The Labubu & Pop Mart Guide: What to Know Before You Buy
Labubu turned casual shoppers into collectors overnight. Here's the grounded, hype-free version of what you're actually buying.
Labubu turned a lot of casual shoppers into full-blown collectors seemingly overnight, and if you're reading this, the little snaggle-toothed creature has probably already gotten to you. Before you dive in, it helps to understand what you're actually buying: Pop Mart is the company, Labubu is one character within it, and the blind-box format has its own rules worth learning before you spend.
Who Labubu is, and where Pop Mart fits
Labubu is a character from artist Kasing Lung's "The Monsters" universe — pointy ears, wide eyes, a mouthful of jagged teeth, and an expression somewhere between menacing and adorable. Pop Mart is the designer-toy company that produces and distributes many popular characters as collectibles, Labubu among them. That distinction matters because Pop Mart's catalog is huge: Labubu is the one that broke through, but the same buying know-how applies across the brand.
How blind boxes and secrets actually work
Most Pop Mart figures are sold as blind boxes: a sealed box with one figure inside, and you don't know which until you open it. Figures are grouped into themed series, and each series typically has a set of standard designs plus a rarer "secret" figure that appears far less frequently. A few practical realities:
- You will get duplicates. Buying blind means repeats are inevitable — plan to trade or gift spares rather than fight the odds.
- Secrets are the chase. The hidden figure in a series is what most collectors hunt, and it's usually what commands a premium later.
- Whole sets are a real commitment. Completing a series by buying blind can take many boxes; some collectors buy a sealed full case to improve their chances.
- Buy the character, not the flip. Prices on hyped figures can swing hard. The only purchase you won't regret is one you'd be happy to keep.
Authenticity: the part worth slowing down for
Because Labubu got so popular so fast, counterfeits ("lafufu" in collector slang) are common, especially through unofficial sellers. You don't need to be paranoid, just careful:
- Buy from official or clearly reputable sources. Pop Mart's own channels and established retailers are the safest ground.
- Check the packaging and finish. Genuine figures have consistent paint, clean printing, and proper sealing; sloppy details are a red flag.
- Be skeptical of "too good" pricing. A hard-to-find figure at a suspiciously low price usually isn't the real thing.
- Learn the current verification method. Authentication features change over time, so confirm what the maker currently uses before buying secondhand.
Buying smart as a beginner
If you're just starting, resist the urge to chase a specific secret on day one. Pick a series whose standard designs you genuinely like, buy a box or two, and see how the format feels before you scale up. Our blind-box beginners collection is a low-stakes place to get your feet wet, and if it's the character design that's got you hooked, the character corner is full of kindred spirits. For the bigger picture, the collectibles hub is a good map.
The bottom line
Labubu is a delight, and Pop Mart makes the whole hobby easy to fall into. Go in knowing the format, expect a duplicate, buy from sources you trust, and let genuine affection for the character steer your spending. Do that, and every box you open is a small win.