Move over Stanleys. We’ve officially entered the era where our coping mechanisms come with price tags, tiny gremlin teeth, and a permanent expression of “I haven’t slept in 47 years.” Yes, we’re talking about Labubu — the unhinged little creature that looks like it crawled straight out of a Tim Burton fever dream, and somehow ended up as the Internet’s newest comfort icon.

Created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung as part of The Monsters series, Labubu wasn’t always this famous. But then Pop Mart swooped in, packaged it into a mysterious blind box, and unleashed it onto a world already addicted to surprise unboxing culture. And then came the tipping point — Lisa from BLACKPINK was spotted with one casually hanging off her bag. Suddenly, chaos. Fashion influencers grabbed it, K-pop idols posed with it, Rihanna slung one on her stroller… and the rest of the planet followed like moths to a neon gremlin.

What makes it funny — and slightly concerning — is how fast this thing escalated. One minute, nobody knew Labubu existed; the next, it’s the emotional support monster people swear they need to navigate 2025. Maybe it’s comforting to clutch something that looks worse off than we feel. Or maybe we’re all just victims of whatever the Internet collectively decides is cool for the week.

Because honestly, the craze is a little terrifying. If Labubu is the symbol of our times, then what a beautifully deranged era we’re living in. It’s peak herd behavior meets retail therapy, wrapped in faux fur and limited-edition colours. The more chaotic something looks, the more meaning we assign to it. That’s modern psychology for you.

And honestly? One is just waiting for Labubu-themed birthdays, kitty parties, and “bring your emotional support monster” brunches to hit Delhi. At this rate, that day may not be far.

– N.C.