Questioning what a Labubu is and why your teen desires one? We break down the thrill, the place to purchase, what fakes to keep away from, and whether or not costs will ever drop.
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If you happen to’ve obtained a teen glued to TikTok, chances are high you’ve already heard them whisper the identify “Labubu” prefer it’s some legendary gremlin despatched to empty your pockets.
Mine actually has.
Our 13-year-old has gone from “What’s for tea?” to “Can I’ve a Labubu?”
And I had no concept what she was speaking about.
Seems, Labubu isn’t a brand new slang time period or a made-up phrase. It’s an actual (very collectable) character. And should you’ve seen the grinning little goblin with sharp tooth and massive eyes, you’ll know why it’s precipitated a buzz.
Right here we cowl what a Labubu is, the place it’s from, why it prices that a lot, and the way to not get scammed with a dodgy dupe known as “Lafufu”.
What even is a Labubu?
Labubu is a part of a group of extraordinary figures made by POP MART, an organization from China that specialises in designer blind-box toys. Labubu was created by artist Kasing Lung, who clearly checked out a fluffy monkey, added some vampire tooth and chaotic vitality, and thought – yep, good.
Every collection has a theme: pirates, forest monsters, circus vibes, you identify it!
And, as a result of it is available in a “shock field”, you by no means know which one you’ll get till you open it. Which implies in case your teen desires only one particular Labubu, you’ll most likely find yourself shopping for 4.
Who’re they for?
Formally, POP MART says Labubu is for anybody aged 15+, however actually, tweens and teenagers are their core fanbase. It’s turn into an entire social media pattern, with children unboxing them, swapping duplicates, and reviewing every design like they’re artwork critics.
That mentioned, lots of adults (particularly collectors) are totally obsessed too. There’s an entire resale market the place sure uncommon Labubus go for £100+, typically extra.
So don’t be stunned in case your child abruptly turns into very occupied with “investing”. (Good little facet hustle, if you may get maintain of any inventory.)
Why is everybody abruptly speaking about them?
Labubu has been large in Asia for some time, however the UK hype exploded in 2024, helped alongside by TikTok, Instagram Reels, and children saying, “Take a look at this one! It’s obtained bunny ears and a chainsaw!”
It’s half FOMO, half pattern, half genuinely cool design. And in contrast to most toys, they don’t look “babyish,” which makes them good for teenagers who wish to acquire one thing however really feel too outdated for dolls.
Add within the thrill of not figuring out what you’ll get till you open the field, and growth – it turns into a viral sensation.
The place can you purchase actual Labubu figures?
Right here’s the place to look:
1. POP MART UK web site
2. Amazon UK – through official POP MART
3. In-store POP MART merchandising machines (“Robo Retailers”)
- Present in some buying centres (e.g. London, Studying)
- Little bit of enjoyable for youths should you’re out and about
4. eBay (UK-based sellers solely)
- You’ll discover open-box or resale figures from round £40 and sometimes a lot increased!
- Simply be further cautious, test vendor evaluations and images
5. Unbiased UK retailers
- Barely increased costs, however typically have uncommon inventory
What about fakes?
That is the place it will get difficult.
As a result of Labubu is in excessive demand and laborious to pay money for, faux variations have flooded websites like eBay, AliExpress, TikTok Store, and even native nook retailers.
Persons are shopping for “Lafufu” as a substitute, that are mainly dodgy knock-offs that look nearly proper, till you realise the paint’s smudged, the tooth are off, and it smells like remorse.
Why not simply get a faux “lafufu” if it’s cheaper?
We thought of it too. If it seems to be the identical, who cares, proper?
However right here’s the issue…
1. They’re not the identical
An actual Labubu is high-quality vinyl, with clear paint traces, weight to it, and correct element. A Lafufu (aka a faux knock-off) typically arrives with:
- wonky paint
- humorous smells
- bent arms
- in a plastic bag, moderately than a collector field
- and eyes that appear like they’ve seen an excessive amount of.
Children can inform the distinction, and in the event that they’re into accumulating or swapping, they’ll clock a faux immediately.
2. They collapse
Cheaper plastics imply limbs can snap, joints loosen, or paint peels.
It’s the sort of toy that appears wonderful within the eBay picture, however arrives trying prefer it’s already completed two excursions of a automotive boot sale.
3. No resale worth
Labubu collectors pays £40 to £100+ for sure uncommon figures.
Lafufu? Nugatory.
In case your teen’s hoping to construct a group or swap with mates, fakes received’t reduce it.
4. It’s supporting shady sellers
Most fakes come from mass manufacturing factories utilizing stolen designs. No licence, no rights, simply knock-offs that infringe on another person’s work.
Which may not trouble everybody, nevertheless it’s price figuring out the place your cash’s going.
5. Is it protected?
It’s not nearly seems to be or worth; security’s an enormous deal, too.
Once you purchase a real Labubu from POP MART or an official UK vendor, it’s gone by way of correct checks. You’re getting:
- Non-toxic paints
- Secure supplies
- CE marking to indicate it meets EU/UK security requirements
However with a faux Lafufu? That’s a wild guess.
Not saying it’s all the time the case, however with no checks, chances are you’ll get a toy with:
- Poisonous plastic: Low cost fakes are sometimes created from low-grade supplies, which may include issues like lead or phthalates (the nasty stuff banned in correct children’ toys).
- Choking hazards: Arms, ears, or heads can snap off extra simply, particularly if it’s being dealt with by a youthful sibling who desires a go.
- No age steering: Fakes received’t all the time have security data or warnings printed on the packaging as a result of they’re not legally required to.
So even when it’s “only for the shelf”, a faux nonetheless comes with dangers. And when you consider dodgy paint jobs, zero resale worth, and the potential of it smelling like melted rubber, it’s not the cut price it may appear.
If you’d like peace of thoughts, it’s price spending the additional few quid for a legit one.
To keep away from fakes:
- Solely purchase from official POP MART stockists or trusted UK resellers
- Be suspicious if it prices beneath £10 with free transport, particularly from overseas
- Search for the POP MART emblem and field seals
- If the character’s identify is spelt fallacious or it seems to be “off”, it’s most likely not actual
Will costs ever come down?
Actually? Not anytime quickly.
Labubu is limited-edition by design. POP MART solely makes so many per collection, and as soon as they’re gone, they’re gone. That’s what retains collectors and drives up resale costs.
That mentioned, not all figures are uncommon or costly. Some frequent ones promote for round RRP on eBay, particularly if persons are clearing out duplicates.
You’re unlikely to discover a real one for a few quid, but when your teen simply desires a Labubu, and never a selected one, there are barely extra inexpensive choices round.
Are they price it?
If you happen to’re a father or mother pondering, “It’s a tenner for one thing that appears prefer it got here free with cereal”, I get it.
But when it retains your child pleased, helps them socialise, and doesn’t finish in slime caught to the carpet, there are far worse fads to get behind.
And who is aware of…that £17.50 Labubu could be price £100 in a yr. Stranger issues have occurred (keep in mind Pokémon playing cards?).
Naomi is aware of the burden of dwelling on little or no and have become debt free by following her personal cash saving suggestions and tips. She is an professional on saving cash on the grocery store and facet hustles.