Labubus: Just another online trend or something more “Demonic” and “Cursed”
By Ayush Sachan
The mischievous elf-like creature from Pop Mart’s The Monsters series known as Labubu has taken the virtual screens and the world by storm. It’s wide grin, pointy ears, and endless collectible versions have become a new talk of the town in the eyes of people as it has now earned the status of symbol among Gen Z collectors. But a trail of controversy that has followed its popularity that can not be hid behind the plush smiles and vinyl faces.
It was created by Hong Kong-based illustrator Kasing Lung and it garnered its popularity through a collaboration with Chinese toy giant Pop Mart, It may have began as a quirky collectible for art-toy enthusiasts but it has managed to become a full-blown global obsession. But like many internet phenomena, Labubu’s rise to fame hasn’t come without its share of drama, controversy, and conspiracy.
When Cute And Cuddly Becomes Creepy And Demonic
the Toy shared a resemblance to Pazuzu, a demon from Mesopotamian lore, and some users claimed that it had brought “bad energy” into their homes while others shared bizarre anecdotes, sudden illnesses, relationship breakups, appliances breaking down etc. and they all had but one thing to blame, their Labubu figure.
Theories ranged from humorous to genuinely unsettling, but the virality of the claims sparked a minor panic. Some owners began tossing their figures, with hashtags like #LabubuCurse on the trend.
Pop Mart had to eventually respond, and it started with stating that Labubu is entirely fictional and had no connection to demons, occult figures, or spiritual beliefs. Even after the clarification the paranoia refused to die down completely, showcasing how quickly the internet can turn something innocent and fun into a folklore.
Why Did People Even Believe It?
There were not one but many factors that made the “Labubu Curse” believable to many:
- Uncanny Design: The line between cute and creepy is where the Labubus stand, with its wide grin and nine jagged teeth toe. The design of Labubus are one of the reason why it looks like a cursed object.
- Blind Box Mystery: The surprise factor in Labubu’s blind box sales adds to its mystique, the “who knows what you’re bringing home?” approach is another reason why people might be so skeptical about the toy
- Collective Psychology: In a world increasingly shaped by online trends and belief cycles, all it takes is one viral post to plant a seed,
- Cultural Superstition: In many cultures, toys and dolls have long been viewed as vessels for spirits or energy especially when they have humanoid features, and the features of Labubu is what cemented peoples belief of it being a vessel for a demon.
So Is The Labubu Actually Cursed?
Short answer: No.
There is literally zero historical, mythological, or spiritual basis connecting Labubu to demons or curses. The character was born from an artist’s imagination and has been a symbol of whimsy, not related to any kind of witchcraft.
But like all things in pop culture, Labubu has become more than just a toy it’s now a symbol of how fear, superstition, and storytelling collide in the digital age.
Final thoughts
The Labubu Curse controversy may fade as fast as it rose, but its impact will be remembered as one of the strangest internet-driven moral panics of 2025. The Labubu will be remembered as another victim of the virality of the internet and something new that people on the internet need to talk about just as the recent Coldplay gate incident. It also raises important questions about our relationship with collectibles, belief systems, and the viral nature of fear.
Until then, if you’ve got a Labubu figure on your shelf don’t worry. It’s not cursed. It’s just misunderstood.