Labubu–he dog-bear-creature-toy has taken over the market. It’s ugly, and amazing. 

Some scream, “Labubu is a social trend. Any time I see a Labubu, I cry!!”

“LABUBUS! Dubai chocolate Labubus!!” a select few scream. But they’re ignored–dismissed as a joke by those who don’t appreciate fine art (which, apparently, is most people).

Maybe I don’t appreciate the fine art of the Labubu. But what is there to understand? It’s a…thing, I guess. Cabbage Patch Kids are cute, American Girl dolls are sweet, and Labubus are…there. 

Wikipedia defines the species as a “a line of collectible plush toys created by Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung”, featuring “zoomorphic elves” that have “exaggerated facial expressions”.

What the hell?

Still, that’s only a part of it.Is a Labubu simply a zoomorphic elf with an exaggerated face–or is it a lifestyle?

Today, I’m going to become David Attenborough. Today, I’m gonna dig deeper. I’m going to find out– from someone who isn’t an expert, but who touched exactly one Labubu in the Bridgewater Mall’s Popmart and acted like she had witnessed the divine. 

“Excited. REALLY excited,” said Amara, a first grader who loves Labubus, when asked how she felt upon seeing one. She also happens to be the sister of the article writer. 

This interview was hard to get, but worth it. We got responses from the child worthy of a poem. For example, when asked what a Labubu was to her, she called it a “fluffy bunny”, but quickly added that it was more than that. 

“It’s another craze of the “cugly”–a seemingly ugly looking creature that is given puppy-like features to market it as cute. Much like what was done with a Furby. Take away the soft fur and keep just the face in a kids room at night, and let’s see if the craze continues,” said Amara’s father, who has a strong view on these things. 

I have to agree. Maybe it’s a classic Annabelle situation. Cute, but not as much when it’s haunting you, your dreams, and perhaps your kids. 

Look, maybe Labubus aren’t all that great. But to some, they’re amazingly cute. To some, it’s a pure experience. To some, it could be more than just a “fluffy bunny”. 

Maybe we’ll never know what a Labubu truly is. Maybe it’s a toy.Maybe it’s Chucky, and just wants to play. Or maybe– it’s a microtrend. A lifestyle. A way to live.