The Labubu, a tiny fuzzy keychain, has the entire world wrapped around its finger with its irresistible charm. The toy is part of a Chinese franchise called Pop Mart: a company that promotes different artists across the world turning their art work into tangible accessories customers can use to spice up their phones, bags and shelves.
The popularity of the toy all began in April of 2024, when the paparazzi took pictures of Lalisa Manobal (Lisa)–a member of the famous K-pop group, Blackpink–as she was roaming the streets of Korea with a Labubu and keychain on her purse. As the photo was shared across the internet, many of her fans were heavily influenced to buy the new toy, leading to the rise of the brand. Eventually, when Pop Mart decided to open locations in the U.S., the craze was amplified even more as Hollywood celebrities and social media influencers like Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, Lizzo and many more began indulging into the “blind box” trend.
But, what is the blind box trend? Well, it consists of a series of toys being made and put in boxes at random so that customers gain the thrill of possibly getting the product they desire. This sense of need is mostly based on the design and rarity of each character from the series. Labubu’s are one of the many products that are bought in the blindbox, which is why it draws the attention of the customers.
It is predicted that by the end of 2025, Labubu will have made 4.81 billion yuan which is $670 million dollars for the Pop Marts franchise alone. With a grand amount of income, it is most likely predicted that Pop Mart will continue its global expansion by installing more stores in the U.S. across luxury shopping malls.
What is the big phenomenon? Is it just a keychain? You would think, but there is so much more to that cute tail and toothy smile. Even students at BVH have been caught in the thrill of the Labubu trend. Sophomore Leslie Garcia, who has claimed to have purchased over $1,000 worth of Labubus, expressed that her trip to Japan was what compelled her to begin collecting from this franchise.
“There is nothing that I do not like about Labubus. Their humongous heads compared to their tiny bodies and bulging eyes is so intriguing to me,” Garcia said.
Garcia is aware of the overconsumption of Labubus, but just like any popular collectible, many consumers are in favor of the happiness it brings amongst those who purchase the crazed object. The thrill, rush and scarcity of having a Labubu creates an endless loop of possibilities of what cute critter you get to keep, but in the form of something to put on your bag.
However, just like anything that is popular, there are those who are not in support of this trend due to overconsumption, its impact on environmentalism and the cost to simply obtain one. Sophomore Genevieve Correa has expressed that he doesn’t favor the notion, although he does gain nostalgia from the creepy and cute look from the Labubu as it reminds him of his childhood toy, The Furbie.
“I do not see the product of Labubus lasting because it is just a trend of overconsumption,” Correa said. “I know that eventually everyone’s Labubus are going to end up in a landfill one day just like how other micro-trends have ended up.”
As the keychain still dominates the media, many have actually grown concerned about the real issue behind the overconsumption of the item. As more Labubus are made, many are in suspicion that there is a message of something deeper behind those eyes. Junior Chloe Li expressed her concern about how overconsumption is just a reaction from the masses, and believes that it will lead to long-term harm to the economy of the U.S as the message of the Labubu is way more drastic than what we think.
“I think the message behind Labubus was nothing intentional because it was artists having their dolls being sold in a blind box. I think they could be a recession indicator now because people buy them just to feel happy,” Li said.
On “The Economic Times,” a study has been conducted that has made experts catch on to the significance of the Labubu as its popularity may mark the beginning for an impending recession for the citizens of America. Social patterns in humans have relatively shown that in order to surpass harsh times of economic strife we are more prone to making irresponsible financial decisions. Due to the increase in tariffs in 2025, the price of the toy went up as a result of the 145% tariff policy, making the Labubu $28, even though its original price was $22.
“I originally got my Labubu for $17, but that’s because it is fake. I personally believe that a keychain shouldn’t be worth much. Paying over ten dollars for a blind box is already ridiculous, but I think the price is part of the novelty of the brand” Li said.
Many people at BVH feel the price for Labubu’s are not worth it, even if they are fans of it. This leaves debates on whether or not it actually is worth the money since there are duplicates that are less expensive.
“I wouldn’t consider buying a legit Labubu. I would consider buying a fake one for much cheaper so that way I could still get the appeal without having to spend so much money on something so miniscule such as a toy,” Correa said.
Like Li and Correa, many who desire to own a Labubu but do not want to pay at such high expense for the keychain have thought about buying fake Labubus or have already bought them. Across social media there is now a specific term that fake Labubus are called which is known as a Lafufu.
As a result, many individuals including BVH students are feeling the midst of a crisis that will continue to feed the hunger of Pop Mart’s fuzzy epidemic.
So when will the labubu empire collapse? Well, just like previous childhood collector items–Shopkins, Beanie Baby’s and Fidget Spinners–that have been seen through Generation Z, have been long forgotten, creating a pattern that Labubu’s seem to follow. So as Pop Mart basks in riches due to the Labubu, their rule will soon erode sooner than later because of it.
