DoubleBoxed Releases Complete 2026 Labubu Collector's Guide for New and Mid-Level Fans

DoubleBoxed, the UK-based collectibles retailer and hobby publisher, dropped its comprehensive 2026 Labubu collector's guide on March 23, covering everything from the character's origin through Pop Mart's The Monsters universe to the active series landscape, buying strategies, and what's rumored on the horizon. Whether you're cracking open your first blind box or tracking down your second secret pull, here's everything you need to navigate the collection in 2026.

Who Is Labubu, and Why Does It Matter

Labubu is the most famous character from Kasing Lung's original story series, The Monsters. Characterized as a mischievous but kind-hearted elf/monster, Labubu is known for a furry body, long pointed ears, wide eyes, and a cheeky, serrated grin featuring nine sharp teeth. Despite that cheeky look, Labubu is portrayed as a kind-hearted little monster who always means well, even when things don't go as planned.

Labubu is a mischievous forest goblin character designed by Hong Kong-based illustrator Kasing Lung, first introduced through Pop Mart's The Monsters series. With oversized ears, sharp teeth, and an unpredictable personality, Labubu stands out among other designer vinyl toys due to its emotional expressiveness and artistic depth. Unlike generic collectibles, each Labubu release tells a story, whether it's part of a seasonal theme, holiday collaboration, or limited art drop. Labubu's popularity skyrocketed globally thanks in part to its association with Lisa, a member of K-pop group BLACKPINK. Her love for Labubu and its appearances in her social media posts brought widespread attention to the character, making it a must-have for her fans and collectors alike.

How Blind Boxes Work

Blind boxes add an element of surprise to collecting: each sealed box contains one random figure from the series, making every unboxing an exciting experience. Unlike traditional toys where you know exactly what you're getting, blind box collecting brings the thrill of mystery. Will you get a common figure, a rare variant, or the ultra-rare secret character?

In 2026 the best blind boxes focus not only on the figurine but also on packaging and unboxing. Boxes feature cohesive series artwork, lore snippets, and probability charts showing how many common, rare, and secret figures are in the set. Interior printing, collectible cards, and small stickers or inserts add value beyond the main toy. Secret figures are the chase targets every collector talks about. The blind box format continues to drive engagement, with secret figures appearing at approximately 1-in-72 odds, making the hunt as thrilling as ever.

The Keychain Series: V1 Through V4

As of early 2026, there are four Labubu keychain releases, known as V1, V2, V3, and V4. Understanding each one is fundamental to navigating the collection.

V1, the Exciting Macaron series, is where the large plush blind-box era began. It dropped in October 2023 with six standard characters and one secret: Soy Milk, Green Grape, Lychee Berry, Sea Salt Coconut, Sesame Bean, and Toffee, with the secret slot going to Chestnut Cocoa. Exciting Macaron figures like Lychee Berry and Soymilk are now considered "vintage" classics from October 2023, commanding premium prices on secondary markets.

Have a Seat (V2) has established itself as the go-to series for display collectors who love the peaceful seated aesthetic. The V2 secret is DuoDuo, a figure that has become one of the most coveted pulls in the entire lineup. The secret figure in the "Have a Seat" series is named DuoDuo, distinguished by its dark brown fur and unique, serious expression. In 2026, a real DuoDuo typically sells for $300 to $500, with the price potentially higher depending on condition and demand.

April 2025 brought V3, and Pop Mart shifted to an abstract, emotion-based naming system. The six standard characters are Love, Happiness, Loyalty, Serenity, Hope, and Luck. The secret character goes by ID, one of the more unusual secret names in the lineup. Big Into Energy (V3) remains the hottest series for bag charms and everyday wear, with its unique tie-dye technique ensuring every figure is truly one-of-a-kind.

V4 is the most ambitious series in terms of scope. Released in August 2025, Pin for Love used the full alphabet as its organizing framework, running A through Z, plus the symbols ? and &, and carrying two secret characters: Secret: ! and Secret: Heart. That's a minimum of 28 named figures in a single series, with two additional secret pulls on top.

Beyond the Keychains: Plush Dolls, Collaborations, and The Monsters Family

The second category of Labubu dolls are separate releases, and many of them are big Labubu plush dolls. These are much larger than the blind box keychain dolls, and most come fully dressed. The Labubu plush are the big Labubu figures made for hugs and display.

Mokoko, Labubu's adorable pink-furred companion with her signature heart-shaped nose and curly eyelashes, is gaining serious momentum as collectors expand beyond Labubu to complete The Monsters family. The Let's Checkmate series, released in early 2025, has proven that Labubu can transcend traditional collectibles, featuring both large 37cm vinyl plush dolls and 17cm hanging cards with chess-inspired themes that appeal to strategy game enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Collaborations add another layer entirely. Pop Mart released the first Labubu Sanrio collab on March 12, 2026. It features a blind box keychain set and also a large plush doll, with the keychain set including Hello Kitty, My Melody, Kuromi, Cinnamoroll, Pochacco, and Pompompurin. Pop Mart also announced on March 24, 2026 the latest doll, which will celebrate the World Cup and be named Labubu Catch the Win. On the ultra-premium end, the most expensive Labubu is Labubu Vans, which sells anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000 in 2026.

What's Rumored for V5

As of March 2026, V5 is officially in rumor territory. The circulating story, which picked up in January 2026, is that Pop Mart will release a new Labubu keychain series sometime in early or mid 2026. The character names are listed as TBD, and no theme has been confirmed. Fan speculation holds that V5 might be based on calendar days, following the same logic V4 used with the alphabet. That would be a large series if true, potentially 365 characters or some subset. Nothing from Pop Mart has confirmed that direction. Until there's an official announcement, treat everything about V5 as community speculation.

Buying Strategy: Singles vs. Sealed Cases

A Labubu box of 6 guarantees a full set of the standard figures from a series with no duplicates. Buying a sealed case is often cheaper per figure than buying six individual blind boxes. As of 2026, the price for a Labubu box of 6 typically ranges from $90 to $160 USD. This can vary depending on the series, the retailer, and your region. Limited edition series may be priced higher.

If you're only missing one or two figures, buying singles is more economical than purchasing full blind boxes. Many retailers and collectors sell opened figures at reasonable prices, saving you from endless duplicates. Trading is one of the most cost-effective ways to complete a set. Swapping duplicates with other fans can quickly fill in missing figures.

Collecting should be viewed as a hobby first and an investment second. Their greatest value is the joy they bring you.

Authentication: Spotting Fakes

Counterfeits, commonly known in the community as "Lafufu," are widespread, and knowing how to spot them is non-negotiable. All official Labubu figures are produced exclusively by Pop Mart and carry embedded NFC anti-counterfeit tags starting from 2021 onward. Key checks to run before any purchase:

• Verify QR codes through the Pop Mart app, check for exactly 9 teeth, and inspect fur quality.
• If the deal is too good to be true, around or below retail price, it's probably a fake. Most resellers sell original Labubu dolls slightly above retail so that they make a profit.
• Some super rare original Labubu plush dolls such as Mokoko were only released in a Pop Mart theme park in China, while Hide and Seek was only released in Singapore. Region-specific exclusives showing up from generic third-party sellers are a serious red flag.

Displaying and Caring for Your Collection

Keep your Labubu figures away from direct sunlight to prevent color fading. Many collectors use acrylic display cases to showcase their collection while keeping dust away. DoubleBoxed outlines three go-to display options:

• Acrylic display cases: perfect for keeping figures dust-free, letting you see them from all angles, with many cases offering built-in risers to create a tiered look.
• Bookshelves: placing figures between books or on a dedicated shelf integrates them into home decor.
• Dedicated hobby spaces: if you have the room, creating a special corner or wall for your collection can become your personal gallery.

What's Coming Next

Pop Mart plans to expand Labubu's narrative universe through augmented reality (AR) integration and NFT-linked physical figures. Starting in Q2 2026, select Labubu editions will come with scannable QR codes unlocking digital content, avatar skins, and virtual gallery displays. Pop Mart also aims to double its North American store count by 2027, increasing accessibility to exclusive in-store variants.

The release calendar in 2026 is moving fast. There are now over 80 different Labubu dolls, with new collabs, rumored keychain waves, and a confirmed World Cup figure already in the pipeline. For a collection that started with six macaron-flavored figures in October 2023, that's a universe that has expanded at a pace even dedicated collectors are still racing to keep up with.