I see you. You typed "lulu bubu" into Google, and you landed here. Let me start by saying: you're in the right place, but you might be looking for a creature with a slightly different name.
As the owner of PopNya, I spend a lot of time looking at our site analytics, you know, the nerdy backend stuff that tells me what people are searching for. And without fail, every single week, I see searches for "lulu bubu," "la lulu doll," and my personal favorite, "lulu labubu." I get it. It's a cute name. It flows. But the adorable, bunny-eared monster you're probably picturing is actually named LABUBU.
This isn't just me being a stickler for names. Knowing the difference between the cute nickname and the official name is genuinely the most important first step you can take as a collector. It's the line between finding an amazing, authentic piece for your collection and accidentally buying a cheap, disappointing knockoff.
So, let's talk about it.
The Great Name Mix-Up: Why "Lulu Bubu"?
Honestly, no one knows for sure where the "lulu bubu" name started, but I have a few theories based on years of being in this scene.
LABUBU is the creation of Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. He's a genius who created a whole universe of whimsical, slightly mischievous characters called "The Monsters." LABUBU is the star of that universe. It's a little monster, gender-neutral, with long ears and a set of tiny, pointy teeth. It's mischievous but ultimately good-hearted.
The confusion likely comes from a few places. First, pronunciation. "Labubu" can be a bit of a mouthful, and "Bubu" is an easy, catchy part of it. "Lulu" is just a universally cute-sounding name that people probably tacked on. I've seen it happen on TikTok a dozen times, someone does an unboxing video, mispronounces the name in the audio, and suddenly thousands of people think that's what it's called.
I've also noticed that many international fan communities, especially on Instagram and Facebook, use phonetic spellings or nicknames. It's a term of endearment. But while it's harmless among fans, this confusion has created a golden opportunity for counterfeiters.
When you search for the real deal, you'll find official Pop Mart stores, dedicated collector shops (like ours!), and fan communities sharing their finds. When you search for a "lulu bubu doll," you enter a wild west of sketchy listings.
A Buyer's Playbook: The Dangers of the "Lulu Bubu" Search
Searching for the wrong name is the fastest way to get scammed. I am not exaggerating.
Counterfeit producers on sites like AliExpress, Temu, and even Amazon know that new, uninformed fans are searching for terms like "lulu bubu." They create listings using these exact keywords to lure you in. They'll use stolen photos of the real product, promise impossibly low prices, and ship you a piece of junk.
I've done it myself, purely for research. I once ordered a "lulu bubu backpack" that was clearly a knockoff of the famous LABUBU Macaron series plush keychain. It was listed for $5. The real one, when it was available, was closer to $20 and sold out instantly. When the package arrived two months later, the difference was staggering.
The fake was made of a scratchy, cheap felt. The stitching was already coming undone. The colors were dull, and it had a distinct, sharp chemical smell that screamed "factory floor." The worst part? The face was all wrong. The eyes were too far apart, and the signature toothy grin was just a lopsided, painted-on smudge. It was, frankly, depressing.
A real Exciting Macaron Labubu plush is made from super-soft mochi-like material, the embroidery is perfect, and it feels substantial. Holding the real one versus the fake is like comparing a gourmet pastry to a stale piece of bread.
This is what's at stake. That's why getting the name right matters. You're not just buying a toy; you're buying a piece of art from Kasing Lung, produced with care by Pop Mart. The fakes have none of that soul.
How to Tell a Real LABUBU from a "La Lulu Doll" Fake
Okay, so you're on a mission to find the real thing. Here's your checklist. This is what I look for when I'm verifying inventory for PopNya.
1. The Box is Your First Clue. Pop Mart boxes are part of the experience. They're sturdy, beautifully designed, and often have special finishes like foil stamping or spot gloss. * Check the Logos: Look for the official Pop Mart logo and the Kasing Lung logo. Fakes often get these wrong, using weird fonts or blurry images. * Artwork Quality: The character art on the box should be crisp and high-resolution. If it looks like a bad photocopy, it's a fake. * The Seal: A new, authentic blind box will be sealed in plastic wrap. A full case of 12 will have Pop Mart branded tape.
2. The Feel and Weight of the Figure. This is a detail only a collector would know. Real LABUBU figures have a specific density. They feel solid and have a satisfying weight in your hand. They are made from high-quality PVC/vinyl that feels smooth, not oily or sticky. Fakes are often made from cheaper, lighter plastic and can feel hollow. The paint job on a real LABUBU is almost always immaculate. The lines are sharp, the colors are vibrant, and there are no smudges. A fake "la lulu doll" will have sloppy paint, especially around the eyes and teeth.
3. The Collector Card. Every single authentic Pop Mart blind box contains a small, credit-card-sized collector card that matches the figure inside. These cards are printed on quality cardstock. The fakes either don't have a card at all, or they include a flimsy, poorly printed piece of paper. On many newer series, the box and/or card will have a QR code you can scan for verification through Pop Mart's system.
4. The Price is the Biggest Red Flag. This is the easiest test. If a deal seems too good to be true, it is. A standard LABUBU blind box retails for about $14.99 USD. A full case of 12 is around $179. If you see someone selling a "Full Set of 12 Lulu Bubu" for $60, you are 100% buying counterfeits. Aftermarket prices for rare or secret figures can go into the hundreds, but no one is selling a legitimate, brand-new case for a third of its retail price. You can learn more about the pricing and hype in our ultimate guide to LABUBU dolls.
So, You Want a Real LABUBU. Where Do You Start?
Now for the fun part! Now that you know the real name, a massive, wonderful world of collecting is open to you. If you're just starting, it can be a little overwhelming. Here are a couple of my favorite series that are great entry points.
The Exciting Macaron Labubu series is probably the most iconic. It's the one that really blew up on social media. These are the little guys dressed up as colorful macarons, and they are ridiculously cute. The chase figure in this set, a pink one called Lychee, is legendary. It retailed for $15 like the others but now regularly sells for $150-$200 on the secondary market. It's a perfect example of the hype.
If you want something a little different, the Have a Seat Labubu V2 series is fantastic. Each figure is sitting on a unique, themed stool, making them super easy to display. The quality on this set is top-notch, and the designs are really creative.
And of course, you can always browse our full LABUBU collection at PopNya to see the variety of authentic series that are out there. It's a good way to train your eye to spot the real deal.
**Real Talk: My Honest Verdict
Look, at the end of the day, does it matter what you call the little guy in your own head? Not really. If "lulu bubu" brings you joy, go for it.
But when you're spending your hard-earned money, it matters immensely.
Using the correct name, LABUBU**, is your passport. It gets you into the right shops, the right search results, and the right communities. It ensures the money you spend supports the artist, Kasing Lung, and the company, Pop Mart, who invest in making these incredible figures. Searching for "lulu bubu" is like asking for a "Rollex watch", it immediately signals to scammers that you're an easy target.
The name is your first and best line of defense. Think of "LABUBU" as the secret password that unlocks the door to the real, high-quality, and infinitely more rewarding world of designer toy collecting. The world of "lulu bubu" is filled with fakes and disappointment. You deserve better than that.
The journey from hearing about a "lulu bubu doll" to unboxing your first real LABUBU is a rite of passage for so many collectors. It's a little confusing at first, but once you know what to look for, you'll never go back.
Happy collecting.
Disclosure: PopNya may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page.
