POP MART Takes Over Comic Con With Exclusive Drops and Debuts
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
For 15 years, Beijing-based POP MART has been leading the blind box craze with its popular array of characters. From the first-party creations, such as the Monsters Series featuring the world-famous LABUBU, to collaborations with major brands, POP MART has its hands in all realms of fandom and collectibles.
Those realms also include a major presence at San Diego Comic-Con.
"We're thrilled to be back at San Diego Comic-Con for the third year in a row. This year, we created the ultimate Play Stop for fans to fuel up on joy with their favorite POP MART IP. Attendees are getting access to global first releases, first looks at upcoming products, and an opportunity to meet one of our most beloved artists," said Emily Brough, POP MART's head of IP and Licensing, The Americas.
More Than Just One Monster
While LABUBU has been all the rage recently, POP MART's influence extends far beyond that singular monster. As the brand celebrates its 15th anniversary, POP MART's collection of cute characters has taken over the globe, including DUCKOO, Nyota Love, and more.
"The passion of the POP MART collector community is on full display here in San Diego. It's incredible to see the energy around so many of our artists. From Nyota to Duckoo, the community continues to embrace all of these unique characters and the stories they tell," Brandi Hammons, POP MART's head of marketing, The Americas, told Newsweek.
POP MART's selection at SDCC 2025
POP MART's selection at SDCC 2025
That roster is apparent in California.
For the third consecutive year, POP MART pulled out all the stops at San Diego Comic-Con, offering fans an exclusive look at upcoming collections and introducing a few surprise releases featuring new collaborations with Star Wars and Hot Wheels.
Not only were there hot new releases on the floor, but POP MART revealed what's to come with exclusive previews of the upcoming scream-inducing Chucky blind box set.
Nyota artist KaKu also made an appearance at the booth to sign the new Nyota collectibles released at San Diego Comic-Con. Amid the LABUBU boom, POP MART offered con attendees the chance to get their hands on the accessory of 2025, despite the fanged friend's scarcity.
POP MART's expansion went beyond the SDCC stage. The trendy toy retailer joined forces with the candy store IT'SUGAR for a special POP MART-themed weekend where convention goers could create their own custom candies inspired by POP MART's biggest characters, as well as buy new blind boxes.
The brand also teased more to come for POP MART as the love for LABUBU and The Monsters continues to spread far and wide. The fanged friend has been a major driver of POP MART's growth stateside, with the brand expanding across North America through 43 brick-and-mortar locations and 65 Robo Shops.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
4 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Now playing in movie theaters near you: 73 minutes of cat videos, for a good cause
The best of the internet's cat videos on the big screen this month. Cat Video Fest is a 73-minute, G-rated selection of all things feline — silly, cuddly, sentimental and comedic — playing in more than 500 independent theaters in Canada and the U.S., including 10 Bay Area venues. A portion of ticket proceeds benefit cat-focused charities, shelters and animal welfare organization. Since 2019, it's raised more than $1 million. The videos are curated by Will Braden, the Seattle-based creator of the comedically existential shorts, Henri, le Chat Noir. His business cards read: 'I watch cat videos.' And it's not a joke or an exaggeration. Braden watches thousands of hours of internet videos to make the annual compilation. 'I want to show how broad the idea of a cat video can be so there's animated things, music videos, little mini documentaries,' Braden explained. 'It isn't all just, what I call, 'America's Funniest Home Cat Videos.' It's not all cats falling into a bathtub. That would get exhausting.' Now in its eighth year, Cat Video Fest is bigger than ever, with a global presence that's already extended to the U.K. and Denmark. But for the first time, it has expanded to France, Spain, Japan and Brazil. Screenings in 2024 made more than $1 million at the box office. In the early days, it was a bit of a process trying to convince independent movie theaters to program Cat Video Fest, Braden admitted. But the cat lover, in partnership with indie distributor Oscilloscope Laboratories, have found that one year is all it takes to get past that hurdle. 'Everywhere that does it wants to do it again,' Braden said. Current theatrical partners include Alamo Drafthouse, IFC Center, Nitehawk, Vidiots, Laemmle and Music Box. The screenings attract all variety of audiences, from children and cat ladies to hipsters and grandparents and everyone in between. 'It's one of the only things, maybe besides a Pixar movie or Taylor Swift concert, that just appeals to everybody,' Braden said. 'We're not going to run out of cat videos and we're not going to run out of people who want to see it,' Braden said. 'All I have to do is make sure that it's really funny and entertaining every year.'
Los Angeles Times
34 minutes ago
- Los Angeles Times
Roku unveils $2.99 ad-free subscription streaming service
Roku on Tuesday announced a new ad-free streaming service for $2.99 a month, the cheapest price point in the U.S. by a major company. The new streaming service, called Howdy, has a library of thousands of titles and nearly 10,000 hours of entertainment from companies such as Lionsgate and Warner Bros. Discovery. Titles include action movie 'Mad Max: Fury Road,' sports drama film 'The Blind Side' and drama series 'Weeds.' 'Priced at less than a cup of coffee, Howdy is ad-free and designed to complement, not compete with, premium services,' said Roku founder and CEO Anthony Wood in a statement. The push comes at a time when many streaming services are raising their prices as they face investor pressure to become more profitable and the cost of production has increased. But San Jose-based Roku — known for its software and connected TV devices that serve as a hub for consumers to select from various streaming options on their TV sets — sees an opportunity to capitalize on the growing demand for low-cost streaming options and generate more revenue on its platform. Roku has had success with its own free ad-supported streaming service, the Roku Channel and has a more diversified business model than other streaming platforms. The company makes money by selling devices and advertising and gets a cut of subscriptions or programs sold through its service. The business also makes branded TVs and smart home products. The company has also sought to expand its content library, acquiring Denver-based subscription streaming service Frndly TV for $185 million earlier this year. 'Howdy is by far the lowest priced ad-free service offered by a major company in the U.S.,' said Brahm Eiley, president at Victoria, B.C.-based the Convergence Research Group in an email. 'In the U.S., Roku has been very successful in attracting viewers for free content with advertising so it's not surprising that Roku is trying some different approaches to the market.' 'With engagement of over 125 million people a day, Roku is the perfect partner to launch a more accessible complement to the higher-priced SVODs,' said Jim Packer, Lionsgate's president of worldwide television distribution in a statement. 'This service has the ability to scale quickly while providing us with a new way to monetize our content, and we're proud to be part of this new streaming experience.' Roku stock declined about 2% on Tuesday morning to $84.24 a share. Like other media companies, Roku has downsized in recent years. In September 2023, the company laid off 10% of its staff, its third round of staff reductions within a year, citing a weak ad market. While Roku's platform business has been robust, its device sales have declined. Roku posted a net loss of $33.95 million in the second quarter on revenue of $1.1 billion, which was up 15% over the same period a year ago.
Newsweek
35 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Pamela Anderson Responds to Meghan Markle Plagiarism Claim
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Pamela Anderson has shot down allegations Meghan Markle plagiarized her cooking show during an interview on live TV. The Duchess of Sussex debuted With Love, Meghan on Netflix in March, but some online critics suggested the idea was a copy of Anderson's show, Pamela's Cooking With Love. Andy Cohen asked the Naked Gun actor whether she agreed during her appearance on his show Watch What Happens Live. Meghan Markle smiles during a photo posted on Instagram to mark her birthday by her lifestyle brand As Ever on August 4, 2025. Meghan Markle smiles during a photo posted on Instagram to mark her birthday by her lifestyle brand As Ever on August 4, 2025. As Ever/Instagram Why It Matters Meghan's Netflix show has faced a barrage of criticism from reviewers across the U.S. media as well as the many social media users who routinely mock the duchess. And Meghan's five-year deal with the streaming giant ends in September, raising questions about whether it will be renewed. In that context, Meghan might well find it something of a relief to hear someone come to her defense. What To Know Cohen, previously a guest on Meghan's first podcast Archetypes, asked Anderson: "On a scale from one to 10, how much of a rip-off did you feel like With Love, Meghan was of your show, Pamela's Cooking With Love? There were articles saying that these two shows were very similar." Anderson replied: "One. I didn't." Cohen said: "One? On a scale from one to 10, you did not see any similarities?" Pamela about being compared to "With love,Meghan" — That 1 (@ihtiandrs12) August 4, 2025 "No," Anderson replied. "I didn't really look, but I mean I didn't invent cooking shows. She's just doing her thing." A clip of the exchange was viewed more than 92,000 times after being on X with the message: "Pamela about being compared to 'With love, Meghan.'" What People Are Saying One post on social media read: "Meghan Markle copied Pamela Andersons gestures right down to hand-movements in her Netflix show." Another account wrote: "Meghan Markle's With Love, Meghan vs. Pamela Anderson's Pamela's Cooking With Love? The difference couldn't be clearer. One is a genuine celebration of food, family, and authenticity, while the other is a shallow, copy cat attempt to sell a polished image." Meghan Markle's "With Love, Meghan" vs. Pamela Anderson's "Pamela's Cooking With Love"? The difference couldn't be clearer. One is a genuine celebration of food, family, and authenticity, while the other is a shallow, copy cat attempt to sell a polished image. Pamela's show... — Meghan Markle Parody (@queenofmemes80) February 24, 2025 "Pamela's show exudes warmth. She highlights chefs and their craft, focusing on family, making it relatable to anyone who values good company and fresh home-cooked meals. It's down-to-earth, inviting, and real." Others defended the duchess, with one writing: "The British Media fetish of creating imaginary enemies and scenario about Meghan Sussex and EVERY Famous Person, that walks this earth needs to be studied. So happy Pamela Anderson & Gwyneth Paltrow didn't entertain the #TBM and the never ending fantasies they continue to create." Another said: "She also said she didn't invent cooking shows, & Meghan is doing her thing. Absolutely. Meghan is doing her own thing. She's living life on her terms. Good on Pamela for refusing to join in the hate campaign against Meghan. It's nice to see there's still decent & honest people about." What Happens Next Meghan has until September to renegotiate the Netflix TV deal she signed with Prince Harry in September 2020. Netflix is also an equity partner in her lifestyle business As Ever, which launches its latest wine, a 2024 rosé, on Tuesday. Jack Royston is chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page. Do you have a question about Charles and Queen Camilla, William and Kate, Meghan Markle and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@ We'd love to hear from you.
