I get this question almost daily on the PopNya Instagram, or from customers in our Discord. "Hey, do you have the Demon Slayer Labubu?" or "Where can I buy the Jujutsu Kaisen anime Labubu?"
.. It's complicated."
Because the term "anime Labubu" has become a giant, confusing bucket for two completely different kinds of figures. If you're new to collecting, falling into this trap is easy. You see a cool picture, you search for it, and you buy it. But you might not be buying what you think you are.
As someone who lives and breathes these little monsters, let's clear the air.
The Two Worlds of Anime Labubus
When people search for anime Labubus, they're usually looking at one of two things:
1. The Official, Licensed Collaborations: These are the real deal. POP MART officially partners with a massive anime franchise (like One Piece) to produce a legitimate, high-quality series. These are what serious collectors hunt for. 2. The Unofficial, Custom, or Bootleg Figures: This is the wild west. These are figures made by independent artists or, more often, anonymous factories. They are not licensed by POP MART, Kasing Lung, or the anime creators. They range from creative one-off customs to mass-produced fakes.
Telling them apart is the single most important skill you can learn to avoid getting ripped off or feeling disappointed with your purchase.
World 1: The Official Anime Collabs (The Real Grails)
This is where the magic happens. When POP MART decides to do an official anime crossover, it's a major event in the designer toy world. So far, the two titans in this space have been the Naruto Shippuden series and the One Piece series.
I remember the day the One Piece series was announced. The hype was immediate and intense. We knew getting stock for PopNya was going to be a bloodbath, and it was. These aren't just regular Labubu releases; they bring in a whole new wave of fans from the anime community who might be buying their first-ever designer toy.
What makes them special?
Legitimacy: They are 100% licensed. This means Kasing Lung, POP MART, and the anime's production committee (like Toei Animation for One Piece*) have all signed off on the designs.* Quality: The quality is consistent with POP MART's high standards. The vinyl has a specific weight and feel. The paint application is crisp. You get the official box, the collector card, and the foil wrapper. It's a complete, premium experience. * Collector Value: This is the big one. Official releases have a real, trackable aftermarket value. They are part of the Labubu canon. The chase figures, or "secrets," from these series can become incredibly valuable.
Let's talk about the One Piece series for a second. The regular figures, like Luffy and Sanji, are amazing. But the secrets? The Zoro secret, with his three swords and iconic bandana, was an instant grail. It retailed for about $17. Within a month of release, I was seeing confirmed sales on platforms like StockX for over $250. That's the power of a good, official collaboration.
The same goes for the Naruto Labubu series. The Kakashi and Itachi figures were hugely popular, and the Kurama secret is a centerpiece for any collection. These are investment pieces that hold their value and have a story behind them.
When you buy an official anime Labubu, you're buying a piece of history from three creative worlds colliding: Kasing Lung's Monsters, POP MART's platform, and the anime's universe.
World 2: The Unofficial "Anime Labubu" (The Minefield)
Okay, now for the tricky part. Go on Etsy, AliExpress, or even just search on Instagram, and you will be flooded with pictures of Labubus dressed as characters from Demon Slayer, Spy x Family, Attack on Titan, or Sailor Moon.
They look cool, right? A little Nezuko Labubu peeking out of a box? An Anya Labubu with her pink hair? The ideas are fantastic.
But here's the hard truth: 99% of these are not official.
These fall into a few categories:
* Repaints/Customs: An artist buys a blank or common Labubu and hand-paints it to look like an anime character. Some of these are beautiful, one-of-a-kind art pieces. * 3D Printed/Resin Casts: This is more common. Someone creates a 3D model of a Labubu-like figure with anime features (like Tanjiro's hair or Gojo's blindfold) and sells the 3D prints or resin casts. * Straight-Up Bootlegs: Factories in China see the demand and mass-produce low-quality knockoffs based on popular custom designs. They use cheap plastic, have sloppy paint, and are just trying to make a quick buck.
I've had customers bring these to me, asking for a valuation or wanting to trade. And it's always a difficult conversation.
The Risks of Buying Unofficial Anime Labubus:
* Zero Collector Value: They will not appreciate in value. The collecting community does not recognize them. You're buying a decoration, not a collectible. * Questionable Quality: It's a total gamble. I've seen some with beautiful paint jobs, but I've seen far more with smudged paint, weak joints, and a cheap, lightweight feel. There's no quality control. * Intellectual Property Issues: Look, I'm not a lawyer, but you're buying a product that infringes on at least two copyrights: Kasing Lung's Labubu design and the anime character's design. While you as a buyer aren't likely to get in trouble, you are supporting a market that takes from original creators without permission. * It Can Be a Scam: The worst-case scenario is you pay $80 for a "custom anime Labubu" and receive a cheap, horrible-looking knockoff, or nothing at all.
This is where my guide to spotting fake Labubus becomes really useful. The same principles apply. Check the feet for the Kasing Lung/POP MART stamp. Look at the box, is it a professional, sealed POP MART box or a generic brown one? If the price seems too good to be true for a "rare" piece, it's almost certainly a fake.
Our Take: A Seller's Honest Opinion
So, here's the real talk. As a collector, I get the appeal. I would love an official Studio Ghibli x Labubu series. A Totoro Labubu? A No-Face Labubu? I would lose my mind.
But as a seller and someone who respects the art form, I cannot recommend buying the unofficial stuff. It muddies the waters for new collectors and devalues the incredible work that goes into creating the official series. The thrill of this hobby is in the hunt for the real thing, the shared excitement of a new release, and the joy of unboxing a genuine secret chase.
Buying a custom or bootleg feels like a shortcut that misses the whole point. It's like printing a picture of the Mona Lisa and saying you own it. You have the image, but you don't have the art.
My advice? Stick to the official releases. Your wallet and your collection will thank you in the long run. If you're looking for what's officially out there, you can always browse our LABUBU collection at PopNya to see what's legitimate and in stock.
Want an "Anime" Vibe Without the Collab?
What if you just love the dynamic, expressive style that feels like anime, but don't want to wait for an official collab? You're in luck. Kasing Lung's universe is filled with figures that have that same kind of energy.
Take the Zimomo Super A figure. This isn't a Labubu, but it's from the same family of Monsters. It's a huge, beautifully detailed mecha figure that looks like it flew straight out of a Gundam or Evangelion episode. It's an official piece, a total showstopper, and it scratches that "anime" itch perfectly. It's one of those big LABUBU-style figures that makes a statement.
Or look at some of the more dynamic Labubu series, like "The Monsters' Mischief" or "Exciting Macaron." The poses and expressions are so full of life, they feel like stills from an animated show. This is probably why so many people are drawing Labubu in their own anime styles, the character is just built for it.
The world of Labubu is vast. Don't let your search for an "anime Labubu" lead you down a dead-end street of knockoffs. The real treasures are the ones made with intention, artistry, and the official blessing of the creators.
I'm still holding out hope for more official anime collaborations. A Hunter x Hunter series would be a dream come true. Imagine a Killua Labubu with his skateboard, or a Hisoka Labubu with a sinister grin. A guy can dream. Until then, I'll be on the lookout for the next official drop, and I'll be steering clear of the fakes.
Happy hunting.
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