As students weave among the hallways at the beginning of the school day, the same keychain dangles from several backpacks: a wide-eyed smiling toy that comes in varying colors, instantly recognizable to most. Labubus — fuzzy monster toys that range from keychains to large plushies — have gained rapid popularity due to social media recognition.
Labubus were originally introduced in 2015 by Kasing Lung, an artist from Hong Kong. They began gaining popularity in 2024 when Blackpink singer Lisa posted about the toys via social media, and later, in 2025, Lizzo referred to them in a single she released.
Sophomore Ella Nyugen, one of the many U-High students with Labubus, received her Labubu as a gift and agrees that the Labubu trend is largely attributed to social media. In particular, this is true on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
“They’re a cool accessory, but I don’t have any particular attachment,” Ella said. “They’re just kind of fun to have.”
Senior Bayaan El-Bawab, another student with a Labubu, similarly had been given a Labubu from her sister but doubts she’d have purchased one herself.
“I wouldn’t have bought them for myself but receiving them as gifts, I would put them on a purse,” she said.
Bayaan explained that part of her reasoning for not buying a Labubu for herself is the price. While it varies depending on the location, many Labubus cost $30 to $40, with the most expensive ones costing over $200. This largely depends on the specific store and whether the Labubu is a real version. For instance, Labubus’ dupe, Lafufus, are considered lower quality and are typically cheaper, although they often have asymmetrical features and less precise stitching.
The rise of Labubus’ popularity follows a wider craze Bayaan has noticed.
“I think it’s a continuation of the trend of having cute chunky accessories. It’s like the same vein as the Calico Critters,” she said. “I guess I don’t understand how they’re so popular, but I think they’re really cute.”
Students like Bayaan find that Labubus are not just fun toys, but a way to participate in an ongoing trend that continues to grow in popularity. For certain, Labubus will appear more and more throughout U-High — hanging from students’ backpacks, vibrant streaks of color against the hallway.
