After Labubu: 7 Collectibles That Could Be the Next Big Hype in 2026
Labubu turned designer toys, blind boxes, and plush pendants into mainstream pop culture, but 2026 is proving that the collectible boom is much bigger than one character. POP MART's own first-half results show several other IPs now generating more than RMB 1 billion in revenue, while newer plush pendants, fashion accessories, and emotionally driven figures are pulling collectors into completely different aesthetics.
The strongest contenders are winning for different reasons: emotional design, darker art direction, storytelling, bag-charm appeal, nostalgia, or minimalist collectibility. Here are seven names worth watching in 2026.
1. CRYBABY — the emotional collectible that keeps getting bigger
CRYBABY stands out because its identity is instantly readable: oversized tears, expressive faces, soft colors, and a design language built around emotion rather than pure cuteness. That gives it a very different kind of appeal from Labubu.
POP MART's first-half 2026 results placed CRYBABY at about RMB 1.63 billion in revenue, making it one of the company's billion-yuan IPs. The brand has also kept expanding through figures, plush pendants, phone charms, collaborations, and newer releases such as Cry Me an Ocean and the CRYBABY × Care Bears collection.
2. SKULLPANDA — the fashion-forward alternative
SKULLPANDA attracts a different collector. Its styling leans more artistic, editorial, moody, and fashion-driven, which makes the character feel closer to wearable culture and visual art than a conventional cute toy.
That identity has translated into scale: SKULLPANDA generated roughly RMB 1.55 billion in the first half of 2026. POP MART also continues to push the character into plush pendant formats, including the 2026 Off Mode series, reinforcing its position as a collectible that works on a shelf and on a bag.
3. HIRONO — quiet storytelling with serious collector momentum
HIRONO has a quieter personality than many viral collectibles. Its appeal comes from melancholy, introspective expressions, subdued colors, and series that feel like small visual stories rather than simple character variations.
That approach is no longer niche. HIRONO passed RMB 1 billion in first-half 2026 revenue, and POP MART has kept the momentum moving with releases including Mist-Walker, After Dark, and collaboration pendants. It is one of the clearest examples of emotional storytelling becoming a commercial strength in designer toys.
4. HACIPUPU — playful plush energy built for bags
HACIPUPU is one of the easiest characters to imagine moving from display shelf to everyday accessory. The oversized animal costumes, soft textures, and playful expressions translate naturally into plush pendants and bag charms.
POP MART's 2026 lineup reflects that direction. The Take Me Home vinyl plush pendant series launched in July with multiple dog-inspired designs, while the broader HACIPUPU catalog now spans figures, pendants, accessories, and larger action figures. Its growth story is tied closely to the idea that collectibles can also be worn.
5. Twinkle Twinkle — the fastest-growing POP MART IP
If there is one name that deserves extra attention, it is Twinkle Twinkle. POP MART's first-half 2026 results put the IP at about RMB 2.65 billion in revenue, second only to THE MONSTERS among the company's biggest character businesses, with year-on-year growth reported at 580.6%.
The design is almost the opposite of Labubu: soft, dreamy, pastel, starry, and comforting. POP MART has leaned heavily into plush formats in 2026, including Moon Gelato and the newer Farm Tales vinyl plush pendant series. That combination of explosive growth and strong bag-charm compatibility makes Twinkle Twinkle one of the most important names to watch.
6. Sonny Angel — an old favorite finding new lifestyle formats
Sonny Angel is not a new character, which is precisely why its continued relevance is interesting. The blind-box figure has enough history to feel established, yet Dreams keeps giving collectors new ways to bring it into daily life.
In 2026 alone, the official brand launched seasonal releases such as Summer Vacation: Sun Kissed Style, introduced cases designed to attach figures to bags, and announced a global collaboration with shu uemura for October. That movement from shelf collectible to styling accessory gives Sonny Angel a fresh lane in the post-Labubu era.
7. SMISKI — minimalist, glow-in-the-dark and completely different
SMISKI proves that collectible hype does not need bright colors or elaborate costumes. Its small glow-in-the-dark figures are intentionally simple, awkward, and quiet, usually designed to sit in corners, on shelves, or beside everyday objects.
The brand has remained active throughout 2026 with strap accessories, pop-up events, and the new Construction Series, released in July with six regular designs and one secret. The minimalist concept gives SMISKI a very different visual identity from POP MART characters, which may be exactly why it keeps attracting collectors.
Why plush pendants and bag charms matter so much in 2026
The bigger shift behind these characters is that collectibles are no longer limited to display cabinets. POP MART reported plush revenue of RMB 9.82 billion in the first half of 2026, up 60% year on year. Many of the most visible current releases are designed as pendants, charms, straps, or accessories that can travel with the owner.
That turns the collectible into part of an outfit, handbag, phone, desk, or room. In other words, the category is merging with fashion and lifestyle, which gives characters more opportunities to stay visible after the initial unboxing hype fades.
| Collectible | Main appeal | Format gaining attention |
|---|---|---|
| CRYBABY | Emotional, expressive | Figures & plush pendants |
| SKULLPANDA | Artistic, fashion-forward | Figures & plush pendants |
| HIRONO | Storytelling, melancholy | Figures & plush pendants |
| HACIPUPU | Playful, wearable | Vinyl plush pendants |
| Twinkle Twinkle | Dreamy, pastel | Plush pendants |
| Sonny Angel | Nostalgia, blind-box charm | Figures & portable cases |
| SMISKI | Minimal, glow-in-the-dark | Figures & straps |
So which one could create the next Labubu-level moment?
There may not be one direct replacement. Labubu's success came from a rare combination of recognizable design, scarcity, fashion visibility, collaborations, and global social-media momentum. The next breakout may come from a completely different emotional or visual niche.
Twinkle Twinkle currently has the strongest growth signal inside POP MART, while CRYBABY, SKULLPANDA, and HIRONO already operate at billion-yuan scale. HACIPUPU fits the bag-charm wave, and Sonny Angel and SMISKI bring established communities that do not depend on the same aesthetic as Labubu.
That variety is the real story of 2026: collectible culture is getting broader rather than simply searching for one new monster to replace the old one.
About MOBZTER
No comments
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your opinion, experience, or questions in the comments below and join the conversation with other readers. Your feedback not only helps us improve future articles, but it may also help someone else who is looking for the same information.