A New Frontier for Pop Culture Collectibles
In a crossover that bridges the worlds of art, sports, and pop culture, Labubu, the mischievous global icon from Kasing Lung’s THE MONSTERS universe, is making its grand entrance into the world of collectibles. Fanatics Collectibles and Topps have unveiled the “2025 Topps The Monsters Chrome 10th Anniversary” collection — a landmark release that reimagines the beloved character in the prestigious Topps Chrome format.
For a brand that has defined the gold standard of sports trading cards for decades, Topps’ collaboration with one of Asia’s most recognizable designer toys signals a new era for both worlds. It’s where high-gloss collectability meets imaginative art, offering something that feels both nostalgic and distinctly modern.
Celebrating a Decade of “THE MONSTERS”
This special release marks the 10th anniversary of THE MONSTERS, a whimsical and sometimes eerie universe born from the mind of Hong Kong-based artist Kasing Lung. Known for his unique visual storytelling and instantly recognizable characters, Lung has built a devoted global following — with Labubu becoming the undeniable face of the franchise.
The Topps collaboration doesn’t simply license Lung’s work; it celebrates it. Each card in the collection features artwork directly sourced from Kasing Lung himself, meticulously translated into the polished, metallic world of Topps Chrome. The effect is a seamless blend of art and artifact — playful yet prestigious, intimate yet globally resonant.
The cards mirror the special installations launching as part of THE MONSTERS 10th Anniversary World Tour, which kicks off in Shanghai, China, before making its way to major cities across Asia and beyond. These installations are as much a celebration of community as they are of art, serving as touchpoints for fans to immerse themselves in Lung’s colorful, chaotic world. Now, that same sense of wonder has been distilled into collectible form — tangible pieces of a cultural milestone.
Where Fantasy Meets Collectability
The release introduces the Topps Chrome experience to a new audience, offering longtime THE MONSTERS fans a fresh way to engage with Lung’s creations while giving card collectors something truly distinct from the usual roster of athletes and celebrities.
Each box contains five Chrome cards, with one guaranteed parallel inside — a thrilling prospect for seasoned collectors used to the rush of the hunt. The collection introduces a lineup of Speckle Refractors, 10th Anniversary Logofractors, and a variety of sequentially numbered color variants that elevate the chase to new heights. For those lucky enough to secure one of the ultra-rare pulls, there’s also the potential to find autograph cards — limited to just 22 per subject worldwide.
It’s a small print run with massive cultural weight. The exclusivity feels deliberate — a nod to the rarity-driven model that defines both modern art and contemporary collectibles.
A Perfect Collision of Worlds
This collaboration represents more than just a product launch; it’s a reflection of how the collectible landscape has evolved. Over the last decade, the boundaries between art, streetwear, and sports memorabilia have blurred into a unified ecosystem of creativity.
By bringing Labubu into the Topps universe, Fanatics and Topps are acknowledging a truth that collectors have known for years — that the emotional pull of a character can rival that of an athlete. In both cases, the thrill lies in storytelling, scarcity, and connection.
Kasing Lung’s work has long occupied a unique cultural space. His THE MONSTERS series draws inspiration from children’s fables, pop surrealism, and psychological nuance — often wrapped in a deceptively cute aesthetic. Labubu, with its wide grin and trickster personality, has become a global symbol of playful rebellion, much like the art toys that have come to define the global designer toy movement.
The Prestige of Topps Chrome
For the uninitiated, Topps Chrome represents one of the most celebrated and technically advanced trading card formats in the industry. Known for its mirror-like finishes, vivid color refractors, and high-definition imagery, Chrome cards are as much luxury items as they are nostalgic tokens.
To see Labubu rendered in that gleaming, collectible format feels like a moment of convergence — where traditional sports collectibles meet the hyper-stylized imagination of designer art culture. Every card becomes a micro-artwork: durable, reflective, and designed to hold both sentimental and market value.
By leveraging Chrome’s visual prestige, the collaboration also bridges the generational gap between trading card collectors and the new wave of designer toy enthusiasts. It’s the kind of cross-market innovation that defines Fanatics Collectibles’ approach — fusing heritage craftsmanship with modern storytelling to capture both passion and personality.
Global Collecting, Local Connection
While THE MONSTERS have long enjoyed an international fan base, this partnership signals a deliberate expansion into Western markets through a familiar collectible format. The product will first launch in China via the Topps Tmall store, catering to the massive community of art toy collectors in Asia. From there, it’s poised to gain traction across global markets, especially among younger collectors who grew up with both Topps trading cards and designer vinyl culture.
This is more than a brand collaboration; it’s a strategic move that reflects the global convergence of fandoms. By merging pop surrealism with the sports collectible industry, Topps and Fanatics are betting on a future where creativity and collectability are intertwined — where a Labubu Chrome card could hold the same cultural cachet as a signed rookie card.
The Cultural Resonance of Labubu
Labubu’s charm lies in its duality — mischievous yet innocent, whimsical yet haunting. That paradox has become central to Kasing Lung’s artistic language, capturing the emotional contradictions of modern life. As an ambassador of THE MONSTERS world, Labubu represents both nostalgia and rebellion — a figure that transcends trends by being unapologetically itself.
In the trading card format, this personality translates perfectly. Each Chrome card feels alive, preserving that sense of humor and heart that defines Lung’s world. The characters may be fantastical, but the feelings they evoke — curiosity, joy, and a touch of melancholy — are deeply human.
The Future of Collecting
With the Topps x Labubu Chrome collaboration, Fanatics Collectibles has done more than launch a product — it’s reshaped how art and collectibles intersect. This drop celebrates not just ten years of THE MONSTERS, but also a decade of evolution in global fandom, where the lines between pop culture, fine art, and sports memorabilia are delightfully blurred.
For collectors, this release offers a rare chance to hold a piece of cultural history — one that reflects where creativity is headed. Whether you’re chasing refractors, signatures, or simply the joy of discovery, the Labubu Chrome collection delivers on every front.
Pre-sale begins on October 20 via Topps online store, and demand is expected to be high. For fans of art, nostalgia, and the thrill of the chase, this collaboration isn’t just a collectible — it’s a cultural event.