I see the search terms on my store's analytics every single day. "things like labubu." "labubu alternatives." "why is labubu sold out."
I get it. You saw that mischievous, toothy, bunny-eared monster and something clicked. Welcome to the club. But you also discovered the other side of the LABUBU phenomenon: the constant "Sold Out" notifications, the insane reseller prices, and the feeling that you missed the boat.
As the owner of PopNya, I've unboxed, packed, and shipped more LABUBU than I can count. I've also seen the frustration from new collectors who just want a piece of the magic. So let's have a real conversation. This isn't another generic listicle scraped from Vogue. This is a playbook from someone who lives and breathes this stuff.
Before we dive in, ask yourself: what do you actually like about LABUBU?
Is it the "monster but make it cute" aesthetic? The high-quality, hefty feel of the vinyl in your hand? The pastel color palettes of series like The Monsters Exciting Macaron? Or is it the artist, Kasing Lung, and the whole whimsical world he's built?
Figuring this out is step one. Because if you just want a cute monster, your options are different than if you're drawn to the specific artistic vision. Don't just chase a substitute; find your next obsession.
The Obvious Heirs: Dimoo, Skullpanda, and Molly
You've probably seen these names pop up. They're the other titans of the Pop Mart universe. They are the most common answer when people ask for things like LABUBU, but they are absolutely not the same.
Dimoo is the dreamy, ethereal cousin. If LABUBU is pure, chaotic goblin energy, Dimoo is quiet, introspective wonder. The vinyl often feels different to me, a little smoother, a bit more polished. The designs are softer, with cloud-puffs, stars, and a gentle, wide-eyed expression. If your aesthetic leans towards pastels and sweet dreams, Dimoo is a safe and beautiful bet. The Dimoo Animal Kingdom series is a perfect starting point.
Skullpanda is the high-fashion, edgy older sibling. These aren't just figures; they're statements. The designs are intricate, often with more accessories, complex paint jobs, and a cyberpunk or high-fashion attitude.I've personally had to do micro-surgery on a Skullpanda from The Warmth series because a tiny piece snapped off in transit. The newer ones are more robust, but they are definitely more "art piece" than "toy." The level of detail is insane, but they demand a bit more care.
Molly, designed by Kenny Wong, is the OG. She's the grumpy, pouting girl who arguably kicked off this whole blind box craze for a generation of collectors. Her iconic pout and crown are legendary. But... And this is my hot take... I feel like some of the more recent Molly series have been coasting a bit. Compared to the insane innovation happening with Skullpanda or Hirono, some Molly drops feel like a victory lap. Don't get me wrong, a classic Molly is essential for any serious collection. But if you're looking for that fresh, exciting energy that LABUBU has right now, Molly might feel a step behind.
Okay, you've looked past the big three. Now we get to the good stuff. These are the figures that have a similar artist-driven soul to LABUBU.
PUCKY (by Pucky): If LABUBU is a monster from a mischievous forest, PUCKY figures are spirits from a pastel fairytale dream. Created by the artist Pucky, these little beings, often mushroom-hatted, sleeping in beans, or floating in bubbles, have this incredible sense of peace and wonder. The quality is consistently fantastic. The vinyl has a soft, almost matte finish that feels amazing to hold. The PUCKY Pool Babies series from a few years back is a holy grail for collectors now, with single boxes going for $40+ if you can even find them. The newer series, like PUCKY The Ghost - See Me, are just as magical and much more accessible. They bring a totally different, gentler energy to a shelf.
Crybaby (by Molly's Factory):* This is my personal obsession right now. If you love the expressive face of LABUBU, you have* to look at Crybaby. These figures, with their signature giant, shimmering teardrops, perfectly capture that "so sad it's adorable" feeling. The Crybaby Sad Club series was a massive hit in our shop. I had a customer email me saying it was the only toy that "truly gets the millennial condition." I laughed, but I also got it.It's a small thing, but it shows the level of artistry. They're not just sad; they're beautifully, cathartically sad.
Hirono (by Lang): This is not a "cute toy." This is wearable art for your shelf. Hirono is, in my opinion, the most artistically ambitious series Pop Mart is producing right now. It explores complex themes of loneliness, anxiety, and resilience through a small, vulnerable character. The designs are abstract, surreal, and packed with texture. We're talking flocking, translucent resins, metallic paints, and fabric elements all on one tiny figure.
Opening a Hirono is a different experience. It's less "Ooh, a cute one!" and more "What does this mean?" It's the thinking person's blind box. If you're graduating from the purely cute and want something with more emotional depth and artistic weight, Hirono is your next step. The City of Mercy series is a masterpiece.
The "Monster" Mash: For True Creature Feature Fans
Maybe you're here specifically for the monster aspect. You love the fangs, the claws, the weird and wonderful creature designs. I hear you.
ZIMOMO: This is almost cheating, because ZIMOMO is LABUBU's bigger, fluffier brother from the same Kasing Lung universe. But collecting ZIMOMO is a different game. We're usually talking about the larger vinyl art pieces, not blind boxes. They are statement pieces. A 7-inch ZIMOMO on your desk is a conversation starter. It's less about the thrill of the hunt for a secret and more about investing in a substantial piece of art from an artist you love. If your budget allows and you want a centerpiece for your collection, a ZIMOMO is an incredible goal.
It's not a monster. It's a dude in a beanie and overalls with a strangely expressive, detached look. But the energy around Farmer Bob is the closest thing I've seen to the LABUBU craze. The community is passionate, the designs are quirky and creative, and the hype is 100% real. I listed the Farmer Bob Retro series in the shop and it sold out in under an hour. The aftermarket is already wild. Why? Because it's unique, it has a strong artistic point of view, and the quality from the manufacturer, Finding Unicorn, is consistently excellent. If you want to get in on the ground floor of the next big thing, take a serious look at Farmer Bob.
Our Take: A Seller's Honest Warning
Look, let's be real. Nothing is exactly like LABUBU. Kasing Lung's creation is a unique phenomenon, a perfect storm of brilliant character design, masterful marketing, and perfect timing. Chasing that exact feeling in another toy is a recipe for disappointment.
My honest advice? Don't buy an "alternative" just to fill the LABUBU-shaped hole in your heart. You'll just end up with a shelf of things you're not passionate about. The real joy of this hobby comes from discovery and connection. Find an artist whose story resonates with you. Find a character that makes you smile for reasons you can't even explain.
And a serious warning about fakes. The more popular a series gets, LABUBU, Skullpanda, you name it, the faster the counterfeiters move in. I've seen them. The paint is sloppy, the vinyl feels cheap and light, and the box printing is blurry. If you see a "deal" on a sold-out series that seems way too good to be true, it is. Every single time. Stick to reputable stores or trusted sellers in the community. Part of the fun of collecting is knowing you have the real deal, and learning what a genuine figure feels like is the best way to develop an eye for fakes. If you're new, a proper unboxing process can teach you what to look for.
The hunt for a specific series, like the frenzy we saw with the Exciting Macaron LABUBU boxes, is part of the fun, but it shouldn't be the only fun.
Build Your Own Collection, Not a CopyThe most exciting collections I've seen aren't the ones that have every single LABUBU. They're the ones that reflect the collector's personality. They have a Hirono sitting next to a PUCKY, creating a little story. They mix the sharp, futuristic lines of a Skullpanda with the soft, round shapes of a Dimoo. It's about curation.
Think about how these little characters will live together. Do you want a shelf of chaos and color, or a serene, monochrome display? Planning how your collection will look is half the fun, and it stops you from making impulse buys you'll regret. Don't just buy figures, curate a shelf you love to look at.
The best part of this hobby isn't owning the most hyped toy. It's the thrill of discovery, the joy of opening a blind box (even if it's a duplicate), and finding a piece of art that speaks to you.
So go explore. See what catches your eye. Maybe it's a toothy monster, maybe it's a crying child, maybe it's a dude in a beanie. That's the beauty of it.
And if, after all that, your heart is still set on that little monster with the floppy ears and the single tooth? Well, you can always browse our LABUBU collection and sign up for restock alerts. We're always on the hunt, too.
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