Surely everyone today has heard of Labubus. A recent surge in their popularity has caused people worldwide to rush and purchase their own version of this toy.
So what is a Labubu? Their title comes from the name of a character in “The Monsters” toy series created by the Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. They are simply just plushies, with furry bodies, pointy teeth and a wide grin. They grew in popularity in 2022 after the pandemic, but they gained worldwide popularity in April of 2024 when celebrities started posting photos of themselves with Labubu dolls.
Most labubus are bought in blind boxes so when people purchase them, they don’t know which theme you’re going to get. They are typically collected by teens and young adults. Often considered a “fashion trend,” people have clipped them to their bags or belts.
These cute toys may be a fun accessory to own, but people also need to consider how far they’re willing to go to purchase one. The average price for a blind box Labubu is around $30. Special edition themes have risen higher from about $100 to even the thousands in certain auctions.
Nevertheless, people are still continuing to purchase this toy, despite the rising prices. But we don’t know how long this trend will remain popular. For all we know, the Labubu hype could be gone by next year. So is it really worth buying for such big prices?
Most people would say yes. Participating in a trend is fun for teens and young adults, and many of them will go long ways to be a part of something. It gives them a chance to relate to one another and fit in. For some people, not participating in trends might make them feel left out. But people should still be aware of the realistic factors.
Julia Vasconcelos, a sophomore at Sage Creek, has alternative ideas.
“If you just wanted a stuffed animal, you can go to a local store to get one and make it into a keychain of your own,” she said. “You don’t need to pay a large price for it.”
Adding students’ own flash of creativity could help give you what you want, without the large spending. It comes down to the question of whether the Labubus are carrying the trend, or if you could participate in it just by having a cute keychain of your own.
Spending $40 or more for a trend isn’t worth it, especially if the trend will pass over in a few months. Instead, people should focus more on what they personally enjoy. Are they buying it for the trend, or are they truly buying it for themselves? If they want to participate in owning a stuffed animal keychain, there’s always the option to be creative and make your own.
However, if someone genuinely likes the lovable faces and soft fur of the Labubu, it wouldn’t be a crime to purchase one to own it forever.
“I love my Labubu,” Sophomore Azaleia Hunter-Brown said. “I can dress it up in cute little outfits!”
The decision ultimately comes down to the owner’s personal interests.
