OK, so you’ve got your chase Labubu plus a dozen or so other ones that you opened throughout the hunt, but do you have that super-rare collectible card featuring a sketch version of Labubu by its artist, Kasing Lung?
In a world where collectibles are at their apex in an endless cycle of being on- and off-trend, trading cards are no exception—especially ones featuring adorable monsters known the world over as Labubu. Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung’s The Monster series trading cards, created as an officially liscensed collaboration with designer toy company HOW2WORK, have become a must-have for art enthusiasts, card collectors, and of course, any Labustan (we just made that word up).
The cards—which are printed at great quality, might we add—showcase Lung’s iconic characters like Labubu and Zimomo—two very kawaii characters from the ensemble of Nordic folklore-inspired creatures. Aside from Zimomo and Labubu (obviously the most famous), the Monsters also include Spooky, Tycoco, and Pato.
As for who’s responsible for turning Lung’s world-dominating IP into highly coveted cardboard rectangles: Hong Kong-based art toy company HOW2WORK. They’re known more in the art toy space but have also branched out into publishing books and, of course, printing cards.
Priced affordably at around $10 per pack, the Monster series cards offer an accessible entry point into contemporary art collecting, especially with such a mainstream name attached to it. As for the cards’ release, Series 1 and Series 2—dubbed “Everybody Knows”—are both out and have already caught the attention of serious collectors, with many of the cards even receiving professional grading from PSA—a pretty famous collectible authentication and grading service.
While fun to look at, the cards represent more than just a collectible—they’re a bridge between art toy culture and traditional card collecting. Each card is a miniature artwork, featuring Lung’s distinctive style that blends cute and slightly unsettling design elements. Some people get them to display as art pieces, others to add to their ever-growing and perhaps soon-to-get-bored-of collection, others for that financial “investment.” Whatever the reason, there’s no denying that it’s a smart move to open Labubu and Kasing Lung‘s The Monster IP to a whole new collectible market.
We’re just waiting for someone to print miniature Labubu collectible cards for their Labubus… Yes, that’s actually something we wouldn’t be surprised about if it actually happened—we’re at that point in society.
Also, if you’ve missed it and have been desperately looking for a new collectible toy that isn’t Labubu to diversify your ita bag, check out our roundup of other POP MART characters that’s just as cute—if not more—than Labubu.
Cover image via Instagram/@how2workhk.
