Design Comparison: Sweet vs Mischievous
Rico's design is centered on adorable animal aesthetics — soft proportions, round features, and an irresistibly cute visual language. The character is designed to trigger a protective, nurturing response. Series often feature food themes, seasonal variations, and cozy scenarios that amplify the cuteness.
Labubu's design triggers a completely different response — amusement, surprise, and a slightly subversive joy. Those teeth aren't threatening but they're not innocent either. Kasing Lung created a character with edge within cuteness, which gives Labubu a distinctive identity in a market saturated with purely cute designs.
Labubu Studio editions bring this distinctive edge to a 18×16×10 cm scale. Hand-finished designs like Pink Fang Bubu and Duck Bubu show how Labubu's personality translates to larger, more detailed formats.
Price and Format Options
Rico figures from Finding Unicorn are typically priced in the $10-18 blind box range — competitive with Pop Mart's pricing. The brand also offers larger formats and special editions at higher price points. The value proposition is strong for cute-focused collectors.
Labubu blind boxes are similarly priced at $12-17. Labubu Studio editions at $49.90 offer a format that Finding Unicorn doesn't currently match — hand-finished, non-randomized, display-scale figures with transparent pricing and $6.99 flat US shipping.
For budget-conscious collectors, both brands offer affordable entry points through their standard blind box lines.
Availability and Distribution
Finding Unicorn has been expanding distribution but doesn't yet match Pop Mart's global retail footprint. Rico is available through online channels and select retailers, with particularly strong presence in Asian markets.
Labubu benefits from Pop Mart's extensive retail network — physical stores, robo shops, and online platforms across multiple countries. This makes casual discovery easier for Labubu, while Rico often requires intentional seeking.
Labubu Studio editions are available directly online with flat-rate US shipping. All four designs — Duck Bubu, Snow Wing Bubu, Angel Bubu, and Pink Fang Bubu — remain in stock without the limited-drop pressure.
Collector Community
Rico's collector community is growing rapidly, especially among fans of cute aesthetics and kawaii culture. The community overlaps significantly with Sonny Angel collectors and other cute-focused character fans. The vibe is wholesome and supportive.
Labubu's community is larger and more culturally visible, with stronger ties to fashion and social media trends. The character's broader emotional range — not just cute, but mischievous and funny — attracts a wider demographic of collectors.
There's growing crossover between the two communities as collectors discover both brands through social media and designer toy forums.
Verdict: Cute vs Character
Rico is excellent if pure cuteness is your primary criterion. The designs are consistently adorable, the pricing is fair, and the collecting experience is pleasant. Finding Unicorn is a brand worth watching as they continue to grow.
Labubu is the stronger choice if you want cuteness with personality — a character that's not just adorable but funny, mischievous, and culturally resonant. Studio editions at $49.90 deliver this character at display scale with hand-finished quality.
Both characters deserve a spot on a cute-focused collector's shelf. Rico brings the sweetness, Labubu brings the spice.