POPMART figurines, such as the  Hirono Series, Crybaby Series, and especially the Labubu Series, have quickly become a popular brand amongst people, capturing hearts of many. Despite its growing popularity, many are unaware of where and when the POPMART trend truly began. Some speculate it originated in Japan, akin to Smiski or Sonny Angel collectibles, or it gained popularity through social media, and people immediately jumped on the bandwagon.

The Where and How of POPMART Series

     As the popularity of the Smiski and Sonny Angel series continues to grow,  POPMART has also been climbing in the ranks with its unique and adorable design. POPMART is a Chinese toy company founded in 2010 that offers collectible “designer” toys, often sold in blind boxes. Popularfigurine series include Hirono, Crybaby, Skullpanda, Dimoo, and Labubu. 

     The POPMART hype began to rise in 2016, as they switched from being a toy distributor into an Intellectual Property operator, launching their first-ever blind box series called “Molly.” In 2020, they were then included in the listing of the Hong Kong Exchange as they completed their IPO, meaning that the company can sell their shares to the public for the first time. Amidst all of this, they began to expand their brand to other countries as influencers and celebrities, such as BLACKPINK's Lisa, Anne Curtis, and Kathryn Bernardo,  are seen owning these POPMART collectibles. Another contributing factor to its popularity was social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, as more people began to take notice of the POPMART collections' charms and distinct appearances. 

The Reality as a Collector

     THE BEDAN HERALD interviewed two SBCA students who collect POPMART figurines, giving insights for future collectors and discussing whether it is worth collecting.

     Sam Melocoton (I-BSP), started her figurine collection as a Funko Pop Collector but ventured further to POPMART figurines, collecting Hirono, Skullpanda, Detective Conan, SpyxFamily, Peach Riot, Space Molly, and Dimoo figures because of their cute appearance. 

     “Well, I usually only buy Funko Pops, but I thought that I would try the blind boxes, since personally, I liked to gamble with blind boxes. The problem was I only said I was going to get one, but I found the collections too cute, so I kept getting more.”

     As a collector, she encountered instances where she had trouble budgeting her money and ended up with many duplicates while collecting blind box figurines.

     If she were to give advice to beginner collectors, she advises, “For those just starting, I really recommend getting something from a series they would actually like to get. If not, they might be disappointed with their pulls.”

     Yuri Morrison (III-BSIT) also started his collecting journey as a Funko Pop collector and later moved into POPMART, influenced by his sister. Ever since then, he has been collecting Hirono, Kubo, Skullpanda, and Dimoo figures. “I've just gotten my first Hacipupu so we'll see if I get more,” he added. A problem that he encountered was getting POPMART product stocks as he stated that it is nearly impossible to find, either it be POPMART’s physical or online stores.

     He also had a problem with budgeting but he overcame it by selling his own PopMart figurines. A precaution he would impart to starting collectors is that it is a very expensive hobby. He also stated that he should have jumped into the PopMart craze earlier as he had trouble finding his favorite series due to stock shortages.

     As PopMart continues to captivate collectors worldwide, its growth shows no sign of slowing down. What started as a niche hobby has transformed into a cultural phenomenon— fueled by social media, celebrity influence, and the irresistible charm of its unique figurines. While collecting PopMart toys is an exciting and rewarding experience, it also comes with challenges, making budgeting and availability key considerations for aspiring collectors.