Aldi is at it again, stocking a new goodie in their middle aisles, but not everyone is happy.
While we have all heard of the viral Labubu dolls, which has every young person carrying one on the exterior of their bag, on their keys, or in their room, Aldi has come up with its own version of the toy.
Aldi has just launched ALDImaniacs, which many note have qualities very similar to the Pop Mart item.
Labubus are these mischievous, elf-like creatures that are famous for their tall ears, sharp teeth, and chaotic grins.
They exploded in global popularity as highly sought-after ‘blind box’ collectibles – where the customer does not know what product they are getting until they open the box, and Aldi didn’t miss the memo.
Just like the Labubu surprise factor, ALDImaniacs have replicated that.
At Aldi, each box reveals one of eight ALDImaniacs characters, so you never know which one you’ll get.
These characters include Slime, Bunny Yawn, Simply Pink, No Angel, Mellow Yellow, Snaccident, Boo Boo, or Maniac.
The main differing factor is the price point, as Labubu dolls typically retail for $25 to $50; however, depending on the specific series, limited-edition designs, and secondary market demand, prices can range from $70 to over $250.
Whereas Aldi is selling their plush surprise toys for $12.99.
TikToker Ange spotted the collection when it first dropped, alerting his 170,000 followers about the new range.
Ange discovered the toys at the Chadstone Shopping Centre Aldi store in Victoria,
“I was actually quite surprised to see these in the middle aisle of Aldi,” Ange told news.com.au.
“I know Aldi has released blind boxes before and specifically blind box Aldi mini product collectables, so this is honestly another great option.”
The real question is, will this be a competitor for Pop Mart’s Lababus? Ange isn’t too hopeful.
“I don’t honestly think this will become a competitor, but it will definitely give people an option to get their hands on a similar item at a lower price tag, which is great in this economy,” Ange shared.
He also claims that the ‘blind box craze’ that is happening with many toys, including the viral glitter dumplings squishy, will make ALDImaniacs do well.
But the insanely low prices, making it affordable for parents and young people, is truly what draws customers in.
“I think, given the low, low price of $12.99 compared to the high resale value of the real deal, I think these will be very popular,” Ange explained.
“Especially for people wanting to enter the blind box and Labubu market at a cheaper price range.”
Ange revealed that ALDImaniacs and the iconic Labubu dolls are “very similar” to each other and feature the “same distinct aesthetics”.
“They differ obviously in design and accessories,” Ange said.
“The maniacs are more tailored towards Aldi and the Aldi shopper as they offer another type of ‘Aldi Collectable’ and ‘Limited Merchandise’.”
Just like any controversial product, social media had its say on Aldi’s latest drop.
Many pointed out that Aldi is a bit behind the trend, as in late 2024 and 2025, celebrities like Dua Lipa, Rihanna, and Kim Kardashian were spotted attaching the Pop Mart plushies to luxury handbags, cementing Labubu as a major viral fashion accessory.
“Ha ha, they’re a bit late to the trend lol,” one person wrote on Reddit.
“The hype has officially died,” a second commented.
“I thought the trend was over already,” echoed a third.
Despite the speculated delayed launch, many were praising Aldi for launching a cheaper option for parents whose kids wanted the desired plushies.
“It’s not my thing, but I think it’s a cute idea and in such tough times it’s nice to think that people (and especially parents for their kids) have a way to engage with fun trends without bankrupting themselves. So I’m all for it – the world is on fire, let people find some joy,” one person posted on social media.
Other Aldi fans were loving the new collection and wanted to join in on the fun.
“Hahaha, it’s so silly, but I’m tempted to buy one for a laugh,” one customer claimed.
“I’m obsessed with Aldi, so I gotta get the Aldi one for the brand,” another person said.
An Aldi spokesperson told news.com.au that their blind-box collectable are an item customers “can’t seem to get enough of”.
“We love bringing those fun, unexpected moments to the middle aisle,” the spokesperson said.
“With eight mischievous ALDImaniacs characters to discover, every box is a surprise waiting to be collected.
“As part of our broader toy range, there are plenty of other fun finds in store too, with something for every age, interest, and budget.”