Labubu Origin: 15 Fun Facts You Didn’t Know

   Think you know about Labubu’s origin ? Think again. Behind that cheeky grin and fluffy ears is a whole world of mischief, hidden lore, and fan-only secrets that never make it to the box. From monkey-inspired teeth to cursed blind boxes (yup, that’s a thing), we’re spilling the tea only true collectors talk about. Ready to level up your Labubu knowledge? Let’s go.

1. Labubu Origin Is a Tribute to Mischief

Kasing Lung created Labubu not just to be cute or scary — but to embody mischievous joy. He once said in an interview that Labubu is “like a little demon who does naughty things but still makes you laugh.” This aligns with Labubu’s impish grin and cheeky eyes — it’s never just aesthetic.

2. There’s a Hidden Backstory Behind Labubu’s Scar

Ever noticed the scar under Labubu’s left eye? It’s not just a design detail — it symbolizes resilience and individuality. Kasing Lung designed it after feeling that imperfections make characters memorable. Each scar tells a story, and in Labubu’s case, it represents survival in the monster world.

3. Labubu V2 Introduced “Face Personality” Tweaks

Unlike V1, which had a more straightforward cheeky grin, Labubu V2 smile was refined to look less symmetrical. This asymmetry gave V2 a more expressive, dynamic emotion depending on the viewing angle — some fans call it the “wink smirk effect.” If you tilt the figure slightly, it looks sly from one side and innocent from the other.

4. The Teeth Are Inspired by Monkeys, Not Vampires

Many fans assume Labubu’s trademark fangs are vampire-inspired — wrong! Kasing Lung took inspiration from monkeys and wild creatures he saw while traveling in Southeast Asia. In the animal world, especially among primates like macaques or capuchins, baring teeth isn’t always a sign of aggression — it can show:

• Playfulness
• Social bonding
• Cheekiness or challenge

5. Labubu Has an Official “Boyfriend” and “Bestie”

Labubu’s closest companion isn’t just Zimomo — it’s Spooky in some series. There’s even a lore-style romantic pairing with Lafufu, a pink version originally seen as Labubu’s girlfriend. Fans debate if Lafufu is a sister, alter ego, or romantic interest. The ambiguity is intentional — Kasing Lung encourages emotional projection.

6. The Labubu Forest Series Was Inspired by Grimm’s Fairy Tales

The Forest Night, Forest Concert, and similar woodland-themed series weren’t random — they’re directly inspired by German and Nordic folklore. Kasing Lung is a fan of the Brothers Grimm, and some character designs subtly reference figures like forest spirits, witches, and goblins.

7. Labubu V1 Has a Secret “Smile Angle”

Collectors know this one: in the very first wave of Labubu V1, when viewed from certain angles — especially from slightly above and left — the grin gives a different emotional expression. This optical illusion wasn’t accidental. It was a playful nod to the duality of Labubu — innocent yet twisted.

8. There’s a “Ghost” Labubu That Was Never Released to Public

A completely white, glow-in-the-dark Labubu — nicknamed “Ghost Labubu” — was only given to staff at a secret internal PopMart event for the expand of Labubu origin universe. Less than 50 are said to exist. Some collectors whisper about seeing one on auction sites for 5-digit prices.

9. Labubu Fans Use Special Slang Online

Hardcore Labubu fans on Xiaohongshu, Discord, and Weibo often use nicknames like:

• “Toothy King” (牙牙王) for Labubu
• “Lab Master” for Kasing Lung
• “Blind Box Heartbreak” (盲盒心碎) when they pull a duplicate
  You’ll only pick this up if you hang out in the serious collector circles.
  

We’re not sure if these nicknames will ever be include in Labubu origin universe but that’s something exciting worth a wait.

10. Kasing Lung Hides Real Emotions in Special Editions

In limited releases like “Labubu in Love” or “Sad Labubu,” Kasing Lung intentionally embeds his personal life feelings. One version was rumored to reflect a breakup he experienced — hence the figure’s teary eyes and pastel melancholy color tone.

11. The “Labubu Curse”

This is a fan superstition: some collectors believe if you open three blind boxes and get no rare or secret figure, you’re under the “Labubu Curse” — a humorous concept where fans say Labubu is “testing your love.” To break the curse, some perform rituals like lining up all duplicates and apologizing to them out loud (yes, really).

12. The Ears Got Sharper – On Purpose

In Labubu V2, the ears are slightly longer and more angular than in Labubu V1. Kasing Lung designed this intentionally to reflect Labubu’s maturing “monster instincts” — like a creature that’s more aware of the world. The sharper ears represent heightened curiosity, like a wild animal that’s always alert.

13. Color Tones Were Tweaked Based on Fan Feedback

Pop Mart made subtle changes to the skin tone and outfit shading in Labubu V2. The Labubu V1 had more pastel softness, but Labubu V2 added darker shades and richer gradients to enhance contrast. Hardcore collectors know this was in response to fans wanting a version that photographed better under different lighting — especially for toy photographers on Xiaohongshu and Instagram.

14. Hidden Markings on the Feet

Some Labubu V2 editions (especially from the Monster series) feature tiny production markings or initials under the feet that vary between batches. These aren’t widely documented, but rare factory variants exist — some collectors call these “foot codes” and use them to identify early-batch originals vs re-releases.

15. Labubu V2 Marked the Start of Labubu Lore Expansion

V2 wasn’t just a character refresh — it introduced early hints of the Labubu universe. Some characters that debuted alongside V2 were designed to subtly build a shared world — like The Monster Zoo and Forest Night themes. These weren’t just random — they were carefully curated to start hinting at relationships, such as Labubu’s link with Spooky, Zimomo, and even the Witch.