Labubu looks like your childhood plushie went goth and never grew out of it. With those wide, slightly unhinged eyes, a too-big grin full of tiny sharp teeth, and ears straight out of a Tim Burton sketchbook, it’s not your standard “aww” kind of cute, but that’s precisely why people love it. Labubu lives in that perfect “ugly-cute” space, like a Furby possessed by the spirit of Where the Wild Things Are. It’s weird, a little creepy, and totally endearing, kind of like if your favourite toy from the ’90s got redesigned by someone who grew up watching Are You Afraid of the Dark? and collecting vinyl figures. And somehow, it works. Labubu taps into that sweet spot of nostalgia, oddball charm, and collectible culture that Millennials can’t seem to resist.
The Creative Genesis: Kasing Lung’s Wonderfully Weird World
Labubu wasn’t born in a boardroom. It came from the wonderfully offbeat brain of Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, who wasn’t trying to manufacture the next global toy trend, he was just telling stories. Back in 2015, Lung introduced The Monsters, a series inspired by the Nordic mythology he grew up loving. Labubu emerged from that world as a scrappy little elf-like creature with pointy ears, jagged teeth, and undeniable weird-kid energy.
Lung’s path wasn’t typical either. He was born in Hong Kong, raised in the Netherlands, and now based in Belgium - he blends a whole mix of cultures into his work. You can feel that in Labubu. It’s got the eerie charm of a European fairytale character but with just enough East Asian design sensibility to make it pop in the art toy scene. It’s not “kawaii” cute, it’s more like creepy-cute with a heart of gold.
That mash-up of influences is part of what makes Labubu work so well globally. It’s not locked into one culture or trend. Instead, it hits that sweet spot where weird becomes collectible, and story-driven design becomes a brand. No wonder Pop Mart saw the potential to take it international - this little misfit monster was built for crossover appeal.
Why Ugly Is the New Hot: The Psychology Behind Labubu’s Looks
Labubu isn’t exactly winning any traditional beauty contests. But that’s the point.
Its design is a genius mashup of contradictions: big, pleading eyes and a fluffy little body paired with razor teeth and bat-like ears. It’s cute, but not in a soft, pastel way. It’s chaotic-cute. Or, as they call it in Japan, kimo-kawaii - “gross-cute.” And this aesthetic is having a full-blown moment with Gen Z, kidults, and anyone who’s emotionally allergic to basic mascots.
But there’s more going on than just weird for weird’s sake. Psychologists would tell you that this kind of “ugly-cute” design creates something called symbolic mastery—aka the art of making peace with chaos. Labubu doesn’t just look like your inner gremlin—it is your inner gremlin. It’s a tiny, collectible way to hold space for anxiety, discomfort, or being a total weirdo. You’re not just buying a toy—you’re taming the feral.
That theory got a weird real-world boost in 2024 when Russia’s Federation Council tried to ban Labubu for being too “frightening.” But that’s kind of proof that the unsettling vibes work—it’s supposed to be a little creepy. That tension between cute and creepy creates surprise, laughter, even catharsis. It forces a double take.
Compare that to something like Sonny Angel—who’s basically a tiny nude baby in a fruit hat whispering “self-care” in pastels. Labubu’s more like: “I’ve seen things. Let’s scream into the void together.”
This shift—from peaceful nostalgia to playful chaos—signals a bigger cultural moment. People aren’t looking for perfection anymore. They want something that matches the mess. And Labubu is leading that charge with a jagged smile and wild little eyes that say, “Yeah, same.”
Why “Imperfect” Is the New Perfect
In today’s hyper-curated, filter-heavy world, Labubu is a breath of feral little air. Its weird charm isn’t an accident; it’s a rebellion. Where most brands still chase clean lines and aspirational vibes, Labubu leans hard into its flaws: jagged teeth, bug-eyed stare, unsettling grin. And that’s exactly why people love it.
It’s not just a design trend but more like a cultural mood. Gen Z and younger millennials are swapping out perfection for what some call ironic authenticity. In other words: “I know this looks kinda cursed, but it’s real, and that’s the point.” Labubu taps into that energy. It doesn’t pretend to be soft or likable. It just is - loud, odd, and oddly comforting.
That vibe has bled into fashion too. Labubu has gone from art toy to fashion symbol, showing up on collabs, grails, and even the feeds of icons like Rihanna, Lisa from Blackpink, and Kim K. And to be fair, it’s cool because it’s a little creepy. In a sea of airbrushed sameness, Labubu’s snaggle-toothed chaos feels like a flex.
The message? You don’t need to be perfect to be iconic.
The Grinning Goblin That Accidentally Won
Labubu wasn’t supposed to become a global obsession but somehow, this little gremlin with a snaggle-tooth smile and chaotic energy ended up making Pop Mart nearly $700 million in the first half of 2025 alone. That’s not just toy money. That’s empire money.
Labubu means well but usually messes things up; a vibe that hits a little too close to home for most of us. It’s like watching a cartoon version of your most chaotic friend try to assemble IKEA furniture without the manual.
Then there’s the blind box setup. You’re not just buying a collectible but you’re rolling emotional dice. You hope for the rare edition, maybe curse your luck when it’s a duplicate, and still come back for more. It’s retail roulette, but cuter.
When Weird Wins: Labubu’s Monstrous Appeal
Labubu is a full-blown phenomenon. TikTok Shop sales jumped over 1,800% in a year, all thanks to a character that looks like it gnawed on your dreams and smiled after. But that’s the point.
In China, Labubu’s rise is being framed as a win for homegrown creativity. It proves you don’t need polished perfection to go global. In fact, imperfection is the draw. Labubu taps into a bigger shift: we’re moving away from glossy, safe mascots toward characters that feel real, weird, and wonderfully off-kilter.
It’s not nightmare fuel. It’s a vibe. And it’s winning.
Catch you next time!
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Wow great article. Next thing troll dolls will be back in vogue
thank you for this article Marta, it's actually refreshing to read a positive take on Labubu among all the critics!