Labubu Effect Brings Japan’s Monkey Character Back to Boom Times

When Australian influencer Sam Todd traveled to Tokyo earlier this year to shop the city’s famed vintage clothing scene, she had a personal sidequest—to find a fuzzy Monchhichi key chain to dangle off one of her many designer handbags. After some unsuccessful hunting, she finally “hit the Monchhichi jackpot” at a toy store in the touristy Harajuku neighborhood, capturing the gleeful discovery in a TikTok video, which has since racked up more than 300,000 views. The store had implemented a purchase limit on the popular plush accessories, but Todd managed to snag double by having her boyfriend stock up ...