When Was Labubu Created? A Complete History of the Beloved Forest Spirit

Introduction: A Spirit's Ten-Year Journey

Labubu, the forest spirit with nine sharp teeth and mischievous eyes, has completed a magnificent transformation from picture book illustration to global toy phenomenon in just ten years. This article traces Labubu's origins, combining official series release data with collector market dynamics to provide a comprehensive analysis of Labubu's creation history and development trajectory.

Part I: Character Origins – Kasing Lung's Artistic World

1. Creator Background

Labubu's birth is inseparable from its creator – Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. Lung's artistic career was deeply influenced by his life experiences in Europe. During his residence in Belgium, he was exposed to a wealth of Nordic folklore and fairy tale elements, which laid the aesthetic foundation for his subsequent creation of "The Monsters" series.

2. First Appearance

Although Labubu is generally considered to have been born in 2015, it should be clarified that 2015 marks the birth of the character concept, while 2016 was when the physical toy first appeared on the market. This time difference reflects the typical incubation path of a designer toy IP from concept to product.

Part II: Key Timeline – From Concept to Phenomenon

1. Core Milestones

Based on available data and Feltify series guides, Labubu's development can be divided into five key stages:

• Concept Period (2015): Character first appears in the picture book The Mysterious Bucard, establishing basic settings and visual language
• Physical Product Initiation (2016–2017): Gashapon toy series released, testing market response and building core fanbase
• Transition Period (2018): First blind box series launched, business model transformation
• Breakthrough Period (2019–2023): Multiple themed series continuously released, brand influence rapidly growing
• Globalization Period (2024–2025): Celebrity effect triggers global attention, becoming a cross-national cultural phenomenon

2. Detailed Annual Timeline

2015: Kasing Lung first depicted Labubu in The Monsters series. The character was established as a mischievous but kind-hearted female forest spirit.

December 23, 2016: First physical toy "The Monsters Mini Figures Series 1" released. The capsule toy format included five core characters (Pippo, Tycoco, Monsters Boy, Yaya, Labubu) in two color variants each.

The Monsters Mini Figures Series 1

September 23, 2017: Special series for Taipei Toy Festival (TTF) released. First attempt at modular assembly design.

The Monsters Mini Figures Series for TTF (2017)

November 21, 2018: The Little Monsters Mini Figure Collection 1 released – Labubu's first blind box series, marking a fundamental shift in the business model.

The Little Monsters Mini Figure Collection 1 (2018)

April 12, 2019: Forest Concert Series released. First complete narrative theme series. The hidden edition "The Singer" with only 0.69% draw rate ignited collection frenzy.

Forest Concert Series

August 22, 2019: The Monsters Mini Figures Series 2 released, introducing new character lineups with significantly enhanced design complexity.

The Monsters Mini Figures Series 2 (2019)

• Extremely Low Surviving Quantity: First batch capsule toy production numbers were limited, and well-preserved specimens are rare
• Historical Significance: As the series origin, it holds an irreplaceable milestone value
• Emotional Premium: Early collectors' nostalgia translates into market premium

Taking The Monsters Mini Figures Series 1 (2016) as an example:

• Original price: Standard capsule toy price
• 2025 market price: Complete set of two-tone variants exceeds $1,000; single Transparent Blue variant approximately $100
• Value increase: Dozens of times compared to original price

2. Hidden Edition Economics

Starting from Forest Concert Series (2019), Labubu series perfected the hidden edition mechanism. Extremely low draw rate (usually less than 1%) creates scarcity, and secondary market prices can reach 5–10 times original price. Professional "whole-box buying" collector culture emerged.

Part V: Cultural Crossover – From Subculture to Mainstream Phenomenon

1. Catalytic Role of Celebrity Effect

The key turning point for Labubu's global popularity surge in 2024 was BLACKPINK member Lisa being publicly seen carrying "The Monsters Fall in Wild" plush hang tag. This event triggered viral social media spread, explosive growth in Southeast Asian markets, and high-end fashion and designer toy cross-over attention.

2. Formation of Fan Community Culture

Labubu's success is inseparable from its strong fan community support: collection exchanges on online platforms, fan art culture creating derivative works and custom modifications, and offline participation through toy fairs and pop-up stores.

Part VI: Industry Insights – Deeper Significance of the Labubu Phenomenon

1. Sustainable Vitality of Content IP

Labubu proves that strong character settings and world-building matter more than short-term marketing. The "The Monsters" universe Kasing Lung initially constructed provided rich material for subsequent product extensions.

2. International Path for Chinese Designer Toys

As one of Pop Mart's most successful IPs, Labubu demonstrates the global potential of Chinese original designer toys through the collaborative model of local designers combined with international company operations, the organic integration of Eastern aesthetics with Western narrative elements, and flexible strategies adapting to different market preferences.

3. Maturation of the Collector Market

Labubu series' price system reflects the maturation of the designer toy collector market: clear scarcity gradient from regular to hidden to limited editions, stable secondary market circulation, and professional authentication services.

Conclusion: A Cultural Footnote of an Era

Labubu's ten-year journey is not only a success story of a single IP but also an epitome of the rise of China's designer toy industry. From a Hong Kong artist's picture book creation, to Pop Mart's commercial operations, to the enthusiasm of global collectors, Labubu connects the complete chain of creativity, commerce, and culture.

In an era where "ugly-cute" aesthetics have become the prevailing taste, Labubu's iconic toothy grin seems to speak a deeper truth: true charm often exists at the boundary between perfection and imperfection, and the most vibrant cultural symbols always emerge at the intersection of different traditions.

As Kasing Lung originally envisioned – Labubu is a forest spirit, belonging neither to the human world nor entirely to the realm of mythology. Perhaps it is this liminal identity that allows it to transcend geographical and cultural barriers, becoming an emotional bridge connecting different people.

This article is based on public information and Feltify series guides, with data as of June 2025. Market information is subject to change; please evaluate investment and collecting decisions carefully.