Throughout 2025, a new trend has emerged from America’s ongoing cycle of pop culture. Labubus, a blindbox-style stuffed animal on a key chain, has taken the internet by storm. On the surface, it might seem like a relatively harmless idea, but the reality of America’s trend cycle isn’t as glamorous or sustainable as social media makes it out to be.

The public is on a constant search for the next new thing as a result of a combination of desire for nicheness, dwindling attention spans, the hive mind “what are we wearing to school this year,” lack of individuality and being able to say “I’ve always liked (insert trend)”. All of these factors contribute to and maintain people’s susceptibility to this racing culture. This principle reigns true to Labubus, and social media has done an astonishing job at taking advantage of it.

“It’s called a trend for a reason. [The hype] is here, and then it goes away… If you have a Labubu in two years, I’m gonna be like ‘what the heck…’ It’s already had its run.” Kaz Cachero, senior and proud owner of a Labubu, said.

Originally popular in China, Labubus were brought to America when Korean pop idols began posting photos with the dolls. They were a highly demanded item, constantly sold out on the Pop Mart website for months. Many couldn’t open popular platforms and scroll without seeing at least 3 videos of people talking, joking, unboxing, or selling them. Regardless of the connotation, Labubus were everywhere due to their high level of controversy.

The more we consume new trendy items, the older trendy items we also bought wind up into the trash, which is a wasteful and unsustainable way to go about life in a world where the biggest iceberg in the ocean is a big mound of trash People on both sides of the opinion somewhat agree with this sentiment, whether they recognize the nature of it or not.

“[They’ll be] extinct, gone… some people will have them, I don’t think it’ll be that big, because it’s faded out right now too,” Cachero said after being asked about where Labubus will be in 5 years.

“[People] think that they should just hop on every trend, just if it’s cute and not think about the global effects… I think we just buy, buy, buy, especially with seasonal items, which I think is really stupid,” Senior Jaiden Bauer said.

This problem doesn’t only exist in mainstream trends but also in fashion, seasonal items, single-use items, and electronics. The way we consume needs a huge change if we want to keep living. If we start buying with longevity and sustainability in mind, the earth will become more habitable for everyone in the long run.

Written by senior Kai Bugg. Edited by staff writers for Oswego East’s online news magazine The Howl.