Labubu is not a single product, but a character featured in dozens of series and formats. For those discovering this world, it can be confusing: collection names look alike, sizes vary, and the same figure can exist in several versions. Here is how to find your way before you buy.
First, understand the character
Labubu was born from the pencil of artist Kasing Lung, within a universe called The Monsters. Pop Mart handles the publishing and distribution, which is why both names always appear together.
This is important when purchasing: an authentic item carries the Pop Mart mark and is part of an identified series. An item sold simply as "Labubu," without a collection name or publisher's mark, warrants careful examination.
Formats, more useful to know than names
The format determines the price, usage, and how to buy—much more so than the name of the collection. There are three main families.
Blind box figures: the original format. The box is opaque, and the character is drawn at random from the series. This is the format for collectors, and the one where the concept of a "secret" piece takes on its full meaning.
Plush toys and dolls, often larger, with vinyl faces and fabric bodies. This is what people searching for "labubu doll" are looking for: an object to display rather than collect in a series.
Finally, keychains and bag charms—the format that exploded the character's visibility on the street. More affordable, they are frequently sold as a guaranteed color rather than in a mystery box.
How to identify the series of an item
Series names follow themes: treats, seasons, imaginary worlds, collaborations with other licenses. Collections like Have a Seat or Exciting Macaron are among the most sought-after, and new ones are released regularly.
Three markers help locate an item: the text printed on the packaging, which explicitly names the collection; the card or leaflet included in the box, which presents the characters in the series; and visual consistency—figures in the same collection share a palette and a theme.
If a seller cannot name the series of an item they are offering, it’s a red flag. A serious retailer knows what they are selling.
Blind box or guaranteed color: what it changes
With a blind box, you buy a series, not a character. That is the nature of the game, and it is what makes collecting addictive—but if you wanted a specific color, disappointment is possible.
With a guaranteed color, you choose and receive exactly what you ordered. This is the format for our plush keychains, offered in Soymilk, Lychee Berry, Green Grape, Sea Salt Coconut, Toffee, and Sesame Bean.
Our advice: choose the blind box to collect and enjoy the surprise, and the guaranteed color for gifting or matching to a bag.
Before buying a specific series
Series are released in limited quantities and then disappear from the official catalog. An older collection can therefore only be found secondhand, at prices that no longer relate to the original retail price.
Two precautions: verify that the series actually exists under the announced name—copies sometimes invent credible names—and be wary of an item presented as rare but sold at the price of a common piece.