I remember when the first images for The Monsters Animal Series dropped. My first thought? "Okay, this is either going to be brilliant or really, really basic." We've seen so many brands do animal-themed series. It can feel a little uninspired if not done right. But this is Kasing Lung. He has a way of taking a simple concept and injecting it with so much personality that it feels completely new. So, I pre-ordered a few cases for the shop, and for myself, obviously.
When they arrived, the first thing I noticed was the box art. It's a softer, more illustrative style than the bold graphics of the Macaron or "Into the Wild" series. It felt... Gentle. Fitting, I guess. As I started opening them for PopNya's inventory, I realized something important. The old box-weighing tricks are completely useless here. The weight differences are so minimal, you'd need a lab-grade scale to even have a chance. Don't waste your time. Just enjoy the surprise.
A Figure-by-Figure Breakdown (From a Seller's Perspective)
After opening dozens of these, you start to see patterns. You see which ones customers gasp over and which ones get a polite, "Oh, that's cute." Here's my honest-to-goodness tier list, based on design, quality, and the reaction they get.
The Absolute Must-Haves (The S-Tiers)
Let's be real, the Sea Otter is the star of the show. It's the one everyone wants. The pose, with its little hands holding a shell up to its cheek, is just perfect. It captures that playful, slightly mischievous energy that is the core of LABUBU's character. The paint job is simple, but the sculpting does all the work. It's a masterpiece of cute. In the shop, when we sell individual opened boxes, the Sea Otter is gone within minutes. Always.
Right behind it is the Koala. The design choice to have it clinging to a eucalyptus branch instead of just standing there was genius. It adds a dynamic element that makes it stand out on a shelf. It feels like a little scene in a box. The texture isn't flocked, but it has a matte finish that feels premium. It's one of those figures that just looks good from every single angle.
The "Texture" Crew & The Surprising Hits
This is where the series gets interesting. The Sheep is the only figure with a full-body flocked texture. When I first felt it, I was worried. Flocking can be a dust magnet and can get worn or dirty easily. But I've had one on my desk for months, and it's held up surprisingly well. It's soft, fuzzy, and adds a tactile dimension that's missing from most vinyl toys. It's a sensory delight. A small warning: don't let your actual pets near it. I've heard horror stories.
The Hedgehog was a surprise for me. I thought the "spikes" would be sharp or poorly defined, but they're soft, rounded nubs. It gives the figure a great texture without being aggressive. It's a really clever interpretation, and the little red mushroom accessory is the perfect touch. It's consistently more popular than I initially expected.
The Mid-Tiers (Solid, But Not Spectacular)
Now for the ones that are good, but don't have that "wow" factor. The Rabbit and the Cat fall into this category. They're adorable, no doubt. The Rabbit's long ears are classic LABUBU, and the Cat has a sweet, simple expression. But they feel a bit safe compared to the others. They're the reliable, everyday figures of the set. You're never sad to pull one, but your heart doesn't exactly skip a beat.
The Pig is probably my least favorite of the regular set. It's pink, it's cute, but it's... Just a pig. Compared to the dynamic pose of the Koala or the unique texture of the Sheep, it feels a little plain. It's well-made, and if you're a fan of pink LABUBU, you'll probably love it, in fact, it's a great addition if you're building a display around that color, something we talked about in our Pink Labubu Buyer's Guide. But for me, it lacks that special spark.
The Secret: The Nine-Tailed Fox
And then there's the secret. The Kitsune, or Nine-Tailed Fox. The design is beautiful. The pearlescent white finish, the gold accents, the multiple tails elegantly sculpted behind it. It feels mythical and special, which is exactly what a secret figure should be. The odds are officially 1/144, so it's a tough pull. The aftermarket price reflects that. I've seen it go from its initial spike of around $150 down to a more stable (but still high) $90-$110. It's a serious collector's piece.
Real Talk: Are The Monsters Animals an Essential LABUBU Series?
So, here's my take as a seller and a collector. Is this series a must-buy?
Yes, if you're a new collector or you love cute, accessible designs.
This is probably the best entry point into the world of LABUBU. The animal theme is universal. You don't need to know the deep lore of The Monsters to appreciate a cute otter holding a shell. The designs are clean, charming, and instantly lovable. Unlike some of the more "out there" series, every single figure in this set is undeniably cute. It's a crowd-pleaser. If you're looking to get a friend hooked on designer toys, buying them a blind box from the monsters animals lineup is a pretty safe bet.
Maybe not, if you're a seasoned collector looking for something edgy or conceptually deep.
If your collection is filled with the more monstrous Zimomo figures or the avant-garde designs from other artists, this series might feel a bit too... Sweet. It doesn't push the boundaries of the character design in the same way that, say, the Exciting Macaron Labubu did with its translucent and gradient-filled bodies. This series is comfort food. It's Kasing Lung showing his mastery of pure, unfiltered charm. It's not a critique; it's an observation. Sometimes you want a complex, multi-course meal, and sometimes you just want a perfect bowl of mac and cheese. This series is the mac and cheese. And it's delicious.
The Market for "Labubu Pets"
The term "labubu pets" has really stuck, and I think it's because these feel less like LABUBU in a costume and more like their own distinct little creatures. This has kept the demand for them steady, even long after the release.
A full, sealed case of 12 will run you the standard retail price (around $170-$180 USD) and guarantees you won't get any duplicates of the main 12 figures. This is the most cost-effective way to get the whole set.
Buying individual blind boxes is more of a gamble but part of the fun. Just be prepared for doubles.
The secondary market is where things get tricky. As I said, the Sea Otter and Koala command a premium. I've seen people ask for $30-$35 for the otter alone, which is more than double the price of the blind box. My advice? Be patient. Join a few collector groups on Facebook or Reddit. People are often willing to trade their doubles for one they need. You can often trade a "mid-tier" figure like the Rabbit or Cat for another mid-tier one straight up. Don't get fleeced on eBay unless you're desperate. For a deeper dive into the general LABUBU market, our Ultimate Guide to LABUBU Dolls is a good place to start.
Displaying Your Animal Friends
One of the best things about this series is how fun it is to display. Because of the varied poses, the Koala climbing, the Otter sitting, the Sheep standing, they create a much more natural and dynamic scene than a series where everyone is in the same standing pose.
I have mine set up on a small, tiered shelf with some fake moss and tiny plastic trees. It looks like a little forest scene. The Koala is on a slightly higher shelf so it looks like it's actually in a tree. The Sea Otter sits by a little blue glass bead I use as a "pond." It's fun to create a little habitat for them. They're not just figures on a shelf; they're characters in a world.
This series really captures the heart of why we collect these things. It's not just about the vinyl or the resale value. It's about the little spark of joy you get when you see that perfectly sculpted, ridiculously cute face staring back at you from your desk. The Monsters Animal Series delivers that spark in spades.
If you're looking to start your own little menagerie, you can always browse our LABUBU figures at PopNya. We do our best to keep this series in stock because, honestly, it's just too cute not to share.
Disclosure: PopNya may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page.
