Labubu didn’t just sell. It rewrote what a toy could be. Pop Mart’s snaggle-toothed monster passed 100 million units sold in 2025 and turned the blind box into a mainstream social ritual. Buy sealed, film the unboxing, post the pull, trade the doubles. The whole category rode its coattails toward an estimated $11 billion in 2026.
The interesting part of this year isn’t Labubu itself, though. It’s everything lining up behind it. Pop Mart has deliberately leaned on its other characters (Crybaby, Skullpanda, Hirono) to reduce how much it depends on one monster. And a set of newer IPs is picking up real resale momentum. If you’re buying a collectible gift in 2026, or trying to guess what your kid will be begging for by winter, these are the seven names to know.
A quick note on how blind boxes work, if you’re new: you buy a sealed box from a series and get a random figure. Most series hide one rare “secret” edition at long odds, which is what drives both the thrill and the wild secondary-market prices. If you want a specific character, buy a confirmed single from a reseller instead of gambling on sealed boxes.
1. Crybaby: the strongest challenger
Crybaby is the one most likely to be “next.” The teary-eyed character leans entirely on emotional design. It’s sad, and that’s the whole charm. It’s also been a real contributor to Pop Mart’s revenue, not a side act. Entry blind boxes sit under $50, which keeps it accessible, while hidden editions have cleared $200 on the secondary market. If you’re picking one non-Labubu IP to bet on, this is it. Around $15–$30 per box on Pop Mart and authorized resellers.
2. Skullpanda: the design-forward pick
Skullpanda is the art-school favorite: moodier, more stylized, and aimed a little older than the cute-first characters. Series like The Ink Plum Blossom start as low as $15 a box. That makes it one of the easiest ways into Pop Mart for a new collector, or a gift that doesn’t scream “toy.” Great for a teen who’s into aesthetics over cuteness.
3. Hirono: the collector’s splurge
Hirono plays in a different tier. It’s a melancholy, storybook-styled figure, and larger or rarer pieces run around $159, sitting between an everyday blind-box pull and a full mega-collectible. Not the one you buy for a casual fan, but exactly the one a serious collector wants. Buy it as the “real gift,” not the stocking stuffer.
4. Hacipupu: the rising newcomer
Hacipupu keeps turning up on every “gaining on Labubu” list for 2026, riding the same formula that worked for the originals: plush-forward, portable, and easy to clip on a bag. It’s earlier in its hype curve than Crybaby or Skullpanda, which is exactly why it’s worth watching, and why prices are still reasonable. One to grab before it’s the one everyone wants.
5. Smiski: the quiet, glow-in-the-dark cult favorite
Not a Pop Mart IP, and that’s part of the appeal. Smiski are small matte-green figures that glow in the dark and hide in odd poses: on your monitor, in a plant, peeking off a shelf. They’re cheap and endlessly collectible, with official singles around $12.25 and keychain versions near $14.75. The 2026 Café, Yoga, and Japan-exclusive Onsen series are the current chase. Perfect low-stakes entry point for a younger collector. Available at Sonny Angel USA and specialty shops.
6. Sonny Angel: the original that started it all
Before Labubu, there was Sonny Angel: the tiny cherub in a different headpiece every series (fruits, animals, sea creatures). It’s the blueprint the whole category copied, and it never actually went away. The “hanger” clip versions live on bags, and swap meets still fill up For You pages. Around $12–$16 a box from Sonny Angel USA. Buy it for someone who wants the roots of the trend, not just the latest hype.
7. Moo Deng: the internet-native wildcard
The outlier on this list. Moo Deng started as a real baby pygmy hippo who went viral, then became a plush and collectible phenomenon on pure internet affection. It’s less a designed IP than a meme that grew a merchandise line, which makes it unpredictable but undeniably of-the-moment. A fun, timely pick that lands differently than the studio-designed characters around it.
How to choose
- Safest “next big thing” bet: Crybaby, for its accessible price, proven momentum, and broad appeal.
- Design-conscious teen: Skullpanda.
- Serious collector / the real gift: Hirono.
- Get in early: Hacipupu.
- Younger kid or low-budget entry: Smiski or Sonny Angel.
- Buy the meme: Moo Deng.
A word on authenticity
Hot IPs attract fakes. Buy from Pop Mart directly or authorized resellers. Check for holograms on Pop Mart product. Be wary of “complete set” deals priced too good to be true on third-party marketplaces. For a specific character, a confirmed single from a reputable reseller beats gambling on sealed boxes. You’ll usually spend less than chasing the pull you want.
The bottom line
Labubu isn’t going anywhere, but 2026 is the year the bench got deep. Crybaby is the clearest heir. Skullpanda and Hirono cover the design-forward and high-end ends, Smiski and Sonny Angel are the affordable trade-able entry points, and wildcards like Hacipupu and Moo Deng are where the next surprise probably comes from. For a gift, match the character to the person (cute, moody, cheap, or serious) and you’ll do better than just buying whatever’s on the endcap.
Sources:
- New Pop Mart Collectibles Gaining on Labubu — Athlon Sports
- Labubu vs Crybaby: Which to Invest in for 2026 — Athlon Sports
- Pop Mart Items Under $20 — Art Toy Familia
- Best Sonny Angel & Smiski Blind Boxes 2026 — Wishdeck
- How to Buy Sonny Angel & SMISKI Blind Boxes from Japan 2026 — OneMall
- Viral Plush Toys 2026: Labubu, Moo Deng & Best Picks — Aprasi
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