By Brodie Mansfield, Opinions Editor
Photo courtesy of Pop Mart
In recent years, society has been taken over by a character commonly known as the “Labubu.” The iconic characters originated from creator Kasing Lung’s “The Monsters,” first conceptualized in 2015. Since then, they have become a bridge between toy design, digital media, and physical artwork. Labubu is often criticized as simply being another fad of the internet, but in reality, these little monsters have spanned across many forms of media and have become an instrumental part of people’s lives. So, are they simply a trend, or are these creations here to stay?
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Labubu has become a crucial form of expression for many people all over the world. The dolls that hang off people’s belts and backpacks have transitioned into more than a fashion accessory, but something that an individual can identify with. Labubus are as personalizable as Beanie Babies or Funko Pops, with a wide variety to choose from and show off. This helps them stay relevant to the people who desire them, as they can familiarize themselves with the toys. Similarly, collecting the dolls is also a popular practice amongst the masses.
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Beyond what is seen in person, Labubus have exploded online and become a worldwide meme in addition to being a doll on a shelf. Labubus gives creators a platform and a topic to discuss or criticize. One of the trends Labubus are commonly associated with is the “performative male” trend, in which men adopt “woke” ideology and behaviors to seem more desirable to women.
Labubus aren’t just dolls on a keychain either. Creator Kasing Lung holds art shows that feature drawings of the “monsters”. Although the doll is popular, Lung’s painting for “Mon” was sold for HK$330,200, showing it’s not just the toys that are getting attention, but the art behind them as well.
So, are Labubus here to stay? Are the toys we carry on our belt buckles going to fade out of fashion, or are they still going to be on our shelves in 5 years long after their peak?
There’s no way to know for sure, but considering the prevalence of the monsters in the online, art, and toy worlds, they are likely to be around for a long time. On one hand, the internet moves on from trends and they are lost to the past, such as fidget spinners, which haven’t been mainstream for years. Only time can truly tell if Labubus will continue to dominate social media or fade into obscurity; but with how Labubus has made it into the lives of many–chances are the “monsters” are here to stay.
Update: since the creation of this article, Pop Mart, the owner of the labubu brand stock, has dropped by 9% losing roughly $13 billion for the company. The Labubu brand may not be as secure as previously thought; once again, only time will tell.
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