I remember the day the energy labubu release happened. It wasn't just another drop; it felt like a shift. My DMs on Instagram blew up. My store's waitlist notifications went into overdrive. Everyone, and I mean everyone, wanted the Labubu Love Big Into Energy series. It wasn't the first Labubu keychain, not by a long shot. But something about this one just hit different.
As someone who handles these little monsters daily for my shop, PopNya, I've seen the hype cycles. I've seen series come and go. But "Big into Energy" has a staying power that reminds me of the Macaron frenzy, but with a whole new... Well, energy.
So, let's actually talk about it. Is this series really that special, or are we all just caught up in the moment? I've unboxed cases, sold hundreds, and kept a few for my own collection. Here's the real story.
The "V3" Question: What Did They Even Change?
People keep asking about the labubu v3 release date, and it's a bit of a collector-coined term. Pop Mart doesn't officially label them V1, V2, V3. But if you've been in the game for a while, you know the lineage.
The first generation of vinyl-faced plush pendants were... Okay. Let's be honest. The plush was a bit generic, and the keychain clip felt like an afterthought. I remember customers complaining that the clip would snap if you looked at it wrong. They were cute, but they didn't feel premium.
Then came the second wave, with slightly better materials and more interesting designs. An improvement, for sure.
But "Big into Energy" is what I consider the true Version 3. The leap in quality is immediately obvious the second you hold one. The plush is softer and denser. The vinyl used for the face has a smoother, more matte finish that looks incredible in photos. And the hardware? Thank goodness, they finally used a sturdy, high-quality clasp that you can actually trust on your bag.
The labubu big into energy size is also a sweet spot. At around 17cm tall, they're substantial enough to make a statement but not so huge that they're cumbersome. They feel more like a small plush companion than just a keychain. This change in perceived value is a huge part of why they exploded in popularity.
Big into Energy vs. The Macarons: The Ultimate Keychain Showdown
This is the big one. For the longest time, the Exciting Macaron series was the undisputed king of Labubu keychains. If you're deciding where to spend your money, this comparison is everything. I've had both series sell out in minutes, but they appeal to slightly different sensibilities.
First, the materials. It's a night-and-day difference. The Macarons are fully flocked vinyl. They have that unique, velvety texture all over. It's a beautiful finish, but it's also a magnet for dirt and can get scuffed or worn down over time. I've seen some well-loved Macarons that look like they've been through a war. As I've warned people in my Macaron buyer's guide, keeping them pristine is a real challenge.
"Big into Energy," on the other hand, is a hybrid. You get the soft, cuddly plush body and the crisp, clean vinyl face. This makes them more durable for daily use, in my opinion. The face is easy to wipe clean, and while the plush body can get dusty, it doesn't show wear and tear in the same way flocked vinyl does.
Then there's the vibe, driven by the big into energy labubu colors. The Macaron series is all about soft, dreamy pastels. They're adorable, sweet, and look like little dessert-themed gems. "Big into Energy" is the complete opposite. It's loud. It's vibrant. The colors are saturated and bold, from the electric blue of "Thunder" to the fiery orange of "Soy" and the deep magenta of "Typhoon." These aren't just new labubu colors; they're a whole new attitude. They feel more expressive, more dynamic, perfectly capturing that "charged up" theme.
Honestly, choosing between them comes down to personal style. Do you want soft and sweet, or loud and proud?
Are Pendants "Real" Collectibles? Vinyl Figures vs. The Keychain Craze
I get this question sometimes from old-school toy collectors. They see the pendants and wonder if they have the same long-term value as the classic 3-inch vinyl figures. It's a valid point.
Your standard Labubu blind box figure is designed for one thing: display. You put it on a shelf, in a case, and you admire it. The value is in the sculpt, the paint job, and the rarity. They are static pieces of art. For a lot of collectors, this is the core of the hobby, and understanding the full range of LABUBU dolls is key to appreciating them.
The "Big into Energy" pendants serve a different purpose. They're functional art. They're meant to be taken out into the world, to be a part of your daily life. Clipping one to your tote bag or backpack is a way of sharing your love for the character. It's a fashion statement.
Because of this, the "wear and tear" factor is real. A pendant that's been used daily for six months will not be in the same "mint" condition as a figure that's never left its acrylic case. Does this affect its secondary market value? Absolutely.
But it also creates a different kind of connection. I have a "Soy" Labubu from this series attached to my work bag, and it's picked up a few scuffs. It's not perfect anymore, but it feels more mine. It's been with me.
So, are they "real" collectibles? Yes. They just fulfill a different collector need. They're for the person who wants to live with their art, not just look at it.
The Million-Dollar Question: Is a "Big into Energy" Whole Set Worth It?
Okay, let's talk money and strategy. You see the big into energy whole set for sale, usually a case of 6, and you wonder if you should pull the trigger.
A case of 6 guarantees you six unique figures from the series. Since there are 6 regular designs, you are guaranteed a full set of the commons. The chase, of course, is the secret "Rock the Universe" Labubu. The official pull rate for the secret is 1/72, meaning one secret per 12 full cases. So, buying one case gives you a 1-in-12 chance (about 8.3%) of pulling it. Not great odds.
When the series first dropped, the hype was insane. I saw "Rock the Universe" selling for over $250 on StockX and other platforms. The price has since cooled off, as it always does. As of writing this, it's hovering around the $130-$160 mark, which is still a huge premium over the retail price of a single box (around $18-$20).
So, is a whole set worth it? * If you're a completionist: Yes. It's the only way to guarantee you get all 6 regular designs without the headache of trading or buying singles. * If you're hunting the secret: No. It's pure gambling. You're much better off buying the secret directly on the secondary market unless you have an insane amount of luck (and money to burn). You could buy 12 cases and still not get it. * If you just want one or two: Absolutely not. Just buy a couple of blind boxes and enjoy the surprise! Part of the fun is not knowing what you'll get. Or, if you have your heart set on a specific one like "Soy" or "Thunder," you can usually find it from a reseller for a small premium, around $25-$35.
One thing I've noticed from my own inventory at PopNya is that certain commons are more sought-after than others. "Soy" (the orange one) and "Marshmallow" (the white one) are consistently the first to sell out when I list individual figures. People love their expressions. Keep that in mind if you're trading.
Real Talk: My Honest Verdict on "Big into Energy"
Look, I was a little skeptical when I first saw the promo images. Another plush series? But I was wrong. The Labubu Love Big Into Energy series is, without a doubt, one of the best things Pop Mart has released in the last year. The quality is a massive step up, the colors are fantastic, and the expressive faces have so much personality. They absolutely nailed the execution.
However, they are not perfect.
My biggest gripe is with the lighter-colored plush. I have the "Marshmallow" one, and it's a dust and dirt magnet. If you plan on actually using it as a keychain, be prepared for it to look dingy fast. The white plush is a nightmare to keep clean. If you want one for your daily bag, I'd strongly recommend going for one of the darker colors like "Typhoon" or "Galaxy."
The hype is also a double-edged sword. It's made them incredibly fun to collect but also brought in a lot of scalpers, making it hard for genuine fans to get them at retail. The initial hype was intense, and it's still a challenge to keep them in stock.
So, my final verdict? If you're a Labubu fan, this series is a must-have. The designs are top-tier Kasing Lung. If you're new to the world of Labubu, this is an amazing entry point that shows off the character's charm perfectly. Just be realistic about how you plan to use it. For pure display, any color is a 10/10. For a daily companion, stick to the dark side.
They managed to capture lightning in a bottle with this one, creating a series that's both an adorable accessory and a genuinely desirable collectible. And if you're looking to start your own collection, you can always browse LABUBU figures over at the shop to see what we've got in stock.
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