I remember when the first images of the Labubu Candy Series started leaking. The collector chats went wild. After the massive hype of the Macaron series, everyone was wondering what Kasing Lung and Pop Mart would do next. Would it be another food theme? Would it be something totally different?
Candy. It felt... Safe. But also, undeniably perfect for LABUBU.
When the first cases landed at our shop, PopNya, the first thing I noticed was the box. Pop Mart went with a matte finish for this series, a departure from the glossy boxes of the Macarons. It feels more premium in hand, but a word of warning: it shows fingerprints and scuffs way more easily. If you're an in-box collector who obsesses over mint condition packaging, handle with care.
The series itself is exactly what it promises: a sweet, adorable, and colorful lineup of our favorite monster. But as a seller and a collector, I see things a little differently than the average fan. I see the production details, the market fluctuations, and the long-term value. So, let's really get into it.
A Figure-by-Figure Breakdown (The Stuff You Don't See in Promo Pics)
Pop Mart's official site will show you perfect, studio-lit photos. Here's what they're actually like when you get them out of the box. There are 12 standard designs and one secret (the chase). I'm not going to break down all twelve, but let's talk about the ones that generate the most questions and have the most interesting quirks.
The Marshmallow LABUBU
This is the one everyone wants to touch. The entire figure, except for the eyes and the stick, is flocked. The flocking quality is pretty good, it's soft and dense, not patchy like some other flocked toys I've seen. But, and this is a big but, it's a dust and dirt magnet. Especially the white color.
Real Collector Tip: Do not display this one on an open shelf next to a window or in a high-traffic area. It will get grimy. I keep mine in a sealed acrylic display case. If it does get a little dusty, do not use water. Use a very soft, clean makeup brush to gently whisk the dust away. A customer once told me they used a piece of high-quality painter's tape, lightly dabbing it, to lift off a stubborn piece of lint. I tried it, and it works, but be extremely gentle or you risk pulling up the flocking.
The Gummy Bear LABUBU
This one is a visual treat. The body is made of a translucent, colored PVC that really mimics the look of a gummy candy. It catches the light beautifully.Honestly, it's too soon to tell for the Candy Labubu series. The series was released in late 2023. So far, the ones in my personal collection show no signs of yellowing. But I've seen it happen with other toys over a span of 5-10 years, especially if they are exposed to direct sunlight. My advice is to treat it like a vampire: keep it out of the sun. The market price for this one is a bit inflated for a regular figure, purely because of the cool transparent effect. Don't overpay for it; it's one of the more common pulls.
The Coffee Bean LABUBU
This one is my personal sleeper hit of the series. It's a simple, dark brown figure with a fantastic matte texture that feels almost like a real roasted coffee bean. It's not flashy, it's not flocked, and it's not translucent. But the paint application is perfect, and the minimalist design really highlights LABUBU's iconic silhouette. In a series full of bright pinks and yellows, the Coffee Bean is a sophisticated, understated standout. It's often one of the cheapest on the secondary market, which is just insane to me. It's a perfect example of how hype doesn't always align with great design.
The Lollipop LABUBU (The Chase/Secret)
And now for the big one. The chase. The secret. The 1/144 pull rate Lollipop. This figure is gorgeous. It has a pink LABUBU with a swirled, translucent lollipop accessory. The design is top-tier, and it rightly deserves its status as the chase.
When the series first dropped, the price for this figure went parabolic. I saw listings hit $200+ within the first 48 hours. It has since cooled off. As of writing this, it's hovering around the $110-$140 mark on platforms like StockX. Is it worth it? That's the eternal collector's question. If you pull it, you've hit the jackpot. If you're thinking of buying it outright, my advice is to watch the market for a bit. Prices for chase figures often dip a few months after the initial release frenzy before stabilizing. Don't FOMO-buy at the peak.
Real Talk: Is the LABUBU Candy Series Worth the Hype?
Okay, let's be honest. As a seller, I love this series because it brings new people into the hobby. It's accessible, cute, and a perfect entry point. As a collector, my feelings are a bit more mixed.
The designs are solid, but they feel a little less experimental than some other series. It plays it safe. Compared to the wild textures and concepts in the Labubu Big into Energy series, the Candy series is more straightforwardly "cute." There's nothing wrong with that, but for long-time collectors, it might not have the same "wow" factor as some of Kasing Lung's more out-there designs.
The quality control is standard Pop Mart fare. That means it's generally good, but not perfect. You might get a figure with a tiny paint smudge or a slight seam line. Out of the hundreds of boxes we've opened at PopNya, I'd say maybe 1 in every 24 figures has a minor, noticeable flaw. It's the nature of blind box manufacturing. If you're buying a specific "opened box" figure from a reseller, always ask for detailed photos.
This series also feels like it was produced in massive quantities compared to earlier LABUBU releases. This is good for accessibility but means that the regular figures are unlikely to appreciate in value much. This is a series you collect for love, not for investment, with the exception of the Lollipop chase, of course. For a deeper dive into what makes certain Labubus valuable, you might want to read our ultimate guide to LABUBU dolls, which breaks down the market dynamics.
A Buyer's Playbook for the Candy Series
So you've decided you want to dive in. How do you do it smartly?
1. The Sealed Case Strategy: A sealed case contains 12 unique boxes. Buying a sealed case is the only way to guarantee you get all 12 regular designs without any duplicates. It also gives you a chance at the secret. If the case contains the secret, it will replace one of the regular figures. A case does NOT guarantee a secret. I've seen people open three full cases and get nothing. It's all luck. A sealed case is the most cost-effective way to get the full set.
2. The Blind Box Gamble: Buying individual blind boxes is the classic, fun way to collect. It costs less upfront, and the thrill of the pull is real. But if you're aiming for the full set, you will inevitably get duplicates. This is where the community comes in. Find a local or online collector group to trade your doubles.
3. The "Sniper" Approach: This is for people who only want one or two specific figures. Don't buy blind boxes. Just go to a trusted reseller (like us, shameless plug!) or a reputable marketplace and buy the specific figure you want with the box and card opened. Yes, you'll pay a premium for popular ones like Marshmallow, but you'll save money and frustration compared to opening 10 blind boxes and still not getting it. Some of the most sought-after designs are the pink LABUBU figures, and the Candy series has some great ones.
4. A Warning on Fakes: The fakes for this series are already out there. They are getting scarily accurate. The biggest tell is often the price. If you see a "Lollipop" chase for $30, it's a fake. 100%. Other tells include slightly off colors, a cheaper plastic feel, and messy paint lines around the eyes. The box and the collector card can also be giveaways, look for lower-resolution printing and flimsy cardstock. The fakes often mimic the hype of series like the Exciting Macaron Labubu, so be vigilant.
My final thought on the Labubu Candy Series is that it's a genuinely delightful collection that perfectly captures the sweet, mischievous spirit of LABUBU. It might not be the most groundbreaking series in the lineup, but it's executed beautifully and has a ton of charm. My personal favorite, against all odds, remains the Coffee Bean. It's just so clean and satisfying.
If you're just starting out, this is a fantastic series to get your feet wet. If you're a seasoned collector, it's a necessary and adorable addition to the shelf. Just be smart about how you buy, be patient with the market, and for the love of god, keep your Marshmallow figure away from Cheeto dust.
If you're looking to add some sweetness to your shelf, you can always browse LABUBU figures in our store. We're collectors too, so we get it.
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