Why Is Labubu Secret So Expensive? Rarity & Market Value Explained
In recent years, Labubu has evolved from a niche designer toy character into a globally recognized collectible icon. Across Asia, Europe, and North America, its distinctive aesthetic and emotional storytelling have attracted a growing base of collectors. Among all Labubu releases, however, one category consistently sparks the most discussion: the Secret (Hidden) edition. Searches like “Why is Labubu Secret so expensive?” or “Is Labubu Secret worth it?” reflect a common curiosity shared by collectors of different experience levels. For newcomers, the price gap between regular figures and Secrets feels puzzling. For seasoned collectors, the question is more analytical: is the premium driven by real scarcity, or by market psychology? The truth is that the high price of Labubu Secrets cannot be explained by a single factor. It is the result of a complex interaction between designed rarity, probability mechanics, emotional attachment, and secondary market dynamics—all operating on a globa

Official authentic products are now on sale!
LABUBU!!!
What Exactly Is a “Secret” (Hidden Edition)?
In the context of blind box collectibles, a Secret is a figure that does not appear in the officially disclosed lineup of a series. Buyers cannot identify it from the packaging and only discover it after opening the box. This uncertainty is not accidental—it is a deliberately designed feature.
Compared with standard figures, Secrets usually share several characteristics:
- Significantly lower production quantities
- Unique color schemes, materials, or sculpt details
- Symbolic importance within the series narrative
- A role as the “completion piece” for collectors
Because Secrets are intentionally excluded from visible product information, they create an imbalance between supply and desire. This imbalance is the foundation of their premium value.
Importantly, a Secret is not merely “another figure.” In many series, it represents the emotional or conceptual core of the collection, making it disproportionately important compared to its physical size or production cost.
Probability Mechanics and Their Psychological Impact
One of the strongest drivers behind the high price of Labubu Secrets is the low pull probability. While official odds are rarely disclosed, global collector consensus often estimates Secret ratios at approximately 1 in 72 to 1 in 144 boxes, depending on the series. These figures are observational, not guaranteed.
What matters more than the exact number is the experience it creates. Repeated failed attempts amplify perceived value. As collectors open more boxes without success, they begin to associate the Secret with effort, patience, and sunk cost.
This triggers a well-documented psychological effect:
As a result, the Secret becomes more than an object—it becomes proof of luck, perseverance, or commitment. When these emotions enter the equation, price sensitivity drops sharply.
How Secondary Markets Shape Global Pricing
Across global resale platforms—whether peer-to-peer marketplaces, collector forums, or specialty shops—Labubu Secrets tend to follow a similar price trajectory.
Although exact numbers vary by region and timing, a common pattern emerges:
Not every Secret appreciates over time. Some lose value once excitement fades. Others maintain stable premiums due to strong visual appeal or enduring series popularity.
The key point is that the secondary market does not price Secrets purely on rarity. It prices them on perceived desirability, which can change faster than supply itself.
Emotional Value vs. Collectible Value
To understand why people willingly pay high prices for Labubu Secrets, it is crucial to separate two different types of value.
Emotional value comes from personal satisfaction:
- “I finally pulled it.”
- “My collection feels complete.”
- “This character means something to me.”
This value is internal and subjective. It cannot be measured or resold.
Collectible value, on the other hand, is external:
- Market demand
- Liquidity
- Long-term brand relevance
Many buyers prioritize emotional value without consciously realizing it. They justify high prices not because the item will appreciate, but because owning it resolves a personal desire. Problems arise only when emotional purchases are mistaken for guaranteed financial decisions.
Is It Worth Paying for a Labubu Secret?
There is no universal answer—only context.
A Labubu Secret may feel worthwhile if:
- You value series completion
- You appreciate the design beyond rarity
- You intend to keep it long-term
It may feel disappointing if:
- You expect consistent price appreciation
- You are buying solely due to hype
- You view it as a short-term flip
Secrets are best understood as experience-driven collectibles, not financial instruments. Their price reflects how people feel about them, not just how many exist.
Conclusion: Where Price, Design, and Emotion Intersect
Labubu Secrets are expensive not because of a single rule, but because they sit at the intersection of controlled scarcity, probability-based anticipation, emotional investment, and global collector behavior.
Their value is fluid, personal, and deeply tied to human psychology. For some, the premium feels justified. For others, it does not. Neither perspective is wrong—as long as the decision is informed.
Before paying a premium, the most important question is not “Is this Secret expensive?” It is “Why do I want it?”
Below is a complete English version of the article, written from a global, macro-market perspective, avoiding any country-specific framing. The tone, structure, and depth follow professional SEO / E-E-A-T standards, suitable for long-form blogs, Google AFS content, and collectible-focused audiences worldwide.

Official authentic products are now on sale!
LABUBU!!!