Labubu craze continues as Irish enthusiasts snap up latest mini version

The maker of the toothy-grinned toy now has a market value of €26bn

Some 200 labubu dolls with an estimated value of €4,000 were part of a Revenue seizure this week. 

The Labubu craze shows no signs of abating as new mini Labubus unveiled by Chinese toymaker Pop Mart sold out almost instantly yesterday.

The Labubu is a toothy-grinned member of "The Monsters" series of toys designed by Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung, What began as a niche toy obsession among young Chinese has exploded worldwide, with celebrities including Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, and David Beckham, picking up the craze, and even actor Brad Pitt and the cast of his film F1 The Movie filming a TikTok video unwrapping the toys. Indeed officials at Ireland's Revenue seized 200 counterfeit Labubus with an estimated value of €4,000 as part of a contraband hall on Wednesday.