In the frenzied world of Labubu collecting, rarity defines prestige. These ultra - limited pieces blend artistic originality, low production runs, and cultural significance, commanding sky - high prices among enthusiasts. Here’s a deep dive into the most elusive Labubu items ever created.
At the Yongle 2025 Spring Auction, a mint - green Labubu sculpture shattered records, selling for 1.08 million yuan (1.242 million yuan with commission). Standing 131cm tall and crafted from PVC, this first - generation collectible is inscribed as "the only one in the world". Its rarity stems from being a prototype - level piece, embodying the purest form of Kasing Lung’s original design.
Also debuting at the same auction, a 160cm brown Labubu fetched 820,000 yuan (943,000 yuan with commission). Part of a global limited run of just 15 pieces, this sculpture combines historical significance with artistic heft, appealing to collectors who prize both scarcity and scale.
The collaboration between Labubu and Vans birthed a legendary vinyl plush doll, now fetching an average resale price of HK$12,970. This cross - cultural gem merges Kasing Lung’s "ugly - cute" aesthetic with Vans’ streetwear legacy, making it a holy grail for both toy collectors and fashion enthusiasts. Its limited production for exclusive drops ensures it rarely appears on the secondary market.
Within the Labubu Convenience Store blind - box series, the "Pink Microwave" hidden version reigns supreme. With a minuscule pull rate of 1 in 144, this whimsical iteration depicts
Labubu inside a pink microwave—a playful nod to retro kitchen appliances. Its rarity has turned it into a symbol of blind - box luck, with collectors trading it for thousands of dollars online.
Kasing Lung’s early resin prototypes from the 2010s are almost mythical in the collecting world. These hand - painted, pre - production pieces feature unique colorways and subtle design variations not seen in mass - produced versions. Only a handful exist, often held in private collections or surfacing at elite auctions, where they can fetch tens of thousands of dollars.
Gallery - exclusive Labubus, custom - painted by Kasing Lung for art exhibitions, are another tier of rarity. For example, a 2024 exhibition piece in Tokyo featured a gold - leaf - accented Labubu with diamond - dust eyes, created in an edition of just 3. Such pieces blur the line between toy and fine art, appealing to collectors who value artistic collaboration.
The allure of rare Labubus hinges on three factors:
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Historical Significance: Inaugural - generation pieces like the Yongle auction sculptures mark the character’s genesis, carrying cultural weight.
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Production Scarcity: Limited editions (15 - piece runs or hidden blind - box variants) create a "survival of the fittest" mentality among collectors.
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Artistic Uniqueness: Custom pieces or collaborations (like the Vans plush) offer the thrill of owning something no one else can replicate.
As Labubu’s global fandom grows, these rare gems serve as both cultural artifacts and investment assets. For collectors, hunting them down is not just a hobby—it’s a quest to own a piece of art toy history.
