Move over, labubus. Your time in the soft, plushy sun is done. The year is 2025, and we’re entering a new fashion era. One that’s bold, aquatic, and disturbingly absorbent. I’m talking about Sponge-Bubus: the stylishly squishy, delightfully fishy fish plushies from the world of SpongeBob SquarePants.
Yes, they’re real. No, they haven’t “caught on” yet. But that’s just because the world hasn’t caught up to me.
Courtesy of Richie Marrufo and LeMagie Productions, Canva
What Are Sponge-Bubus?
Glad you asked. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill stuffed toys. These are fashion statements. These are conversation starters. These are status symbols that say, “I’ve been to the bottom of the sea and back, and I brought this terrifyingly cute fish with me.”
Each Sponge-Bubu looks like it was pulled straight from the salty depths of Bikini Bottom and dipped in couture. These aren’t just plush toys. They’re plush experiences. The company ships you a box and each one carries a random side-character fish from different episodes of Spongebob. One is curled up in a fetal position with a thumb in its mouth, like it just cant take anymore of the fashion nightmare that is ‘labubus.’ Another one has eyes that scream “I know what you did last summer,” but in a chic way.
Why Labubus Just Can’t Compete
Labubus had their moment. They were squishy, yes. Mysterious? Sure. But fashionable? Please. Their reign was built on vibes and vibes alone! And unfortunately for them, Sponge-Bubus have vibes, lore, and intellectual property rights.
You see, Sponge-Bubus aren’t just soft. They’re culturally relevant. They carry the weight of a thousand SpongeBob reruns and the fashion-forward spirit of a fish who wears pants to work.
The Future Is Bubus
Now, I’ll admit. I don’t technically “know” fashion. I’m not subscribed to Vogue, but I’ve seen several TikToks about pants. Still, I’ve got a gut feeling that by Q4 of 2025, you won’t be able to throw a hydroflask in a thrift store without hitting a Sponge-Bubu dangling from someone’s vintage messenger bag.
And if this trend somehow doesn’t catch fire? Well, that’s not my fault. That’s on you, society. I gave you the vision. I gave you the branding. I even made a video about it. What more do you want from me?
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