*
Okay, let's talk about Tycoco. The amount of DMs and emails I get at PopNya asking "Who is Tycoco?" is wild. Is it Labubu's friend? Its rival? A new character in The Monsters universe?
The answer is simpler and, honestly, way cuter than that.
Tycoco is Labubu.
That's it. Tycoco is just one of the many costumes or personas that Labubu, the mischievous, buck-toothed star of Kasing Lung's universe, puts on. Think of it like a Halloween costume. Labubu is the character; Tycoco is the outfit. Specifically, it's a fluffy, white, almost cat-like monster costume with a single, unblinking blue eye.
The confusion is totally understandable. Pop Mart has marketed the Monsters Tycoco so effectively that it almost feels like a standalone character. But understanding this core concept, that it's a disguise, is key to understanding its place in the collection and, more importantly, its market value. It's a fun layer to the world Kasing Lung has built, showing that these little monsters have their own playful imaginations. If you want to go deeper down that rabbit hole, learning about the creator Kasing Lung's journey adds a ton of context to these designs.
The Two Faces of Tycoco: Vinyl vs. Plush
When people search for "Labubu and Tycoco," they're usually looking at one of two things: a small vinyl blind box figure or a much larger, much-hyped plush doll. They are not the same, and as a collector (and seller), your approach to them should be completely different.
Let's break them down.
1. The Tycoco Vinyl Figures
Tycoco has appeared as a standard-sized vinyl figure in a couple of key series. The most notable one is from The Monsters Toys Series. This is a classic blind box series where Tycoco is one of the 12 regular designs.
From a collector's standpoint, this figure is fantastic. It's Labubu wearing a slightly clunky, toy-like Tycoco suit. The paint job is matte, the details are sharp, and it perfectly captures the "toy within a toy" concept. In my experience, this specific figure is one of the more sought-after regulars from that set. While it's not a secret or a chase, I've seen people buy multiple boxes just trying to pull Tycoco. It has a higher-than-average resale value for a regular, often fetching $20-$25 on its own when most regulars go for $15-$18.
Then there's the "Catch Me If You Like Me" Vinyl Doll Gift Box**. This isn't a blind box. It's a standalone, window-box figure that has a much more dynamic Tycoco. In this version, Labubu is actively running, one foot off the ground, with the Tycoco hood flying back to reveal Labubu's face. It's a brilliant design.
2. The Main Event: The Tycoco Reversible Plush Doll
Now for the one that broke the internet. The Tycoco Reversible Plush.
This is the Tycoco doll everyone is losing their minds over. And I get it. It's an ingenious piece of toy design. You start with a standard-looking, fluffy Labubu plush.You unzip it, pull out the Tycoco "skin," and then stuff the Labubu plush inside, zipping it up to create a full Tycoco plush.
It's two dolls in one. The gimmick is A+.
When this first dropped, the hype was immediate and suffocating. It retailed for around $59.90 in the US. Within days, it was sold out everywhere. I remember watching the StockX listings in disbelief. Prices shot up to $150, then $180, and I saw some sales tick over the $200 mark. It was absolute madness for a plush that was, technically, still in production.
This is a classic case of hype outpacing supply. Pop Mart has since done restocks, and the price has thankfully settled down. As of writing this, you can find it closer to the $80-$100 range on the secondary market, which is still a markup, but not the insanity we saw initially.
Real talk on the plush quality: I've handled dozens of these for the shop. The fabric is soft, and the embroidery on Labubu's face and Tycoco's eye is clean. My one major gripe, and a warning for buyers, is the zipper. It's a small, plastic zipper that has to endure a lot of stress from reversing the plush. I've had a couple arrive at the shop with sticky zippers, and I've heard from customers who had the zipper pull snap off. When you're buying one, especially secondhand, always ask if the zipper works smoothly. It's the single most likely point of failure on the entire doll.There are also other, rarer versions, like the Beijing-exclusive Navigation Series Tycoco plush. That one is a whole other level of hard to find and is more of a grail for die-hard fans. For most people, the reversible plush is the Tycoco doll to own.
Our Take: Is The Tycoco Hype Worth Your Money?
So, should you jump on the Tycoco bandwagon? My honest seller/collector verdict is: *it depends on why* you're buying.
If you are a die-hard Labubu fan who loves the character and the cleverness of the design, then yes, the Tycoco Reversible Plush is an incredible centerpiece for your collection. It's fun, it's interactive, and it looks amazing on a shelf. But I would strongly advise against paying peak hype prices. Wait for a restock from an official retailer or find a trusted reseller (you can always check out our LABUBU collection to see what we have in stock) who isn't price gouging. The market has cooled, and patience will save you a lot of money.
If you are a vinyl collector who appreciates the art and the specific series, I actually think the vinyl figures are a better buy. The Tycoco from the "Toys" series is a perfect little representation of the character, and it fits seamlessly into a larger display of blind box figures. The "Catch Me If You Like Me" box is a stunning, dynamic sculpt that offers more "art toy" energy than the plush.
Here's my contrarian opinion: The reversible plush is slightly overhyped for what it is. It's a fantastic gimmick, but at the end of the day, it's a mass-produced plush. The insane secondary market prices were driven by FOMO, not by true, long-term scarcity. Don't let social media pressure you into paying $180 for a $60 plush.
Also, the hype has led to a surge in knock-offs. The fakes are getting scarily good. If you're buying from an unofficial platform, you absolutely need to know what you're looking for. The stitching, tag details, and even the zipper quality are giveaways. It's something I cover in my guide to spotting fake Labubu, and the same principles apply here.
A Collector's Playbook for Buying Tycoco
If you've decided you need a Tycoco in your life, here's my playbook.
1. Check Official Channels First. Always. Before you even think about eBay or Mercari, check the Pop Mart official website and their Amazon storefront. Set up in-stock alerts. This is your best chance to get a Tycoco doll at retail price. It requires patience, but it's the smartest move.
2. For Vinyl, Go for Singles. If you only want the Tycoco vinyl figure from a blind box series, don't buy a whole case. Find a trusted seller on a platform like ours or a collector's group who is selling the opened figure. You'll pay a small premium over the blind box price, but you'll save a fortune compared to gambling on pulling it yourself. You can get a better sense of all the different characters by checking out a guide to Labubu names and series.
3. For the Plush, Scrutinize Secondhand Listings.** If you're buying the reversible plush from a reseller, demand good photos. You want to see: * The official tag. * The zipper, both open and closed. * The embroidery on both the Labubu and Tycoco faces. * The overall condition of the fabric (no stains or matting).
4. Understand the Current Market. Don't just pay the first price you see. Look at recently sold listings on sites like eBay and StockX to get a feel for the current going rate. Prices fluctuate weekly. What was $150 last month might be $90 this month.
The Labubu and Tycoco relationship is a perfect example of what makes this hobby so fun. It's a simple, clever idea that has spawned a whole sub-category of collectibles, from vinyl figures to a viral plush. It's a testament to the playful world Kasing Lung has created.
Whether you decide to hunt down the elusive plush or just admire the vinyl figure from afar, you're now in on the secret. Tycoco isn't a new monster on the block; it's just our favorite mischievous monster, Labubu, playing dress-up. And that's pretty cool.com/collections/labubu) to see what other adventures this little monster gets into.
*Disclosure: PopNya may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page.
