Labubu is a tiny toy with a huge smile and an even bigger following. Below is a quick, easy-to-read look at how she was born, what makes her special, where you can meet her in the real world, and how much to save up before you bring one home.

Who dreamed her up?

Labubu sprang from the sketchbook of Kasing Lung, a Hong Kong-born artist who grew up in the Netherlands and Belgium. Lung loves old European fairy tales, especially stories about cheeky forest spirits, and he turned that love into a whole cast of creatures called “The Monsters.” Labubu, with tall ears, a saw-tooth grin, and round eyes, quickly became the star of the group when he was introduced in 2015.

What’s her back-story?

On paper, Labubu is a helpful little sprite who wants to do good, but her tricks often go wrong, so everyone thinks she is naughty. That playful mix of cute and spooky is exactly why fans adore her. Lung once said he wanted Labubu to remind people that “even when life is messy, you can still smile.”

Who makes the actual dolls?

After early, handmade runs, Lung signed an exclusive deal with POP MART, the Chinese company known for blind-box designer toys. Since 2019, POP MART has produced Labubu figures in many styles: vinyl mini-figures, plush pendants, glow-in-the-dark versions, and more.

Where can you find her today?

• POP MART stores and vending machines – the brand now operates in more than 23 countries, from China to the United States and Australia.
  
• POP MART’s official website and app – stocks the newest series on release day.
  
• Official POP MART shops on Amazon and AliExpress – convenient for regions without a flagship store.
• Collectors’ fairs and pop-up shows – Lung often releases event-exclusive colourways.
  
• Resale platforms – eBay, StockX, and Discord groups list hard-to-find pieces, but prices there can jump fast.

How Much Does a Labubu Cost?

• Tiny blind-box Labubu (about 7 cm)
  On launch day, a single mystery box is usually around US $28–33 on POP MART’s site. Pull the secret “chase” figure, and its grin can fetch well past US $100 on resale apps.
  
• Mid-size vinyl or plush (≈ 15 cm)
  Standard releases start in the low-twenties and climb to roughly US $40–60, while fashion tie-ins or special colours (for example, the “Be Fancy Now” collab) debut nearer US $70–100. Limited editions have already cleared the US $250 line on eBay and StockX.
  
• MEGA Labubu (40 cm and up)
  A regular 40 cm plush can land in your cart for about US $160–220, depending on the finish.

Because every wave is released in small batches, “drop day” is a race. Brand-new boxes vanish within minutes online, and collectors have waited up to three hours outside POP MART’s Sydney store just for a chance to buy at retail.

 Why do people love her

• Pocket-sized art – each doll feels like a little sculpture you can hold.
  
• Mystery and surprise – blind-box packaging means you never know which pose or costume you’ll get.
  
• That grin – a reminder to keep smiling, even when things get messy, just like Labubu.
  

Bottom line

Labubu started as one artist’s doodle and turned into a worldwide craze. Designed by Kasing Lung, produced by POP MART, and priced from about $30, she’s easy to find if you move fast. Whether you grab one from a shiny vending machine or hunt a rare colour online, the cheerful “monster” promises to bring a little mischief (and a lot of smiles) to your shelf.