Labubu went from America’s most viral toy to a doll linked with Pazuzu and demonic vibes: The rise and fall of a toy explained
Saloni Jha | Jul 18, 2025, 19:29 IST
Highlight of the story: Labubu, once TikTok’s cutest collectable, has spiralled from viral sensation to internet horror story in just twelve weeks. What started as a designer toy frenzy has taken a dark, demonic turn, cue haunted stories, cursed theories, and Pop Mart hitting the panic button. Welcome to 2025’s weirdest modern-day folklore.
Twelve weeks ago, Labubu was the must-have. Think designer shelves, TikTok unboxings, and fans queuing like Swifties outside Pop Mart stores. With its big eyes, pointy ears, and slightly gremlin-core grin, the elf-like vinyl toy was everywhere. Resale prices exploded. People fought at airports. Even your chillest friend was posting #LabubuHaul videos.
Then… it flipped. Hard.
What began as a harmless collector’s obsession has now been swallowed by chaos. Out of nowhere, Labubu went from loveable to downright sinister. Reddit threads and TikToks are now swarming with creepy claims, nightmares, weird electrical flickers, aggressive pets, and that unsettling sensation of being watched.
One TikToker insisted their Labubu literally moved on its own. Another Redditor said buying one brought a heavy “presence” into their room. The internet, naturally, lost its mind.
Just when things could not get weirder, they did. A now-deleted TikTok sent conspiracy-lovers into a frenzy by comparing Labubu to Pazuzu, the ancient demon from Mesopotamian mythology (yes, the same one referenced in The Exorcist). The similarities? Big staring eyes, those cursed pointy ears, and that unnervingly cheeky smile.
#CursedLabubu and #DemonDoll started trending within hours. Some brushed it off as viral silliness. Others? Already ordering sage online.
Sensing the hysteria, Pop Mart stepped in with a damage-control post on Weibo and Instagram. The brand dismissed the supernatural claims but admitted that customer discomfort was being taken seriously. Sales were paused, refunds were offered, and future Labubu drops got shelved.
But Gen Z being Gen Z, the acknowledgement only made things feel more cursed. If it really was nothing… then why hit the brakes so hard?
Resellers are in chaos. Some are offloading their Labubus like they are possessed Furby twins, while others are charging absurd prices for “possibly haunted” pieces. “I don’t care if it triples in value, I want it out of my house,” said one panic seller in a Facebook group.
Whether this is internet madness or genuine cursed energy is up for debate. But one thing is very legit here, Labubu has officially crossed the line from fandom to folklore.
Then… it flipped. Hard.
Wang Ning becomes China’s
Labubu was the IT girl of dolls, only until it wasn’t
What began as a harmless collector’s obsession has now been swallowed by chaos. Out of nowhere, Labubu went from loveable to downright sinister. Reddit threads and TikToks are now swarming with creepy claims, nightmares, weird electrical flickers, aggressive pets, and that unsettling sensation of being watched.
Where can you get the vir
One TikToker insisted their Labubu literally moved on its own. Another Redditor said buying one brought a heavy “presence” into their room. The internet, naturally, lost its mind.
The Pazuzu theory
Just when things could not get weirder, they did. A now-deleted TikTok sent conspiracy-lovers into a frenzy by comparing Labubu to Pazuzu, the ancient demon from Mesopotamian mythology (yes, the same one referenced in The Exorcist). The similarities? Big staring eyes, those cursed pointy ears, and that unnervingly cheeky smile.
The rise of the Labubu ob
Planning to buy a Labubu?
#CursedLabubu and #DemonDoll started trending within hours. Some brushed it off as viral silliness. Others? Already ordering sage online.
Pop Mart reacts, and that only fuels the fire around demonic Labubu
Sensing the hysteria, Pop Mart stepped in with a damage-control post on Weibo and Instagram. The brand dismissed the supernatural claims but admitted that customer discomfort was being taken seriously. Sales were paused, refunds were offered, and future Labubu drops got shelved.
Chinese fund manager ride
But Gen Z being Gen Z, the acknowledgement only made things feel more cursed. If it really was nothing… then why hit the brakes so hard?
Resellers are in chaos. Some are offloading their Labubus like they are possessed Furby twins, while others are charging absurd prices for “possibly haunted” pieces. “I don’t care if it triples in value, I want it out of my house,” said one panic seller in a Facebook group.
Planning to buy a Labubu?
Whether this is internet madness or genuine cursed energy is up for debate. But one thing is very legit here, Labubu has officially crossed the line from fandom to folklore.