SKULLPANDA: the gothic soul of Pop Mart
By Léna, co-founder & Art Director at swap-iit
⏱️ Reading time: ≈ 6 mins
Whilst Labubu is Pop Mart’s mischievous little monster, SKULLPANDA is quite simply its gothic soul. 🖤 Porcelain complexion, little panda ears, and that very distinctive gaze: rather cold, a bit jaded in some series, eyes completely shut in others, or big blue eyes elsewhere. Impossible to mistake her – she observes without smiling, and frankly, that’s enough to recognise her anywhere.
A little personal note, by the way: SKULLPANDA was the very first Pop Mart series I ever collected. My first two figures were from that series… and guess what? I ended up with a duplicate of both of them. 🙃 In other words, the problem that led to the creation of swap-iit is one I experienced right from the start of my collecting days.
Here at swap-iit, we take SKULLPANDA very seriously: it’s one of the most collected brands, and above all, the most sought-after. Our members have already added over 550 SKULLPANDA figures to their wishlists. 👀 This guide gives you the full lowdown: its history, its flagship series, and the items everyone’s clamouring for.
Contents
- The story of SKULLPANDA
- A series, a world
- SKULLPANDA series you should know about
- Why is SKULLPANDA so hard to complete?
- Where to start with your SKULLPANDA collection
- What about your duplicate SKULLPANDA figures?
- How to swap on swap-iit
- FAQ: SKULLPANDA
The story of SKULLPANDA
SKULLPANDA was created in 2018 by the Chinese artist Xiong Miao (her name is also written as Xiong Meow). Before that, she had set up her own art studio, followed by a studio dedicated to art toys. She describes SKULLPANDA as a version of herself that embraces life’s uncertainties and big questions. Nothing more, nothing less.
Hence this dark, surrealist style, inspired by Gothic art but without ever being frightening: a pale, androgynous silhouette, sunken eyes, a subtle mouth, and those famous panda ears that give it its name.
A series, a world
The great thing about SKULLPANDA is that each series tells the story of a completely distinct world: emotions in *The Sound*, antique silverware in *The Feast Begins*, ink painting in *The Ink Plum Blossom*… Two series might have absolutely nothing in common, and that’s exactly what makes the collection so rich.
Each series usually comprises a dozen figures, often with a much rarer secret figure to unearth.
SKULLPANDA series you should know about
Our catalogue features 25 SKULLPANDA series. Here are the most notable ones, and those most commonly found amongst our members.
The Sound
The most popular series on swap-iit is the one our members own the most of. Twelve figures, twelve emotions: Joy, Anger, Serenity, Awe, Sorrow, Terror… There’s a slight resemblance to Plutchik’s famous wheel of emotions – well, that’s our interpretation of the names, not official information from Pop Mart, but the similarity is striking. 👀 The secret one is called, quite logically, The Equilibrium.
Petals in Four Acts
A four-act play, full of flowers, wreaths and requiems. It is THE most sought-after series on swap-iit: *The Fairy’s Trick*, *The Budding Fable* and the secret *Chronos’ Gardener* top every SKULLPANDA wish list.
The Feast Begins
A feast of antique silverware: a teaspoon (The Caddy Spoon), sugar tongs, an egg cup, a silver carafe… Each figurine represents a tableware item. Highly sought-after, especially The Caddy Spoon. Secret: Fine Dining.
The Ink Plum Blossom
The aesthetic of ink painting: bamboo, bridge, moon, snow, valley, wind. A series full of delicacy, with ‘The Plum Blossom’ hidden amongst them.
And also
- The Paradox (secret: The Key) and Image of Reality (secret: The Onlooker), for lovers of symbols and the strange.
- The Warmth, The Mirage, Where Time Dwells and City of Night.
- Collabs: My Little Pony and The Addams Family, featuring a deadpan Wednesday in secret (we’ll tell you about other crazy crossovers in our article on Pop Mart collabs).
- Plush pendants, such as Off Mode.
Why is SKULLPANDA so hard to complete?
On swap-iit, demand far outstrips supply: over 550 figures on wishlists, with barely twenty on offer for swap. Our members own over 400 SKULLPANDAs but are only parting with about twenty, and many are hunting for the same pieces. The result: if you have duplicates, they’ll go quickly. A duplicate SKULLPANDA almost always finds a taker. 💨
Where to start with your SKULLPANDA collection
With 25 such diverse themes, the easiest way is to choose by eye: flick through the catalogue and let yourself be drawn in by a particular vibe. Floral gothic? Petals in Four Acts. Emotions? The Sound. Old-world refinement? The Feast Begins.
If you’re not sure, start with The Sound: as it’s the most common amongst our members, it’s also the easiest to complete through swapping. (To buy from the right place, check out where to buy blind boxes in France.)
What about your duplicate SKULLPANDA figures?
Don’t let them gather dust in a drawer: with demand as high as it is, your duplicates will make someone else happy, and they’ll help you get hold of the pieces you’re missing. It’s a win-win situation.
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: SKULLPANDA
Who created SKULLPANDA?
The Chinese artist Xiong Miao, in 2018. Pop Mart produces the blind boxes.
SKULLPANDA – is that a panda?
Not really: it’s a character with panda ears, in a gothic and arty style, whose universe changes completely with each series.
Which SKULLPANDA series is the most collected?
On swap-iit, it’s The Sound. The most sought-after one is Petals in Four Acts.
How many SKULLPANDA series are there?
Our catalogue lists 25 of them, including both figurines and soft toy pendants. New series are released regularly.