What are Labubus? The adorably (ugly) monster doll that has the internet going crazy
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Labubu monster dolls are ugly and adorable
New monster dolls are taking over the internet. Influencers shell out as much as $85 for bigger Labubu dolls.
Would you spend nearly a hundred dollars on a doll that looks like a monster? Well, that's what some people are doing for this monster doll from China called Labubu.
People's fascination with doll crazes goes back generations. Just look at the Cabbage Patch Dolls in the '80s and of course, the Beanie Babies or Tickle Me Elmos in the '90s. People get obsessed with purchasing popular dolls, whether it's for themselves or a loved one.
Pop Mart's Labubu dolls are no exception.
The doll, which looks like a creepy child with a big head, sharp teeth and big eyes wearing fuzzy footy pajamas, is sure to garner mixed reactions. But it's the next viral sensation, and people all over the internet are going crazy over it.
The doll was designed by Hong Kong artist, Kasing Lung, around 10 years ago, according to Business Insider.
But, today, Labubu blind boxes are sold worldwide by the Beijing-based toy-maker Pop Mart, as a part of their "The Monsters" line.
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Labubu dolls have created a frenzy
Almost every piece of merchandise inspired by Labubu and "The Monsters" line is sold out on Pop Mart's website, and people are going crazy over the toy. Its popularity also led retailers online and in brick-and-mortar stores to sell knockoffs.
The toy even led people to line up outside of malls overnight and start fights while instantly selling out, according to the LA Times.
Some people might say the doll looks a bit demonic, and some think it looks so ugly it's cute, while others just believe it's downright adorable.
Regardless of one's opinion, though, here's what folks should know about the Labubu doll and why people are going crazy over this toy.
Who is Labubu?
Lung created three picture books inspired by Nordic mythology, according to Pop Mart's website. The book contains depictions of characters, both good and evil, in a fairy world. He called them "The Monsters."
Labubu, "a small monster with high, pointed ears and serrated teeth," is the most prominent character in the books.
Though she is a monster, she is kind-hearted and constantly wants to help others, but things may not go according to her plan, and she accidentally ends up making things worse.
Labubu and 'The Monsters' toys
Lung's art inspired a collection of dolls, from plushies the size of a toddler that cost anywhere between $85 to over $289, to smaller keychains and plastic figures that can only be purchased in blind boxes starting at $16.
Pop Mart sells the toys on their website and through various other retailers.
Sold out Labubu
Labubus garnered viral fame over the past year as more influencers and celebrities began to hang Labubu keychains on their designer bags.
So, not surprisingly, most of "The Monsters" merchandise is sold out on Pop Mart's website.
People also use padlocks to lock their Labubus to purses, according to videos posted to TikTok and Instagram, and place them in hard, plastic cases designed for the doll so they don't have to worry about the dolls falling off their bags or getting stolen, damaged or dirty.
Why are they so popular?
Emily Brough, Head of Licensing for Pop Mart North America, told USA TODAY Labubu's cult-like following can be attributed to a few factors::
Pop Mart's blind box model and the possibility of getting a limited-edition drop fuels collectors' want for the dolls
Going viral– Unboxings and collector showcases on TikTok, Xiaohongshu (Red Note), and Instagram drove "massive engagement."
Celebrities and Fandoms– Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and BLACKPINK's Lisa, have all been seen with Labubus, fueling their fan's desires for the dolls
What are Labubu Blind Boxes?
If you've walked into a Five Below or purchased a Miniverse toy from Target, you've seen a blind box.
They can contain toys or figurines from different properties, from well-known characters like Hello Kitty and Winnie the Pooh and their friends to popular anime characters like Monkey D. Luffy from "One Piece," a blind box can contain anything!
Blind boxes are like gambling, but you still gain a toy once you open the box. Some of the blind boxes' contents might be rarer than others, which can increase how valuable they are and how much collectors are willing to pay for them if they're sold online.
Be wary of knockoffs
The Labubu dolls are so popular they've attracted the attention of people trying to fill their pockets off of all the hype.
To ensure that you are purchasing authentic Labubu or "The Monsters" merchandise, purchase the dolls directly from Pop Mart, its Amazon store, other major retailers or Pop Mart's verified TikTok accounts: @popmart_us, @popmart.uslocal01 and @popmart.usshop.
Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. You can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com
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