Designer art toy trends 2026 show a clear pivot in the collectibles world. Labubu dominated 2025 thanks to viral moments with Blackpink’s Lisa and repeated sold-out releases that pulled in massive crowds. Collectors snapped up every drop for its playful vibe. Crybaby now leads the emotional shift with vulnerable designs and storytelling that resonate deeply.
This series posted 21% sales growth from Q2 to Q3 2025 on resale platforms like StockX. The broader designer toy market in China is headed toward $15 billion by 2026, fueled by narrative-driven pieces that offer personal connection beyond quick trends.
Labubu’s Creepy-Cute Legacy
This mischievous character built an empire through charm and hype.
Mischievous Monsters Set the Stage
Kasing Lung created Labubu as a Nordic elf sporting a devilish grin. The design exploded mid-2024 with celebrity boosts that spread it everywhere. In 2025, series like Big Into Energy sold out worldwide in minutes. Resale premiums averaged 23% on StockX through the first half of the year, with some pieces hitting higher marks.
The Labubu’s creepy, cute appeal made it a street style must-have as a bag charm. Pop Mart turned it into the fastest-scaling IP ever. Oversaturation sparked decline signs by late 2025 as supply increased and resale prices cooled for many commons.
Crybaby’s Emotional Rise
(Image courtesy of Pop Mart)
Teary-eyed figures freshly capture real feelings.
Vulnerability in Teary Designs
- Artist Nisa Srikumdee brought Crybaby to life with designs that embrace sadness openly.
- Key releases include the Crying Again series and the Powerpuff Girls collaboration.
- The lineup grew with 21% sales increase in Q3 2025.
- Bag charms and plush pendants went viral on TikTok for their relatable look.
- Fans connect to the beauty in sadness theme that supports wellness and emotional expression.
- It stands apart from Labubu’s mischief by adding real narrative depth.
- Emotionally vulnerable toys encourage longer collector loyalty.
- Crybaby emerges as Pop Mart’s rising star in the current lineup.
Market Shift: From Creepy to Emotional
(Image courtesy of Pop Mart)
Pop Mart emphasizes diverse artist visions to keep the momentum going.
Trends in Designer Toys
Pop Mart pushes forward with artist-forward IPs. In the Labubu vs. Crybaby matchup, Crybaby gains strong ground with its unique emotional aesthetic. Alternatives show impressive momentum, too.
Recent resale growth from Q2 to Q3 2025 highlights the change:
- Skullpanda: 132%
- Hacipupu: 281%
- Crybaby: 21%
Crybaby rares climb to $200+ on secondary markets. Emotional themes push 300% premiums on limited collabs in resale. Designer toys individuality 2026 favors collections built around personal stories instead of fads. Crybaby series blind box 2026 drops keep delivering fresh emotional narratives that collectors seek.
From Labubu’s 2025 peak to Crybaby’s emotional dominance in 2026, designer toys move toward vulnerability and meaning. Intermediate collectors benefit by diversifying into Crybaby for its strong wellness appeal. Stay on top of Pop Mart drops to catch the best resale opportunities.
People Want to Know More About Designer Toys Like Labubu and Crybaby
What is the Crybaby Pop Mart series?
Teary-eyed emotional designer toys created by Nisa Srikumdee that emphasize vulnerability and storytelling themes.
Labubu vs Crybaby differences?
Labubu features playful creepy-cute mischief, while Crybaby focuses on emotional expression and “beauty in sadness.”
Pop Mart trends in 2026?
Pop Mart increasingly emphasizes emotional and artist-driven IPs such as Crybaby and Skullpanda.
Crybaby resale value?
Rare figures can reach $200+ on secondary markets, with some collaborations seeing large premium spikes.
Why was Labubu so popular in 2025?
Celebrity exposure and fast sell-outs for releases like Big Into Energy helped Labubu dominate the designer toy conversation.
How big is the designer toy market?
Analysts project the market approaching $15 billion by 2026 as collectibles shift toward narrative-driven designs.