Pop Goes the Weasel... and Maybe Pop Mart Too!

Another Day Another Threat... to My Wallet?

Chief here. Just got back from a little…reconnaissance mission. Turns out things are getting dicey in the world of tiny plastic collectibles. Pop Mart the company behind those 'blind box' toys – you know the ones where you gamble for a rare Labubu – is facing some serious fire. And no I'm not talking about Plasma Grenades. Their stock is plummeting faster than a Banshee with a busted engine after facing public critiscm from the People's Daily about the 'blind box' phenomenon. Seems even the Chinese Communist Party has an opinion on what kids are spending their money on. Wonder if they ever tried collecting Grunt Birthday Party skulls. 'Wort wort wort!'

Blind Boxes: Fun or Financial Ruin?

So what's the deal? These blind boxes are basically loot crates in real life. You drop a few credits – or in this case 5 to 10 US dollars – and hope you get the ultra rare Labubu figurine. It's like searching for a Legendary weapon in Halo only instead of battling the Covenant you're battling your own impulse control. People's Daily is saying it's leading to excessive spending by young folks. Honestly I understand. Sometimes I just gotta have that new Mjolnir armor variant you know? It's not always about the mission sometimes it's about looking good while completing it. Though if I had a penny for every time I saw a loot crate I'd have enough to buy the UNSC.

Knock Offs: The Flood of the Toy World

The Chinese customs agency is cracking down on Labubu copycats and that is a win in my book. Nobody likes a knock off especially not me. I've seen enough Covenant replicas to last a lifetime and those don't hold a candle to the real deal. Besides a fake Labubu won't protect you from the Flood. Probably. Maybe. Don't quote me on that. 'I need a weapon.'

Morgan Stanley Bails: Is This the End?

Even Wall Street is turning its back. Morgan Stanley yanked Pop Mart from its focus list replacing it with an insurance company. Ouch. That's like trading your Battle Rifle for a Plasma Pistol. Sure the Plasma Pistol might be fun for a bit but when the real trouble starts you'll be wishing you had that BR. They say Pop Mart's growth might not be sustainable. But is anything sustainable these days? Except maybe the constant struggle against alien threats. And my armor. That thing is built to last.

Labubu Mania: Bigger Than the Halo Ring?

This Labubu thing is HUGE. New York Magazine and The New York Times are even talking about it. People are dropping serious cash on these little elf like figures. One four foot tall Labubu sold for $170,000! I could buy a whole fleet of Warthogs for that price. Or at least a very nice Pelican. And they said the Master Chief Collection was expensive. Huh.

From Toys to Global Domination (Maybe)

Despite the recent troubles Pop Mart is expanding overseas. They're selling more toys than ever and their international sales are through the roof. It's like the UNSC taking the fight to the Covenant on their home turf. Only instead of plasma rifles they're armed with…cute figurines. Still never underestimate the power of a well placed Labubu. You never know it might be the key to saving humanity. Or at least making a few bucks. Chief out.