What Is Labubu? And How to Tell a Real One
Labubu is a mischievous, pointy-eared, big-toothed character created by the artist Kasing Lung, and today it is best known as a line of collectible vinyl figures, plush toys and bag charms sold by the toy company Pop Mart, usually in sealed "blind boxes" that hide which design is inside. Because the character became a global fad, fakes (nicknamed "Lafufu" by shoppers) are everywhere. A real Labubu comes from Pop Mart or an authorized seller, carries Pop Mart's security features, and passes the company's own verification check. This guide explains where Labubu came from, how the line is sold, and exactly what to inspect before you pay.
Where Labubu came from
Kasing Lung is an illustrator born in Hong Kong who grew up in the Netherlands and later settled in Belgium, according to published profiles. He introduced Labubu around 2015 in a picture-book series called The Monsters, a cast of fairy-tale creatures with a Nordic folklore flavor. Labubu is the one with the wide grin of sharp teeth and tall, tufted ears.
Early toys of the character were made in small runs through other partners. The turning point came when Pop Mart began producing Labubu figures in 2019. Reports agree that the character stayed a niche favorite among designer-toy fans for several years and then surged in popularity once Pop Mart expanded into plush versions and bag charms, around 2023 and after. Reports differ on the exact terms of the Pop Mart agreement, so treat any claim about contract details as unconfirmed.
What Pop Mart is, and what "The Monsters" line includes
Pop Mart is a China-based designer-toy retailer and maker with its own stores, vending-style kiosks, website and app. It sells many artist-driven lines, and Labubu sits inside the line named The Monsters, which also includes other characters from Lung's stories. Within that line, the company releases themed series: figures, plush hangers, keychains and larger display pieces. Collaborations with outside brands appear from time to time.
The product you buy comes in a few common formats:
| Format | What it is |
|---|---|
| Blind box figure | A small vinyl figure sealed in a closed box, design unknown until opened |
| Plush hanger | A soft plush with a clip or ring, often sold blind |
| Display figure | A larger, open-view collectible sold as a single named item |
| Set or case | Several boxes sold together as a full series |
If you want the mechanics of how mystery packaging works, our guide What Is a Blind Box? How Do They Work? covers series, secret figures and case buying in detail.
Why fakes exist
Demand outran supply for long stretches, which is the condition counterfeiters love. News coverage and consumer groups in 2025 warned shoppers about knockoffs, and the nickname "Lafufu" stuck for lookalikes that mimic the face and fur but not the quality. Pop Mart has said it has added security features to its newer releases, which tells you the company itself treats counterfeiting as a real problem.
Important caveat: this is a fast-moving trend. Which series are hot, which stores restock, and what counterfeiters copy can change in weeks. Use the checks below as a method, and confirm the current details on Pop Mart's own site or app.
The authenticity checklist
No single check is conclusive. A real item should pass several of them, and the strongest signal is the official verification.
1. Where it came from. The safest route is Pop Mart directly: its stores, its website, its app and its official online shops. Everywhere else carries risk, and some fakes arrive in genuine boxes that were resealed with a different toy inside.
2. The packaging. Authentic boxes tend to have clean, crisp printing, a matte or soft finish and tidy seams. Look for the company's holographic or security sticker and compare it with photos on the official site. Blurry text, off colors and sloppy folds are warning signs.
3. The QR or verification code. Many Pop Mart items carry a code that links to the company's anti-counterfeiting verification page, sometimes under a scratch area on the box and sometimes on the tag. Scan it with your phone camera. It should go to an official Pop Mart page, not a random site. Be aware that counterfeiters can copy a QR code or reuse real ones, so a code that works once is helpful but not absolute proof, and a code that has been checked many times already is a red flag.
4. The figure itself. Inspect the details with the box open or the item in hand:
- A Pop Mart logo and artist marking on the foot or underside, matching the placement shown in official photos.
- Paint that is neat around the eyes, nose and teeth. Fakes often have eyes that sit unevenly or teeth that bleed outside the lines.
- The material feel. Genuine vinyl faces are smooth and consistent, and plush versions have even, dense fur and clean stitching.
- Hang tags and charms that say "The Monsters" and match the series.
5. The tooth count. Some guides say a real Labubu has a specific number of teeth and treat it as the easiest tell. Advice varies by series and by source, so do not rely on it by itself. Compare against official photos of the exact version.
6. The listing and the seller. Photos stolen from Pop Mart's site, no pictures of the actual item, a price that seems too good to be true, or a seller who will not show the item on camera are all reasons to walk away.
How to compare against the real thing
Open the official product page for the exact series and character you are buying and keep it on screen. Compare the packaging layout, the tag wording, the foot marking and the face paint line by line. Lookalikes are usually close overall and wrong in the small details.
If the item is a secret or special edition, be extra careful. Rare versions attract the most convincing fakes, and resellers know that buyers want proof.
Buying one live
The easiest way to reduce guesswork is to see the item before you commit. In a live sale, you can ask the seller to turn the box under the camera, show the foot, scan the code on screen and answer questions in real time. On ShopBidz, Collector Of Goodies and Six2Six both sell collectibles and toys, so they are two sellers you can watch live and ask about condition and packaging before you bid. Ask for the seal, the sticker and the code, and do not bid until the answers match what you see on the official page.
For the buying side of toys more broadly, our guides Where to Sell Funko Pops and Funko Pop Values: How Pricing Works show how collectors think about condition and boxes, and the The Live-Auction Glossary: Terms Every Bidder Should Know explains the terms you will hear during a stream.
Common mistakes
- Trusting one check. A good-looking box, a working QR code or a correct tooth count can each be faked. Use several checks together.
- Buying on a screenshot. Stock photos prove nothing. Ask for the actual item, in good light, from several angles.
- Chasing a deal that is too good. If the offer is far below what comparable sellers are asking, assume a reason.
- Ignoring the resealed box. A sealed box is not proof of what is inside. Check the seam, the sticker and the feel.
- Assuming the trend will hold. Collectible fads cool. Buy because you like it, not because you expect a return.
Bottom line
Labubu is a Kasing Lung character turned global collectible through Pop Mart's blind-box model, and its popularity is exactly why counterfeits circulate. The reliable approach is to buy from Pop Mart or a seller who can show you the item and answer questions, then verify with the official code and the small physical details together. No one tell settles it alone, and the market moves quickly, so check current guidance on Pop Mart's site before you spend. Treat any claim of future value with caution.