who make Labubu,” here’s the clear answer: Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung created Labubu, while Chinese collectible company Pop Mart makes, develops, markets, and sells most official Labubu products today. Before Pop Mart took the character worldwide, Hong Kong creative company How2Work helped turn Kasing Lung’s illustrations into early collectible figures.
Sounds a little confusing, right?
That’s because Labubu wasn’t created inside a large toy factory. It began as a character in an artist’s imaginary world. Years later, clever product design, blind boxes, celebrity attention, and social media turned the sharp-toothed little creature into a global collectible.who make labubu
Here’s the full story.
Who Make Labubu? Creator, Producer, and Brand Explained
People often use the words creator, maker, and manufacturer as though they mean the same thing. In Labubu’s case, they describe different roles.
The story can be understood in three simple parts:
- Kasing Lung created and designed Labubu.
- How2Work helped produce early Labubu art figures.
- Pop Mart develops and sells official modern Labubu collectibles.
Kasing Lung remains the original artist behind the character. Pop Mart didn’t invent Labubu, although its products, stores, blind boxes, and international marketing made the character famous around the world. who make labubu
Pop Mart officially identifies Labubu as part of The Monsters, a fantasy world created by Kasing Lung and inspired by Nordic myths and fairy tales.
So, the simplest answer is this:
Kasing Lung made the idea. Pop Mart made Labubu a global brand.
Who Is Kasing Lung, the Artist Who Created Labubu?
Kasing Lung is an illustrator, storyteller, and designer born in Hong Kong. He spent part of his childhood in Europe, where old fairy tales, folklore, elves, and Nordic mythology influenced his imagination.who make labubu
Rather than creating perfect, traditionally cute characters, Lung developed creatures that looked emotional, strange, playful, and sometimes a little wild.
That unusual style eventually gave birth to Labubu.
In 2015, Kasing Lung introduced The Monsters, a fantasy universe filled with magical creatures. Labubu became its most recognizable character because of its long pointed ears, furry body, large eyes, and wide grin filled with sharp teeth.
At first glance, Labubu can look naughty or even slightly scary. Yet the character’s personality is much softer. According to Pop Mart’s official description, Labubu is kind-hearted and wants to help others, although those good intentions sometimes create unexpected trouble.
That contrast is important.
Labubu doesn’t look like a perfect cartoon hero. It looks mischievous, curious, and imperfect. Honestly, that may be why people connect with it. who make labubu
How How2Work Helped Create the First Labubu Toys
Kasing Lung was already working with Hong Kong creative company How2Work before Labubu became a worldwide trend.
The partnership involved illustrated books and collectible art figures. Kasing Lung began collaborating with How2Work as an illustrator in 2011, years before the modern Pop Mart Labubu craze began.
When Labubu appeared as part of The Monsters universe, the character moved beyond book pages and became a physical designer toy.
These early figures were different from many of the soft vinyl-plush bag charms people recognize today. They belonged more closely to the art-toy and designer-collectible world, where limited production and original artist designs are highly valued.
This part of the story is often skipped.
Some articles say Kasing Lung created Labubu, then jump directly to Pop Mart. However, How2Work helped connect the original artwork with the physical collectibles that came before Pop Mart’s global expansion.
When Did Pop Mart Start Making Labubu?
The major turning point came in 2019, when Kasing Lung partnered with Pop Mart. who make labubu
Pop Mart is a collectible entertainment company known for working with artists and developing characters into figures, plush toys, accessories, lifestyle products, and blind-box collections.
A blind box hides the exact design inside. Customers know the collection they are buying, but they don’t know which character or variation they will receive until they open the package.
That small mystery made collecting more exciting.
Pop Mart expanded Labubu into themed product series, vinyl figures, plush pendants, large display collectibles, limited editions, and collaborations. It also gave the character access to international stores, online launches, vending machines, social-media marketing, and a much wider audience.
By 2025, The Monsters had become Pop Mart’s biggest commercial success. Pop Mart reported that The Monsters generated about RMB14.16 billion in revenue during 2025, an increase of more than 365% from the previous year.
Those numbers show how far Labubu traveled—from a fantasy illustration to one of the world’s most recognizable collectible characters.
Who Makes Official Labubu Dolls Today?
Official modern Labubu toys are primarily developed and sold through Pop Mart under The Monsters collection.
Pop Mart handles the commercial side of the brand, including:
- Product concepts
- Collectible series development
- Packaging
- Brand licensing
- Quality standards
- Retail distribution
- International marketing
Like many global product companies, Pop Mart may use manufacturing facilities and production partners in different locations. The factory that physically produces a particular toy is not necessarily the company that created or owns the official product line.
That distinction matters.
When people ask, “Who manufactures Labubu?” they may be asking about the factory. When they ask, “Who made Labubu?” they are usually asking about Kasing Lung, the original artist.
Why Did Labubu Become So Popular?
Labubu had existed for years before becoming a worldwide fashion and social-media trend. Its rapid growth wasn’t caused by one thing.
Several factors worked together.
The “Ugly-Cute” Design Stands Out
Labubu combines soft fur, big eyes, and long ears with a grin full of pointed teeth.
It’s cute—but not too cute.
Collectors sometimes describe this style as ugly-cute, meaning a character looks unusual or slightly strange while still feeling lovable.
In a world full of polished cartoon mascots, Labubu looks different. You can recognize its shape almost immediately, even in a small photo or from across a room.
Blind Boxes Make Collecting Exciting
Opening a blind box creates suspense.
Will you receive the design you wanted? A rare “secret” figure? Or another version you already own?
That surprise encourages collectors to trade figures and sometimes buy additional boxes. However, it can also lead to overspending, especially when people focus more on finding a rare design than enjoying the items they already have.
Celebrities Turned Labubu Into a Fashion Accessory
Labubu gained major attention after celebrities and public figures began attaching plush versions to luxury handbags.
BLACKPINK member Lisa was widely linked to the character’s rise in global popularity. Other celebrities and online creators later displayed Labubu collectibles, helping the toy reach people outside traditional art-toy communities.
Suddenly, Labubu wasn’t just sitting on collectors’ shelves.
It was appearing in fashion photos, unboxing videos, celebrity posts, airports, shopping centers, and street-style content.
Is Labubu Chinese, Hong Kong, or European?
There isn’t a one-word answer.
Labubu has a mixed cultural history:
- Kasing Lung was born in Hong Kong.
- His childhood experiences in Europe influenced his artistic style.
- Nordic mythology inspired parts of The Monsters universe.
- How2Work, a Hong Kong company, supported early creative products.
- Pop Mart, a Chinese company, developed Labubu into a global commercial brand.
That combination may be one reason the character works across different countries.
Labubu doesn’t feel tied to only one familiar cartoon tradition. It mixes European fantasy influences, Asian designer-toy culture, modern fashion, art collecting, and internet trends.
How Can You Tell Whether a Labubu Is Real?
Labubu’s popularity also created a large market for copies. Fake versions are sometimes called “Lafufu” by collectors.
A low price alone doesn’t prove that a toy is fake, but buyers should be careful when a rare or sold-out product is offered far below its normal value.
Before buying, check:
- The seller’s reputation
- Pop Mart and The Monsters branding
- Packaging print quality
- Stitching and facial details
- Product labels
- Security or verification information
- Whether the product came from an authorized retailer
Poor-quality copies may have uneven eyes, messy paint, unusual teeth, weak stitching, spelling mistakes, or packaging that looks blurry.
Buying through official Pop Mart channels or trusted authorized sellers generally reduces the risk of receiving an imitation.
Expert Insight: Why Labubu Is More Than a Viral Toy
The most interesting part of Labubu’s success isn’t simply that a toy became popular.
It’s the way an original character moved through several creative stages:
storybook character → art figure → blind-box collectible → fashion accessory → global entertainment brand
Many viral products become popular because of a short trend. Labubu has something extra: an existing fictional world and an artist with a recognizable visual style.who make labubu
That gives Pop Mart more material to develop.
New clothing colors can change. Popular bag styles can disappear. But a character with a story can move into books, films, exhibitions, games, accessories, animation, and future collaborations.who make labubu
That doesn’t guarantee Labubu will remain equally popular forever. Trends naturally rise and fall. Still, the character has a stronger creative foundation than a toy designed only to follow a temporary internet craze.who make labubu
Frequently Asked Questions
Who originally created Labubu?
Hong Kong-born artist and illustrator Kasing Lung created Labubu as part of his fantasy universe, The Monsters.
Did Pop Mart invent Labubu?
No. Pop Mart did not invent the original character. Kasing Lung created Labubu, while Pop Mart developed and marketed official modern Labubu products worldwide.
Who made the first Labubu toys?
Early physical Labubu collectibles were connected with Kasing Lung’s collaboration with Hong Kong creative company How2Work. Pop Mart became the major commercial partner in 2019.
Is Labubu a rabbit?
No. Labubu is generally described as an elf-like monster or fantasy creature. Its long pointed ears may look similar to rabbit ears, but it belongs to The Monsters universe. who make labubu
Is Labubu a boy or a girl?
Labubu is commonly referred to as female in official and popular descriptions. However, many casual buyers simply view Labubu as a fantasy monster character.
Why does Labubu have sharp teeth?
The sharp, serrated smile is part of Labubu’s original character design. It creates a playful contrast between the creature’s mischievous appearance and kind-hearted personality.
Does Pop Mart make all real Labubu products?
Pop Mart is the main company behind official modern Labubu collectibles and The Monsters product releases. Buyers should still check product authenticity because copied and unauthorized versions are widely sold.
Conclusion: Who Make Labubu?
So, who make Labubu? The complete answer involves three important names.
Kasing Lung created the character and imagined The Monsters universe. How2Work helped bring early versions of the artwork into the collectible-toy world. Pop Mart then developed, produced, marketed, and distributed modern Labubu products on a global scale.
Labubu’s success wasn’t created overnight. It grew from storytelling, original artwork, unusual character design, creative partnerships, collectible culture, and clever global marketing.who make labubu
Behind the furry ears and sharp little smile is something surprisingly meaningful: an artist created a strange character with enough personality to become loved by millions of people around the world.
Editorial Note: Updated July 2026. The article was fact-checked using official Pop Mart information, artist background sources, company reports, and reputable international reporting.who make labubu
