According to People Magazine, Labubu dolls are a popular line of collectible plush toys from the mind of Belgium based designer Kasing Lung. The toy originates from his book series “The Monsters” inspired by Nordic mythology in which the main characters are unique elf-like creatures with exaggerated features and mischievous smiles.They have been around since 2019 and are produced and sold by the Chinese toy company Pop Mart. Pop Marts website mentions that “the main creature Labubu is “kind-hearted and always wants to help, but often accidentally achieves the opposite.”
Labubus, along with other characters from “The Monsters” series, have gained significant popularity as fashion accessories and status symbols, especially after being popularized by celebrities. Most notably being Lisa from BlackPink as well as Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and David Beckham as gifted to him from his daughter. Each doll sells for $20-$30 and some can even go up to $300 as mentioned in the Economic Times. The dolls come in a “blind box” adding in the extra element of surprise. The celebrity obsession along with the blind curiosity has naturally led to Labubus becoming the newest collectors item.
How popular are Labubus really? According to an article by TheTimes “this summer New York has been subjected to a Labubu fashion show, a Labubu rave, Labubu Pride and a “Labubu ice cream social” an obvious indicator of its’ extreme success. How else do we know when a product has been having an incredibly successful run? Someone somewhere in the world tries to make a copy. There are already duplicates circulating that are being labeled as “lafufus”.
This toy craze trend is rather cyclical, with the most memorable ones in past years being the Ty Beanie Babies, Madame Alexander dolls that I and many other 90s babies can recall being a McDonalds’ happy meal toy during 2002 and 2003 and another stint in 2010. Followed by Webkinz which took on one of the earliest forms of internet obsession with an animated online community featuring games and a setup where you could house and take care of your pets.
An article from The Times highlights an important reminder here. The obsession that comes with these crazes can easily be considered a form of idolatry. Stay with me here, if we walk this thought out it is difficult to argue such a statement. Spending mass amounts of money for the sake of an object to be considered a status symbol or anything that you are willing to prioritize in your life as a means of displaying wealth, popularity or power is not healthy. Nor is it something that should be promoted to the general population, least of all for children.
There have also been a variety of videos on social media discussing how the labubus have something “evil” in them. As we have seen in a variety of shows and movies on the discussion of doll possession, most of these subjects are also targeting children and emphasizes how they can take away innocence and purity from their lives. This isn’t to say that any and all children’s doll toys are inherently demonic. Rather, to say that any sort of fashion craze that encourages reckless spending, obsession or ownership as a sign of popularity or power can be a very slippery slope into other unhealthy behaviors.
Not to mention that the main reason these dolls have become sensationalized is due to internet and celebrity culture. Yet again, where is the value being put and why do we value something more when it’s in the hands of someone with a platform? As humans it is easy to understand due to our desire for financial stability and comfort, but note how the brand existed prior to this year. It was the people with platforms that caused the plush toy to skyrocket.
As we will inevitably see with other toys and trends in the future, social media and celebrity culture will push and promote many things. Not always inherently good or bad but if the labubu craze teaches us anything it should be to take heed in our curiosity and desire for always wanting or needing more.
https://dollect.net/database/madame-alexander-happy-meal-dolls/
https://people.com/what-are-labubu-dolls-11764785
https://www.thetimes.com/us/news-today/article/are-labubus-demonic-evil-lt3dxf9cb
Pop Mart primarily sells Labubu dolls in sealed “blind boxes,” meaning the specific doll inside is a surprise until opened. This format contributes to the collectibility and the excitement of unboxing
The dolls’ popularity surged after celebrities like Blackpink’s Lisa and others started using them as bag charms and accessories. This led to a craze where people sought out the dolls and customized them with various outfits and accessories
https://retail.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/toys-kids-and-baby/toys/labubu-vs-lafufu-the-battle-against-counterfeit-collectibles/122261535
There are also duplicates circulating that are being labeled “lafufus”. Each “blind box” sells for $20-$30 but some can go up to $300.
