Demon or designer? Labubu dolls spark wild online debate

It was only a matter of time before something adorable became the target of an internet witch hunt.

Labubu dolls, the wide-eyed, toothy little monsters dangling from the designer bags of Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and Dua Lipa are the latest victims of a digital-age moral panic. 

Cute? Sure. Slightly creepy? Definitely. But demonic? That’s the claim currently sweeping across TikTok and X, and it’s sent conspiracy-loving corners of the internet into a frenzy.

What are Labubu dolls?

Labubus are palm-sized fuzzy creatures attached to keychains, available in multiple quirky variations. They're sold in a ‘blind box’ format, which means you never quite know what you’re getting - a marketing strategy that’s irresistible to collectors and children alike.

They’ve become must-haves for fashionistas and collectors alike, popping up everywhere, and naturally, when something gets that popular, the internet decides it must be cursed.

The “Demonic Energy” theory

In recent weeks, social media users have started comparing Labubus to none other than Pazuzu - an ancient Mesopotamian demon known for his lion-like face, clawed feet and wings. 

One X user took it upon themselves to warn the masses:

 “Labubu = Pazuzu. Do not invite demons into your home.”

Another one said, “Bruhh I have read somewhere that LABUBU doll is associated with demon PAZUZU an ancient demon of Mesopotamia and Babylon mythology....”

It escalated quickly. Some Christians have even taken to burning their Labubu dolls in the name of spiritual safety - because naturally, nothing says calm and rational response like setting plush toys on fire.

Is there any truth to it? 

Despite the hysteria, not everyone’s buying the demonic doll angle. A number of fans and myth-busting users have pointed out that the widely-circulated “Pazuzu lookalike” is nothing more than an AI-generated image. As one voice of reason put it:

“It’s a Labubu… next to an AI image… Like they’re making YouTube videos, Tiktoks, reels, etc about this as if the image on the right is not obviously AI. Pazuzu does not even look like that. It’s a Mesopotamian god. Fear mongering is weird.”

Another Reddit user shared a real-world encounter that sounded like it belonged in a B-grade horror movie. While shopping, a cashier commented that their Labubu was “cute, but if you knew what they stood for, you wouldn’t want it anymore” – then warned them it was “a demon”.

Where do Labubus come from?

Labubus were created by a Hong Kong artist inspired by whimsical Nordic folklore and childhood fairy tales. According to fans, they’re mischievous woodland creatures at heart, not demons.

In the meantime, the trend rages on, and Labubu continues to fly off shelves faster than TikTok can dream up a new curse. As with most things on the internet, it’s probably best to take the demonic doll theory with a pinch of salt.

IOL Lifestyle