If you’ve spent any time in the world of designer toys, you’ve probably come across POP MART, a Chinese brand that is behind viral collectibles and blind boxes, such as DIMOO World and LABUBU. As their blind box figures are beginning to pop up in stores and social media feeds worldwide, more and more fans are drawn into their mix of cute designs, nostalgic feeling, and surprise.

But not all POP MART characters are created equal. While DIMOO world is renowned for its soft, adorable aesthetic, LABUBU is known for its nearly-grotesque, mischievously naughty appearance. This variation has caused an uproar: Is POP MART’s popularity something that transcends all, or are some of their items just flat-out too bizarre? And more importantly–are these figurines worth their higher-than-average prices?

DIMOO World: soft, sad, and endlessly collectible

Created by Chinese artist Ayan Deng, DIMOO is a small, “dreamy” boy with a melancholic and whimsical look. His color palette mostly consists of pastels, he has oversized eyes, and is child-like. Often, the appeal for this figurine lies in the emotional depth as many of these figurines depict DIMOO in a reflective, lonely scene. For instance, sitting under a rainy sky or floating alone in space. In addition, the DIMOO world series includes many different story lines and themes, such as Circus, Aquarium, and Moonlight, which adds different aesthetics for its avid collectors.
Although these characters are cute enough to “die for,” the question is whether or not they are literally worth fifteen to twenty dollars for–especially since they are put in blind boxes and those buying are not guaranteed to get the ones that they want. Katelyn Chang, a senior at Ayala High School, enjoys collecting these cute DIMOO figurines as well, but does not agree with the prices to buy them.

LABUBU: ugly, creepy, or just unique and misunderstood?

And then there’s LABUBU, another of Kenny Wong, the same individual behind the phenomenally successful Molly statues. LABUBU is fang-toothed, wildly hairy, with enormous eyes and a very unsettling grin. Unlike the cute and comfortable sweetness of DIMOO figurines, LABUBU exudes chaos and mischief and looks as much a nightmare goblin from a children’s horror story. Although LABUBU brings uniqueness and a different aesthetic to the table, there are those who find this form of uniqueness as uncanny, or even ugly.
“Unfortunately people have told me my LABUBU is ugly” Candy Tong (12) said. “But I got my LABUBU as a gift so I gotta make the most out of it.”
Even though LABUBU has gotten criticism for its uncanny design, it also has a loyal fanbase. Fans argue that its ugly-cute aesthetic makes it unique, standing out in a market full of similarly cute designs. The quirky charm of LABUBU figures—ranging from pirate-themed versions to eerie Halloween releases—has helped them gain popularity amidst the hate.
Although Chang personally doesn’t enjoy LABUBU, and would rather stick to the DIMOO world aesthetic, she admits to the importance of uniqueness, especially when it comes to these collectibles.

“I mean it’s nice to have products that are both conventionally cute, but some that are unique,” Chang said. “I honestly don’t like LABUBU or see the appeal.”

Is POP MART Worth the Hype?

With blind boxes alone average to be about fifteen to twenty dollars, and individual figures ranging from ten to one hundred dolars, the cost of chasing these collections might not be worth it. Although Charlene Cheng, a senior at Ayala High School, is an avid collector of all POP MART’s products, she admits that these figurines might not be worth it, especially when buying them in the US.
“I just think they’re little funny trinkets and I’m just a really big figurine person” Cheng said. “I feel like its not really affordable. It really depends where you buy it because it’s obviously cheaper in China than in the US.”
At the end of the day, DIMOO and LABUBU are two very different types of collectibles. If you love blind boxes and character-driven art, POP MART is a great way to dive into the world of collectibles. But if you’re not a fan of surprises or the risk of getting figures you don’t like, it might not be for you.
So, is POP MART actually worth it? That depends on your taste—whether you find beauty in the cute, the creepy, or both, and if you’re willing to spend money on a gamble.