Popmart Fever: Collectable Craze or Investment Goldmine?
- Jomanda Heng
- Jul 5
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 6
Why These Toy-Sized Treasures Have Adults Queuing, Flipping, and Obsessing — And Whether You Should Too
From Side Hustle to Global Sensation
Ten years ago, if you told someone you were collecting miniature art toys, they might’ve raised an eyebrow. Today? You’re likely to get a “Which series? Which chase? Got Labubu?”
What started as a niche subculture in China has exploded into a global obsession. Popmart, the once-underdog collectible toy brand, is now a billion-dollar enterprise, redefining what it means to “collect” in the digital era. Their figures are small, yes — but their influence is massive.
From unboxing battles on TikTok to high-stakes reseller flipping, the Popmart frenzy isn’t just a fad — it’s a full-blown cultural economy. And in 2025, it’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Let’s call it what it is: Popmart is emotional engineering at its finest. It taps into the deepest corners of our psyche — nostalgia, rarity, ownership, identity, and dopamine-chasing — all packed into a 3-inch plastic figure.
The genius is in the blind box format. You don’t know what you’re getting until you open it — but that’s the thrill. Each box is a ticket in the aesthetic lottery. And it works:
Scarcity makes them desirable. Limited drops, secret rares, collabs that vanish overnight.
Fandom drives hype. Social media algorithms boost unboxing and haul videos. It becomes a flex, a statement of personality.
Design makes it art. Each series is created by contemporary artists. These aren’t toys — they’re visual stories.
For millennials and Gen Z who grew up on anime, games, and collectibles, Popmart is the adult version of Pokémon cards — just with better design and resale value.
LABUBU — The Dark Horse of the Popmart Empire
While Skullpanda may dominate fashion editorials and Popmart billboards, Labubu is the soul of the hardcore collector community.
Created by artist Kasing Lung, Labubu is a mischievous, bug-eyed forest creature with a devilish grin — half cute, half gremlin, always chaotic. What sets Labubu apart is the deep lore. Each series expands on a mythical world called The Monsters where Labubu and friends exist — and collectors aren’t just buying toys; they’re buying into a universe.
Why Labubu is a top pick for serious collectors:
🔮 Series diversity: From "Jungle Fever" to "Dark Maids" to "Sweet Bean," Labubu constantly reinvents.
💰 Market demand: Some secret Labubu figures fetch RM800–RM2,000 in the resale market.
🎨 Artistry: Unlike more commercialized series, Labubu figures are often surreal, experimental, and highly expressive.
Labubu isn’t just a character. It’s a mood.
Good Investment?
Let’s be clear: not all toys are created equal.
While Popmart thrives in the realm of emotional purchases, it has also cultivated an ecosystem where certain figures genuinely appreciate in value — sometimes massively. Some real world examples:
Skullpanda Ancient Castle Secret – Retail RM39 → Resale RM1,500+
Labubu Halloween Metallic Edition – Retail RM45 → Resale RM900+
Dimoo Retro TV Series Secret – Retail RM39 → Resale RM500+
These aren’t exceptions; they’re happening regularly, especially with:
Limited collabs (like Popmart x Sanrio, Popmart x Disney)
Artist-first releases (pre-Popmart Kasing Lung editions)
Regional exclusives (like China-only event figures)
But Here's the Catch: Popmart Isn’t Passive Income
Buying a blind box doesn’t equal buying gold.
Popmart figures don’t automatically appreciate. Just like sneakers, Funko Pops, or NFTs — you need to:
Understand market demand
Know what’s trending and what’s dying
Preserve figure condition and original box
Watch for supply drops and limited windows
This is why communities on Carousell, Xiaohongshu, and Reddit exist — collectors are not just showing off hauls; they’re tracking prices, making trades, and flipping like mini Wall Street brokers.
Originals vs Fakes
With hype comes counterfeits — and Popmart is no exception.
A surge of fake Skullpandas and Labubus are flooding Southeast Asian online markets, especially platforms like Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop. And to a casual buyer? The fakes are worryingly convincing. Spot the real deal:
Check for Popmart official stickers and QR codes on the box
Inspect the paint job — fakes often have off-tone eyes or blurred lines
Compare packaging size and font to verified unboxings on YouTube
Buy from Popmart official stores, flagship Shopee stores, or retail chains like Toys"R"Us
Remember, a secret rare Skullpanda for RM25 isn’t a steal. It’s a scam.
Do People Regret It?
It depends on why they’re buying.
Many fans say Popmart helped them through burnout and anxiety — the joy of opening a box, the satisfaction of display curation, the social element of trades and community. It’s not just buying a toy; it’s buying a moment of control in an otherwise chaotic world.
Others say they fell down the rabbit hole and ended up with hundreds of unopened boxes, regretful spending habits, and disappointment in resale potential.
The key is to go in with clear intent: Are you collecting for joy? Or investing for profit? The answer will determine whether you feel fulfilled — or fooled.
Verdict: Should You Join the Popmart Craze?
Only if you're ready to do it right.
Yes, if you:
Appreciate pop art, collectibles, and blind box culture
Can research and identify valuable series
Want a new hobby that balances aesthetics, community, and thrill
No, if you:
Think every box will be a retirement plan
Get caught in compulsive buying cycles
Don’t have the time to learn the ecosystem
Last Words: It’s More Than Just Plastic
Popmart has built a new category — not toys, not art, not merchandise. It’s a lifestyle. Whether you’re a hardcore Labubu loyalist or just eyeing your first Skullpanda, one thing is certain: Popmart’s impact on consumer culture is here to stay.
And while markets may fluctuate and trends may fade, the emotional connection people form with these little figures?
That’s priceless.
References
Pop Mart Global Official Website – https://www.popmart.com
CNA Lifestyle. (2023). Why adults are obsessed with Pop Mart’s mystery toy boxes. Available at: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/lifestyle/pop-mart-toys-skullpanda-labubu-dimoo-artist-collectibles-372941
SCMP. (2023). Pop Mart: How a Chinese toy maker turned cute figurines into a billion-dollar business. Available at: https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3213725/pop-mart-how-chinese-toy-maker-turned-cute-figurines-billion-dollar-business
Vulcan Post. (2022). Pop Mart is expanding in Southeast Asia — here’s why Gen Z can’t get enough. Available at: https://vulcanpost.com/806693/popmart-malaysia-genz-collectibles
Pop Mart Investor Relations – Financial Reports and Stock Info: https://ir.popmart.com/en
Reddit: r/popmart – Community discussion board for tracking prices and resales – https://www.reddit.com/r/popmart
TikTok trends and viral unboxings (search: “#popmart” and “#labubu”) – https://www.tiktok.com/tag/popmart
The Uncommon Breed
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