9 blind box series crafted by Asian designers that are as cute as Labubu

Skull Panda, a standout figure in the Pop Mart line-up, was created by Chinese designer XiongMiao in 2018. This intriguing character is characterised by doll-like features and a distinctive headdress. After partnering with Pop Mart, Skull Panda began mass production in 2020 and quickly gained a dedicated following.

Skull Panda’s appeal lies in its fluid identity; it is not restricted by gender and can traverse time and space, embodying different roles and experiencing a wide range of life scenarios.

This versatility and imaginative concept have made Skull Panda a beloved figure among collectors and fans, and the latest collection, The Paradox—launched on June 26—sold out immediately on the official website.

Launched in 2019, LuLu the Piggy, also known as LuLu Pig, is the brainchild of Hong Kong designer Cici. That same year, Cici’s brand, Cici’s Story, partnered with Toyzeroplus, a Hong Kong company renowned for producing collectable toys for designers and illustrators, marking LuLu Pig’s debut at the Shanghai Toy Show 2019, where it quickly gained popularity.

LuLu Pig captivates audiences with its charming presence, often appearing in various food or life-themed scenarios. Its round shape and adorable piggy expression make it instantly lovable. The idea for LuLu Pig came to Cici one morning in early 2019 when she opened a tin of luncheon meat for breakfast. The image of “a bunch of vivid piglets popping out of the tin” inspired her to create the piggy elves that would become LuLu Pig. This concept, known as “LuLu the Canned Pig”, served as the prototype for what has become a delightful collection of blind box figures.

Molly, one of Pop Mart’s earliest and most iconic blind box series, was created by Hong Kong artist Kenny Wong in 2006. Inspired by a little girl he met at an event, Wong designed Molly as a doll with blue eyes, short hair and a signature pouty expression. 

Molly began mass production after partnering with Pop Mart around 2016, reaching a broader audience. Many blind box enthusiasts believe this partnership played a pivotal role in popularising the “blind box economy”. Collectors credit Molly with igniting one of the first major blind box crazes, which helped establish Pop Mart as a leader in the trendy toy industry.

Today, Molly remains a classic representative of the blind box phenomenon and continues to attract a dedicated fan base.

Created by Chinese designer Ayan and launched in 2018, Dimoo is inspired by the enchanting realms of dreams and fairy tales. 

It is depicted as a little boy with big eyes and a cloud perched atop his head. In the design concept, Dimoo is portrayed as a shy yet courageous boy who ventures into new worlds and forms friendships in his dreams.

Dimoo’s unique and whimsical design quickly resonated with collectors and fans. In 2021, according to Pop Mart, Dimoo’s popularity soared, with its sales surpassing those of Molly for the first time.

My Melody & Kuromi is a blind box series from Sanrio, a renowned Japanese company, that is the creative force behind many beloved characters such as Hello Kitty and Cinnamoroll. My Melody, designed by Yasuko Matsumoto, and Kuromi, designed by Yuko Yamaguchi, are two beloved Sanrio characters who appeared together in the anime Onegai My Melody. These two characters are paired together in the blind box collection to align with the anime.

My Melody and Kuromi each have distinct personalities—My Melody is sweet and gentle, while Kuromi is mischievous and charming. My Melody was inspired by the classic fairy tale character Little Red Riding Hood, while Kuromi draws her influence from 1990s punk culture.

While Sanrio characters have appeared on various products for many years, the blind box format gained popularity in 2020.

Pucky was created by its namesake Hong Kong illustrator Pucky in 2017. It collaborated with Pop Mart and launched the first Pucky Pool Babies series in 2018. Pucky’s creations are inspired by nature and the spiritual realms, seamlessly blending elements of cuteness and darkness. The name Pucky is derived from Puck, the mischievous sprite in Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This connection reflects the fusion of fantasy and reality, a theme central to Pucky’s work.

Pucky’s popularity can be attributed to its endearing design, characterised by a cute baby face that collectors and fans adore. The combination of fantasy elements with real-world inspiration makes Pucky a unique and captivating character in the world of collectable toys.

Hirono was created by Lang, a mainland Chinese designer and college friend of Pop Mart’s founder, Wang Ning. Lang joined Pop Mart in 2011 as art director and co-founder, and launched the Hirono blind box series in 2021. The inspiration came from Lang’s newborn child—he wanted his child to be wild and free. 

Through Hirono, Lang conveys the message that it’s okay to feel all the feelings, even the complex, difficult ones. The character gave voice to feelings that often go unspoken. Hirono’s design encourages people to explore their emotions and share their experiences, making the figure more than just a collectable.

Created by mainland Chinese designer Xuechen at the Pop Mart Design Centre, located in Shanghai. This character embodies a two-and-a-half-year-old child who loves simple things like mom’s cooking meal and discovering the world with his friend, the little frog.

First launched in 2020, the character quickly became popular among collectors thanks to its adorable button eyes, a tiny pink nose and a baby diaper.

The design is inspired by the reality that the child’s parents are often busy with work and not always around. As a result, the character’s natural curiosity and playful spirit lead to endless small adventures and discoveries. This narrative evokes a sense of childlike wonder and nostalgia, making us reflect on our own childhood memories.

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