Labubu Mania: Bubble Mart's Hottest IP And The Latest Vinyl Plush Release

Labubu, the quirky, mischievous character from Bubble Mart, is making waves in the world of collectible toys. This elf-like creature with pointy ears and a toothy grin has captured the hearts of fans worldwide, driving significant growth for the company and sparking a frenzy among collectors.

The latest news surrounding Labubu involves a new vinyl plush release featuring a vibrant tie-dye design. Let's dive into the phenomenon.

The New Tie-Dye Labubu Plush

Bubble Mart recently unveiled a new Labubu vinyl plush, standing at approximately 40cm tall. This large-sized doll features a colorful tie-dye pattern, reminiscent of the 'Hygge' series released in April of this year. This fresh take on Labubu's design has already generated buzz online, with some fans expressing excitement and others voicing concerns about securing one due to high demand.

A few have also commented on the aesthetics, with opinions varying on the new design.

Labubu's Rise to Fame

Created in 2015 by Hong Kong artist and Bubble Mart artist, Kasing Lung, Labubu is a member of THE MONSTERS, a group of Nordic forest elf-like characters. With its distinctive pointy ears and nine visible teeth, Labubu’s ‘ugly-cute’ aesthetic and playful spirit has resonated with a broad audience.

While Labubu has been around for a decade, its popularity soared after Bubble Mart expanded into the vinyl plush category. The first generation of Labubu vinyl plush toys debuted in December 2022, and the line has since evolved to include the third-generation “Hygge” series, with the “Strange Taste Convenience Store” being the latest release.

Due to the official launch of numerous pre-sales, the secondary market price of the 'Hygge' series has fallen.

Impact on Bubble Mart

Labubu's success has not only boosted Bubble Mart's stock price but also significantly contributed to its increased profits. Bubble Mart's positive profit forecast released on July 15th projects a revenue increase of no less than 200% for the six months ending June 30, 2025.

Furthermore, the company anticipates a profit increase (excluding fair value changes in financial instruments) of no less than 350% during the same period.

Addressing Demand and Scalability

In a recent interview with CCTV News, Bubble Mart's founder, Wang Ning, addressed concerns about 'hunger marketing' tactics and the challenges of meeting the overwhelming demand for Labubu. Wang Ning stated that Bubble Mart sells 10 million Labubu figures each month and is working tirelessly to optimize their supply chain.

The explosive growth of Labubu as a global IP has created a situation where demand exceeds the company's supply chain capacity.

Wang Ning emphasized the company's commitment to ensuring that genuine fans can purchase Labubu products, stating that they are delaying the release of new products to avoid launching them when production capacity is insufficient.

The Future of Labubu

While some analysts suggest that the 'shelf life' of trendy toys can be short, with popular IPs often experiencing a sales cycle of no more than three months, Bubble Mart is focused on the long-term development of Labubu. Wang Ning believes that while storytelling can help introduce characters, it is not essential for an IP's success.

He suggests that as information becomes more abundant and user attention spans decrease, the way IPs are created will evolve. Bubble Mart is exploring various ways to enrich the Labubu universe, with Bubble Mart City Park serving as a potential platform.

Furthermore, Wang Ning revealed that numerous film companies, including those in Hollywood, have expressed interest in creating a Labubu movie. Bubble Mart is currently considering whether to produce the film themselves or collaborate with Hollywood. With Labubu's global popularity, Bubble Mart aims to become not only the 'Disney of China' but a world-renowned brand.

The company is carefully evaluating the best approach for bringing Labubu to the big screen.

Conclusion

The Labubu phenomenon shows no signs of slowing down. With new designs like the tie-dye plush capturing attention and Bubble Mart actively working to manage demand and expand the Labubu universe, this mischievous character is poised to remain a prominent figure in the world of collectible toys for years to come.

Whether through new toy releases, theme park experiences, or potentially even a movie, Labubu's journey is one to watch.