Convention - SDCC 2025 : Pop Mart’s Immersive Booth Delivers Vinyl Magic and Collector Fever

By Mulder, San Diego, Convention Center, 26 july 2025

San Diego, Convention Center, July 23 2025 — In a convention where spectacle is the norm, Pop Mart managed to stand out at San Diego Comic-Con 2025 by transforming Booth #135 into what they proudly called the Ultimate Play Stop, an immersive pop culture playground that blurred the line between an art installation, a collector’s dream, and a candy-coated fantasy. From the moment the doors opened, the booth was a magnet for both seasoned collectors and first-time attendees, many of whom were there for one very specific reason: Labubu. This “ugly-cute” phenomenon, dreamed up by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and rooted in Nordic mythology, has exploded in popularity in 2025, helped in no small part by endorsements from global stars like Rihanna, Lizzo, Dua Lipa, and Blackpink’s Lisa. At SDCC, access to Labubu was controlled through the Comic-Con Online Exclusives Portal lottery, but each afternoon after 3 p.m., the booth opened to walk-ups. That brief window created an almost electric rush—supplies vanished in minutes, and those who secured one often carried it proudly on their backs or in custom display bags, instantly identifiable as part of an exclusive club. For many, it wasn’t just about buying a figure; it was about participating in a shared ritual of anticipation, camaraderie, and unfiltered collector joy.

The booth itself was a visual feast. Massive character statues and bold, colorful branding surrounded attendees, drawing them into Pop Mart’s universe of beloved creations like Space Molly, Skullpanda, Dimoo, and Molly. Glass cases held the true treasures: SDCC exclusives and global debuts unveiled for the first time anywhere. Among the hottest items were the DUCKOO Fountain Figure at $43.99 and the intricately detailed Nyota Love is Armor Figure at $152.99, both of which were Comic-Con exclusives. Making their worldwide debut were the massive MEGA SPACE MOLLY Hot Wheels 400% ($314.99), the collectible Star Wars Bobble Head Series Figures—featuring fan favorites like Yoda, Darth Vader, and C-3PO—sold individually for $19.99 or as a full set for $238.99, the whimsical Nyota Love Comes with the Wind Figure ($34.99), and the musically inspired Peach Riot Carry The Music POP BLOCK Pendant at $24.99 each or $149.94 for the set. Horror fans were treated to an early glimpse of the Chucky Blind Box Series Figure, due for release later in the year, making the booth a rare crossover destination for toy collectors, sci-fi enthusiasts, and genre aficionados alike.

Pop Mart’s reach extended beyond the walls of the convention center into San Diego’s Gaslamp District, where they partnered with IT’SUGAR to create a pop-up store that ran from Thursday to Sunday. Here, fans stepped into a sugar-fueled world celebrating four of Pop Mart’s most popular characters: Peach Riot, Crybaby, DUCKOO, and Pino Jelly. Attendees could build their own candy mix at a custom Pino Jelly-inspired table, purchase a curated selection of blind boxes, and leave with a free Pop Mart-branded sticker sheet while supplies lasted. The collaboration’s daily giveaways and national sweepstakes—with prizes including IT’SUGAR gift cards—added another layer of excitement, making the pop-up not just a side event but a destination in its own right. For many, it was a playful extension of the booth’s energy, translating collectible culture into a multi-sensory lifestyle experience.

One of the highlights of the weekend was the opportunity to meet KaKa, the artist behind the Nyota line. On Friday and Saturday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., fans who purchased a Nyota product at the booth gained access to an intimate signing session. These moments bridged the gap between creator and collector, allowing attendees to not only take home a limited piece of art but also a personal story attached to it. It’s this blending of commerce, creativity, and community that gave Pop Mart’s SDCC presence its unique spark. Even casual visitors found themselves caught up in the atmosphere—cosplayers posing alongside towering Space Molly statues, collectors swapping tips on display cases, and curious passersby lingering just a little longer than planned, seduced by the booth’s bright, tactile allure.

In many ways, Pop Mart’s 2025 Comic-Con strategy was a masterclass in event engagement. They didn’t simply set up a booth; they built an entire ecosystem that extended from the convention floor to the streets of downtown San Diego, offering fans multiple touchpoints to engage with the brand. The exclusives created a sense of urgency, the collaborations expanded their cultural reach, and the artistry on display—both in product design and booth presentation—cemented their status as a global pop culture powerhouse. By the time the convention wrapped, it was clear that Pop Mart had not just participated in SDCC 2025; they had left a vibrant, candy-colored mark on it. Attendees walked away with bags of collectibles, phones full of photos, and, perhaps most importantly, the feeling that they had been part of something special—a reminder that in a world overflowing with merch, it’s the experiences wrapped around the products that make them truly unforgettable.

You can discover our photos in our Flickr page

Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville