Labubu and Pop Mart Blind Boxes for Beginners

Blind boxes have taken over the collectibles world over the last couple of years, and Labubu is a big reason why. If you're new to them and wondering what all the fuss is about, here's what you need to know before you start opening boxes.

What a blind box is

A blind box is a sealed box with one random figure from a series inside. You know which series you're buying, but not which figure you'll get until you open it. Most series have somewhere around 6 to 12 regular designs, and the box usually shows all of them.

That surprise is the whole appeal. It's part collecting, part trading with friends to fill out a set.

Secret figures

Many series include a "secret" figure that isn't shown on the box, or is shown only as a silhouette. Secrets are much rarer than the regular designs. The odds are often printed on the box, and they're usually something like 1 in 72 or 1 in 144. Pulling a secret is the blind box version of pulling a chase Pop.

Who is Labubu?

Labubu is a little monster character with a toothy grin, created by artist Kasing Lung as part of The Monsters, and produced by Pop Mart. Labubu blew up worldwide, and Pop Mart releases new Labubu series regularly, from small vinyl figures to plush pendants you can clip onto a bag.

Single boxes vs. sealed sets

• Single blind box: one random figure. Cheapest way to try a series.
• Whole set / sealed case: a full set of boxes from the same case. Depending on the series, this often gets you every regular design, with a chance at the secret.

If you know you want the whole series, buying a set usually works out better than buying singles and hoping you don't get repeats.

Watch out for fakes

Labubu's popularity brought a wave of fakes, often called "Lafufus" by collectors. Fakes usually give themselves away with sloppy paint, the wrong number of teeth, off colors, cheap plush or packaging that doesn't match the real thing. The safest move is buying from an authorized seller. Our guide on spotting fakes is written for Funko, but the same habits apply: check the price, the print quality and the details.

Other blind boxes worth a look

Pop Mart has plenty of series beyond Labubu, and other brands like Eaki make blind boxes too. Funko has its own blind box lines as well, like Bitty Pops with a mystery figure in each pack.

Shop blind boxes

We carry authentic blind boxes in our Blind Boxes section, with POP MART and Labubu in their own page. New series sell out fast, so check back often.