I remember the day the first cases of LABUBU Version 3 arrived at my shop. The boxes felt... Different. Lighter. Softer. That was the first clue that the "Big Into Energy" series was going to be a whole new ballgame. This wasn't just another vinyl set; this was Pop Mart and Kasing Lung taking a big swing with a fully plush-covered blind box series. And the collector community, myself included, went absolutely nuts for it.
The hype was already brewing for weeks before the official labubu version 3 release date. Leaked images showed these fuzzy, adorable monsters, and the speculation was wild. Was it flocking? Was it a full plush toy? The official name was "The Monsters Big Into Energy Vinyl Plush Blind Box V3," which confirmed our hopes. It was a hybrid. A vinyl core with a soft, plushy exterior.
When they finally dropped, it was chaos. Not quite the level of the Macaron madness, but close. This was the labubu 3rd generation of the core series, and it felt like a major evolution. The initial labubu v3 price was standard for a premium blind box, around $18-$20 USD per box. But that price became a distant memory within hours.
The Lineup: Who Were the Hits and Misses?
Let's be real, every blind box series has its winners and the ones you quietly trade away. The labubu v3 names were Energy, Ghost, Soy, Flower, Mushroom, and Cloud, with Soy Milk being the secret.
Right out of the gate, Soy was the star. That little green guy with the mischievous grin was the one everyone wanted. We were getting messages at PopNya constantly: "Do you have Soy?" "Can I buy just the Soy figure?" Within a week, I saw single Soy figures selling for $50-$60, more than triple the cost of a single labubu v3 blind box. It was wild.
Ghost was another favorite. The simple, classic white design with that adorable ghost sheet over Labubu was a clean, effective design that collectors loved. It was a close second to Soy in terms of popularity.
Then you had the middle-tier pulls. Flower and Mushroom were cute, solid designs. People were happy to pull them, but they weren't commanding the insane aftermarket prices. They were the figures that made you feel like you got your money's worth.
And the "duds"? I hate to call any Labubu a dud, but Energy and Cloud were definitely the least popular of the set. Cloud's design was a bit plain for some, and Energy, despite being the namesake, just didn't seem to capture hearts the way Soy or Ghost did. If you were opening a case of 12, you were crossing your fingers you didn't get too many of these.
The secret, Soy Milk, was a whole other level. A translucent, milky-white version of Soy. The odds were 1/144, and its price reflected that. I saw it hit $250+ in the early days, and it has remained a high-value piece ever since.
A Seller's Reality Check: The Plush Problem
Here's the part other reviews won't tell you. As someone who has handled hundreds of these figures, the plush concept was both brilliant and problematic.
The Good: The tactile feel was incredible. Unboxing a labubu series 3 figure was a unique sensory experience. They felt premium, cozy, and different from anything else on the shelf. They looked amazing in photos. The soft texture caught the light in a way that smooth vinyl just can't.
The Bad (and the Ugly): Quality control was a nightmare on the first batch. The plush material, which is essentially a type of flocking, was prone to imperfections. I had to process more returns and exchanges for this series than any other before it. We saw figures with bald spots, uneven flocking, and visible glue seams around the ears and feet.
And the biggest issue? They get dirty. So, so easily.
These are not figures you can just wipe down. Dust clings to them. If you handle them with even slightly oily hands, it can leave a mark. I have a Soy on my desk, and I have to keep it under a cloche to protect it. I've had customers send me heartbreaking photos of a V3 figure that took a tumble off a shelf and picked up every speck of dust and pet hair on the way down. Cleaning them is a delicate operation involving soft brushes and a lot of patience. It's a real drawback that has, in my opinion, affected their long-term displayability compared to the classic vinyls like the Have a Seat Labubu V2 series.
Market Data: Did the Hype Last?
So, how has the labubu gen 3 held up in the market? It's been a fascinating case study.
The initial hype was explosive, driven by the novelty. But after a few months, the market cooled faster than it did for the Macarons. I believe the "plush problem" is a big reason why. Collectors realized these were high-maintenance display pieces.
- Soy: Still the most valuable of the regular set. A fair price today is probably around $35-$45, a significant drop from its peak but still a premium.
- Ghost: Has held its value well, usually trading in the $25-$35 range.
- The Others (Flower, Mushroom, Cloud, Energy): These have all settled down to prices at or slightly below the original retail cost of a blind box. You can often find them for $10-$15 on secondary market platforms.
- Soy Milk (Secret): Remains a grail for many. Its price is more stable now, but you're still looking at $180-$220 depending on condition and seller.
One interesting thing I noticed as a seller: the box-weighing trick was useless for this series. With vinyl figures, you can sometimes use a precision scale to guess which figure is inside. But with the labubu volume 3, the slight variations in the plush material and the vinyl core made the weights too inconsistent. It leveled the playing field and made every unboxing a genuine surprise, which I personally loved. It brought back the true spirit of the blind box.
Our Take: The Real Talk on Labubu V3
Okay, so here's my honest-to-goodness verdict as someone who lives and breathes this stuff.
The LABUBU "Big Into Energy" V3 series is a landmark release. It was ambitious, it was different, and it showed that Pop Mart was willing to experiment. For that, I give it massive props. The initial excitement was unforgettable.
However, I do not think it's the best series for a new collector to start with. The maintenance issue is real. If you want a figure you can handle, repose, and not worry about, this isn't it. The plush texture feels less like a durable toy and more like a delicate art piece. For a more robust and equally iconic experience, I'd point a newcomer towards something like the Exciting Macaron Labubu series, which has its own set of challenges but is ultimately more durable.
For seasoned collectors, V3 is a must-have for its historical importance. Owning a Soy or a Ghost from this set is like owning a piece of Labubu history. Just be prepared to be a responsible parent to it. Keep it clean, keep it safe, and for the love of Kasing Lung, don't let it fall on a carpet.
Is it overhyped? At launch, yes. Absolutely. Today, I think the market has corrected itself to a fair place. The prices for the common figures are reasonable, and it's a great time to pick them up if you want to complete your set without breaking the bank. You can often find a few lurking in our own LABUBU collection as we acquire them from other collectors.
The legacy of Labubu Version 3 is that it pushed the boundaries. It may not have the timeless, carefree appeal of a classic vinyl, but it was a bold, fuzzy, and unforgettable chapter in The Monsters' story. It walked so that other experimental series could run. And my desk-bound Soy, safely under its glass dome, reminds me of that chaotic, exciting time every single day.
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