What Is Labubu Doll, The 'Ugly' Toy Gen Z Can't Stop Buying?

News18

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From K-pop sensation Lisa to singer Rihanna, from Dua Lipa to David Beckham and Bollywood star Ananya Panday, the Labubu doll has been spotted adorning handbags and airport looks
The world of toys, once dominated by flawless faces and pastel perfection, is now witnessing a striking shift. The internet is abuzz with a new obsession – the Labubu doll, a wide-eyed, snaggle-toothed plush figure that's anything but conventionally cute. It belongs to a growing genre called 'ugly toys", and Gen Z can't seem to get enough of them.
While generations have grown up idolising the pristine elegance of Barbie or the cuddly appeal of teddy bears, Labubu offers something entirely different, and unsettling. With its exaggerated features, razor-sharp teeth, and mischievous grin, Labubu has flipped traditional ideas of beauty in toys on their head. But what exactly is this doll, and why is everyone from pop icons to street-style influencers scrambling to get one?
Labubu isn't just a passing trend; it has roots in art and folklore. Created in 2015 by Hong Kong-based illustrator Kasing Lung, the character first appeared in a children's book titled Monster. Lung drew inspiration from Nordic fairy tales, imbuing Labubu with traits straight out of a gothic bedtime story – protruding eyes, upturned ears, a sly smirk, and feral teeth. A collaboration with Chinese toy giant Pop Mart soon turned this quirky character into a limited-edition collectible, and eventually, a cultural phenomenon.
Pop Mart's marketing strategy added fuel to the fire. By packaging Labubu dolls in blind boxes, where buyers have no idea which version they're getting, the company created a sense of mystery and exclusivity. Each blind box, priced at around Rs 4,000, can contain rare editions that fetch up to Rs 1 lakh in resale markets. Collectors eagerly wait for new drops, and the rush is so intense that Labubu dolls often sell out within minutes.
What really propelled Labubu into mainstream visibility was its sudden emergence in the hands of global celebrities. From K-pop sensation Lisa of BLACKPINK to singer Rihanna, from Dua Lipa to football icon David Beckham and Bollywood star Ananya Panday, the doll has been spotted adorning handbags and airport looks. Once mocked for its eerie appearance, Labubu is now a coveted fashion accessory.
It's not just kitsch; it's couture.
So, why are people so drawn to a doll that looks like it crawled out of a Tim Burton sketchbook?
Experts believe the appeal lies in its contradiction. Labubu is equal parts grotesque and adorable – a soft toy with a sinister smile. For Gen Z and millennials raised on irony, nostalgia, and meme culture, Labubu's aesthetic offers both rebellion and comfort. It challenges societal norms of cuteness and beauty, while still being cuddly enough to display on a shelf or attach to a tote bag.
Social psychologist Dr Ritu Awasthi noted that 'ugly toys like Labubu play into the current wave of anti-perfectionism". Young people are rejecting filtered, flawless ideals. There's empowerment in embracing the flawed, even in their toys, she said.
However, child psychiatrist Dr Priyanka Shrivastava warned that toys with disturbing facial features may be psychologically confusing for young children. 'Some children may develop nightmares or a blurred understanding of reality and fantasy. The toy's monstrous features could either enhance creative thinking or provoke fear, depending on the child's sensitivity," she said.
She advised parents to be mindful of how children react to such dolls and recommends keeping such toys away from younger or more sensitive kids.
In a way, Labubu is more than just a toy; it's a reflection of cultural mood. Just as fashion is leaning into 'ugly chic" and media is embracing flawed heroes, toys like Labubu mirror a world growing weary of surface-level perfection.
First Published:
June 24, 2025, 15:31 IST