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It's not like opening a blind box. There's no mystery, no thrill of the chase for a secret. Instead, there's just... Presence. This giant, adorable monster with its mischievous grin and floppy ears is suddenly sitting in your room, taking up actual, physical space. It's less of a collectible and more of a roommate.
I remember when the first one, the "Time to Chill" version, was announced. The community went nuts. We were all so used to the 7cm figures that the idea of a huge, huggable one seemed like a dream. But since then, Pop Mart has released a few different versions, and as a seller at PopNya, I get asked the same question all the time: "Which one should I get?"
Honestly, they aren't all the same. They have different vibes, different materials (subtly), and appeal to different kinds of collectors. So, let's break it down, collector to collector. No marketing fluff. Just the real story.
The Contenders: A Head-to-Head Tussle
We've basically got three main players in the big leagues of the 38 cm labubu world: the original "Time to Chill," the interactive "Flip With Me," and the super-sweet "Mokoko Close to Sweet." I've had all three on my desk, taken them apart (figuratively!), and dressed them up. Here's how they stack up.
1. The OG: "Time to Chill" Vinyl Plush Doll**
This is the icon. The original. When people think of a giant LABUBU, this is usually the one they picture.
The Vibe: Pure, classic Kasing Lung. It's just LABUBU, but big. It has that default, slightly toothy, ready-for-anything expression. It's the perfect canvas. It doesn't try to do anything fancy; it just is*.* The Materials: This is where the details matter. The head is a beautiful, matte-finish vinyl. It's smooth but not glossy, so it doesn't pick up fingerprints too badly. The body is a soft, short-pile plush that feels sturdy. It's got just enough stuffing to sit up on its own without being rock-hard. The ears have that signature floppy, under-stuffed feel that we all love. * The Outfit: It comes with a simple grey knit beanie and a matching sweater. The quality is... Okay. It's decent. The knit is a bit thin, but it fits well and looks exactly like it should. It establishes the "chill" theme perfectly. * My Take: If you want the definitive big LABUBU experience, this is it. It's the most versatile for dressing up in custom clothes because its base design is so neutral. It's the one that says, "I'm a true LABUBU fan." The downside? Because it's the original, it can sometimes be the hardest to find at a reasonable price on the secondary market. People get nostalgic.
2. The Gimmick: "Flip With Me" Vinyl Plush Doll
Pop Mart knew they couldn't just re-release the same doll forever. So they added a feature. The "Flip With Me" doll was born, and it's probably the one I get the most questions about.
* The Vibe: Playful. This doll is all about interaction. The main feature is the head, which has a swappable faceplate. You get two expressions: the classic happy grin and a super-cute, pouty-crying face. It's a bit more dynamic than the OG. * The Materials & Gimmick: The vinyl on the head feels slightly different to me. A tiny bit more plasticky, maybe to accommodate the face-swapping mechanism. The plush body is virtually identical to the "Time to Chill" version. The faceplate is held on by magnets, and it works surprisingly well. It snaps on securely, and you don't really see the seam unless you're looking for it up close. But, and this is a big but, it adds a rattle. If you pick up the doll and shake it, you can hear the magnet mechanism inside. It's a minor thing, but it bothers some people. For a deep dive, I wrote a full buyer's guide on the Flip With Me LABUBU that covers all the little details.
3. The Sweetheart: "Mokoko Close to Sweet" Vinyl Plush Doll
This was a curveball. A collaboration with another artist, Oodagreen, bringing their character Mokoko into the LABUBU universe. This doll is a whole different flavor.
* The Vibe: Incredibly soft and gentle. This isn't the mischievous monster LABUBU; this is the sleepy, ready-for-a-nap LABUBU. The color palette is all pastels, soft pinks, creamy whites, and light browns. It's designed to look like it's wearing a Mokoko-themed kigurumi (a onesie). * The Materials: This is the biggest departure. The vinyl head is still there, but the expression is softer, with closed, sleepy eyes. The main difference is the plush. The body is covered in a longer, fluffier, almost sherpa-like fleece to imitate the Mokoko character. It is, without a doubt, the most "huggable" of the three. It feels more like a traditional high-end plush toy.
The Outfit: The outfit is the doll. It's a one-piece Mokoko-themed suit with a little hood that has Mokoko's face on it. You can pull the hood up over LABUBU's head. It's ridiculously cute. The downside is that it's not really meant for re-dressing. You can* take the suit off (it's a separate piece), but the doll underneath is a plain, cream-colored plush body. It doesn't look as good "naked" as the other two.* My Take: This one is for a specific taste. If you're also a fan of Mokoko, or if you just love the "kawaii," pastel aesthetic, you will adore this doll. It's the coziest of the bunch. But if you're a LABUBU purist who loves the classic monster look and enjoys dressing your doll in different outfits, this might not be the one for you. I did a full review of the Mokoko plush doll if you want to see more close-up shots.
Real Talk: The Custom Clothing Scene
You can't talk about the 38cm dolls without talking about the clothes. It's a massive part of the hobby. The moment these dolls were released, a whole cottage industry popped up on Etsy, Taobao, and Instagram, creating tiny, human-quality outfits for them.
This is where the fun really begins, but it's also a minefield. I've bought everything from $80 hand-stitched jackets that are better than my own clothes to $20 "sweaters" that are basically just a tube of felt.
My pro tip: Look for sellers who show their outfits on the actual LABUBU doll, not just a generic doll form. Check the reviews for customer photos. The fit around the neck and the chubby body is the hardest part to get right. Don't just trust the slick product shots. The community is your best resource here.
Our Take: Are They Actually Worth the Price?
Okay, let's get down to it. Retail for these dolls is usually around $130-$140 USD. Is that a fair price? I think so. You're getting a large, well-constructed designer piece with a vinyl head and a custom outfit. It feels substantial.
The problem is the secondary market. Finding them at retail is a nightmare. They sell out in seconds. The moment they're gone, prices on eBay and other sites can jump to $200, $250, or even higher. The hype for these is almost on par with the frenzy for the ZIMOMO I Found You series.
So, is it worth paying reseller prices?
My honest seller/collector opinion: No, not usually.
Unless you are absolutely desperate and have the disposable income, paying nearly double the retail price is tough to justify. These are mass-produced items, not one-of-a-kind art pieces. The hype will eventually die down, and more versions will be released. Patience is your best friend in this hobby. It's so easy to get caught up in FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), but another cool one is always around the corner. If you're having trouble finding one, our guide on how to find LABUBU stock near you might offer some alternative strategies.
Another thing no one talks about is the sheer size. Where are you going to put it? A shelf of blind box figures is one thing. A 38cm (that's 15 inches!) doll demands its own chair. Make sure you have the space before you drop the cash.
The Final Verdict: Which 38cm LABUBU is For You?
It really comes down to what kind of collector you are.
* For the Purist: Get the "Time to Chill" doll. It's the iconic, versatile original. It's the best canvas for custom outfits and the truest representation of the character in this scale. * For the Playful Photographer: Get the "Flip With Me" doll. The ability to swap expressions adds a ton of personality and fun for photoshoots. The pouty face alone is worth it for many. * For the "Kawaii" Enthusiast: Get the "Mokoko Close to Sweet" doll. It's the softest, cuddliest, and cutest of the bunch, perfect if you love a pastel, gentle aesthetic.
No matter which one you choose, you're getting a really special piece. They have a charm that's hard to explain until you have one in your hands. They're more than just upscaled figures; they're companions. Just be smart about how you buy them. Don't let the hype drain your wallet. The joy is in the doll itself, not in how much you paid for it.
Com/collections/labubu) at PopNya. We're always trying to keep the good stuff in stock for fellow fans.
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