Is There a Demon Inside Your Labubu Doll? The TikTok Viral Theory Explained

Labubus are collectible dolls that have taken social media by storm. But recently, rumors have begun to circulate that the dolls are connected to evil energy—specifically, to the Mesopotamian demon Pazuzu. We’re here to find out if there’s anything to the rumors, including whether they’re true, how they got started, and if Pazuzu and Labubus even look alike.

Are Labubu dolls really cursed?

There’s no evidence that Labubu dolls are cursed, haunted, or connected to demonic lore. The Labubu dolls were inspired by Nordic folklore, and while some online users have attempted to connect them to the Mesopotamian demon Pazuzu, there’s nothing to suggest they’re actually linked.

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Are Labubu dolls evil?

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There’s no reason to believe that Labubu dolls are evil. Labubu dolls are mischievous characters, but there’s nothing in their lore that connects them to any evil entities like demons. Labubu dolls are specifically linked to the demonic entity Pazuzu—but that demon originated in ancient Mesopotamian literature (near modern-day Iraq). Labubus are influenced by Nordic fairy tales, which are unlikely to have been influenced by the Pazuzu myth.^{[1]
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- That said, some people find Labubu dolls creepy, and urban legends have been circulating on social media claiming that Labubu dolls move on their own or that owners experienced odd events after bringing them home.^{[2]
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- As a result of the rumors, some people have gotten rid of or even destroyed their Labubu dolls.

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How did the Labubu demon rumors start?

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The rumor started in a video that linked Labubus to the demon Pazuzu. The now-deleted video from TikTok user @Nocorious compared images of Labubu to the ancient Mesopotamian deity Pazuzu, claiming that Labubu dolls look like the demon.^{[3]
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Research source}The demonic rumors were only fueled when social media users unearthed a 2017 episode of The Simpsons in which a statue of Pazuzu possesses several family members. ^{[4]
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- This archived post shows a Labubu doll next to an image of Pazuzu, saying, “Labubu toys look cute until you realize they’re Pazuzu-inspired demons. Just like in The Simpsons … You’re not adopting a toy you’re inviting evil in.”
- A similar post shows Pazuzu, Labubu, and Homer Simpson, with a caption that says, “Do not buy this demonic toy for your children or yourself!!”
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Paranoia around Labubus has been fueled by Christian influencers. The rumors gained traction with Christian influencers like Taylor Alesia and Daniel Adams, who claim that even if Labubus aren’t related to the demon Pazuzu, the Nordic fairy tales that inspired Lung are demonic in nature. The immense popularity of Labubu dolls is no doubt driving traffic to the videos making these claims, and the ideas have spread like wildfire.
- These claims may have gotten a foothold in part because Labubu dolls are polarizing in their own right. Some people think they’re ugly and don’t understand the buzz around them. Others oppose PopMart’s limited releases of blind boxes, which they say fuels overconsumption and obsessive shopping behaviors.
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Some Labubu owners say strange events occurred after they got the doll. People online are claiming that Labubus have “dark energy.” Some owners say they’ve seen the dolls or other objects in their homes moving around on their own. They also say that their Labubu watches them wherever they go, that their Labubu changed in appearance, or that they’ve experienced anxiety or increased arguing within their family since bringing a Labubu home.^{[5]
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- Some people even say they’ve woken up with scratches since they got their Labubu.
- In this video, exorcist Father Carlos admits he’s not knowledgeable about the toys, but he says that if they are demon-connected, people should “avoid that.”^{[6]
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It’s important to note that none of these claims are verified. That said, the rumors have led some people to throw out their Labubus. Some videos even show people setting their Labubu dolls on fire and/or tearing them apart—whether they’re sincere or doing it for social media clout is anyone’s guess.
- Others have embraced the rumors with good humor, like TikToker @alejandroordonezgon05 who posted a video of their little sister sprinkling holy water on her Labubu at church.

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Who is Pazuzu?

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Pazuzu is an ancient Mesopotamian demonic god. He was the king of wind demons. And, despite being classified as a demon, he’s not depicted as entirely evil. In fact, he was known for helping protect humans from other demons, like Lamashtu, who killed children, caused plagues and famine, and preyed on pregnant women.^{[7]
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- Pazuzu was brought into popular culture in the movie The Exorcist—he’s named as the demon possessing the young girl in the film.^{[8]
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Do Labubus and Pazuzu really look alike?

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No, there’s not really much resemblance. The image of Pazuzu that’s widely circulated in memes is actually AI-generated and doesn’t look much like the ancient depictions of Pazuzu. According to ancient mythology, Pazuzu had a dog-like head, bulging eyes, scales, talons, and wings.^{[9]
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Research source} Labubu has rabbit-like ears, a fuzzy body, and a mischievous grin featuring 9 pointed teeth.
- The AI-generated image of Pazuzu shows a horned, winged creature with a hooked nose and sharp teeth—much like a traditional Middle Ages demon would look. (The resemblance to Labubu is still tenuous.)

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What’s the real story behind Labubu dolls?

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Labubu dolls were created by artist Kasing Lung. The Labubu are part of Lung’s 2015 fantasy book series The Monsters. Lung was born in Hong Kong but moved to the Netherlands in childhood. He has stated that the characters in The Monsters—including Labubu—were inspired by the Nordic fairytales he read there as a child.^{[10]
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- Lung teamed up with Chinese toy company Pop Mark to release the line of Labubu toys, which skyrocketed in popularity after being seen with celebrities like BLACKPINK’s Lisa and singer Rihanna.

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Has the Labubu creator responded to the controversy?

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No, at this time, Kasing Lung hasn’t commented on the rumors. However, he has spoken about his inspiration for Labubu and The Monsters, making it clear that they’re elves that he created based on his love of fairy tales and fantasy stories. He’s also stated that while they can be mischievous, they’re kind-hearted creatures who love being helpful.^{[11]
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- This video features an interview with Lung where he discusses his childhood love of Nordic fairy tales and how he drew inspiration from them for The Monsters.