What Is Pop Mart? The Full Story
Pop Mart is the company that turned blind box collecting into a global obsession. Founded in 2010 in Beijing by Wang Ning, it started as a general lifestyle product retailer before pivoting hard into designer art toys around 2015. The pivot paid off spectacularly: Pop Mart went public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in December 2020, raising $676 million in its IPO. By 2024, the company reported annual revenues exceeding $1.5 billion USD, with stores in over 30 countries and millions of loyal collectors worldwide.
The core of Pop Mart's model is simple and devastatingly effective: licensed exclusive IPs sold in opaque blind boxes. Customers know the series but not which specific figure they'll pull. The thrill of the unknown, combined with genuinely high-quality vinyl sculpts and world-class artist collaborations, created a product category that had never existed at scale before. Pop Mart didn't invent the blind box — Japanese toy manufacturers had been doing it for decades — but they perfected it for a global, social-media-fluent audience.
The Business Model That Changed Toy Collecting
A standard Pop Mart series contains 12 figures in a "set", sold individually in blind boxes (you don't know which one you're getting) or as complete display sets. Each figure costs between $12 and $20 at retail, depending on the series and where you buy. Every series features a "secret" variant — a hidden 13th or special figure with drop rates typically between 1-in-72 and 1-in-144. This secret mechanic drives enormous secondary market demand and is the primary reason Pop Mart figures resell for multiples of their retail price.
The company's genius was also in its collaboration strategy. Rather than owning all IPs outright, Pop Mart licenses designs from independent artists and gives them global reach in exchange for royalties. Artists like Kasing Lung (Labubu), Amy (Molly), Xiong Miao (Skullpanda), and Hirono (HIRONO) became known worldwide through Pop Mart's distribution muscle. For collectors, this means that buying Pop Mart is also supporting a specific artist's vision — not just acquiring a toy.
Founded: 2010 | HQ: Beijing, China | IPO: Dec 2020 (HKEX: 9992) | Stores: 400+ worldwide | Online platforms: Pop Mart App, Tmall, WeChat Mini-Store, popmart.com (global) | Signature product: Blind Box Series
The 8 Major Pop Mart Series Ranked
Not all Pop Mart series are created equal. Some have become blue-chip collectibles with professional secondary markets. Others are beloved by fans but don't hold value. Here's our authoritative breakdown of every major IP, based on resale data, community sentiment, and secondary market activity through early 2025.
1. Molly — The Original Queen
Artist: Kennyswork (Kenny Wong), Hong Kong
Retail Price: $13.99–$17.99 per figure
Secret Rarity: ~1 in 72 boxes (standard series)
Secret Resale: $150–$600+ depending on series
The figure that launched Pop Mart as we know it. Molly is the pouty-lipped girl with oversized eyes that became Pop Mart's first mega-hit. Kenny Wong licensed the design to Pop Mart in 2016, and the rest is history. Molly has the deepest back-catalog of any Pop Mart IP — hundreds of series, colorways, limited editions, and collaborations spanning nearly a decade. Early Molly figures in mint condition routinely sell for 5–10x retail, making them legitimate collectibles in the art-toy world.
2. Labubu — The Viral Monster
Artist: Kasing Lung, Hong Kong
Retail Price: $17.99–$24.99 per figure (standard); $29.99–$79.99 (large format)
Secret Rarity: ~1 in 144 for rarest colorways
Secret Resale: $300–$2,000+ for chase variants
Originally part of Kasing Lung's The Monsters universe, Labubu went stratospheric in 2024 after BLACKPINK's Lisa was repeatedly photographed with the bag-charm format figures. StockX listed Labubu as one of the most searched collectibles of 2024. Demand massively outstrips supply at retail — expect to wait for restocks or pay serious secondary market premiums. The core series is worth owning; speculation-buying large formats is riskier as the market is volatile.
3. Skullpanda — Dark Art Done Right
Artist: Xiong Miao (熊喵)
Retail Price: $17.99–$22.99
Secret Rarity: ~1 in 96
Secret Resale: $100–$450
Skullpanda occupies the alt/goth corner of Pop Mart with consistently stunning figure design — intricate sculpts, rich dark palettes, and a narrative world that rewards deep collectors. Unlike some IPs that feel mass-produced, Skullpanda figures hold genuine artistic merit. The "Skullpanda: In the Dark Forest" and "Skullpanda: Everyday Wonderland" series are considered among the best blind box designs ever made. Resale is solid and the community is passionate.
4. HIRONO — The Sad-Eyed Icon
Artist: Hirono (Translated: "Lonely"), South Korea
Retail Price: $13.99–$18.99
Secret Rarity: ~1 in 72
Secret Resale: $60–$250
HIRONO is perhaps the most emotionally resonant Pop Mart IP — a small girl with huge expressive eyes who exists in states of melancholy wonder. The character connects with collectors who feel seen by the design's quiet sadness. HIRONO's resale multiples are lower than Labubu or Molly, but the design quality is exceptional and the figure is genuinely beloved. Good entry point for new collectors who find Labubu too expensive.
5. Dimoo — Dreamy and Consistent
Artist: Ayan (Pop Mart internal team)
Retail Price: $13.99–$17.99
Secret Rarity: ~1 in 72
Secret Resale: $50–$180
Dimoo is Pop Mart's dreamworld character — big-headed, soft-colored, and gentle. The IP doesn't command Molly or Labubu premiums, but it has a dedicated fanbase and is consistently released in quality series. The "Dimoo World" and "Dimoo Space Travel" series are fan favorites. If you're buying for love rather than flipping, Dimoo is a safe, satisfying choice that won't break the bank.
6. THE MONSTERS — Kasing Lung's Full Universe
Artist: Kasing Lung
Retail Price: $17.99–$29.99
Secret Rarity: ~1 in 96
Secret Resale: $200–$1,500+
THE MONSTERS is the parent series for Labubu and includes other characters like Zimomo and Tycoco. The entire universe benefits from Labubu's halo effect — if you can find any THE MONSTERS series at retail, it's worth picking up. Zimomo specifically (Labubu's big brother character) is undervalued and gaining traction. The Kasing Lung universe has genuine artistic depth and storytelling behind it, which adds longevity to the IP beyond hype cycles.
7. Pucky — The Kawaii Classic
Artist: 毕奇 (Biqiongdesign)
Retail Price: $12.99–$15.99
Secret Rarity: ~1 in 72
Secret Resale: $40–$160
Pucky was one of Pop Mart's early breakout IPs — chubby fairy-tale creatures in charming themed series (Forest Fairy, Dreaming Fairy, etc.). While Pucky doesn't generate the secondary market heat of newer IPs, it remains a beloved classic and early series fetch decent premiums among vintage Pop Mart collectors. The relatively lower retail price makes Pucky accessible for newer collectors wanting to explore the catalog without huge risk.
8. CRYBABY — The Emotional Newcomer
Artist: Molly Yllom (Pop Mart internal)
Retail Price: $14.99–$18.99
Secret Rarity: ~1 in 96
Secret Resale: $70–$300
CRYBABY is Pop Mart's newest mass-market hit — a perpetually tearful character that went from niche to mainstream in under two years. The IP benefits from strong TikTok presence and Gen Z emotional resonance. Resale multiples are climbing steadily, and several collaborative releases have already generated significant demand. Worth watching and buying at retail whenever possible — the trajectory suggests this is one of Pop Mart's next blue-chip IPs.
Quick Comparison Table: All Major Series
Here's every major series at a glance, sorted by overall collector score:
| Series | Artist | Retail Price | Secret Rate | Resale (Secret) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labubu | Kasing Lung | $17.99–$24.99 | 1/144 | $300–$2,000+ | 9.8 |
| Molly | Kennyswork | $13.99–$17.99 | 1/72 | $150–$600+ | 9.5 |
| THE MONSTERS | Kasing Lung | $17.99–$29.99 | 1/96 | $200–$1,500+ | 9.3 |
| Skullpanda | Xiong Miao | $17.99–$22.99 | 1/96 | $100–$450 | 9.0 |
| CRYBABY | Molly Yllom | $14.99–$18.99 | 1/96 | $70–$300 | 8.5 |
| HIRONO | Hirono | $13.99–$18.99 | 1/72 | $60–$250 | 8.2 |
| Dimoo | Ayan | $13.99–$17.99 | 1/72 | $50–$180 | 7.8 |
| Pucky | Biqiongdesign | $12.99–$15.99 | 1/72 | $40–$160 | 7.5 |
Where to Buy Pop Mart at Retail Price
The single best way to build a Pop Mart collection without overpaying is to buy at retail. Here are your options, ranked by reliability:
1. Pop Mart Official App
The Pop Mart app (available on iOS and Android) is the best tool for accessing drops, restocks, and limited releases. You can enable push notifications for specific IPs. The app also features Robo Shop (online lucky-draw), Mega Space (large format lottery), and a secondary marketplace. Creating an account is free — do it now before you need it.
2. Pop Mart Website (popmart.com)
The global website carries the full lineup and usually has faster shipping than third-party retailers. The advantage over third-party sellers is guaranteed authenticity — every item is factory-sealed with Pop Mart's holographic authentication label.
3. Pop Mart Physical Stores
Pop Mart has 400+ stores globally including locations in the US (Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Miami), UK (London), Australia, Southeast Asia, and across China. In-store, you can physically feel the weight of boxes to try and guess contents (a practice called "shaking" — frowned upon but widely practiced). Staff sometimes know restock schedules if you ask politely.
4. Authorized Third-Party Retailers
In the US, Target and specialty toy stores sometimes stock Pop Mart. These can be good sources if you're near a store without a Pop Mart location. Always check that the packaging has the correct holographic label.
5. StockX and Secondary Markets
For chase figures and secrets, StockX, eBay, and Mercari are your options. Expect to pay 2–10x retail for hot variants. Always filter for "new in box" and verify seller feedback scores. StockX's authentication service adds a layer of assurance for high-value purchases.
How to Spot Fake Pop Mart Figures
As Pop Mart's popularity has surged, counterfeit production has scaled accordingly. Here's how to protect yourself:
Check the Authentication Label
Every genuine Pop Mart product has a holographic sticker on the box. This sticker changes appearance when tilted and includes a unique QR code that can be scanned on the Pop Mart app to verify authenticity. Fakes often have flat, non-holographic stickers or QR codes that lead to dead links.
Inspect the Box Quality
Real Pop Mart packaging uses heavy, matte-finish cardstock with crisp printing. Fakes often have slightly off colors, blurry text, or thin cardboard that dents easily. Compare the box to photos from official Pop Mart channels if you're unsure.
Examine the Figure Itself
Genuine Pop Mart vinyl figures have clean mold lines, smooth paint applications, and consistent color saturation. Fakes frequently show rough mold lines, paint bleeds, misaligned eye prints, and cheap-feeling plastic. The weight will also be slightly different — official figures use quality vinyl that has a satisfying heft.
Buy from Verified Sources
The safest approach is always to buy directly from Pop Mart official channels. If buying secondhand, stick to established platforms with buyer protection (StockX, eBay's Money Back Guarantee) and only from sellers with strong feedback histories. AliExpress and generic Amazon third-party listings are the highest-risk sources — avoid them for anything you care about.
Pop Mart is the most legitimate blind box brand in the world right now, with a depth of IPs that rewards both casual collectors and serious investors. Start with Molly or HIRONO to understand the format, then add Labubu or THE MONSTERS when you catch a restock. Buy at retail whenever possible — every premium you pay on the secondary market is profit you're handing to a scalper.