The Struggle of Locating a Labubu: A Challenging Task
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Hopping onto social media, I found myself smitten with the hype surrounding Labubu – a cute, nine-toothed fuzzy monster keychain plush popular amongst friends. As pop culture and style continuously intertwine, it seems that personalizing daily accessories has become the new craze. And right now, there's no hotter trend than Pop Mart's x Kasing Lung's The Monsters, with their captivating collection of whimsical Labubu elven creatures.
Artist and picture book mastermind Kasing Lung drew inspiration for the Labubu characters from Nordic mythology about enchanted forest elves. Personally, I found myself captivated by the enchanting allure of the toy collector scene, especially since Pop Mart's collaborations with Disney have also grabbed my attention. The appeal lies in the magical melding of the Henson Creature Shop aesthetic with a touch of Where the Wild Things Are and a dash of Donnie Darko's Frank the Bunny.
Labubu ignites a long-forgotten nostalgia for imaginative play, which I hadn't felt in quite some time. I watched from afar as a devoted K-pop fan, one of my closest friends, flaunted her Labubu in various photos during her red carpet and concert escapades. Initially, I thought it could be a K-pop thing, but the craze resonated with people from various walks of life. Even Lalisa, a Blackpink singer, and The White Lotus star, has been spotted accessorizing her designer bags with her collection of Labubus from the "Exciting Macaron" and "Have a Seat" drops – as showcased to Vanity Fair.
Curiosity piqued, I followed the trail of Labubu enthusiasts. My interest grew further when a fellow spooky-cute devotee reached out to me about her pursuit for one too. I lived vicariously through her voyage, encountering sold-out Pop Mart queues on the official website and immediate drops at locations that only had them temporarily available on pre-order. This was to avoid any potential misunderstandings or delays if the shop dared to put them out on the floor; an employee at my local Pop Mart confirmed this when I inquired about availability.
Labubus, much like the mischievous creatures they were inspired by, make only limited appearances before getting snapped up swiftly. The allure of the fantastical and fashion worlds colliding was too much to resist. My desire to uncover more about this captivating creature grew, leading me to immerse myself in YouTube videos, hoping to learn every secret I could (Lalisa's video provided some much-needed insight). There's bits and pieces of character stories scattered about, such as Labubu being the main character and also being a Labubu (similar to Toad from Mario Bros.), and they come in various plush sizes that induce irresistible cuteness overload. Combine that with Pop Mart's blind box compulsion, and that dynamic duo can prove dangerous. But what sealed the deal was discovering that Labubus have their very own land in a Pop Mart theme park – a place I can't wait to visit!
Social media inspired a weekend trip to the mall to check out Pop Mart vending machines and retailers I was familiar with. Storefronts were roped off as customers lined up to get in, and shelves were barren. My spooky-cute collector friend began researching ways to authenticate a Labubu purchased from third-party sellers, which sparked interesting findings. When io9 reached out to the blind box titan for insight, their stance is to avoid commenting on third-party purchases. The official line is that the best way to guarantee an authentic Labubu is by purchasing it directly from Pop Mart retail stores. However, a quick TikTok search can unearth valuable information if careful consideration is taken into account.
The pursuit for these elusive cute creatures is a serious endeavor, as with any collectible item. As someone who thrives on hanging out at the mall on weekends and refuses to grow out of it, I attempted numerous times to get my hands on an "Exciting Macaron" plush keychain blind box. I encountered toy islands charging an outrageous $30 for the highly sought-after boxes, which was my first warning sign – one of many. Additionally, mall mainstays known for selling Pop Mart products started marking up their inventory from $45 to $70, compared to the cost of $21.99 from the source.
After weeks of constant "sold out" notifications, likely due to bot-fueled frenzy from flippers, I found myself standing before a Pop Mart, contemplating my next move. Inside, Labubus were displayed with digital signs indicating "out of stock." Defeated, I stepped out to get a cup of tea latte from a nearby coffee stand, only to find employees adorned with Labubu stickers. They may have pointed me to a store where boxes were available for $45 – and I may have caved.
For now, I'll anxiously await the next drop, hoping to finally obtain some peace of mind—and display a chaotically cute companion on my arm. Until then, I'll keep my eyes peeled for genuine Labubu and continue to indulge in the allure of these fantastical creatures.
Want more io9 news? Stay informed about the latest happenings in the Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek universes, the future of the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the journey of Doctor Who.
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The Hunt for the Elusive Labubu Keychain Plush Toys
The Labubu keychain plush toys are currently found on various platforms such as AliExpress, eBay, and Walmart, as well as through authorized third-party sellers on sites like Amazon. For example, the Labubu "Have A Seat" series includes vinyl plush pendants that can be purchased online, and some sellers offer specific designs over blind boxes on AliExpress[1]. Additionally, Walmart lists the POP MART LABUBU Macaron Plush Doll in several color options as a keychain type design[5].
Verifying Authentic Labubu Keychain Plush Toys
To guarantee the purchase of an authentic Labubu keychain plush toy, consider the following steps:
- Research Authorized Sellers: Research Pop Mart's official website, AliExpress, eBay, Amazon, or Walmart to find authorized sellers of Labubu plush toys.
- Inspect Packaging and Details: Genuine products usually have clear branding, specific product details, and well-designed packaging. Avoid poorly designed packaging or generic-looking boxes.
- Check for Quality: Counterfeit items may have lower quality materials and less attention to detail when compared to the authentic product.
- Price Comparison: Be wary of significantly lower prices compared to the market average.
- Use Visual Guides: Look for videos, guides, or TikTok accounts that help identify real vs. fake Labubu products[4].
By following these guidelines, you can minimize the risk of purchasing counterfeit Labubu plush toys.
- The futuristic charm of technology has facilitated the hunt for the elusive Labubu keychain plush toys, with various platforms like AliExpress, eBay, Walmart, Amazon, and even authorized third-party sellers on Amazon offering these whimsical toys.
- Io9's enthusiasm for the Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC Universe, Doctor Who, and more, might lead one to critically examine the Labubu collectibles, with their enchanting allure reminiscent of the captivating and fantastical worlds they represent.
- As Kasing Lung's enchanted Labubu creatures inspire a new generation to rediscover imaginative play, maybe we'll see these elven monsters make their way into the toy-and-collectible storefronts of our favorite retailers, proving to be the next big thing in the future of pop culture.
- Drawing inspiration from popular toys and collectibles like Labubu, aspiring artists and picture book masterminds can find inspiration in perhaps even crafting their own unique, captivating creatures, mirroring the concepts of both Io9 and Labubu.
