Uncover the complete Labubu lore from Kasing Lung’s 2015 picture book trilogy to its rise as a global designer toy phenomenon. Here’s everything you never knew about Labubu’s origins and story.
The Monsters Trilogy: The Origin of Labubu
Labubu Lore Begins in Kasing Lung’s 2015 Picture Book Trilogy
Before Labubu became a collectible icon, it began in the pages of a 2015 picture book by the Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. Titled The Monsters Trilogy, this hardcover release wasn’t three separate books, it was one volume containing three short, emotionally rich stories: The Story of Puca, Pato and the Girl, and Miro’s Requiem.
This book introduced the core of what fans now know as The Monsters universe. It didn’t just spotlight Labubu, but also gave life to a whole lineup of unforgettable characters: Zimomo, Mokoko, Tycoco, Pato, Spooky, Yaya, and Pippo, with each one playing a role in this dreamlike world.
Though visually styled like a children’s picture book, The Monsters Trilogy had a quirky, detailed world that caught the attention of art toy collectors. And the character Labubu stood out immediately: small, sharp-toothed, and totally mischievous.
Today, collectors still hunt for the original 2015 edition, as it is almost always sold out and out of stock. This book was the very beginning of what would grow into the worldwide Labubu craze.
How the Labubu Craze Started
Labubu’s First Release with HOW2WORK
The Labubu craze didn’t start with POP MART, it started quietly in 2015, when HOW2WORK dropped The Monsters Trilogy, a picture book packed with early Labubu lore. Alongside the book, they launched the very first Labubu vinyl figures, hand-painted and released in tiny batches for serious toy collectors.
These early releases weren’t mass-produced. They were art toys, rare, weird, emotional, and nothing like what was sitting on toy store shelves. That low-key drop helped Labubu build a cult following before most people even knew it existed.
HOW2WORK still stocks The Monsters Trilogy and a few Labubu figures on their How2Work website, but they usually sell out fast.
What Changed When POP MART Got Involved
In 2019, when POP MART, the brand behind China’s blind box explosion, officially partnered with Kasing Lung and brought Labubu into their lineup, it flipped the switch. What started as a low-key art toy suddenly became a full-on collectible phenomenon.
They added Labubu to their blind box series and now the figures were everywhere. But collecting them got harder, not easier. Each series came with hidden figures and secret variations that made people get an adrenalin rush. The hype was real, and so was the FOMO.
POP MART had the reach: storefronts, vending machines, online shops, and even U.S. shipping. Limited editions, themed releases, and new characters started expanding the whole Labubu universe. It wasn’t just a toy anymore. It was a full-blown brand.
The Viral Moment That Made Labubu Blow Up
Lisa from BLACKPINK and the K-Pop Spark
Lisa from BLACKPINK showed off her Labubu keychain on her Instagram in April 2024, which is when things really took off. It wasn’t a big moment or anything, just a quick sighting, but fans noticed. After that, everyone was looking for the same one.
That one moment gave Labubu hundreds of new fans overnight. Stores sold out, resellers cashed in, and TikTok was suddenly full of haul videos, unboxings, and people trying to find “Lisa’s Labubu.” It stopped being just a niche toy and became something way bigger. It was one of those blink-and-you-miss-it celebrity moments that somehow changed everything. Labubu went from lowkey to legendary, all because Lisa had one clipped to her bag.
Celebs and Influencers Jump On the Labubu Trend
After Lisa’s post went viral, Labubu wasn’t just a collector’s secret anymore. Celebrities like Dua Lipa, Lizzo, Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, Madonna, Hilary Duff, and more have all been spotted either posting about Labubu or carrying one in public. Each time, it just made the hype stronger.
Influencers on TikTok jumped in too, posting haul videos and unboxings that racked up millions of views. James Charles, Bretman Rock, Hayley Baylee, and Brooke Monk have all shown off their Labubus, making the craze even bigger. At this point, owning a Labubu has become a whole online aesthetic.
The Simpsons Labubu Prediction (Pazuzu)
On October 22, 2017, The Simpsons aired their Halloween special “Treehouse of Horror XXVIII” (Season 29, Episode 4), where a cursed Pazuzu statue ends up in the Simpson household and possesses Maggie. Years later, fans began comparing that demon doll to Labubu, the now-viral collectible known for its chaotic grin and mischievous vibe.
Special Thanks to Pop Mart World
Huge thanks to Pop Mart World for helping us stay up to date with the latest Labubu releases, images, and exclusive drops. Their cataloging work and collector community continue to be an amazing resource for fans worldwide.
