1980s Iconic Toy Set to Replace Labubu on Every Handbag!

Created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung in 2015 and produced as figures by Pop Mart, Labubu—characters with rabbit ears and sharp teeth—have seen their popularity skyrocket by 2024, nearly a decade later. This surge was partly propelled by Kpop singer Lisa, who was spotted with a Labubu keychain on her handbag. Other celebrities like Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Emma Roberts, and Cher quickly followed suit, making these cute monsters a mainstream and fashion world sensation. Nowadays, you can spot them hanging on numerous handbags and even children’s backpacks as they captivate both kids and adults alike. Each month, new models are released, and some plushes are sold for top dollar. The phenomenon has grown to the extent that a Labubu movie was recently announced!

This nostalgic trend combines several elements: celebrity endorsement certainly plays a role, as fans often emulate their style, but there’s more to it. Labubu fits perfectly into the kawaii universe and the “ugly-cute” aesthetic, aligns with the collectible toy trend, and taps into the mystery product craze, as you don’t know which character you’ve got until you open the box. Additionally, the 2000s fashion revival has brought back the practice of personalizing bags with charms or figurines. Remember the plush monkey keychains from Kipling? They made a comeback in 2024 as well.

As usual, when something becomes this popular, individuals looking to embrace the trend while asserting their uniqueness start searching for alternatives. In this case, they might find themselves drawn to keychains from a classic toy that’s also enjoying a renaissance on social media: the beloved Monchhichi! This plush monkey, which also comes in a less intimidating vinyl figure compared to Labubu, was created in Japan in the mid-1970s and became a toy icon throughout the 1980s and 1990s. It remains beloved by both children and nostalgic adults today. Recently, Monchhichi has introduced keychain plushes.

Like Labubu, there are several Monchhichi models to collect, but they are more affordable, with recommended retail prices ranging from $9.99 to $14.99, whereas the monster figures can go up to $30. You can find the classic Monchhichi in male or female forms, as well as colorful versions with blue, pink, green, or yellow fur, and even a charming Bearchhichi version. These are sure to appeal to both children and adults who can now embrace this piece of their childhood with the perfect excuse that it’s fashionable.