. - Mini Figure Series
Mini Figure Series → Small size and colorful. Popular for its small size and affordable price, which can be easily displayed in a bag or on a shelf.
The series is released one after another, and its high collectability is another reason for its popularity.
Popular items to attach to bags
In addition to "figures," Labubu's bag charms and key chains are also very popular.
- Labubu bag charm (fluffy material)
→ Fur material is soft and fluffy. It makes a big impact when attached to a bag. - Acrylic key chain type
→ Lightweight and easy to use in everyday life. Popular among high school girls and students, especially in Harajuku. - Plush toy strap
→ A small stuffed animal becomes a charm as it is. They are also used as guess goods. - Limited bag charm (secret color)
→ Special color released in small quantities at the same time as the regular edition. reports on social networking sites are likely to be buzzed about.
Secret and color variations
There is always one "secret" in every POP MART blind box.
The number of secret pieces produced is small, sometimes containing only 2-3% of the total number of pieces.
Typical example of a secret:
- Lovebugs with gold specs
- Limited color shining in pearl white
- Character collaboration editions (e.g., constellation and zodiac sign motifs)
There are many color variations, and collectors exist for each color, such as pink, blue, black, etc.
How to enjoy collecting lovebirds
- Aim for a complete set of all types.
- Display them in your bag or on a shelf to make them a collectible item
- The thrill of guessing the secret
Especially in Harajuku, it is common to see people actually wearing multiple lovebugs on their bags, and their popularity is spreading as a part of fashion.
PotipHow to get
- POP MART Physical stores in Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku
- POP MART official online store (Japan and global)
- Amazon and Rakuten (via authorized distributors)
⚠️ Note: Since some counterfeit products have already appeared in the market, it is safe to check the hologram seal, QR code, and UV light certification when purchasing.
Check the official online site frequently.
Youtube
Summary
Labubu, a new generation of "scary but cute" characters, is gaining fans around the world. The greatest appeal of Labubu is that it is not just a character, but can be enjoyed in multiple ways: collected, decorated, and worn.
See also: POPMART
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FAQ
Store Name: POPMART
Store URL: https://www.popmart.com/jp