If youโve ever walked past a POP MART store, scrolled through Instagram, or spotted someoneโs keychain dangling a wide-eyed, fanged little creature, youโve already met Labubu โ the mischief-maker thatโs become the poster child of the POP MART craze. Thereโs something undeniably thrilling about cracking open a blind box. That split-second suspense before you see which figure youโve scored? Itโs like a mini adrenaline rush for your inner child. But while Labubu might be the breakout star, POP MARTโs universe is packed with just-as-addictiveย characters โ each with their own quirky charm. So if youโre ready to expand your collection (or dive down the rabbit hole), here are the best Labubu alternatives worth obsessing over โ one blind box at a time.
Read More: The Best Jellycats We Canโt Stop Snuggling!
Crybaby
If Labubu is the mischievous troublemaker of the POP MART universe, Crybaby is its soulful, tear-streaked counterpart โ proof that itโs okay to wear your heart (and your tears) on your sleeve. Created by Thai artist Molly Yllom in 2017 as an emotional tribute to her late dog Somchun, Crybaby is the ultimate reminder for embracing sadness with style. With her signature teardrop-shaped resin eyes and flushed cheeks, this little figure reminds us that crying isnโt just cathartic โ itโs kinda cute. From plush dolls and blind boxes to collaborations like the nostalgia-inducing โPowerpuff Girlsโ series, Crybaby offers a range of collectibles that tug at your heartstrings while still looking adorable on your shelf.
Hirono
This disheveled little boy might look like he just woke up from an existential crisis โ messy hair, puffy eyes, and all โ but Hirono is POP MARTโs most unexpectedly profound philosopher. Designed by acclaimed Chinese artist Lang, Hirono wears his emotions like battle scars: that flushed face? Heartbreak. Those tired eyes? Survived another human day. Heโs not just a figure โ heโs a mirror for every time youโve felt too much, from the melancholic Hirono Mime Series (quiet despair, beautifully boxed) to his Le Petit Prince collab (whimsy with a side of soul-crushing nostalgia). Collect him for the aesthetic, keep him for the therapy sessions you didnโt know you needed.
Skullpanda
Created by Chinese artist Xiong Mao in 2018, Skullpanda declares herself a โuniversal symbiontโ โ hopping between planets and personas like itโs no big deal โ basically, your dream BFF if youโre into existential adventures and killer makeup looks. With her gothic chic vibe, intricate outfits, and a stare that could melt steel, Skullpanda is here to save you from the cutesy overload of other POP MART figures. Sheโs the ultimate anti-hero collectible: snag her as a keychain, an AirPod case, or go full obsession with a 1000% MEGA figure (because subtlety is for mortals).
Molly
Born in 2006 from the creative mind of Hong Kong artist Kenny Wong โ who found inspiration in a blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl at a charity event โ Molly has evolved into POP MART’s ultimate chameleon. With her signature bob, pouty lips, and those impossibly cute lake-blue eyes, she embodies that stubbornly adorable friend who’s always dragging you into her latest โcreative phase.โ This pint-sized powerhouse constantly reinvents herself: one day she’s channelling Van Gogh in an artsy masterpiece, the next she’s suiting up as a cosmic explorer in Space Molly, and sometimes she’s transforming into your favourite breakfast as Carb Lover Molly.
Dimoo
Dimoo is the quintessential daydreamer of the POP MART universe, perpetually accompanied by his floating companion Baby Cloud. This softly-rendered character embodies a dreamlike aesthetic through his oversized cloud headwear, red cheeks, and perpetually sleepy expression. Created by artist Ayan Deng, his design evokes the comforting warmth of childhood imagination.
Pucky
Named after the sprite from Shakespeareโs โA Midsummer Night’s Dream,โ this baby-faced figurine inhabits the magical border between nature and the spiritual world. He sports floral crowns, cosmic helmets, and other fantastical headgear, radiating a unique charm that epitomises mystical wonder. After all, what could be more enchanting than an adorable babe touched by magic?
Catherine Pun
A Hong Kong native with Filipino-Chinese roots, Catherine infuses every part of her life with zest, whether sheโs belting out karaoke tunes or exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations. Her downtime often includes unwinding with Netflix and indulging in a 10-step skincare routine. As the Editorial Director of Friday Club., Catherine brings her wealth of experience from major publishing houses, where she refined her craft and even authored a book. Her sharp editorial insight makes her a dynamic force, always on the lookout for the next compelling narrative.
