What’s up with Labubus?
Why is everyone so obsessed with these freaks?
Design by Arshita Sunnam, Opinions Editor & Claire Kim, Staff Writer
Claire Kim, Staff Writer
Labubus are everywhere. Dangling from backpacks, clipped onto tote bags, or even stacked in a display case. These Labubus have taken over resale markets, prices ranging from $50 to $150,000 based on rarity. The tiny, wide-eyed creatures that started off as a small illustration from a book series have risen to fame as the biggest trend at the moment. If anyone scrolls on TikTok or Instagram for 5 minutes, they’ll likely see someone showing off their Labubu or unboxing one.
But the question is: do people actually like Labubus enough to be willing to spend $50, or are they just buying them because everyone else is?
Trends are like dominoes. When one person shows off something unique, it doesn't take long for the whole group to follow the trend. But why does this happen? Labubus aren't just an object; it’s more of a status marker. To show other people that they are also in the cycle. Even people who don't care about the figure itself are pulled in, like they’re missing out on something life-changing. This same pattern holds for all trends. People join in on new trends to avoid being left out.
This isn't new, though. We’ve seen this happen many times: Stanley cups, Croc charms, Funko Pops. Each item was once the “it” item that everyone wanted to have. But now, these items have become just an ordinary thing. This also applies to fashion and beauty. In the early 2000s, people saw baggy jeans as out of style and dated. Skinny jeans, though, were in style. People saw skinny jeans as the norm. Now, skinny jeans are the ones considered dated, and baggy jeans are the default. Owning a Labubu isn’t only about the fashion or its value as a collectible; it reflects how trends work.
This is also why the knockoff market is booming. Vogue Business states that Labubus are the #1 collectible release ever on StockX. Many other stores like Hmart carry Labubu fakes, and while knowing that they are fake, many people still buy them. Some people even buy kits to see if their Labubu is real or not.
This is where the performative side comes in. TikTok users have even created a name: “Performative Males” for guys who drink matcha, listen to Clairo, and show off their Labubus. This term started off as a joke, but it’s slowly becoming a reality. People don’t care about the toy, they only care about how the toy speaks to other people about them. Whether this is being cool, funny, or interesting, one thing still stays the same, joining a trend not for the joy, but for the purpose of fitting in.
At the end of the day, spending $50-$150,000 on resale Labubus just for a trend that could be gone tomorrow is worth questioning. When the hype dies down, your money is replaced with your Labubu, which is only collecting dust in the back of your closet. Not to say that Labubus have no value, since many collectors really do collect Labubus, but for many people, it is about keeping up with appearances. A Labubu on your jeans won’t make you more unique; it'll make you more like everyone else.
