What Does Labubu Mean?

The word Labubu doesn’t come from a dictionary or traditional language. It’s a name created by Kasing Lung, the artist who brought Labubu to life.

Lung never gave a literal definition of the name, but it’s widely believed that Labubu was chosen for how it sounds playful, light, and a little mischievous.

Just say it out loud: La-boo-boo. There’s something fun and silly about it, right? That matches the personality of the character cute on the outside, cheeky on the inside.

For many fans, the name Labubu has taken on a life of its own. It represents more than a character. It’s now a symbol of creativity, emotion, and connection for those who collect it.

What Kind of Creature Is Labubu?

Labubu is hard to define in one sentence. It’s not quite a bunny, not quite a gremlin, not even fully elf but it’s a mix of all three.

Labubu usually has:

• Pointy ears
• Big round eyes
• Sharp little nine teeth
• A funny tuft of hair
• And a face that looks like it’s always up to something

That mix of cute and creepy is what people love. It’s what makes Labubu stand out from other toys.

Each version of Labubu has its own look some are dressed like chefs, rockstars, skeletons, aliens, or even superheroes. But no matter the outfit, the grin and eyes stay the same. That’s the Labubu signature.

What Does Labubu Represent?

At its core, Labubu is a symbol of innocence mixed with chaos. It represents the feeling of wanting to help, but sometimes messing things up in the process.

In Kasing Lung’s original stories, Labubu is kind hearted and curious. It wants to do good things but often causes trouble without meaning to. This reflects something very human: trying, failing, laughing, and learning.

Labubu isn’t perfect and that’s the point. It’s lovable because it’s flawed. That message connects deeply with fans, especially in a world that often pressures people to be perfect.

For many collectors, Labubu means:

• Letting your inner child play
• Celebrating weirdness
• Embracing imperfection
• Finding comfort in a strange little friend

Is Labubu a Girl or a Boy?

Funny enough, Labubu doesn’t have a set gender. Some fans say she, others say he, and many just call Labubu they.

In the original stories, Labubu has a relationship with a skeleton character named Tycoco, and it’s portrayed as a romantic yet playful connection.

But Kasing Lung didn’t create Labubu with a specific gender in mind. The goal was to make a character everyone could relate to, regardless of gender.

So the answer is: Labubu is whatever you want it to be.

How Many Labubus Are There?

There are hundreds of Labubu variations. Some are part of themed series like:

• Exciting Macaron
• Big Into Energy
• Have a Seat
• Wacky Mart
• The Monsters x One Piece

Each series includes around 12–13 standard figures, plus a secret edition or two. On top of that, there are mega sized plushies, keychains, limited event exclusives, and museum editions.

By 2025, Pop Mart had released over 300 different Labubu figures. And the number keeps growing every few months.

What Is the Emotional Appeal of Labubu?

Labubu isn’t just cute it’s emotionally expressive. Its big eyes, crooked smile, and tiny body make people feel protective over it.

For many adults, Labubu is a way to:

• Reconnect with childhood feelings
• Express creativity through collecting
• Find joy in small things again

And during stressful times, holding or looking at a Labubu can feel like a mini escape. It’s soft. It’s silly. It makes people smile. That emotional pull is a big reason why people love it so much.

What Does the Word Labubu Mean Today?

Today, the name Labubu means more than just a toy. It represents a global community.

It means:

• Style: Labubu keychains are fashion statements.
• Art: Many Labubus are made with stunning colors, textures, and concepts.
• Community: Fans trade, post, and discuss Labubu together.
• Culture: From fashion week to protest marches, Labubu is showing up everywhere.

It even sparked a new slang term Lafufu which people use to describe fake Labubus. These knockoffs have created a mini fan base of their own, though most collectors still hunt for the real deal.

Why Is Labubu in the Spotlight Now?

Here’s what pushed Labubu into global fame:

• April 2024: BLACKPINK’s Lisa showed her Labubu keychain in an Instagram story. The internet went wild.
• 2024–2025: Pop Mart opened new stores in Thailand, the Philippines, and even a Labubu themed cafe.
• 2025: A life size Labubu sold at auction in Beijing for $170,000. That caught headlines worldwide.

Labubu went from niche to mainstream fast. And it’s showing no signs of slowing down.

Is Labubu Just a Trend?

While it might feel like a trend, Labubu has all the signs of becoming a lasting cultural figure like Hello Kitty, Pikachu, or even Mickey Mouse.

Here’s why:

• It’s backed by an emotional story.
• It’s part of a growing art movement.
• It speaks to people across ages and countries.
• It keeps evolving with new collections and styles.

The hype might come and go, but Labubu’s charm is here to stay.

Is Labubu Good or Evil?

Labubu isn’t evil but it’s definitely mischievous.

In the stories and art created by Kasing Lung, Labubu is kind hearted and curious but always getting into trouble. It’s not the type of character that causes harm on purpose. Instead, it’s like that one friend who tries to help but somehow makes a mess every time and you still love them for it.

Labubu might have sharp teeth and a sneaky smile, but it’s not a villain. It represents a playful side of life where mistakes are allowed and being different is something to be celebrated.

So no, Labubu isn’t evil. It’s just cheeky, chaotic, and full of personality and that’s exactly why people love it.

Final Thoughts: What Labubu Truly Means

At first glance, Labubu is a small toy with sharp teeth and big eyes. But dig deeper, and it’s much more.

Labubu means:

It’s a toy, yes. But it’s also a reminder to slow down, smile, and find joy in the strange things. That’s why millions of people love it. That’s what Labubu truly means.