Munich to Hamburg: Mapping Labubu’s Strongest Fanbases in Germany

Germany has long embraced global pop culture trends, but few phenomena have taken the youth and collector communities by storm quite like Labubu, the mischievous character from Pop Mart’s art toy universe. What started as a niche hobby among toy collectors has now become a nationwide movement, with fans from Munich to Hamburg proudly showcasing their Labubu collections on shelves, social media feeds and marketplace listings. This surge raises an intriguing question: which German cities hold the strongest Labubu fanbases, and what fuels their devotion?

Munich: Bavaria’s Capital of Premium Collectors

Munich has rapidly emerged as a powerhouse for high-end Labubu collectors, driven by its affluent consumer base and vibrant design culture. Exclusive drops at Pop Mart stores—particularly at popular locations like OEZ and Riem Arcaden—tend to sell out within hours. Local collector communities organise swap meets in cafés around Glockenbachviertel and Maxvorstadt, where both seasoned enthusiasts and curious newcomers display rare figurines such as Labubu x Kasing Lung collaborations and limited Zodiac editions.

Munich’s collector demographic skews slightly older and more investment-oriented. Rather than spontaneous purchases, buyers often strategically pre-order or import rare Labubus from Asia, turning their collections into appreciating assets. This has transformed Labubu from a cute character into a status symbol within Munich’s lifestyle scene.

Berlin: The Creative Nerve Centre of Labubu Expression

While Munich leads in premium investment collectors, Berlin dominates in cultural creativity. Labubu here is less of a collectible and more of a canvas for self-expression. Artists in Neukölln and Friedrichshain incorporate Labubu figures into photography projects, ceramic displays and even streetwear editorials. Independent toy boutiques in Kreuzberg host custom Labubu painting workshops, attracting both children and adults.

Pop Mart’s flagship presence in Mall of Berlin remains a central hub, often seeing long queues during blind box release days. However, Berlin’s uniqueness lies in its underground trading circles operating through Telegram and Instagram DMs, where rare swaps occur outside traditional marketplaces. Berliners are less likely to resell for profit; instead, they personalise their Labubus, repaint them or stage themed dioramas, treating them like characters in an ongoing visual story.

Hamburg: The Port City Driving Resale Momentum

If there’s one city powering the secondary market boom, it’s Hamburg. Home to Germany’s largest e-commerce sellers and logistics hubs, Hamburg has become the trading capital of Labubu. Platforms like Kleinanzeigen, Vinted and eBay consistently show the highest concentration of Labubu listings originating from Hamburg postal codes.

Unlike Berlin’s artistic approach or Munich’s luxury lens, Hamburg views Labubu through entrepreneurial eyes. Young resellers frequent Pop Mart Europa Passage to bulk-buy blind boxes and flip duplicates. There is even a small but growing Labubu flipping community operating like sneaker resellers, complete with Discord servers and drop alerts. Hamburg’s structured and transactional approach is making Labubu one of the city’s fastest-growing micro-investment commodities.

Cologne & Düsseldorf: The West German Fashion Link

Cologne and Düsseldorf form a dual powerhouse in fashion and pop culture trends, making them natural adopters of Labubu. Influencers in Ehrenfeld and Medienhafen frequently feature Labubu in OOTD flatlays, pairing figurines with high-end cosmetics and accessories. Pop Mart presence in Kö-Bogen II Düsseldorf and Rhein-Center Cologne ensures continuous access to new drops.

Interestingly, Labubu here functions as a fashionable prop rather than a collectible, with many buyers owning just two or three figures used for social media aesthetics. However, this superficial usage is rapidly evolving into more serious collecting, especially among Gen Z creators who now organise outdoor Labubu meetups in Rheinpark.

Stuttgart & Frankfurt: Emerging Hubs Driven by Tech Professionals

Stuttgart and Frankfurt are rising quietly but steadily. Known for their automobile and financial industries, these cities host a wave of tech-savvy professionals who discovered Labubu through NFT culture and designer toy parallels. Pop Mart’s expanding distribution through Saturn and MediaMarkt has dramatically boosted visibility.

Unlike other cities where impulse purchases dominate, Stuttgart and Frankfurt collectors tend to be methodical researchers, often tracking release patterns, artist collaborations and global resale trends before buying. Their communities operate via Reddit subgroups and Discord servers, making their fandom digitally coordinated rather than socially visible.

Leipzig & Dortmund: Grassroots Growth Powered by Students

Not to be overlooked, cities like Leipzig and Dortmund are witnessing rapid grassroots expansion among students. Budget-conscious yet hyper-engaged, young fans rely on claw machines, gachapon booths and mall kiosks to build their early collections. They may not own rare editions yet, but their enthusiasm is unmatched, with many handcrafting Labubu-themed stickers and tote bags sold at flea markets.

These cities will likely become the next wave of hardcore collectors as economic mobility increases.

Which City Has the Strongest Labubu Fanbase?

Each German city embraces Labubu with a distinct identity:

• Munich – Wealthy prestige collectors

• Berlin – Artistic customisers and cultural curators

• Hamburg – Resale strategists and market movers

• Cologne/Düsseldorf – Fashion-driven lifestyle adopters

• Stuttgart/Frankfurt – Data-minded digital collectors

• Leipzig/Dortmund – Passionate grassroots enthusiasts

To determine strength, one must balance volume, creativity and commitment. While Berlin leads culturally and Hamburg commercially, Munich ultimately stands out for collection value and long-term loyalty. However, as the culture matures, Germany’s Labubu landscape is becoming interconnected, blurring city borders entirely. Trading groups now include members across regions, and nationwide meetups are already being planned for 2025 in Berlin and Frankfurt.

The Future of Labubu in Germany

Labubu is no longer just a cute figurine—it has become a social signal, investment class, art medium and community badge. From Munich’s display cabinets to Hamburg’s resale dashboards, this character continues to evolve with every German city adding its own interpretation.