It takes little effort to spot the appearance of those colourful, bug-eyed creatures covered in fur. They are practically everywhere, smiling at you as they dangle from tote bags and sit atop your friend’s bookshelf.
Even if you don’t know their names, you’ve definitely seen them, either in real life or on social media.
Figurines like Labubu, Skullpanda and Crybaby are just a portion of an ever-expanding universe by Pop Mart, the Chinese toy company that continues to turn small figurines into big bucks.
If you have somehow managed to avoid the hype that has taken the world by storm, the company produces blind boxes which seal a random collectible figurine inside.
It’s similar to gachapon, the Japanese capsule toys dispensed from vending machines. You won’t know what you’ll get until you open it, which is part of the fun.
People are now chasing after these figurines, with lines growing outside Pop Mart stores every time a new collection drops and unboxing videos online racking up vast numbers of views.
Start small
For many collectors, the journey often begins with a single box, bought out of sheer curiosity or a desire to make one of those cute characters their own.
Choo LeAnne, 22, was first influenced by her mother.
“It was my mum who started collecting blind boxes, which then influenced me to do the same,” the fresh graduate says.
“From there, I started buying more and more for myself.”
Her first personal
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