Design Philosophy: Joy vs Vulnerability
Crybaby's design is built around a single, powerful emotion: the cry. Tears streaming down the face, eyes swollen, mouth open — the character captures a moment of emotional release that resonates deeply with collectors who appreciate vulnerability in art. The design is brave in its commitment to an 'ugly' emotion made beautiful.
Labubu takes the opposite emotional approach — pure mischievous joy. Those teeth aren't threatening; they're a grin that won't quit. Kasing Lung designed a character that radiates positive chaos, and the emotional simplicity is its strength.
Labubu Studio editions at 18×16×10 cm amplify this joyful energy with hand-finished details. Duck Bubu, Angel Bubu, and their counterparts are figures that make people smile on sight.
Price Comparison
Both characters retail in Pop Mart's standard $12-17 blind box range. Crybaby has gained significant resale traction — popular designs command premiums of $30-80+ as the character's popularity has surged rapidly.
Labubu's resale market is more established and generally commands higher peak premiums due to longer market presence and broader demand. Labubu Studio editions at $49.90 offer a bypass around the resale market entirely — fixed price, chosen design, flat $6.99 shipping.
Availability and Momentum
Crybaby is one of Pop Mart's fastest-growing characters. Recent releases have seen increasing sellout speeds, suggesting the character is approaching Labubu-level demand. For now, Crybaby is still generally easier to acquire at retail than Labubu's hottest drops.
Labubu's availability challenges are well-documented — popular collaborations and limited series sell out in minutes. Studio editions provide a permanent alternative for four designs: Duck Bubu, Snow Wing Bubu, Angel Bubu, and Pink Fang Bubu.
Both characters benefit from Pop Mart's expanding global retail network, though Labubu gets priority shelf placement as the company's flagship.
Collector Community
Crybaby's collector community is passionate and emotionally engaged. Collectors often share personal stories about why the character resonates — it's one of the few toy communities where vulnerability is a bonding mechanism. The emotional authenticity of the community is genuine and refreshing.
Labubu's community is broader and more varied — fashion collectors, art toy enthusiasts, casual buyers, and dedicated completionists. The emotional register is lighter and more celebratory, focused on sharing joy rather than processing deeper feelings.
Verdict: Emotional Resonance Guides the Choice
Crybaby is a remarkable character for collectors who value emotional depth and vulnerability in their figures. If you want art that acknowledges harder feelings and makes space for tears, Crybaby is genuinely special in the designer toy space.
Labubu is for collectors who want unambiguous joy in physical form. Studio editions at $49.90 deliver that joy at display scale, hand-finished and ready to brighten a shelf. The emotional simplicity is the point.
Displaying both creates interesting emotional range — the full spectrum of feeling represented in two characters from the same platform.