Not even a waning craze can stop the mischievous Labubu from taking over the world at full speed.
We’ve seen it dangling on bags with a can of Coca-Cola, printed on luxe totes like those of Moynat, and morphing into the Osaka World Expo’s mascot for a limited-edition release. But just when you thought Labubu has, or can be, anything, the mischievous elf-like character made another surprise. It is now the owner of a luxury sports car, the Porsche 911 Targa.
The Monsters creator Kasing Lung and the German automobile giant joined forces for a quirky, high-end art car, with a life-sized Labubu behind the wheel. The now-viral display is part of the celebration for Porsche 911 Targa’s 60th anniversary and was displayed at the “Icons of Porsche” event in Dubai. It’s a collaboration that makes perfect sense, as Labubu and the rest of The Monsters franchise are also celebrating their 10th anniversary this year.
Lung Labubu-fied every nook and cranny of the car. On the driver’s seat is King Mon, a special variant of the Labubu character, ready to roll in his Porsche T-shirt. His face, defined by glossy eyes and nine serrated teeth, is emblazoned on the car’s doors and bonnet. The rest of the world’s first Labubu Porsche is decked with the fresh and fun elements of summer that pop out from the car’s Jet Black Metallic finish.
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Lung brought Labubu to life as one of the characters in his three-part children’s book series The Monsters in 2015. The story is influenced by Nordic mythology and depicts Labubu as a mischievous yet kind-hearted elvish monster. She lives in a magical forest along with her siblings Zimomo, Tycoco, Makoko, and King Mon.
King Mon was specifically selected for the Hong Kong-born artist’s collaboration with Porsche, as the character “embodies power and confidence,” which corresponds to the Porsche spirit. “King Mon is known for looking out for others and carrying himself with quiet confidence—traits that fit the Targa perfectly,” the brand wrote in a news release. “When Porsche introduced the Targa in 1965, complete with its distinctive wide roof bar, it created a new kind of 911—one that offered the freedom of an open-top car while providing the comfort and reassurance of a coupé. It’s this blend of character and protection that connects the Targa and King Mon so naturally.”
The collaboration, Porsche said, “is a tangible expression of how Porsche continues to inspire creativity beyond the automotive world, inviting fans and collectors alike to experience the brand through a fresh, artistic lens.”
For Lung, his collaboration with the German brand is like a dream come true. “Having one of my characters in a car for the first time and reimagining the iconic Porsche 911 Targa was truly inspiring,” he said. “When I was a child, I had a very good friend, and his parents had a 911. The first time I sat in this car, I was like ‘Wow!’ I cannot forget that!”
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Labubu fans who missed the display at Porsche’s recent festival need not worry, as the auto maker is slated to release a limited-edition toy collectible as part of the collaboration. The metal sculpture, aptly dubbed “King Mon in Porsche 911 Targa,” is a pocket-sized version of the car displayed in Dubai. It has King Mon driving the vehicle but is far smaller, measuring just under 40 centimeters.
It will be limited to 60 units worldwide, as inspired by the “60 years of Targa” anniversary, and is slated for roll-out in early 2026 via Hong Kong-based toy maker How2Work.
Labubu has been enjoying international cult status among the young and old since it catalputed to fame in late 2024. To date, the fluffy rabbit-eared character comes in over 300 different variants and has collaborated with numerous brands. This includes Sony Pictures which, according to The Hollywood Reporter, has acquired the rights to produce an animated movie starring Labubu.
All of these are contrary to the franchise’s waning craze, which led to to the doll’s massive price drop of around 50 percent from 107 yuan during its peak. It also wiped out $6 billion of Pop Mart founder Wang Ning’s $27.5 billion net worth, which previously made him China’s 10th richest man earlier this year.
With more collaborations popping up here and there, it’s clear that the Labubu magic is far from vanishing. This ugly-cute character is still out to conquer the world—now even faster with its spanking new Porsche 911 Targa.
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