If you are buying your first Labubu, start with Big Into Energy. It is the most current of the main series, the easiest to find at retail, and the one people actually recognise. If you want the original, that is Exciting Macaron, and it costs more for exactly that reason.
What a Labubu actually is
Labubu is a character created by the Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, sold by Pop Mart as part of a wider line called The Monsters. It is a designer art toy rather than a children's toy, which explains both the price and the collecting behaviour around it.
They are sold as blind boxes. You buy a sealed box, you do not know which figure of the series you are getting, and each series contains one rarer chase figure, usually called a secret. That mechanic is the entire commercial engine of the category.
The main series, in order
| Series | Also called | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Exciting Macaron | V1, 2023 | Soft pastel colourways. The original vinyl-face plush generation and the one that started the resale market. |
| Have a Seat | V2, 2024 | Seated poses. Favoured by people who display rather than carry. |
| Big Into Energy | V3, 2025 | Tie-dye finish, so no two are identical. Currently the dominant series for bag charms. |
Alongside the numbered series sit collaborations and one-off releases, including zodiac pieces like the Year of the Horse pendant. These are usually smaller runs and behave differently on resale.
Format matters more than people expect
The same character appears in several formats and they are not interchangeable:
- Vinyl plush pendant. Fuzzy body, vinyl face, keyring clip. This is the one you have seen hanging off handbags, and it is the hardest format to get at retail.
- Vinyl figure. Solid, for display. Easier to find.
- Whole set. Every standard figure in a series, sold together. Removes the gamble and usually removes the secret too.
If you want the bag-charm look specifically, check you are buying a pendant and not a figure. It is the single most common mistake.
An honest word on the secret
Chase figures are rare by design, and the odds are long. Buying boxes repeatedly in pursuit of one is a poor way to acquire it and a reliable way to spend more than the figure is worth on the secondary market. If you specifically want the secret, buying it outright is almost always cheaper than chasing it.
We sell blind boxes. We would still rather say that than not.
Counterfeits
The category has a significant fake problem, and the fakes have improved. Broad markers worth knowing: packaging print quality and colour accuracy, the presence and scannability of Pop Mart's authentication features, the crispness of the face moulding, and the number and shape of the teeth, which counterfeiters routinely get wrong.
The more reliable protection is upstream of any of that. If the price is far below retail, if the seller has no traceable history, or if a current series is available in unlimited quantity, treat all three as answers in themselves.
Frequently asked questions
Which Labubu series should I buy first?
Big Into Energy is the most sensible starting point. It is current, recognisable, and more available at retail than the older series. Exciting Macaron is the original and carries a premium for it.
What is the difference between V1, V2 and V3 Labubu?
V1 is Exciting Macaron from 2023, pastel and soft-toned. V2 is Have a Seat from 2024, built around seated poses. V3 is Big Into Energy from 2025, with a tie-dye finish that makes each piece slightly different.
What is a secret Labubu?
Each series includes a rare chase figure, called a secret, produced at much lower volume than the standard figures. It is the reason the blind box format works commercially.
Are Labubu blind boxes worth it?
As a toy purchase, that is a matter of taste. As an investment, treat it as entertainment spending rather than an asset. Resale values in this category are volatile and driven by attention, which moves.
How do I spot a fake Labubu?
Check packaging print quality, the manufacturer's authentication features, the moulding around the face, and the tooth count and shape, which fakes commonly get wrong. Price well below retail and a seller with no history are the earlier warnings.