Small fluffy monsters begin to take over viewers’ feeds on TikTok, even in vending machines! These little gremlins are known as the currently obsessed social media toy, Labubu. Created in 2015, Labubu has taken the internet by storm, appearing most notably on TikTok.
It is no surprise that TikTok, of all platforms, has been a huge influence on Labubus. Freshman Aubery Holeman has a hatred for Labubu, noting how the media has affected them.
“Without TikTok, like, nobody would know about it,” said Holeman.
TikTok has made the Labubu population skyrocket. In 2019, Labubu was officially released to the public through a Chinese company that sells other collectible designer toys, like Sonny Angel Hippers.
Labubu merchandise includes plushies, keychains, and vinyl figures. But the most popular item is the Labubu blind boxes. Blind boxes consist of a toy wrapped in opaque plastic. On the back of these boxes is the rarity of each figure that can be obtained. There is much excitement surrounding these boxes, due to the mysteries and the chances of getting something considered rare.
Rarities come in the form of different designs or colorations of the Labubu, which are valued at higher prices. Since the rarer Labubus are hard to come by, resellers raise prices to be outrageous, going from $40 to $10,000! Junior Madalyn Worthey has heard of Labubu and their interesting pricing, comparing them to another popular toy brand.
“They are similar to the L.O.L. Surprise Dolls, collectibles that are in blind boxes. I don’t see why they [Labubu] need to be priced so high [when] compared to L.O.L., it is just plastic and fluff,” said Worthey.
Despite their popularity, Labubu may not be the best purchase. Some consider it to be brain rot, as the videos created over them are colorful, truly having no meaning for them. Northwest Staff Member Kaitlin Meyers recently received Labubus from a student, which is displayed in her classroom.
“They’re really creepy, and they’re odd little things. I would think they would be more like an elementary thing, but a lot of high school and middle school kids love them,” said Meyers.
Members of the Senior class have taken a liking to the trend. Senior Alyssa Kinch owns two Labubus, which she named Bibble and Skittle. Kinch purchased Bibble and Skittle from the TikTok shop for $30 a Labubu. She thinks nothing negative about Labubus, but believes that the internet is the cause of the popularity.
“They’re cute and fluffy. I think people probably wouldn’t know what it was without the internet posting about it,” said Kinch.
Perhaps the media is being too harsh on these plush creatures. The attention that the Labubus have received is quite astonishing. However, despite its popularity, the continuation of hate towards Labubu remains strong. Senior Alyssa Holeman stands firm in her support of Labubu.
“I say we stop the Labubu hate because they’re cute and they haven’t done anything wrong to anybody,” said Holeman.
Internet crazes, like Labubu, come and go. It is only a matter of time before this trend subsides. How long will this internet sensation last before it is completely forgotten? We asked ourselves this question: the true way of understanding something is by experiencing it.
