LOS ALAMITOS, Calif.— Labubus are mischievous monsters with a playful appearance. These collectible toys gained popularity through their collaboration with PopMart. The new trend of cute-horror characters is taking the world by storm, with Labubus at the front.

These creepy-cute toys were created by Kasing Lung, an artist from Hong Kong. His collection of The Monsters figurines rose to fame when PopMart, a company selling blind boxes of themed characters, collaborated with Lung. Additionally, Lisa, a member of the K-pop group BLACKPINK, posted the fluffy critters on her Instagram story in April 2024, which caused a Labubu frenzy.

“During my early childhood, I loved reading graphic novels. These become the nutrients for my creative work,” Lung explained in an exclusive interview with the South China Morning Post.

The cute-horror trend has become increasingly popular with the release of toys like Living Dead Dolls and horror movie plushies. Companies are also starting to target larger audiences. For example, movies such as Coraline and various films from Tim Burton’s franchises put a cute twist on a creepy story, highlighting the appeal to younger viewers.

Labubu’s are a key symbol of the creepy-cute aesthetic. Collectors around the world have started posting TikTok and Instagram stories displaying their growing collection of the furry creatures. With new releases and limited edition Labubus, the demand has skyrocketed. These toys have over 300 variations, with some costing over 280. Many believe these figurines are worth the hype because of their unique concept and design.

“I would not want that in my room, but they are really cute,” said Aubrielle Rendon, a Los Alamitos High School senior.

The cute-horror fad has been growing around the world. An infamous street style in Japan, known as “Gurokawa,”  draws the attention of many for its pastel, yet dark, influences, like bones, brains and monsters.

“I feel like the styles complement each other a lot, it’s a new take on the aesthetics,” said LAHS junior Sophia Alvarez.

The Taipei Toy Festival brings a variety of figures into the spotlight, like Labubu’s and the Korean Collective’s 8 Balls. This event is held annually and allows artists and fans to collect their favorite figurines and artworks.

The appeal of cute-horror doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. Whether it be the furry-monster craze of Labubu’s or the style of Gurokawa, everyone seems to be hopping on the trend.