If you typed "what are the boobus" into your search bar, congratulations. You've stumbled down a rabbit hole that has consumed thousands of us, and you're not alone. I see that exact phrase, along with "lalabu u" and the truly creative "leboo bough," pop up in my store's search analytics all the time.
It's LABUBU. Pronounced "La-Boo-Boo."
And no, it's not the baby carrier. That's a common point of confusion, and if you're looking for a way to carry your infant, you've taken a very strange turn. But if you're curious about the little monster with the big ears and mischievous teeth that's blowing up your social media feeds, stick around. As the owner of PopNya and a hopeless collector myself, I can tell you everything.
So, What Exactly IS a LABUBU?
At its core, LABUBU is a character created by Kasing Lung, a brilliant artist originally from Hong Kong who now lives in Belgium. He was inspired by classic European fairy tales and wanted to create a world of his own. That world is populated by "The Monsters," and LABUBU is the star of the show.
He's a little elf-like creature. He's got long, rabbit-like ears, a set of tiny, sharp teeth that are almost always showing in a cheeky grin, and a personality that's more mischievous than malicious. Think of a gremlin you'd actually want to hang out with. That's LABUBU.
For most people, their first encounter with LABUBU is through Pop Mart, the company that transformed Kasing Lung's art into a collectible phenomenon. They primarily sell them as blind boxes.
If you're new to this, a blind box is exactly what it sounds like. You buy a small, sealed box, and you don't know which figure from a particular series is inside until you open it. A typical series has 12 different designs (we call these "regulars") and one or two secret, much rarer designs (we call these "chases" or "secrets").
The thrill of not knowing what you're going to get is a huge part of the appeal. It's a $15 lottery ticket that always gives you something cool, even if it's not the one you wanted most.
Why Are People Losing Their Minds Over a Little Monster?
I get this question a lot. From the outside, it can look a little crazy. People lining up for hours, paying hundreds of dollars for a tiny vinyl figure, frantically trading online. But once you're in it, it all makes sense.
1. The Art Is Genuinely Good. This isn't just some mass-produced, soulless plastic. Kasing Lung is a legitimate artist, and his designs have a unique charm that sets them apart. LABUBU isn't just generically "cute.That complexity is what makes him so interesting to look at and to collect. He can be dressed up as a sweet macaron or a fearsome Naruto character, and he somehow still looks like himself.
2. The Thrill of the Hunt. The blind box mechanic is pure, distilled dopamine. Pulling a secret figure is a feeling that's hard to describe. Your heart actually pounds a little faster when you feel the box and it seems a little heavier or a different shape. (Pro tip: the box weight trick is mostly a myth these days, so don't count on it). But the community aspect that grows from this is huge. People film unboxing videos, post their hauls, and connect in trading groups to complete their sets. It creates a real sense of shared excitement. It's also why you see so many people drawing their own LABUBU fan art; they're not just buying a product, they're engaging with a character.
3. The Investment Potential (with a HUGE Asterisk). Let's be real, some people are in it for the money. The secondary market for rare LABUBU figures is insane. A standard box from The Monsters Fruits series costs about $17. The secret chase from that series, "Soy," a little guy in a soy milk carton, was recently trading for over $200. The super-secret, a green "Avocado," has gone for over $500. It turns a fun hobby into a potential side hustle for some. But for every person who gets lucky, there are a hundred who just get a bunch of duplicates.
Real Talk: A Buyer's Playbook for Your First LABUBU
Okay, so you're intrigued. You want in. Before you rush out and spend your paycheck, let me give you the advice I wish I had when I started. Think of this as your playbook.
What Series Should I Start With?
This is a personal choice, but I always recommend The Monsters Exciting Macaron series to beginners. Why? * Quality: The quality control on this series is fantastic. The paint is crisp, the colors are vibrant, and the vinyl has a nice, weighty feel. * Design: The designs are universally adorable without being boring. Each LABUBU is paired with a different macaron, and the little details are perfect. * Availability: It's a popular but still widely produced series. You can find it without having to fight a mob or pay insane aftermarket prices.
Browse the different series online. Look at the full lineup. Find one where you'd be happy pulling at least 8 of the 12 designs. That's the sweet spot. If you only want one specific figure out of 12, it's almost always cheaper to just buy it from a reseller.
Let's Talk Money: Retail vs. Aftermarket
A standard LABUBU blind box from an official retailer like Pop Mart or a specialty store like ours should cost between $15 and $18 USD. A full case of 12 boxes will run you about $180-$210.
DO NOT pay more than this for a sealed, random blind box.
The aftermarket is where things get wild. This is where people sell specific, opened figures or confirmed secret chases. This is where you'll see a common figure go for $10 (less than retail) and a secret go for $200. Use sites like eBay, Mercari, or collector Facebook groups to gauge prices, but be careful.
My Honest Warning: Never, ever feel pressured to pay crazy aftermarket prices for a common figure. Hype is temporary. Pop Mart is very good at restocking popular series. The "Crying" LABUBU from the "A Little" series was selling for $50+ at one point. Now, you can find it for under $20. Patience is your best friend in this hobby.
"What Does La Boo Boo Mean?"
People ask this all the time, hoping for some deep lore. The truth? It's probably just a name Kasing Lung thought sounded cool. There's no deep, hidden "la boo boo mean"-ing. However, fans have attached their own ideas to it. Some people got weirded out by the teeth and the "monster" name, leading to bizarre rumors about LABUBU being demonic. It's not. It's a fairy, an elf, a mischievous creature from a storybook. It's as demonic as a garden gnome.
How to Spot a Fake (This is CRITICAL)
The popularity of LABUBU has led to a massive flood of fakes. They are everywhere. As a seller, I've seen some that are shockingly convincing. For a beginner, it's a minefield.
* The Price is Too Good: If you see a new, popular series for $5 a box, it's fake. No question. * The Smell: This is a big one. Fake vinyl has a very strong, toxic chemical smell. A real Pop Mart figure has a faint, almost "new car" vinyl smell, but it's not unpleasant. * The Details: Look at the paint lines. Are they crisp? Look at the copyright info on the foot. Is it clear or blurry? Fakes are getting better, but they almost always mess up the fine details.
I can't stress this enough: buy from reputable sources. If you're buying secondhand, ask for detailed photos. It's so much better to pay a few extra dollars for the real thing than to get the disappointing, smelly, poorly-made fake. We've put together a more detailed guide on spotting fake LABUBU because it's such a huge problem for new collectors.
Our Take: A Seller's Honest Opinion
Alright, let me just be blunt for a second. As someone who handles these toys every single day, here's my unfiltered take.
The best part of LABUBU is the creativity. It's not just the same character in a different color. The collabs, like the incredible Naruto Shippuden series, show how versatile the design is. Seeing LABUBU as Kakashi or Gaara is just plain fun.
However, not all series are created equal. Hot take: I think The Monsters Forest Concert series is a little weak. The concept is great, but the execution on some of the figures felt a bit uninspired compared to the series that came before and after it. The paint application on the first batch we got at the shop was also a bit hit-or-miss, which was disappointing.
My advice to every new collector is this: don't chase the hype. Don't buy a figure because it's popular or expensive. Buy it because you look at it and it makes you smile. The real joy of this hobby isn't in the value of your collection, it's in the little burst of happiness you get when you see them on your shelf.
So, "the boobus" are actually LABUBU, a gateway to a whole world of art, community, and the thrill of the hunt. It's a hobby that can be as simple as buying one cute figure you like, or as deep as trying to collect every single one ever made.
If you're feeling the itch and want to make sure you're getting the real deal, you can always browse our LABUBU collection here at PopNya. We're as obsessed as you are, and we love helping people find their first (or fiftieth) monster.
Welcome to the club. I'm sorry for what's about to happen to your wallet.
--- Disclosure: PopNya may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page.
