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Okay, let's be real. When a new Monsters series drops, 90% of the chatter is about Labubu. Which Labubu is the chase? Is there a secret Labubu? What's the new Labubu design? I get it. I run a store called PopNya that's basically built on the love for that little monster with the goofy teeth and bunny ears. But every time I crack open a case for the shop, I'm reminded of a truth that many new collectors miss: Labubu is only part of the story.
Sometimes, he's not even the best part.
The universe Kasing Lung created is called The Monsters, and the other characters aren't just filler. They're the Labubu friends, a whole crew of weird, wonderful little guys who often have more personality and better designs than the main star. Ignoring them is like listening to a Queen album and only paying attention to Freddie Mercury's vocals. You're missing the killer guitar solos and the epic drum fills.
The Great "Labubu vs The Monster" Debate
The question is, who is the real prize in any given blind box? Newbies assume it's always Labubu. But seasoned collectors know better.
I remember when The Monsters Animals series was huge. The Labubu Lion was cute, sure. But the figure everyone was really hunting for? The Tycoco Chameleon. Its translucent, color-shifting body was just on another level. I had customers emailing me, not asking for Labubu, but specifically for the chameleon. It was selling on the secondary market for double the price of the standard Labubu from that set for weeks.
This happens more often than you'd think. Pop Mart and Kasing Lung know that to keep a series interesting, they can't just rely on their star player. They use the friends to experiment with wilder designs, different materials, and more complex sculpts. In the recent Exciting Macaron Labubu series, the friends were arguably the main event. The little Pato cupcake and Yaya macaron were so incredibly detailed, they made the Labubu figures look almost plain by comparison.
So, when you're looking at a new series, my advice is to look past the bunny ears. The real gems, and sometimes the real value, are often found in the supporting cast.
Yaya: The Unofficial Queen of The Monsters
If Labubu is the king, then Yaya Labubu is the undisputed queen. She is, without a doubt, the most popular and sought-after of all the friends. In the fandom's headcanon, she's often seen as Labubu's girlfriend, and their dynamic is a huge part of the appeal for many collectors. You'll see her pop up in searches as both Yaya Labubu and Yaya the monsters, but it's all the same mischievous little monster.
What makes Yaya so special? First, her design is consistently strong. She has this slightly cynical, unimpressed expression that's a perfect contrast to Labubu's cheerful chaos. She's the straight man in their comedy duo. Her little skull accessory is iconic.
Second, she gets some of the best outfits. In The Monsters Camping series, her little rain poncho and boots were a highlight. In the "Let's Christmas" series from 2019, her figure was so popular that for a while, it was reselling for almost as much as the Labubu from that same set. I've seen that specific Yaya go for $40-50 on its own, which is insane for a non-secret, non-Labubu character.
A seller's secret: Yaya figures, especially older ones, are a good indicator of a collection's value. If someone is selling a "full set" but Yaya is missing, the value drops significantly. She's not just another one of the monsters pop mart characters; she's essential. When we buy collections for the store, a set with a Yaya is always priced higher than one without. She's the anchor.
The Core Crew: Pato, Pippo, and Spooky
They each bring a completely different energy to the lineup.
Pato the Monsters: Pato is the duck. Simple as that. He's often depicted as slightly goofy and clumsy, usually with a little hat or accessory that's falling off. His appeal is his simplicity and his pure, unadulterated cuteness. In The Monsters Fruits series, he was a pineapple, and it was one of the most charming figures in the whole set.
Real Talk on Pato: From a seller's perspective, Pato can be a minor headache. His accessories, especially hats, are often separate, tiny pieces of plastic. We've had more than one customer message us about a lost Pato hat. Also, the paint application on his beak can be a bit hit-or-miss. It's one of the first things I check when I'm inspecting inventory. If the line between the beak and the face is sloppy, it's a sign of a rushed production batch.
Pippo the Monsters: Pippo is the pig. He's the sweet, slightly dopey one. He often has a food theme and a very content, happy expression. He's pure comfort. Pippo doesn't usually have the "wow" factor of a Yaya or a wild Tycoco design, but he's consistent. He's the reliable, heartwarming figure in the box that you're never mad to get. He's just a happy little guy. His design in the Have a Seat Labubu V2 series was particularly great, just chilling in his little armchair.
Spooky the Monsters: And then there's Spooky. He's the odd one out. A tall, lanky, ghost-like creature who looks like he wandered in from a Tim Burton movie. He's the complete opposite of Pippo. Where Pippo is round and cute, Spooky is angular and... Well, spooky.
I have a soft spot for Spooky. He's the character that really solidifies the "monster" theme. He reminds you that these aren't just cute animals; they're strange creatures from Kasing Lung's imagination. His designs are often the most artistically interesting.
Collector's Warning: Spooky's design can be his downfall. His long, thin limbs are notoriously fragile. I've seen them bent right out of the box, and they are prone to breaking if dropped. If you're an out-of-box collector, be extra careful with Spooky. He's not a toy to be played with. He's shelf art, through and through.
The "Other" Friends and The Rise of Zimomo
Beyond the main crew, you have a rotating cast of characters like the horned Tycoco and the powerful Zimomo. Zimomo is a fascinating case study. He started as just another one of the Labubu friends, a spikier, more aggressive-looking monster.
But his design was so strong that he broke out.
Now, Zimomo has his own dedicated series and a massive following. He's a great example of how the "friends" aren't a static concept. Kasing Lung and Pop Mart are clearly watching which characters resonate with fans. The success of Zimomo proves that any of these side characters could potentially become the next big thing. It makes collecting the whole group feel like you're investing in a stable of potential future stars. This is something that many other designer toy lines just don't have. The depth of the character roster is a huge part of what gives The Monsters longevity. The recent One Piece crossover, for instance, focused heavily on Labubu, but it left many of us wondering what a Yaya Nami or a Spooky Brook would look like.
Our Take: The Real Value of Collecting the Friends
So, should you actively collect the Labubu friends?
My honest seller's verdict is: absolutely. But you have to be smart about it.
Don't just buy them because they are part of The Monsters family. Buy them because, in many cases, they are stellar figures in their own right. A full set of any Monsters series is always more valuable and desirable than a scattered collection of just the Labubu figures. It shows a commitment to the artist's full vision. When we list a complete, opened set on PopNya, it sells infinitely faster than listing each figure individually.
However, don't get suckered into overpaying for a common friend. A standard Pato or Pippo from a recent, widely available series shouldn't cost you more than retail. The ones to watch for are the friends from older, discontinued series (like the first "The Monsters" series from 2018) or friends from a series where they had an exceptionally great design (like the Macarons). Those are the ones that hold their value and are genuinely tough to find. Knowing which Labubu is which and what it costs is important, but knowing which Yaya is which can be the mark of a truly savvy collector.
One last tip that only a seller would notice: Pay attention to the box art. Sometimes, the friends get way better illustrations on the box and the collector card than Labubu does. It's a small thing, but it's another piece of the art you're collecting. The art for Yaya on the "Flowers" series card was absolutely beautiful, arguably better than the figure itself.
Ultimately, the world of The Monsters is so much richer when you embrace the whole gang. They provide contrast, personality, and some of the most creative designs in the entire Pop Mart lineup. Labubu may be the face of the franchise, but his friends are its heart and soul.
Next time a new series is announced, I challenge you to look at the full lineup and ask yourself: who's the real monster I want to find? You might be surprised by the answer. And while you're thinking on it, you can always browse our LABUBU collection at PopNya to see which friends are currently in stock, just waiting for a new home.
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