Truth behind bizarre new dolls taking over Gen Z and why everyone appears to have one now
It seems you can't walk down the street without seeing a familiar-looking creature dangling from everyone's bags and phones right now.
Made famous by celebrities such as Rihanna and Dua Lipa, there's no escaping the Labubu keyring doll - and naturally, Gen Z are all over it.
The furry gremlin-like character, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and sold by Chinese toy company Pop Mart, has risen to meteoric heights.
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Featuring in thousands of TikTok videos, fans are sharing 'unboxing' videos and queuing around the block to get their hands on one on 'secret' or limited edition dolls.
But what's behind the bizarre craze? From who invented the Labubu doll to how much they cost and where to buy one, find out everything you need to know below.
So, what's the story behind the Labubu doll?
It might come as a surprise to learn that despite Labubu's overwhelming popularity, the character isn't actually new.
The elf-like creature was first created back in 2015 by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, and made its debut in a whimsical story titled The Monsters.
A Nordic folktale, the book was inspired by the artist's upbringing in the Netherlands, where his family emigrated when he was seven years old.
The character was eventually brought to life by Pop Mart in 2019 and reportedly went viral in April 2025, when Blackpink's Lisa posted a photo of her vinyl plush doll pendant from The Monsters Fall in Wild series as a bag charm on TikTok.
Kevin Zhang, Pop Mart International’s head of strategic partnerships, told Tatler Asia that this inspired a "buying frenzy in Thailand".
Now, the Labubu doll is available in hundreds of different colours and styles.
Why is everyone obsessed with Labubu dolls all of a sudden?
You're sure to have seen shoppers queueing around the block to get their hands on a Labubu on your TikTok feed, with social media influencers, such as Olivia Attwood, unboxing the toys on camera. From vinyl figures to plush toys, there are lots of different types of Labubu on offer, but the keychain dolls are proving to be the most sought after.
The biggest reason behind their draw? Labubu is cleverly sold in a blind box format reminiscent of Pokémon cards, which means customers don’t know which toy they have purchased until they're home. The rarest Labubu dolls are often ‘secret’ colourways or limited edition releases, such as the Monsters Zimomo I Found You doll. So, if fans don't get the colour they hoped for, they simply buy more.
Keen to see what all the fuss is about? Find out where can you get your hands on a Labubu doll in the UK and US below.
Many fans are turning to Amazon's enormous Pop Mart section to purchase Labubu dolls, where new dolls drop every Friday.
As mentioned above, they sell out quickly, so you might have more luck finding the toys on the following resale sites: eBay, StockX, and Depop. However, you must be careful when shopping resale Labubu dolls, as counterfeit versions are often available on these platforms.
You can also purchase the collectible dolls in person from retail stores in London such as Selfridges, Hamleys, and Pop Mart Roboshops, which are found across the city.
Where to buy Labubu dolls in the US now:
The Monsters Big into Energy Vinyl Plush Pendant Blind Box
The Monsters Tasty Macarons Vinyl Face Blind Box
Monsters Have A Seat Vinyl Plush Box
Visit Amazon to shop Labubu on PopMart now.
Where to buy Labubu dolls in the UK now:
At the time of writing this, some of the most sought after Labubu dolls are currently available to purchase on Amazon. From the Monsters Angel In Clouds Vinyl Face Doll to the Monsters Have A Seat Vinyl Plush Blind Box, shop our top picks below. Good luck!
The Monsters I Found You Vinyl Face Doll
The Monsters Angel In Clouds Vinyl Face Doll
Monsters Have A Seat Vinyl Plush Box
The Monsters Tasty Macarons Blind Box
Pop Mart Labubu x Pronounce Wings of Fortune
Danielle Fowler