Introduction

The Labubu Doll has become a recognizable name among collectible toy fans in Germany. With its unusual appearance, playful personality, large ears, wide smile, and pointed teeth, Labubu has developed a distinctive identity that separates it from traditional plush toys. What began as a character from an illustrated story has grown into a global collectible phenomenon, attracting attention from young adults, toy collectors, fashion enthusiasts, and social media users.

In Germany, interest in Labubu has grown significantly through social media, collectible culture, and the increasing popularity of designer toys.  Labubu  The opening of the first official Pop Mart store in Berlin in July 2025 attracted hundreds of enthusiastic fans, demonstrating how strongly the character had connected with German collectors.

What Makes the Labubu Doll Special?

The Labubu Doll is different from conventional toys because it combines cute and slightly mischievous characteristics. Its pointed ears, expressive eyes, furry appearance, and toothy grin create a look that can feel both adorable and unusual. This distinctive design has helped Labubu become easy to recognize among the many characters available in the modern collectible toy market.

Labubu was created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung as part of The Monsters series. The character first appeared in Lung’s illustrated stories and was later developed into collectible products through a partnership with Pop Mart in 2019. Since then, Labubu has appeared in numerous designs, colors, sizes, and themed collections.

For many German fans, the appeal is not simply about owning a toy. Labubu can also represent personal taste, creativity, collecting, and participation in a wider international community.

The Rise of Labubu Collecting in Germany

Germany has a strong culture of collecting, from traditional toys and model figures to trading cards, limited-edition products, and designer collectibles. Labubu fits naturally into this environment because each release can offer something different for collectors to discover.

The popularity of Labubu became especially visible in Germany during 2025. Before the official German store opened, local interest was already being driven by online content and specialist retailers. When Pop Mart opened its first German store in Berlin, fans reportedly waited for hours, with some people arriving well before the opening.

This enthusiasm shows that Labubu is more than a temporary online curiosity. It has developed a physical presence within Germany’s growing designer-toy market.

Why Blind Boxes Are So Popular

One of the most interesting features of Labubu collecting is the blind-box format. A blind box contains a figure that cannot be identified from the outside. This means buyers discover which design they have only after opening the package.

This element of surprise adds excitement to the collecting experience. A person may purchase one box hoping to receive a particular character, color, or rare edition. The uncertainty encourages collectors to continue exploring different releases and can make opening a box feel like a small event.

Blind-box culture has also become highly suitable for social media. Videos showing people opening their boxes can generate curiosity because viewers want to discover what is inside. German media have highlighted TikTok and Instagram as important factors behind the growing Labubu interest.

Labubu and German Social Media Culture

Social media has played an important role in turning Labubu into a recognizable trend. Short videos, photographs, unboxing content, collection displays, and styling ideas allow fans to share their enthusiasm with other people.

TikTok and Instagram are particularly effective for collectible characters because Labubu is visually distinctive. A Labubu attached to a handbag, backpack, or displayed on a shelf can immediately attract attention.

This connection between collectibles and fashion has helped expand Labubu beyond the traditional toy category. Some fans treat the dolls as accessories, while others display them as part of their personal collections. Deutsche Welle reported that Labubu figures had become popular handbag accessories and appeared widely across social media.

A Collectible for Adults and Younger Fans

Although Labubu may look like a traditional plush character, its popularity is strongly connected with adult collectors. Designer toys increasingly appeal to people who enjoy artistic characters, limited releases, and nostalgic forms of collecting.

For adults in Germany, purchasing a Labubu Doll can be a simple way to enjoy a playful item without necessarily treating it as a conventional children’s toy. The character’s unusual design also gives it a contemporary aesthetic that works well with modern interiors, fashion accessories, and personal collections.

At the same time, younger fans can discover Labubu through social media and online communities. This creates a broad audience in which different age groups can appreciate the character for different reasons.

The Importance of the Berlin Store

The opening of the first official Pop Mart store in Germany was an important moment for the Labubu trend. Located in Berlin, the store attracted large crowds of fans who wanted to purchase authentic products and experience the brand directly.

Reports from the opening described long queues and strong enthusiasm among collectors. Some visitors traveled from different parts of Germany to attend the launch.

The Berlin store also provided a physical meeting point for people who previously experienced Labubu mainly through online platforms. Instead of simply watching unboxing videos or photographs, collectors could see different products in person and interact with other fans.

By 2026, Labubu’s presence in Germany had continued to receive attention, with reports describing the character as one of the most sought-after products at Pop Mart’s German store.

Why Collectors Enjoy Different Labubu Designs

Another reason for Labubu’s popularity is the wide variety of designs. Collectors can encounter different colors, costumes, themes, sizes, and seasonal releases. This variety gives people an opportunity to build collections that reflect their individual preferences.

Some collectors may prefer soft pastel designs, while others may enjoy colorful or unusual editions. Limited releases can become particularly attractive because collectors often value designs that feel distinctive or difficult to find.

The variety also keeps the collecting experience fresh. Instead of buying one figure and stopping, enthusiasts can continue discovering new series and characters.

Labubu as a Fashion Accessory

The Labubu Doll has also moved beyond shelves and display cabinets. Small plush versions can be attached to handbags, backpacks, and other personal items, making them part of everyday fashion.

This trend is particularly interesting because it combines collectible culture with streetwear and personal styling. A Labubu can add a playful detail to a simple outfit or make an ordinary bag more distinctive.

In Germany, where fashion trends often combine practical clothing with individual expression, Labubu’s unusual appearance gives fans another way to show personality.

Authenticity and Smart Collecting

As Labubu has become more popular, buyers should pay attention to authenticity. The popularity of the character has also resulted in imitation products and figures that are not officially produced by Pop Mart. German media have reported the presence of lookalike products sometimes marketed under names such as “Lafufu.”

Collectors who want genuine products should therefore consider purchasing through recognized retail channels and checking packaging, product information, and seller credibility. Authenticity can be especially important for people interested in limited editions or building collections over time.

The Growing Future of Labubu in Germany

The Labubu trend demonstrates how modern collectibles can move quickly from online communities into physical retail and popular culture.  Labubu Bag  Germany’s growing interest in designer toys provides a strong environment for characters such as Labubu to develop a long-term following.

Recent data also suggest that the Labubu craze had a measurable effect on visits to Pop Mart stores across Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. Research published in 2026 reported an average increase in monthly store footfall during the Labubu craze across those markets.

Whether every Labubu release will remain equally popular is impossible to predict, but the character has already established a strong identity among collectors.

Conclusion

The Labubu Doll has become a popular collectible toy trend in Germany because it combines distinctive design, surprise-based collecting, social media culture, fashion, and community. Its unusual appearance makes it instantly recognizable, while blind boxes and varied releases provide collectors with an ongoing reason to explore new products.

The strong response to the first official Pop Mart store in Berlin showed the depth of German interest, while continuing attention in 2026 indicates that Labubu remains an important part of the designer-toy conversation.

For German fans, Labubu can be much more than a small plush figure. It can be a collectible, a fashion accessory, a display piece, and a way to participate in a worldwide community of enthusiasts. As designer toys continue to influence modern pop culture, Labubu’s playful and distinctive character is likely to remain an interesting presence among collectors in Germany.