I remember when the first images of the monsters forest secret base series dropped. My first reaction, as someone who lives and breathes vinyl LABUBU figures, was probably the same as yours: "Building blocks? Really?" It felt like a weird left turn for POP MART. We're used to the thrill of the blind box, the weight of the vinyl, the perfect little character standing on our shelf. Swapping that for a box of plastic bricks felt… different.
But I run PopNya. It's my job, and my passion, to get my hands on everything LABUBU. So I ordered the "Playful Home" set from the monsters forest secret base series blocks. I wanted to see for myself if this was a gimmick or the next cool thing for our collections. I've spent hours with it, from unboxing to the final brick, and I'm ready to give you the unfiltered truth that you won't find on a product page.
First Impressions: It's Not Your Typical LABUBU Box
Right away, this is a different experience. The box is huge and heavy compared to a blind box case. Inside, you don't get that neat tray of 12 identical little boxes. Instead, you get numbered bags of plastic bricks, a thick instruction manual, a sticker sheet, and, most importantly, a single, unique LABUBU figure sealed in its own little baggie.
The figure itself is the main draw for many collectors. The one in the "Playful Home" set is a cute, pajama-clad LABUBU holding a little star wand. The quality is on par with a standard blind box figure, which was a relief. The paint is clean, the sculpt is sharp. This isn't some cheap knock-off they threw in; it's a legitimate, set-exclusive figure. For a completionist, that alone makes the set almost a mandatory purchase.
But this isn't just about the figure. This is about the labubu blocks. Are they any good?
The Build: Fun, Fiddly, and… Not LEGO
Let's be brutally honest. If you're a hardcore LEGO AFOL (Adult Fan of LEGO), you will notice a difference. The plastic doesn't have that same satisfying density, and the "clutch power", how tightly the bricks stick together, is a bit inconsistent. Some pieces snap together perfectly, while others feel a little loose.
That said, for what this is, a display piece for a toy collector, it's perfectly fine. The bricks are sorted into numbered bags that correspond to the steps in the manual, just like a modern LEGO set. The instructions are mostly clear, using pictures to show you what piece goes where.
However, I did hit a few snags.
The wheels were an absolute pain to snap onto the axles. I genuinely thought I was going to break the tiny plastic axle. I had to use a surprising amount of force. This is a recurring piece of feedback I've gotten from customers, too; those wheels are a common frustration.
Another thing to be aware of: stickers. A lot of the cute details, like the wood grain on the panels, the pictures on the wall, and the little control panels, are stickers. Not printed pieces. For a premium-priced set, that was a little disappointing. Applying them perfectly straight is a test of patience. My advice? Use the flat edge of a brick separator or a pair of tweezers to apply them. Don't use your fingers unless you want skewed, fingerprint-covered details.
The build took me about three hours, taking my time while watching a show. It's engaging enough to keep you focused, but not so complex that it becomes a chore. The final result is a genuinely adorable, whimsical little treehouse scene. It's a forest secret base labubu would actually live in. It has moving parts, like a little elevator, a slide, and a rolling gem cart. It's designed for play and display, and it succeeds at both.
Real Talk: Who Should Actually Buy This?
Okay, let's get down to it. As a seller and a collector, here's my honest verdict.
You should buy the Monsters Forest blocks if:
* You are a LABUBU completionist. The exclusive figure is the main reason. You need it for your collection, and the diorama is a cool bonus. * You love building and dioramas. If you enjoy the process of building LEGO or Gunpla and want a fun way to display your LABUBUs, this is perfect. It creates a fantastic, dynamic centerpiece for your shelf that's more interesting than just figures in a row. * You're looking for a gift for a LABUBU fan. It's a big, impressive box that has a whole afternoon of fun. It has more "wow" factor than a few blind boxes.
You should probably skip it if:
* You only care about the vinyl figures. Honestly, if the idea of spending hours building something sounds like a nightmare, just don't. The cost of one of these sets could get you half a case of a new blind box series. You could probably find someone selling just the exclusive figure on a secondary market if you're patient. * You have limited display space. This thing is not small. The "Playful Home" has a footprint of about 10x8 inches and is over a foot tall. It's an awkward shape that doesn't just slot neatly onto a standard shelf. It demands its own space. If you're already struggling to fit your collection, this will be a challenge. * You're on a tight budget. At a retail price of around $70-$90, it's a significant purchase. You have to really want the entire package, the build and the figure, for it to feel worth it.
For me, it was a fun experience. I enjoyed the build. But do I prefer it to opening a case of blind boxes? No. The thrill of the chase, the possibility of a secret, the trading with friends, that's the core of the hobby for me. The monsters forest set is a different kind of fun. It's a quiet, focused, creative project.
A Note on Value and Availability
When these first launched, they were a bit hard to find. Now, they seem to be more readily available through official POP MART channels and stores like our own. The price has remained fairly stable. Unlike some of the hyped blind box series (looking at you, Macarons), these haven't seen an insane spike on the secondary market.
Why? I think it's because the barrier to entry is higher. You're not just buying a toy; you're buying a project. The market for people willing to spend $80+ and a few hours of their time is smaller than the market for people who want a quick $15 blind box thrill.
The exclusive LABUBU figure is the wild card here. Down the line, I could see the figure itself, separated from the set, becoming quite valuable to collectors who didn't want to buy the whole thing. We see this with other toy lines that bundle exclusive items. Keep an eye on that.
How It Fits in a Collection
Once built, the monsters forest secret base is undeniably charming. It provides a perfect environment to display not just the included figure, but other LABUBUs from your collection. You can have them sliding down the slide, hiding in the treehouse, or pushing the gem cart. It brings your collection to life.
It also is a great "anchor" for a display shelf. You can place it in the middle and arrange your other figures from the blind box series around it, creating a cohesive and visually stunning scene. It gives context to the little monsters, making them feel like they truly inhabit a world, a world Kasing Lung, the artist, so brilliantly designed. His work is all about creating this rich, imaginative universe, and these sets are a physical manifestation of that.
The scale is also pretty good. A standard 3-inch LABUBU doesn't look out of place next to the furniture and structures. It feels like it was designed with the broader collection in mind, which is a smart move by POP MART.
So, what's the final word on the labubu blocks?
They are a surprisingly well-executed, if slightly flawed, expansion of the LABUBU universe. It's not a simple cash grab. Real thought went into the design and the play features. The brick quality isn't top-tier, and the reliance on stickers is a bit of a letdown, but the final model is sturdy, adorable, and a fantastic display piece.
It's not for every collector, and that's okay. It is a branching path in the hobby: do you want the quick hit of a blind box, or the slow satisfaction of a project?
For me, I'm glad I built it. It's now a centerpiece on my personal shelf, with a few of my favorite LABUBUs hanging out in its branches. It was a different way to connect with a toy line I love. If you've been on the fence, I'd say give it a shot, as long as you know what you're getting into. It's a commitment of time, money, and shelf space, but the result is a unique piece that sets your collection apart. And if you're curious to see what other adventures these little monsters get up to, you can always browse our full LABUBU collection.
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