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Okay, let's just get it out there. When the first images of the crybaby powerpuff girls collaboration dropped, the internet kinda broke. My DMs were flooded. It was the perfect storm: the raw, tear-filled emotion of CRYBABY crashing into the sugar-coated, 90s-kid nostalgia of The Powerpuff Girls. As someone who runs a shop specializing in these figures, I knew this was going to be massive. But I was also skeptical. IP crossovers can be a lazy cash grab.
So I did what any responsible collector (and seller) would do. I ordered a few master cartons.
The moment the first case arrived, I was impressed with the box art. Pop Mart really nailed the aesthetic, blending CRYBABY's melancholic vibes with the iconic PPG heart background. But here's the first thing you should know: forget about weighing the boxes. I see people asking about this constantly for every new powerpuff girls blind box series. For this one? It's a waste of time. The weight differences are so minimal, especially with the newer batches, that you're more likely to fool yourself than find a specific character. I tried it on a full case of 12. My scale was all over the place, and the results didn't match the contents. Save yourself the effort.
A Look Inside the Box: The Good, The Bad, and The Teary**
Unboxing this series is a trip. Each figure comes with a character-specific card that's honestly a collectible in itself. The designs are gorgeous. But let's get into the figures themselves, because that's where the real conversation is.
The main trio, Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup, are the stars, obviously. The way Molly, the artist behind CRYBABY, integrated the signature teardrops is brilliant.
* Blossom: She's holding a melting Chemical X flask, tears streaming down her face. The translucent pink details are beautiful. She's probably the most consistently well-made figure in the set. * Bubbles: My personal favorite design. She's clutching a drippy, goopy-looking Octi, her expression a perfect mix of sadness and innocence. However, this is the figure I've seen the most QC issues with.It's small, but once you see it, you can't unsee it. * Buttercup: She has the classic tough-girl-trying-not-to-cry look down perfectly. The pose is dynamic, like she just crash-landed. The green is vibrant, but the high-gloss finish on all the girls is a major fingerprint magnet. Keep a microfiber cloth handy if you plan on displaying them outside a case.
Then we have the villains, which are honestly the most interesting part of the powerpuff crybaby set for me.
Mojo Jojo is a masterpiece. The oversized, dripping brain-helmet is just fantastic. He feels substantial and is a clear fan favorite. I've seen him sell on the secondary market for more than the girls themselves. Fuzzy Lumpkins is surprisingly detailed, with great texture work on his fur. But HIM... HIM is the controversial one. The design is ambitious, with the translucent pink base and claws. But I've had two separate customers tell me the smaller claw on their figure felt loose. It's not a widespread issue, but it's something to be aware of if you're buying an open-box figure.
The rest of the lineup includes Professor Utonium, The Mayor, and Donny the Unicorn. The Professor is great, looking distraught over his spilled concoction. The Mayor is... Fine. He's a bit plain compared to the others. And Donny? Look, I know he's a beloved character from the reboot, but he feels like the "dud" of the series for many collectors. He's cute, but he doesn't have the same impact as a crying Mojo Jojo.
Real Talk: Is This Series Worth the Hype?
So, here's my honest take as someone who has handled dozens of these figures.
The Good: The concept is a 10/10. The fusion of the two worlds feels authentic, not forced. When a design is good, it's really good (looking at you, Mojo Jojo and Bubbles). For fans of either property, it's an absolute joy to see these characters interpreted through CRYBABY's unique emotional lens. It's a far more interesting take than just putting the characters in a static pose. This series has character, and it tells a story in a way that, say, the more straightforward CRYBABY Wild But Cutie Series doesn't always attempt.
The Bad: The quality control is inconsistent. For a premium-priced blind box, getting a figure with a paint smudge or a slightly wobbly part is frustrating. It's a known issue in the blind box world, but it feels a bit more common with this series, maybe due to the complexity of some designs. If you're new to collecting, this might be a bit jarring, and it's something I wish more people talked about. It's part of the real truth about collecting the CRYBABY blind box, it's not always perfect.
The Overhyped: Honestly, the chase for a full set can be a bit of a slog because of the less-exciting figures like The Mayor and Donny. While they are part of the story, they don't have the same shelf presence. If you pull three Donnys in a row, the fun of unboxing can quickly turn into frustration.
The Secret, The Market, and The Madness
Now, let's talk about the one everyone wants to know about: the crybaby powerpuff secret figure. It's called "The City of Townsville," and it features CRYBABY dressed as the city's skyline, complete with the PPG heart logo. It's a wild, abstract concept, and the pull rate is rumored to be 1/144.
And the price reflects that.
Retail for a single box is around $15-$17. Within the first week of the US release, I saw the secret figure selling on eBay and collector groups for over $220. As of writing this, the price has stabilized a bit, but it still regularly commands $150-$200. This is where collecting gets serious. Is it worth it? Only if you're a die-hard completionist with deep pockets. For most people, the joy is in the main set.
The regular figures also have their own micro-economy. Mojo Jojo and Bubbles consistently sell for a few dollars above retail on the secondary market ($20-$25), while you can often find Donny or The Mayor for under retail ($10-$12). This is crucial information if you decide to trade or buy open-box to complete your set.
Your Collector's Playbook for the CRYBABY PPG Series
If you're ready to jump in, here's my advice on how to do it smartly.
Where to Buy: 1. Official Pop Mart Stores/Website: The most direct source. Stock can be hit-or-miss, and shipping can sometimes be slow. 2. Authorized Retailers (like us at PopNya!): We and other specialty stores get official stock. The benefit is you're supporting a small business, and we often have more curated collections. You can browse CRYBABY figures from trusted sources. 3. Secondary Market (eBay, Mercari, Facebook Groups): This is your go-to for specific open-box figures or the secret. BE CAREFUL. This is where fakes and tampered boxes live.
A Quick Tip on Spotting Fakes: The crybaby x powerpuff girl fakes are getting better, but they often fail on the card. A real card has a crisp QR code that scans properly. The fakes often have a blurry QR code or one that leads to a weird, unofficial site. Also, the weight and feel of a fake figure are often lighter and more "plasticky" than an authentic vinyl one. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.If you're ever unsure, reading up on the Cry Baby doll confusion can help you distinguish between official art toys and other products.
Blind Box vs. Open Box: If you love the thrill, buy a few blind boxes. It's a core part of the hobby. But if you only want Bubbles and Mojo Jojo, it is almost always cheaper to buy them open-box from a reputable reseller than to buy 12 blind boxes and hope you get them. Do the math. Don't let the gambling aspect drain your wallet.
Don't Forget the Keychains and Plushes!
This collaboration didn't stop with the 3-inch figures.These are smaller, feature different poses, and are a great, more affordable way to get into the collection. The quality is solid, and they're perfect for decorating a bag or backpack.
Honestly? I'm not a huge fan of these. The concept is a little strange to me, and they don't have the same artistic appeal as the vinyl figures. But some people love them, so it's all a matter of taste.
So, what's the final verdict?
The CRYBABY Powerpuff Girls series is a landmark collaboration. It's ambitious, beautifully designed, and dripping with a potent mix of nostalgia and modern art toy aesthetics. Despite some frustrating QC issues and the less-than-exciting filler characters, the high points of this series are some of the best designs Pop Mart has released.
If you're a PPG fan, it's a must-see. If you're a CRYBABY collector, it's an essential, if slightly flawed, part of the collection. It's a more emotionally complex series than something like the fun and fruity CRYBABY Cherry Craze, and it shows the artist's range. If you're just starting out, I'd suggest buying an open-box version of your favorite character to see if you like the feel and quality before committing to a full case. You can always come check out CRYBABY figures in our shop to see the full range and decide for yourself.
It's a series that starts conversations, and for a collector, that's half the fun.
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