Creepy Detail on Labubu Dolls Sparks Sinister Conspiracy Theory

Collectibles have always had a weird way of getting people worked up, but every so often, one toy breaks through the clutter and becomes something of a pop culture lightning rod. That’s where we’re at with Labubu dolls.

If you've somehow missed them, they’re fuzzy little keychain creatures that celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, and Dua Lipa have been spotted dangling from their designer bags. Cute? Maybe. Creepy?

A little. But depending on who you ask online, they might also be... demonic? Yep, this escalated quickly.

Labubus come in all kinds of styles and colors and are sold in “blind boxes,” which means you don’t know what version you’ll get until you open it. That random draw is part of the appeal, and right now, they’re so in demand that shops in the UK have had to temporarily stop selling them due to safety concerns over crowding and high demand.

But while some people are going to extreme lengths to get their hands on one, others are actively warning against it. And not for the usual “it’s overpriced” or “it’s a fad” reasons.

Instead, a growing corner of the internet is convinced that these fluffy collectibles are somehow tied to an ancient demon. Seriously.

Labubu dolls are being compared online to Pazuzu, the demon from The Exorcist, sparking viral panic.

The theory making the rounds online is that Labubus resembles Pazuzu, a mythological demon from ancient Mesopotamia. If that name sounds familiar, it’s probably because Pazuzu was the demon featured in The Exorcist.

He’s usually described as having a distorted, lion-like face, bird-like claws, wings, and a pretty unsettling expression. According to some TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) users, that’s just a few tweaks away from a Labubu.

That’s where the internet conspiracy machine kicked into gear. One user posted,

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

Another added,

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

The fact that Pazuzu and Labubu rhyme probably didn’t help calm things down.

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Critics say the panic is overblown, but some are now confronting strangers over Labubu dolls.

But as always, not everyone is buying into it. Others have jumped in to push back against the claims, saying this whole thing is being blown way out of proportion, and pointing out that the so-called ‘evidence’ is a mix of AI-generated images and a lot of imagination.

“It’s a Labubu… next to an AI image,” one user explained. “They’re making videos and posts as if that’s an actual historical artifact. Pazuzu does not even look like that. It’s a Mesopotamian god. Fear mongering is weird.”

Another put it more bluntly:

“I see the ‘Labubu is Pazuzu’ idiocy has reached X. If you know anything about demonology, then you know that is the dumbest f***ing thing you ever heard.”

Outside of social media, even real-world encounters have taken a strange turn. One Reddit user said they were approached at a store while carrying a Labubu in their bag.

A worker said,

“You know those things are really cute, but if you knew what they stood for you’d no longer want it,” and went on to call it demonic.

The post ended with them saying:

“I’ve seen discourse on TikTok about Labubus being demonic but never thought people took that serious enough to approach strangers.”X

A Redditor clarified Labubus aren’t demonic, they’re Nordic folklore-inspired toys by artist Kasing Lung.

That prompted another Redditor to clear things up:

“There’s a dumb AI photo of a Labubu next to a ‘demon’ that looks like a Labubu (just AI generated), and a bunch of people think Labubus come from demons. Labubus come from the same Nordic myth as Where The Wild Things Are, no demons—just mischievous forest dwellers.”

To be clear, there’s absolutely no actual link between Labubu and any religious or demonic figure. The dolls were created by artist Kasing Lung, a Hong Kong designer known for blending childlike wonder with darker, fairy tale vibes.

His inspiration came from Nordic folklore, not ancient Mesopotamian demonology.

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Understanding the Psychology Behind Collectible Obsession

It's not surprising that collectibles like Labubu dolls captivate people's interest. This phenomenon is deeply rooted in our psychology. According to Dr. Ruth Formanek in her article 'Why Keep Things?', collecting can satisfy several psychological needs, such as the need for continuity and permanence, and the need to ease insecurity and anxiety. So, it's no wonder these dolls are becoming a pop culture sensation.

Popular figures like Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, and Dua Lipa showcasing these dolls can certainly spur their popularity. In psychology, this is known as the 'celebrity endorsement' effect. Research from McCracken's Meaning Transfer Model explains how the cultural meaning of celebrities can be transferred to the products they endorse, making them seem more appealing to consumers.

Pop Mart, the company behind the toys, hasn’t made any official statements on the whole Pazuzu theory. But they did post a tongue-in-cheek April Fools’ “recall notice” in response to the demon panic - because apparently, that’s where we’re at now.

So if you’re a Labubu fan, there’s no need to toss your collection in the trash or burn sage over your bookshelf. Whether you think they’re cute, creepy, or somewhere in between, rest easy knowing the only thing haunting your keychain is limited-edition hype.

What Research Shows About the 'Creepy' Factor

The 'creepy' factor of Labubu dolls may also contribute to their popularity. According to research by Kumar and Jha, the uncanny valley theory suggests that objects that imperfectly resemble humans can evoke both fascination and discomfort. This dual emotional response could explain the allure of these dolls, as people are drawn to the strange yet familiar.

Analysis & Alternative Approaches

In conclusion, the popularity of Labubu dolls can be explained through a combination of psychological theories. The intrinsic human desire for continuity and permanence, the impact of celebrity endorsement and the 'uncanny valley' theory all contribute to this phenomenon. As we continue to explore the complex relationship between pop culture and psychology, we can better understand why certain trends take hold while others fade away.