Flooding the TikTok “For You Page,” Gen Z is buying the newest, limited-edition Labubus, raving about their cuteness, or attaching one to their favorite purses or bags.
For those who are unfamiliar, Lababus are small plush toys created by Kasing Lung, a Chinese illustrator and toy designer. These toys were originally characters in Lung’s “The Monsters” story series; however, the popularity of Labubus skyrocketed when Blackpink’s lead singer, Lisa, attached a Labubus to her designer bag and showcased the creature on her social media platforms. Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Lizzo, and Cardi B have also contributed to their global popularity. Kasing Lung’s partnership with the Chinese brand, Pop Mart, enabled an increase in production and allowed Lababus to be sold worldwide. This only fueled the demand for Lababus, particularly in the United States.
Labubus are another social media trend that consumers spend their disposable income on. Across social media, “influencers” buy the latest products from new launches, attempting to normalize discretionary spending. Gen Z not only buys Labubus as accessories, but also to participate in the trend as a symbol of being part of the “in-group”.
Theo Lawrence ‘26, part of the community who joined this trend, purchased two Labubus in Japan over the summer. He said, “Labubus were similarly popular in Japan, and pretty readily available there.” Lawrence ‘26 bought two Labubus from Pop Mart, the same store that supplies Labubus in the United States. “I bought Labubus solely because of the trend online,” Lawrence ‘26 said. Labubus range in price drastically, with most standard ones starting at around thirty dollars. Lawrence ‘26 said, “Through the currency conversion, I spent around fifty dollars for both of them.” Considering how the prices of Labubus are climbing, fifty dollars for two is reasonable. On eBay, a notable new record selling price was achieved for a rare 15-inch Labubu, featuring full Vans apparel, which sold for $10,500. Online, there is an ongoing debate about whether these dolls are considered ugly or cute. With their fuzzy bodies, large eyes, button noses, and elongated ears, Labubus resemble bunny rabbits. However, their pointy teeth hanging outside their mouth portray a menacing and creepy appearance to some. Nya Parker ‘27 said, “I was gifted a normal light blue Labubu by a friend. My Labubu has plush fur, pointy ears, and the typical expression where its smile exposes its sharp teeth.”
Coca-Cola, Tiffany & Co., the How to Train Your Dragon movie franchise, and Vans are a few brands that have bought into the Labubu craze and partnered with Pop Mart. In fact, Theo Lawrence ‘26 bought one doll that was part of a collaboration with Coca-Cola. “The Labubu clutches a little Coca-Cola aluminum can between its two hands,” he said.
Each generation has had a short-lived craze, where society has been briefly fixated on a toy or gadget. There was the Hula Hoop craze in 1958, which remains iconic today; Cabbage Patch Kids in the winter of 1983; and Fidget Spinners in 2017, to name a few. Additionally, the Rubik’s Cube sensation originally emerged in the 1980s but has remained relevant, with children today continuing to enjoy solving it. Currently, Labubus are associated with an “in-group,” and by purchasing one, one maintains a certain aesthetic and social connection; however, who knows how much longer the infatuation with Labubu toys will last before the following new item comes along and finds its way into the Gen Z markets.
