Labubu Trading Cards vs Pokémon TCG: Which to Collect First?
By RI-SON Collectibles | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: Comparisons
A grounded comparison of Labubu trading cards and Pokémon TCG for new collectors, covering cost, scarcity, and which set to start with.
Quick answer
Start with Pokémon TCG if you want a deep, well-documented singles market and room to trade; start with Labubu trading cards if you want a limited, artist-driven set with a strong visual identity and lower entry cost. For most beginners, one Pokémon single plus one Labubu or designer-toy set gives the best mix of learnability and fun.
What actually differs between the two
Pokémon TCG is a game-first collectible: cards are printed for play, so singles are graded, traded, and re-sold constantly. Labubu trading cards, by contrast, come from the designer-toy world. The Monsters Series 3 is a limited-edition TCG collection from artist Kasing Lung, launching first in Hong Kong on December 19, built around the LABUBU universe rather than tournament play.
That origin changes what you are buying. Pokémon singles like the Vaporeon ex SAR 205/187 from SV8a: Terastal Fest ex are valued for rarity tier, set number, and playability. Labubu cards are valued more for artwork, character, and the fact that the print run is limited. Neither is better; they simply reward different habits.
Cost and entry point
Pokémon singles let you spend exactly what you want on exactly one card, which is the cheapest way to learn the market. A Labubu or designer-toy set is usually bought as a box or blind-box option, so the cost is fixed up front and the contents are partly unknown.
If your budget is tight, buy one Pokémon single you actually like and skip sealed product until you understand set symbols and rarity tiers. If you prefer a single purchase with a clear theme, a limited Labubu set is easier to justify than chasing multiple booster packs.
Scarcity, resale, and labubu card values
Pokémon has a long resale history, so price references are widely available and easy to check before you buy. Labubu card values are newer and thinner, which means fewer reference points and more room for prices to move once a set sells out.
Treat any newer set as a collectible first and a resale asset second. Limited print runs can help long-term value, but they can also stay flat if demand cools. Buy what you would keep if the price never moved.
A practical beginner sequence
Week one: buy one Pokémon single and learn to read the set number, rarity, and language on the card. Week two: add one designer-toy or Labubu item so you can compare how a limited set feels to open and store. That two-track approach teaches you both markets without overspending.
Keep everything in penny sleeves and top loaders from day one, and log what you paid. A simple note of date, price, and source is enough to make future decisions easier.
Trade-offs to weigh before you commit
- Pokémon TCG: liquidity vs. learning curve: Singles are easy to price and re-sell, but you need to learn set symbols, rarity tiers, and language variants before you can judge a fair price. Choose Pokémon first if you want a market you can study and trade.
- Labubu trading cards: novelty vs. price references: The Monsters Series 3 offers a limited, artist-led set with strong visual identity, but labubu card values have fewer public reference points than Pokémon. Choose Labubu first if you value the artwork and limited run over quick resale.
- Blind boxes: surprise vs. control: Blind-box and options-based products like the Baby Molly Winter Fit Check Series deliver an unboxing moment, but you cannot choose the exact character before you buy. Buy blind boxes for the experience, not for a specific target figure.
Products that fit this comparison
- HOW2WORK The Monsters Series 3 Collectible Trading Cards: HOW2WORK CTC: The Monsters Series 3 is a limited-edition TCG collection from artist Kasing Lung, launching first in Hong Kong on December 19, featuring LABUBU and The Monsters universe. This is the clearest entry point if you want an artist-driven, limited set rather than a play-focused card game.
- Vaporeon ex SAR 205/187 SV8a Terastal Fest ex Japanese Pokémon Card: Vaporeon ex SAR 205/187 from SV8a: Terastal Fest ex is a Japanese Special Art Rare featuring the Water-type Eeveelution in a Terastal-inspired design. A single-card purchase like this lets you test the Pokémon market with one known rarity tier instead of gambling on sealed product.
- Baby Molly Winter Fit Check Series-Vinyl Plush Pendant Blind Box: Baby Molly Winter Fit Check Series is a limited-edition vinyl plush pendant blind box capturing Baby Molly's cozy winter spirit in miniature pendants. If blind-box surprise appeals more than card rarity, this shows how designer-toy collecting works at a lower price than a full card set.
Which should you collect first?
Best for
- Beginners who want a documented singles market and room to trade
- Collectors who value limited, artist-driven sets like The Monsters Series 3
- Buyers who want one low-cost Pokémon single to start
Not for
- Collectors who need guaranteed contents and dislike blind-box randomness
- Buyers expecting fast, predictable resale on a brand-new card set
