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I remember the exact moment the first promo images for the LABUBU Walk by Fortune dropped. It was a collective gasp in every collector chat I'm in. We all knew, instantly. This wasn't going to be just another release. This was going to be a problem.
A beautiful, expensive, must-have problem.
As someone who runs PopNya and looks at designer toys all day, it takes a lot to truly jolt me. But this one did. Kasing Lung's art, combined with the cultural power of the lion dance and the theme of fortune, was a masterstroke from Pop Mart. They knew exactly what they were doing. They created a grail piece before it even hit the shelves.
And boy, did the market react. What we're looking at is the pop mart labubu walk by fortune figure, a piece that has become a fascinating case study in hype, value, and the emotional rollercoaster of collecting.
First Impressions: What It's Actually Like in Person
Let's get the specs out of the way, because the marketing photos don't do it justice, and they also don't tell you the whole story. This is a "5.0" figure, which is Pop Mart's non-standardized way of saying "big but not MEGA 400% big." It stands at about 18cm, or just over 7 inches tall. It's a chunky, substantial piece. When you pick it up, it has a satisfying heft that a lot of vinyl figures lack.
The first thing I noticed when I finally got one in my hands for the store wasn't the face or the costume. It was the texture. The main body of the lion dance costume has this incredibly fine, soft flocking. It's not like the cheap fuzzy feel of some older toys; this is a dense, velvety flocking that begs to be touched (but please, use gloves if you're a serious collector, oils from your hands will ruin it over time). It mimics the look and feel of a traditional lion dance costume in a way I didn't expect.
Then you get to the details. The gold paint used on the accents isn't just a flat yellow. It has a metallic, almost brassy sheen that catches the light beautifully. The little fortune coins Labubu is tossing are individually sculpted pieces, not just a single molded blob. One tiny detail that most people miss is the subtle color variation in the "fur" trim around the face and paws, it's not a stark white, but a slightly off-white, which gives it more depth.
On a figure this expensive and hyped, you'd expect perfection. For the most part, you get it. The eyes are sharp, the blush is perfectly applied. However, on one of the first units I inspected, there was the tiniest, almost invisible speck of white paint on the edge of Labubu's black ear. It's something you'd only see under a bright light at a specific angle. It's a reminder that even on these premium pieces, they are still mass-produced, and tiny flaws can and do exist. It's something to be aware of if you're buying on the secondary market, always ask for high-resolution photos.
The Market Insanity: A Price Breakdown
This is the part that everyone wants to talk about. The price.
The labubu walk by fortune** had a retail price of around $150 USD, depending on the region and retailer. That's already a premium price for a figure of this size, but not unheard of.
The day it was released, that price became a distant memory.
I watched in real-time as prices on platforms like StockX and in private collector groups exploded. * Day 1: $350 - $400. It more than doubled its value within hours. * Week 1: It peaked at around $550-$600 for a hot minute. People were paying four times the retail price, driven by pure, uncut FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). * One Month Later (as of writing): The price has "stabilized," if you can call it that, to a slightly more sane but still eye-watering range of $400 - $450.
Why? It's a perfect storm. Limited availability is the main driver. Pop Mart knew this would be a hit and likely produced fewer than the demand required to maintain that "grail" status. Add to that the theme, fortune, luck, prosperity. It resonates powerfully, especially in the Asian market, which is a massive force in the designer toy world. This isn't just a toy; it's a talisman, a piece of art that's also a good luck charm. It's the same reason certain culturally significant releases, like some of the One Piece crossover Labubus, generate so much excitement. They tap into something deeper than just a cute monster design.
Compared to other large-format figures, its value retention is staggering. A MEGA 400% figure might retail for more, but many of them see their aftermarket value dip below retail after the initial hype dies down. Walk by Fortune has bucked that trend completely. It established a new, high baseline and has stubbornly stayed there.
Our Take: The Real Talk Section
Okay, let's be completely honest here. Is this figure worth $450?
No. And yes.
From a purely objective standpoint, materials, production cost, size, no, it's not. It's a beautifully made vinyl and flocked figure, but at the end of the day, it's still a mass-produced collectible. You could buy an entire case of a new blind box series (and then some) for that price.
But we both know that's not how collecting works. Value isn't just about plastic and paint. It's about story, scarcity, and emotion.
So, from a collector's standpoint? Yes, the price is a reflection of its perceived value within the community. It's an iconic piece, a "grail" that instantly signifies you're a serious Labubu enthusiast. It's the centerpiece of a collection. It's the one figure that makes people stop and say "wow" when they see your display shelf.
My advice as a seller is this: Do not buy this figure if you are new to collecting. Do not buy it if you are stretching your budget. Do not buy it because you see everyone else posting it on Instagram. FOMO is the fastest way to buyer's remorse. There is nothing worse than spending a huge chunk of money on something only to feel empty when the dopamine hit of the purchase wears off.
Who should buy it? 1. The dedicated Labubu collector who understands the market and wants a true centerpiece. 2. The art toy investor who sees its potential to hold or increase in value over the long term (a risky game, but some play it). 3. Someone who genuinely, deeply loves the design and has the disposable income to spend without regret.
For everyone else, admire it from afar. Appreciate the art. And maybe wait for a potential re-release or a different colorway down the line (though I wouldn't hold my breath). There are so many other incredible figures you can add to your shelves for a fraction of the cost. Sometimes the smartest move in collecting is knowing which battles to sit out. This is one of those battles for 95% of collectors.
The Danger of the Grail: Fakes and Scams
With a price tag this high, the vultures are circling. It's not a matter of if fakes will appear, but when and how good they will be. The fakes for the Exciting Macaron Labubu series got scarily accurate, and I expect the same for Walk by Fortune.
Here's what to watch for: * The Price is Too Good to Be True: If you see one for $200, it's a scam or a fake. Period. No one is selling a legitimate one for that low. * Packaging: The box for the real figure is a work of art itself. It's a sturdy, beautifully printed box with foil accents. Fakes will likely cut corners here. Look for flimsy cardboard, blurry printing, or off-colors. * The Flocking: This will be the hardest part for counterfeiters to replicate perfectly. The real flocking is dense and even. Fakes might have patchy, thin, or uneven flocking that sheds easily. * Weight and Feel: Fakes often use cheaper, lighter-weight plastic. If it feels too light or "cheap" in your hand, that's a major red flag.
Always buy from reputable sources. If you're buying from an individual, use a platform with buyer protection like PayPal Goods & Services and ask for extensive, time-stamped photos.
Why This One, Though?
It's worth thinking about why this specific figure hit so hard. Pop Mart has released other large, beautiful figures. But Walk by Fortune captured the zeitgeist. It's more than just a cute monster in a costume. It's a cultural symbol packaged in a collectible format. It is a maturation of the Labubu brand, moving from simple blind box toys to high-concept art pieces.
For a long time, the world of Labubu was about the thrill of the chase in blind boxes, as anyone who has tried to complete a set knows. It's a journey we've all been on, and if you're just starting, our ultimate guide to Labubu dolls can help you navigate those early days. But Walk by Fortune is different. It's a destination piece. It's not about the hunt; it's about the arrival.
It's a statement from Pop Mart and Kasing Lung that these characters can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with standalone art sculptures. And for a price that, while high for a toy, is low for a piece of limited-edition art. That's the line it walks, and that's why it's so compelling and controversial.
If you love the design but can't stomach the price, don't despair. The beauty of the Labubu universe is its variety. You can explore so many different designs, colorways, and series without breaking the bank. Sometimes the most joy comes from finding an overlooked common figure that just speaks to you.This hobby should be about joy, not financial stress.
Walk by Fortune is a stunning, significant release. It's a landmark for the Labubu brand. But it's also a cautionary tale about hype and the madness of crowds. Whether you decide to pursue it or not, it has undeniably changed the game.
*Disclosure: PopNya may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page.
