What Is POP MART? The Story Behind Labubu, Skullpanda, and the Blind Box Craze

You have probably seen a Labubu charm swinging from a designer bag, or a row of Skullpanda figures lined up on someone's shelf, and wondered who dreams up all of these adorable little characters. The answer is POP MART — the company that turned the humble blind box into a worldwide collecting craze. 🧸✨

If you are new to the hobby, this guide walks you through what POP MART is, how the blind boxes work, the characters worth knowing, and how to make sure the figure you buy is the real deal.

What is POP MART?

POP MART is a Chinese designer-toy company founded in 2010. It began as a small variety-store chain in Beijing and grew into one of the most recognizable names in the collectible-figure world. Rather than inventing every character in-house, POP MART partners with independent artists and designers, then produces their creations as small, beautifully finished vinyl figures. 🎨

The magic ingredient is the blind box: you buy a sealed box without knowing which figure from the series is inside. Open it, and the surprise is half the fun. This blend of artist-driven design and surprise mechanics is what carried POP MART from a local shop to a global phenomenon.

How POP MART blind boxes work

Every POP MART series is built around a theme, and each theme contains a set number of figures, usually around twelve. Here is what makes opening one so exciting:

• Regular figures: the standard lineup that makes up most of a series. Each one has published odds, so you know roughly how common it is.
• Secret figures: the rare, hidden chase. Secrets are pulled at a much lower rate, often around one in one hundred forty-four boxes, which is exactly why collectors adore them. 💖
• Sealed mystery: because the box is sealed, you cannot feel or weigh your way to a guaranteed figure. The surprise is the entire point.

Want the full breakdown of how the surprise mechanic works across brands? Our beginner's guide to blind boxes covers it from start to finish.

The POP MART characters you should know

POP MART is home to a whole family of designer characters. These are the ones you will run into most often:

• Labubu (The Monsters): the mischievous, sharp-toothed elf designed by artist Kasing Lung. Labubu is POP MART's breakout star and the figure most people picture first. 🐰
• Skullpanda: moody, elegant, and a little mysterious, a favorite for collectors who love a darker, artsy aesthetic. 🖤
• Dimoo: a dreamy, cloud-loving character with soft, whimsical series themes.
• Molly: the pouty-faced girl who helped put POP MART on the map in its earliest years.
• Hirono, Crybaby, and Pucky: emotional, story-driven lines that have each built their own devoted followings.

Curious why one character in particular took over the internet? We dug into it in Why Are Labubu Figures So Popular?

Is POP MART authentic, and how do you avoid fakes?

POP MART is a legitimate, publicly listed company, and its figures are officially licensed. The catch is that popularity attracts counterfeits, especially for Labubu, where fakes are so common that they have earned the nickname "Lafufu." 👀

A few quick authenticity habits: buy from sellers who source genuine product, check for crisp printing and clean paint, look for official QR codes and packaging details, and stay cautious of prices that seem too good to be true. Our Lafufu checklist gives you the full inspection routine.

Where to start your POP MART collection

The friendliest way in is to pick a character you love and open your first box. You can browse our sealed surprises in the Blind Box Surprise collection, and if blind boxes become your thing, you will feel right at home with our Sonny Angels and SMISKI lineup too. 🎀

Collecting is always sweeter in threes, so use code TRIO15 for 15% off when you add three or more blind boxes to your cart. ✨

POP MART FAQ

Is POP MART a real, official brand?

Yes. POP MART is a publicly listed designer-toy company, and its figures are officially licensed collaborations with named artists.

What is a secret figure?

A secret is the rare, hidden figure in a series, pulled at a much lower rate than the regular lineup. Secrets are the chase that keeps collectors opening boxes.

Are Labubu and POP MART the same thing?

Not exactly. Labubu is a character within The Monsters line, and POP MART is the company that designs, produces, and sells Labubu alongside many other characters.

How do I avoid buying a fake?

Buy from trustworthy sellers, inspect the printing and packaging, look for official QR codes, and treat a suspiciously low price as a warning sign.

Which POP MART character is calling your name first, the mischievous Labubu, the moody Skullpanda, or a dreamy Dimoo? Come find your next surprise at Kawaii Bliss Co. 💖