My DMs have been a weird place this past month.
As the owner of PopNya, a store that specializes in designer toys, I'm used to questions about restocks, shipping times, and whether I can help someone find a chase figure. But lately, the questions have taken a sharp turn into the bizarre.
"Are LABUBU dolls evil?" "I saw a video linking LABUBU to a demon called Pazuzu. Is this true?" "My mom wants me to get rid of my collection because she read they are demonic."
Honestly, my first reaction was to laugh. Then, a wave of frustration. We're talking about LABUBU. The mischievous, buck-toothed little monster created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. A character born from sketches of European folklore and whimsical fairy tales. And now, he's the subject of a full-blown internet moral panic.
So let's get this out of the way. The whole labubu doll controversy is, for the most part, a ridiculous internet-fueled misunderstanding. It's a perfect storm of a viral TikTok, lazy comparisons, and a general lack of knowledge about the artist and the world he created.
And here's my hot take: it's the best thing that could have happened for the brand's visibility, even if it's for the wrong reasons.
Where Did This "Demonic" Thing Even Come From?
This whole mess started, as most modern hysterias do, on social media. A user, likely unfamiliar with Kasing Lung's work, pointed out a superficial resemblance between LABUBU and ancient depictions of Pazuzu, a Mesopotamian demon. You know, the one from The Exorcist.
Let's break down their "evidence": big ears, a wide toothy grin, and sometimes wings.
By that logic, Stitch from Lilo & Stitch is also Pazuzu. So are the Gremlins. And a solid half of the characters from Pokémon. It's a classic case of pattern-seeking where none exists. People see a couple of shared has and jump to the most sensational conclusion possible.
Anyone who has followed Kasing Lung's art for more than five minutes knows his inspirations are rooted in a much more innocent place. He draws from a deep well of European fairy tales and his own imaginative world of "The Monsters," where characters like LABUBU, Zimomo, and Tycoco go on adventures. It's a world of mischief, not malice. Of childlike wonder, not ancient evil. To even suggest a link to Pazuzu shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the art. If you're curious about the real story, understanding who owns LABUBU and his creative origins is a much better use of your time.
This isn't the first time a toy has been the target of a moral panic. Cabbage Patch Kids were supposedly demonic. Furbies were accused of spying. It's a recurring cycle, and now it's LABUBU's turn in the barrel.
The Collector's Reality vs. The Online Noise
Here's where my experience as a seller gives me a perspective these viral videos and news articles just don't have. This is the information gain you won't get from a generic write-up.
In the past month, while this "controversy" has been raging online, do you know how many customers have contacted me to return a LABUBU because they thought it was possessed?
Zero. Not a single one.
Do you know how many have emailed me because their LABUBU Macaron figure had a tiny paint scuff on its ear, or because the box arrived with a dented corner? Dozens.
That's the reality.
Real collectors are not worried about demons. We're worried about quality control, shipping damage, and the absolute nightmare of trying to score the latest release before it sells out in three seconds.
Let's talk market data. If there were any genuine fear or backlash, the resale market would be the first place you'd see it. Prices would plummet as people panic-sold their "evil" dolls. What's actually happening?
As of writing this, a blind box from The Monsters Macaron series, which retails for about $16, is consistently selling for $25-$35 on secondary markets. The secret "Toffee" figure from that series? I've seen it go for over $200. The popular Zimomo figures (LABUBU's big brother) are even more sought-after. The market hasn't just ignored the controversy; it has actively defied it. The demand is as high as it's ever been.
In our collector communities and forums, nobody is talking about Pazuzu. The real conversations are about: * "Is the paint application on the new 'Let's Christmas' series better than the 'Sweet Bean' collab?" * "Does anyone have tips for telling a real LABUBU from a fake?" (A much more pressing concern, by the way. If you're worried, learning to spot a fake Lafufu is a real skill). * "Did anyone else get five duplicates in their case of the Fall in Wild series?" * "What are the chances Pop Mart does another release of the sought-after Labubu Red Eyes figure?" (A personal grail for many, and a piece with its own interesting lore that has nothing to do with demons).
That's the ground truth. The controversy is a sideshow. The main event is, and always has been, the art and the thrill of collecting.
Real Talk
Okay, real talk for a second. This whole labubu doll controversy is, frankly, insulting. It's insulting to the artist, Kasing Lung, who has spent years building a beautiful, intricate universe. It's insulting to the collectors who appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship. And it's insulting to anyone's intelligence. To have this vibrant world of characters boiled down to a lazy, clickbait comparison to a demon by people who've done zero research is a genuine shame. It ignores the art to chase cheap engagement. The real "controversy" in the LABUBU world isn't about ancient spirits; it's about the insane, bot-driven hype that makes it nearly impossible for genuine fans to buy a single box at retail. That's the conversation we should be having.
Why The Story Sticks (And Why That's Okay)
So why did this silly story get so much traction?
Part of it is LABUBU's design itself. Kasing Lung is a master of creating characters that are "cute-but-weird." LABUBU isn't a simple, smiling teddy bear. He has a toothy, mischievous grin. His eyes are wide and curious. He's a monster, after all. That's the whole point.
This ambiguity is a feature, not a bug. It's what makes designer toys so compelling. They have personality. They have an edge. For 99.9% of us, that edge is playful and fun. But that same ambiguity allows a small minority to project their own fears onto it. They see the pointy ears and the grin and their brain goes to "demon" instead of "mischievous forest spirit." People searching for a simple LABUBU outline are often trying to grasp this basic form, which is so simple yet so evocative.
But here's the contrarian part of my take: this is ultimately good for LABUBU.
Think about it. How many millions of people who had never heard of Pop Mart or Kasing Lung now have the name "LABUBU" burned into their brain? The old saying "any press is good press" is cynical, but it often holds true. This controversy has given LABUBU a level of name recognition that marketing dollars alone couldn't buy.
It also adds a layer of pop culture mythos to the toy. It makes it feel a little more "edgy" and "underground," even as it becomes more mainstream. In a few years, we'll look back and say, "Remember that time everyone on TikTok thought Labubus were evil? Wild." It becomes part of the toy's history, a quirky footnote that adds to its legend.
It will not deter a single serious collector. If anything, the increased awareness will likely drive more people to the hobby, potentially increasing the long-term value of the collections we're building right now.
So, if you're here because you saw a scary video and typed "labubu doll controversy" into Google, welcome. I'm glad you're here. Don't let the fear-mongering fool you. There's nothing sinister about these little vinyl figures. The only thing truly scary is the prices on the aftermarket and the speed at which they sell out.
Take a moment to look past the hype. Look at the different series, the incredible creativity, the vibrant colors, and the joyful community of fans. If you want to see for yourself what the fuss is really about, you can always browse our LABUBU collection and see the dozens of designs that have nothing to do with demons and everything to do with art.
You'll find more cute than creepy. I promise.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have a case of the new Monsters Camping series to unbox. That's the only drama I'm interested in today.
*Disclosure: PopNya may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page.
