Think about it…. Labubus without context sounds like gibberish. This nonsense phrase describes the fad that has grasped the internet by storm. When 23-year-old Anna Chen finally unwrapped her first Labubu, she was overwhelmed with joy. For her, the $15 figure wasn’t just plastic– it was a golden ticket into one of the fastest-growing fandoms for worldwide toy collectors. This fascinating creature toy takes on an obscure look, small jagged teeth, and a mischievous smile with an assortment of playful colors.

A common theme for online trends is the transformation of objects from irrelevancy into a surge of internet sensation. These trends represent the underlying social dynamics that push a bandwagon effect, full of unexpected outcomes. People love the gratification of feeling involved with the masses and show a preference for the novelty of Labubus. Similarly, throughout history, there’s been toys that reach peak popularity: NERF, Mr Potato Head, and even Pop-Its. Then, sales plummet and popularity declines– it’s an ever-repeating cycle of consumers looking for their next trend. The struggle to curate a trend is an unsolved mystery for corporations, the rise and fall of products becoming the trademark of our society throughout the media. 

But why does it happen? Experts have said that trends are more about feeling a sense of community with the people we idolize, not a product that was cheaply made and dropshipped. A Labubu isn’t merely a decorative trinket on your shelf– it’s an opportunity for posting it, trading it, and engaging in your social media algorithm. This engagement amplifies the agenda and repeatedly digests into consumers’ brains until they’re invested. For companies, it simply exemplifies a consumerist mindset, and buyers clamor for it. Attention spans are growing shorter, and trends change in a flash. Will the Labubu stand the test of time like Pokemon GO, or get left in the dust of new competitors? Even though it’s just a fuzzy critter, the Labubu is an example of how trends shape cultures, and a reminder of how the internet changes even the smallest things into blockbuster infatuations.