Crybaby: the crying figures from Pop Mart
By Léna, co-founder & Art Director at swap-iit
⏱️ Reading time: ≈ 6 mins
There are the figurines that smile… and then there’s Crybaby. 💧 Big, sparkling eyes, little tears on her cheeks: she’s managed to do the impossible – make crying look utterly adorable. And behind that little sad face, there’s a real story (which tugs at the heartstrings a bit, I warn you). We’ll tell you everything: where she comes from, her ranges, and the ones everyone’s clamouring for here!
Contents
- The story of Crybaby
- How does a Crybaby series work?
- Crybaby series you should know about
- What everyone’s clamouring for here
- Where to start with your Crybaby collection
- What about your duplicate Crybabies?
- How to swap on swap-iit
- FAQ: Crybaby
The story of Crybaby
A quick look back at 2017: Crybaby was brought to life by Thai artist Molly Yllom. And, quite frankly, the story behind it is deeply moving: she created the character following the death of her beloved dog. It was a way of giving shape to her grief.
That’s the whole message behind Crybaby: it’s OK to cry. Have you ever had a good cry watching a film, or cried with laughter with your mates? Well, that’s exactly what it’s all about. Crybaby just reminds you that it’s normal, and there’s absolutely no shame in it. A little detail I love: the character is neither a girl nor a boy, nor even quite human as such, so everyone can relate to them.
Molly Yllom is one of the Thai artists who works with Pop Mart, and it is the brand that produces the Crybaby blind boxes. In my opinion, she is definitely one of Pop Mart’s top characters, alongside Labubu and SKULLPANDA.
How does a Crybaby series work?
It’s not rocket science: that’s the principle behind all Pop Mart blind boxes. One series = a dozen figures, all the boxes look exactly the same, and you only find out which one you’ve got when you open it. Most series also hide one or more secret figures, which are much rarer – and, of course, everyone’s after them. 👀
Another thing to note: Crybaby is available as a classic figurine, but also as a soft toy pendant to hang from a bag. And we’re seeing more and more Crybabies dangling from bags… they’re so cute, it’s hard to resist. 👜
Crybaby series you should know about
Our catalogue features 8 Crybaby series. Here are the ones to bear in mind.
Crying Again
THE Signature Series. 12 figures, including 3 secret ones to hunt down (She’s Alice Halloween Ver., The Queen of Broken Heart, The Robber Red Ver.). You’ll come across She’s Alice, The Robber, Star Boy and the very funny What a Frog. In my opinion, this is also the series you see most often in swap-iit collections.
Monster's Tears
Crybaby dressed up as little monsters: Lady Mummy, Sweet Werewolf, Spooky Kitty, Mr Invisible… The perfect combo for Halloween fans. 🎃 Two secret figures on the line-up: Lil’ Black Kong and Moth Queen.
Crying for Love
Love and its little heartbreaks, in twelve figurines: Jar of Hearts, Stupid Cupid, Puppy Love, and two versions of Kiss Kiss (one angel, one demon 😇😈). Secret editions: Be Mine and Sparkling Love.
Cry Me an Ocean
Off to the ocean: Crybaby as a whale, narwhal, octopus, sunfish or jellyfish. Her two secret figures are The Sea Otter and The Whale Shark… and believe me, they’re highly sought-after (I’ll tell you more about them just below).
And also
- Crying Parade: a circus parade, from clowns to trumpeters, with The Saddest King in hiding.
- Crybaby x Powerpuff Girls: the collaboration with the Powerpuff Girls (Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup). We’ll tell you about some other crazy crossovers in our article on Pop Mart collaborations.
- Sad Club and the Cheer Up Baby soft toy pendants.
What everyone’s clamouring for here
Which Crybaby figures are most in demand on our wishlists? The two secret figures from ‘Cry Me an Ocean’ (The Whale Shark and The Sea Otter) and ‘Love You Cherry Much’ from ‘Crying for Love’. 💗
As for what’s on offer, it’s simple: the Crybaby figures up for swap are rare round here. Translation: if you’ve got any duplicates, they’ll go fast. 💨
Where to start with your Crybaby collection
My advice: start with ‘Crying Again’, the track that best represents the universe. Or let your heart choose based on the theme: Team Sea? ‘Cry Me an Ocean’. Team Romance? ‘Crying for Love’. At the end of the day, Crybaby is 100 per cent about emotion. And you, which one makes you melt? 💧
And if you want to take it with you everywhere, plush pendants are the perfect way to get started. (To buy from the right place, check out where to buy blind boxes in France.)
What about your duplicate Crybabies?
The classic blind box dilemma: the more you open them, the more duplicates pile up, whilst the figure you’re looking for is sitting quietly in someone else’s drawer. Instead of selling them at a loss, swap them. It’s a win-win for everyone. 🤝
How to swap on swap-iit
- Add your figures to your collection with a single click from the catalogue.
- Fill your wishlist with the ones you’re missing.
- Add your duplicates to the ‘to swap’ section: a front-facing photo is enough.
- Check out your matches: we’ll show you the collectors who have what you’re looking for and are looking for what you’re offering. You propose the swap, everyone sends their figure to a collection point, and that’s it sorted.
FAQ: Crybaby
Who created Crybaby?
Thai artist Molly Yllom, in 2017. Pop Mart produces the blind boxes.
Why is Crybaby crying?
Because, for Molly Yllom, crying is simply part of life: that is the message conveyed by the character, who was created following the loss of her dog.
How many Crybaby series are there?
Our catalogue currently lists 8 of them, including both figurines and soft toy pendants. Pop Mart regularly releases new ones.
Which Crybaby is the most sought-after?
On swap-iit, the secret figures from Cry Me an Ocean: The Whale Shark and The Sea Otter.