Labubu vs SKULLPANDA vs Molly — Which Blind Box Series Should You Start With?

If you are just getting into designer toys and blind boxes, three names appear everywhere: Labubu, SKULLPANDA and Molly.
All three are from POP MART’s world of art toys, all three have loyal fan bases, and all three can quickly drain your wallet if you are not careful.

This guide helps you decide which series to start with based on style, mood, budget and how you plan to display or gift your toys.

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1. Quick comparison at a glance

If you want cute and easy to love, Labubu is usually the safest starting point.
If you want art and mood, SKULLPANDA will make you happy.
If you want the most iconic POP MART feeling, Molly is the place to start.

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2. Labubu — Playful, soft and easy to love

2.1 What Labubu looks and feels like

Labubu comes from THE MONSTERS line and looks like a little creature with big ears, sharp teeth and round eyes. On paper it sounds scary, but in reality it is extremely cute and expressive.

Typical Labubu features:

• Style: Cute monster, a bit naughty but never truly scary

• Colors: Many pastel and soft color combinations

• Themes: Forest, desserts, holidays, yoga, lifestyle scenes, fairy tales

• Formats: Plush dolls, plush pendants, small figures, keychains, sometimes mugs and accessories

Because of this mix of “monster shape + cute styling”, Labubu works across many ages. It looks good on a desk, in a car, hanging on a bag or sitting in a display box.

2.2 Who should start with Labubu?

Labubu is a great first choice if:

• You are buying a gift for someone who likes cute things but is not a hardcore toy collector

• You prefer soft, huggable toys like plush and pendants instead of only hard vinyl

• You like characters that can match kawaii, pastel or cozy room decoration

• You want blind boxes that feel fun and light, not too dark or serious

For many new collectors, one or two Labubu blind boxes are enough to “test the water” before they go deeper into other IPs.

2.3 Pros and cons of starting with Labubu

Pros

• Easy to like for almost everyone

• Works well as gifts and accessories

• Many series to choose from (forest, macaron, holiday, lifestyle etc.)

• Looks good in photos and social media posts

Cons

• Because it is so popular, some series can sell out quickly

• If you prefer very dark, edgy or minimalistic designs, Labubu might feel too cute

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3. SKULLPANDA — Artistic, moody and very collectible

3.1 What SKULLPANDA looks and feels like

SKULLPANDA is much more artistic and emotional. The character designs mix human figures with skull elements, fashion styling and rich backstories.
If Labubu is “cute chaos”, SKULLPANDA is “moody art”.

Typical SKULLPANDA features:

• Style: Elegant, melancholic, sometimes eerie but very beautiful

• Colors: Many dark tones, metallic accents, gradients and detailed prints

• Themes: Dreams, illusions, fashion shows, inner emotions, surreal worlds

• Formats: Mainly vinyl figures in blind box series, sometimes larger display pieces

Instead of just being “cute toys”, SKULLPANDA figures often feel like small pieces of artwork. The hair, clothing, makeup and accessories are full of detail.

3.2 Who should start with SKULLPANDA?

SKULLPANDA is a good starting point if:

• You like art, illustration and fashion

• You want figures that look strong in display photos or on a shelf

• You enjoy characters with deeper stories and emotional themes

• You are planning to build a collection that feels more like an art gallery than a toy box

Many collectors who start with SKULLPANDA end up arranging lights, shelves and backgrounds just to show their figures properly.

3.3 Pros and cons of starting with SKULLPANDA

Pros

• Very strong visual impact, even with a small number of figures

• Great for photography and display

• Many themed series with unique stories and hidden figures

Cons

• The mood is darker and more emotional, not for everyone

• Detailed designs can be more fragile and need careful handling

• Some limited series are highly chased and can be harder to complete

If you see toys as “small art pieces” and are attracted to emotional, dreamy or gothic styles, SKULLPANDA is a powerful first choice.

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4. Molly — Classic, iconic and extremely versatile

4.1 What Molly looks and feels like

Molly is one of the earliest and most iconic POP MART characters. The big eyes, small mouth and slightly proud expression are instantly recognizable.

Typical Molly features:

• Style: Classic art toy look, a bit cool and distant but still cute

• Colors: Wide range, from vivid primary colors to metallic and neon

• Themes: Space, travel, fashion, art, zodiac, museum collaborations and more

• Formats: Standard figures, blind box series and larger “MEGA” versions

Molly appears in many collaborations and special editions. If you want a collection that feels very “POP MART official”, Molly is the most direct route.

4.2 Who should start with Molly?

Molly is a good starting point if:

• You want an iconic POP MART character that most collectors recognize

• You are interested in collaborations with museums, designers or big events

• You plan to eventually buy MEGA figures (400% or 1000%) as display centerpieces

• You like a mix of cute and “cool”, not only soft and sweet styles

For some collectors, one Molly figure is almost like a “passport stamp” that says: Yes, I’m a POP MART fan.

4.3 Pros and cons of starting with Molly

Pros

• Very recognizable and collectible

• Wide variety of themes and collaborations

• Scales well from small blind boxes to huge MEGA display pieces

Cons

• The classic “Molly face” might feel repetitive if you prefer very diverse character shapes

• Some collaboration or limited Molly pieces can be expensive

• Style may feel a bit more mature and less “soft” compared to Labubu

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5. So… which blind box series should you start with?

There is no single right answer, but you can use these simple rules:

5.1 Start with Labubu if…

• You are buying your first ever blind box

• You want something safe as a gift for a friend, partner or teenager

• You love plush, pendants and pastel colors

• You want a character that fits cozy, kawaii or dreamy room decoration

Labubu gives you a warm, friendly entry to the world of designer toys.

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5.2 Start with SKULLPANDA if…

• You already like art, illustration, anime or gothic aesthetics

• You want your shelf to look like a small art exhibition

• You don’t mind slightly darker or more emotional themes

• You want figures that stand out strongly in photos and videos

SKULLPANDA is perfect if you see these toys as a form of visual art rather than just cute characters.

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5.3 Start with Molly if…

• You want to own an iconic POP MART character from day one

• You are interested in collaboration series and special editions

• You may later invest in MEGA figures as a focal point in your room

• You like a cool, slightly proud character with many different outfits and themes

Molly gives you the “classic art toy” feeling and connects you directly to POP MART’s history.

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6. How to choose your very first box (practical tips)

No matter which IP you start with, these tips will help you make a better first purchase:

1. Set a budget first
   Decide how many blind boxes you want for your first try (for example: 1–3 boxes), so you don’t overspend out of excitement.

2. Check the series theme carefully
   Even within one IP, every series has its own mood.

   • Labubu can be forest-themed, dessert-themed, holiday-themed, etc.

   • SKULLPANDA can be dreamy, futuristic or dark.

   • Molly can be space, travel, art, zodiac and so on.
     Choose a theme that matches your room, clothes or social media style.

3. Think about display location

   • Plush pendants are great for bags, car mirrors and office partitions.

   • Small figures are ideal for desks and shelves.

   • Larger figures or MEGA versions need more space and stable surfaces.

4. Decide if this is for yourself or as a gift

   • For gifts, Labubu and softer series are usually safer.

   • For personal collections, follow your own taste, even if it is darker or stranger.

5. Start small, then focus
   After you try one or two boxes from each IP, choose the one that gives you the strongest emotional reaction and focus on that for your next few purchases.

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7. Final thoughts

• Choose Labubu if you want playful cuteness and soft, easy-to-love designs.

• Choose SKULLPANDA if you want emotional, artistic figures that turn your shelf into an art display.

• Choose Molly if you want to start with an iconic POP MART character and enjoy many collaborations and MEGA options later.

Whichever you pick first, the key is simple:
Start with the character that makes you smile or think “wow” the moment you see it.
That feeling is the real beginning of your blind box collection.