Labubu vs Lafufu? The hilarious qualities of pirated toys
If you're a fan of the iconic Labubu, you probably know how irresistible its playful charm and collectible value are. But where there's hype, there's pirated copies.
While the genuine Labubu is being snapped up, the fake Labubu is quietly rising. In Internet discussion groups, fake Labubu is affectionately called "Lafufu" by players, and is priced as low as $0.46 on major e-commerce platforms. Compared to the hours of waiting in line for the genuine ones, it only takes two minutes to buy Lafufu. Interestingly, some players specifically buy Lafufu because of their "ugly and cute" qualities.
1. Confused eyes: the toy version of social anxiety
The authentic Labubu stares at you with soul and vitality, while Lafufu looks like he hasn't slept for three days. One eye drifts into the void, while the other looks straight into your soul. This is simply the visual definition of "please don't talk to me."
2. Floating features: A face that forgot the blueprint
Labubu's face is perfectly balanced. Lafufu's? Hmm... sometimes the nose slips, the mouth takes a break, and the ears move on their own. It's like someone hit "shuffle" on the face layout.
3. Chaotic color matching: A masterpiece of error
Say goodbye to Labubu's soft pastel tones. Lafufu's teeth glow in the dark, his skin is pink, and his eyes glow in various colors. It gives people a "randomly grown" feeling.
4. Weird proportions: Who skipped anatomy class?
Lafufu's head is often larger than his body, or his face is crooked. His feet are either up and down, or in other weird positions, as if he can't walk. It's like a game of "spot the problem."
5. Expressionless: When your life comes to an end
Labubu is expressive and full of energy. Lafufu, on the other hand, always has an expression that says "I didn't mean to be here." It's like a frozen mood swing on a conference call.
6. Worst glitter: Cheap plastic alert
While Labubu's surface is soft matte or textured, Lafufu glitters like it's coated in cooking oil. Under the light, it's so reflective that you can almost see your regret.
7. Stiff limbs: Perpetually in awkward poses
Labubu can strike a variety of interesting, dynamic poses. Lafufu looks like she's about to fall—or surrender. Her arms might be frozen in a wave, her legs frozen in a split. Flexibility? Never heard of her.
8. Weird... kind of cute?
There's always a weird cuteness to everything that's bad. This black Lafufu looks like it just crawled out of a cartoon nightmare. It has a grin that's slightly crazy and a pair of big eyes that seem to say, "Trust me... I'll bite." It's both scary and heartwarming—the ultimate combination of ugly and cute.
Although it is a pirated product, Lafufu has a "the more it fails, the funnier it is" temperament. Sometimes looking at its silly grin, I suddenly think: Hmm, this looks like me on Monday? Even if it is a fake, "Lafufu" keeps the brand in people's sight. Everyone shares, laughs at, and discusses them online, which keeps people's attention and interest in the real Labubu going.
Laughing at the failure of pirated products is fun, but there are serious problems. Pirates like Lafufu undermine the interests of the original creators and undermine the interests of the toy collection community.
