Quote from Alex bobby on May 29, 2025, 5:39 AM

Labubu: Has the TikTok-Led Obsession Over These ‘Creepy’ Dolls Gone Too Far?

Their fluffy, they’re freaky, and they’re flying off the shelves—if you can even get your hands on one. Labubu dolls, the mischievous monster creations originally born from the mind of Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, have taken TikTok by storm. Once humble characters from a children’s picture book series titled Monsters, Labubu have evolved into one of the most sought-after collectibles of the year. But as their popularity has surged, so too has the chaos surrounding them—leading some to ask, has the obsession gone too far?

What Exactly Is a Labubu?

At first glance, Labubu may not strike you as collectible gold. These small, furry bag charms or figurines feature goblin-like smiles with jagged teeth, oversized ears, and eyes that stare just a little too hard. They’re a mix of creepy and cute—"creepy cute," if you will—and that aesthetic has become central to their appeal. Since Pop Mart, the Chinese toy manufacturer, began producing Labubu figurines in 2019, the brand has attracted a global cult following.

The designs are intentionally unpredictable. Some Labubus wear fairy wings, others dress up as vegetables or mythical creatures. Many are sold in “blind boxes,” meaning customers don’t know which design they’re buying until they open the box, adding to the addictive thrill of collecting them all.

The UK Meltdown

As of last week, Pop Mart has temporarily pulled Labubu toys from all 16 of its UK locations. The company cited “potential safety issues,” but the real trigger appears to be a spiraling frenzy among fans. In one particularly dramatic episode, a fight reportedly broke out in a London Pop Mart store after customers had queued overnight for a new Labubu drop. Tensions ran so high that yelling and physical altercations erupted, prompting staff to step in—and ultimately, stores to shut it down.

A customer told the BBC, “People were shouting, basically saying there were no more Labubus left. I even witnessed a fight between a worker and a customer." Not exactly the wholesome toy-buying experience we associate with plush charms.

Blame It on TikTok (Again)

As with many of today’s more curious trends, TikTok is at the heart of the Labubu explosion. Videos under the hashtag #Labubu have racked up over 1.4 million posts, featuring everything from unboxings and collection tours to DIY crocheted versions. The final push? Lisa from the K-pop megagroup Blackpink was spotted with one dangling off her designer handbag—and that, as they say, was that.

TikTok thrives on trends that blend scarcity, identity, and community, and Labubu offers all three. With limited edition drops, the randomness of blind boxes, and an aesthetic that walks the line between cute and cursed, the Labubu phenomenon checks every box for a social media sensation.

From Pocket Money to Price Wars

In the UK, Labubu charms typically retail between £13.50 (€16) and £50 (€59), depending on the edition. But limited releases and rapid sell-outs have given rise to a fierce reseller market, with prices soaring well beyond their original tags. This has led to frustration among genuine fans, who often find themselves outmanoeuvred by scalpers snatching up stock to flip online at a premium.

And while the dolls themselves are relatively small, the emotional stakes surrounding them are anything but. What started as a lighthearted collectible has turned into a high-stress, high-demand market where scarcity fuels obsession—and sometimes even violence.

The Rise of the ‘Kidult’

To outsiders, the idea of grown adults clamoring over plush goblins might seem ridiculous. But in 2025, it’s no joke. Welcome to the age of the kidult. A growing segment of adults are buying toys for themselves—whether it’s Squishmallows, Jellycats, or Labubu—as a form of comfort and identity.

According to research firm Circana, one in five toys today is sold to an adult buyer purchasing for themselves. It’s a boom powered by nostalgia, anxiety, and delayed adulthood. As the pressures of modern life mount—from climate change to economic instability—it’s no surprise that many adults are retreating into small joys that offer a sense of control, whimsy, or just good old-fashioned distraction.

Cute, Creepy—and Captivating

Part of Labubu’s allure lies in its sweet-but-sinister aesthetic. These dolls aren’t just cute—they’re weird. Like the cult-favourite Sonny Angels, with their blank stares and unsettling calm, Labubu figures elicit a strange emotional response. They're collectible not in spite of their oddness, but because of it.

That touch of discomfort makes them memorable. It also makes them endlessly customisable, meme-able, and emotionally sticky. The very weirdness that makes Labubu a hard sell on paper is exactly what makes them viral gold.

Final Thoughts: Just a Toy… or a Cultural Mirror?

Labubu isn’t just a doll; it’s a symbol of the times. In an age where virality trumps value and trends are often fuelled by spectacle, the Labubu craze is a perfect storm of nostalgia, scarcity, and online frenzy. It raises questions about consumer culture, the impact of social media, and our collective craving for meaning—even if it comes in the form of a fuzzy monster with an unhinged smile.

So yes, the Labubu craze may have gotten out of hand. But in a world where everything feels a little unstable, maybe it makes perfect sense that we’re clinging to a creepy little doll for comfort.

And if you’ll excuse us, our tote bag is starting to look a little bare. Anyone got a spare Labubu?

Conclusion:

The Labubu phenomenon is more than just another TikTok-fuelled fad—it’s a mirror reflecting deeper cultural trends, from the rise of “kidult” consumerism to the need for comfort in chaos. While the dolls’ creepy-cute charm and collectible exclusivity explain their initial appeal, the frenzy, fights, and resale madness highlight how quickly obsession can spiral out of control. As Pop Mart hits pause in the UK, it may be time for fans to take a step back and ask: is the thrill of the chase worth the chaos it’s causing? For now, Labubu remains both a symbol of modern nostalgia and a reminder that even the fluffiest of toys can stir up serious drama.