Labubus vs Lafufus: What is Fresno’s newest collectible trend?

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The newest collectible craze, Labubus, have made their way to Fresno. But what is this fluffy little monster, and why does everyone care?

Labubu is a character from the mind of illustrator Kasing Lung, who created a fairy world in three picture books inspired by Nordic mythology. The books are filled with magical characters, both good and evil, called The Monsters.

In 2019, Lung made a deal with Pop Mart, a company that caters to toy connoisseurs and influencers, to sell Labubu figurines. But it wasn’t until Pop Mart started selling Labubu plush toys on key rings in 2023 that the toothy monsters started being seen everywhere, including in the hands of Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, and NBA star Dillon Brooks.

Since then, Labubus have taken off in popularity – and like many other high-demand items, there are replicas attempting to imitate the toy. There are now Labubus and Lafufus.

There are signs and trustworthy retailers in Fresno to help consumers make the best choice for themselves.

Key differences between the two typically involve:

• Ears: Labubu’s ears are bisected by the brown key-chain strap and are typically close together, while Lafufu’s ears tend to be further apart
• Teeth: Labubus will always have nine teeth
• Feet color: Labubu’s faces, and feet will be flesh colored and made of vinyl, while Lafufus may have a variation of red or yellow hues on their feet
• Blush: Labubus have uniform blush on both sides of their faces, while Lafufu’s blush tends to be varied and random
• Price: although retailers will usually tell their customers what they’re buying, some may not. No retailer will sell a real Labubu for under $50, while Lafufu’s can go for as low as $15

Local specialty store Dollar Paradise specializes in collectibles like Funko Pops, Sonny Angels, Smiskis and Labubus. Co-Owner Hussain Alfareh says he and his partners started the business out of a love for collectibles.

According to Alfareh, Dollar Paradise has carried Labubus since the summer of 2024. But the recent, simultaneous rise of Labubus and Dollar Paradise on social media has brought a wave of new faces into the store.

“Suddenly, we go on TikTok or one of these social media platforms, and somebody has half a million views with our logo on there in the background,” Alfareh said.

Alfareh says his store has seen a boom in business since Labubu’s rise to prominence and says he’s thankful to his loyal, familiar customers that have supported Dollar Paradise since day one.

We started a family business,” Alfareh said. “Our customers are our family now.”