In a world where tension seems impossible to shake and every headline is pressing harder on our chests, division has become the background noise of daily life. Identity is fought over, culture feels under siege and speaking out is both brave and expected. Yet, in the middle of all this heaviness, something small and unexpected has slipped through the cracks, a mischievous little creature reminding us that joy isn’t gone for good. 

No matter who you are, where you live, what you watch, or who you idolize, this gem in the news right now is connecting us all: Labubus.

Labubu is a line of collectable keychained plush toys that is taking the world by storm. The creatures are zoomorphic elves created by Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung and distributed by Pop Mart, a Chinese company specializing in figurines. The big into energy series of Labubus are priced at $27.99 on Pop Mart.

Recognized by their large ears, sharp teeth, expressive eyes and prankish expressions that are not quite naughty or nice. Labubus – unlike the majority of the stuffed animal kingdom, have crossed generational lines.

In any busy city, you might spot the same curious creature dangling from a teenager’s backpack or from a grandmother’s purse.

Moreso, fans have been dressing their Labubus in high fashion like Prada and even matching their own outfits to their Labubu’s. Some go as far as booking tattoo appointments for the creatures, some tattoo artists are now advertising for Labubu tattoos. 

But like any sensation, Labubu has its doubles. Some real, others not so much. The not so legitimate counterparts are dubbed Lafufus.

Not all Lafufus are created equal as they come from various companies that sell them in mystery boxes at various prices, therefore it isn’t clear what the quality of the Lafufu will be upon purchase.  

Whichever you prefer, here are some differences I found when comparing a Labubu from Pop Mart versus a Lafufu from a mall kiosk. 

Proportions

Just like humans, Labubus and Lafufus come in all shapes and sizes. By doing some toy anthropometry, I found:  

Labubu’s circumference comes in at 8 inches, a full inch wider than Lafufu’s 7 inches. 

Heights tell a similar story: Labubu stands tall at 6 inches while Lafufu tops out at 5 inches. 

Turns out there’s not a huge difference size wise between the two creatures. Which can make them hard to tell apart from a distance, but when I looked closer I found a few tell tale differences. 

Quality

When looking closer at the Lafufu I was able to see that the stitching on the forehead was pulling apart, leaving a gap between its fur and face. The Labubu on the other hand, was securely together around the face.  

Shockingly, the Lafufu’s arm was pierced with a wire that initially ran through both arms but now awkwardly sat through the Lafufu’s right arm. Conversely, the Labubu’s arms were stable with a wire that was enclosed within them, allowing them to be adjusted easily. 

Similarly, the Lafufu’s hand looks like it was squished straight out of a mold rather than smooth and even like the Labubu’s  

The Labubu’s hands, feet and head sat stable and secure on its body. However, the Lafufu’s feet and head turned easily and would fall out of place even when untouched. 

The Labubu’s hair was by far more luxurious and had a softer feel than the Lafufu’s shaggy coat. 

Many say that counting teeth is a good indicator of a Lafufu versus a Labubu, as Labubus should have nine teeth. However the Labubu and Lafufu I observed both had nine teeth. 

The most obvious quality difference between Lafufus and Labubus was the major misprint on the Lafufus’ smile. Below the painted smile, the molded base is seen about half a centimeter off from the paint. Leaving the Lafufu with a charmingly awkward crooked smile. The Labubu had no indication of the molded base below as the paint aligned with its smile. 

STOMP

Another stark difference between the Lafufu and Labubu was the logo on the feet. The Labubu’s right foot was marked with a shiny inconspicuous “Labubu” logo. 

The Lafufu, more dramatically, had a cut out of the same logo within the foot. 

Interestingly enough the Pop Mart logo and Kesing’s signature are nearly identical on both the creatures’ right foot. 

Between the creatures I found there are some significant differences. Considering what is important to you – quality, durability or that mischievous smile – is a place to start.  And even if you’re not buying, spotting the difference can still be a small but satisfying win in a world of chaos.