Latest news with #TheMonsters
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Fans burn Labubu toys, fear they resemble demon Pazuzu, sparking lively debate in China
A conspiracy theory speculating that the popular Chinese plush toy Labubu is possessed by a demon has gone viral, leading some fans to burn their dolls. Labubu is a series of cute, fuzzy dolls produced by Chinese company Pop Mart and designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. The character is distinguished by its nine pointy teeth, which give it a mischievous appearance. Recently, it has been this unique look that inspired the conspiracy theory. Some users on non-Chinese social media platforms linked Labubu with Pazuzu, a Mesopotamian demon traced back to folklore from the first millennium BCE. Some users on non-Chinese social media platforms have connected Labubu with Pazuzu, a Mesopotamian demon rooted in folklore dating back to the first millennium BCE. Photo: Facebook Pazuzu is depicted as having the face of a lion or a dog and exceptionally bulging eyes. A circulating cartoon drawing shows the demon smiling, its pointy teeth on display, resembling Labubu. Some individuals have warned about the potential risk of possession by the demon if they keep their Labubu dolls. One person from overseas even burned their doll and shared the video online. Lung, Labubu's creator, previously explained that the character was inspired by ancient European elf legends. He first introduced Labubu in his illustrations a decade ago as part of his The Monsters family, which also includes characters like Tycoco and Zimomo. Lung began collaborating with Pop Mart in 2019. According to the company's description, Labubu is a kind-hearted character despite its mischievous appearance.
North Wales Chronicle
4 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Counterfeit ‘Labubu' dolls and keyrings seized in Holyhead
A total of 100 Labubu-style dolls and keyrings, which fail safety requirements and pose a risk to children, were seized yesterday (July 16) during visits to several shops. Labubu dolls, also known as The Monsters, are manufactured in China by Pop Mart, and are the latest TikTok craze endorsed by celebrities. Genuine products are limited-edition and retail for between £30 to £250 each. But high demand and limited availability has seen a rise in counterfeit items being sold globally in shops and online. A number of fake versions have been found to be poorly constructed, with limbs coming off easily, seams ripping apart, misshapen features, and removeable small parts, such as eyes, hands and feet, that could present a choking hazard. In addition, some which were tested were also found to contain harmful dyes and toxic plastics. Public protection portfolio holder at Isle of Anglesey County Council, Cllr Nicola Roberts, said: 'Unscrupulous traders are supplying counterfeit versions of the latest craze at lower prices. 'Selling cheap knock-off that doesn't meet UK safety requirements is putting local children at risk and we will not tolerate that. 'I'm pleased that these items have been seized by our trading standards officers.' Anyone seeing these items for sale on Anglesey are urged to report them to Anglesey Trading Standards by emailing tradingstandards@ or calling Citizens Advice Consumer Services helpline on 0808 223 1133, with details of where they are being sold.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Labubus are near impossible to get hold of – but you can find them in this new shop
Fuzzy, mischievous-looking, fang-toothed characters dangling from luxury bags, Labubus are the bizarre fashion trend that has the internet divided. If you've been trying to get your hands on one, you're in luck – as a new PopMart shop is opening with a fresh supply of the sold-out dolls. Despite recent fandom, the Labubu character isn't new. Designed in 2015 by Hong Kong-born illustrator Kasing Lung, it was part of his collection of characters, The Monsters, inspired by Dutch and Nordic folklore. Now, with a surge of interest in bag charms, and Labubus charms in particular, the hashtag Labubu has appeared more than 1 million times on TikTok. Demand for Labubus is so high, rare Labubus are being resold for more than £1,000 each. A few weeks ago, a child-sized Labubu sold for more than $150,000. You can also now rent Labubus for upwards of £3 a day on platforms such as By Rotation (alongside luxury accessories from the likes of Chanel and Hermès). Mainly sold by the Chinese toy company Pop Mart, the designer toy-turned-fashion-collectables are sold from Pop Mart brick-and-mortar stores, the platform's online store, and its TikTok live streams, which are usually held from 2pm to 7pm UK time, according to the Pop Mart TikTok page. To make sure you don't miss this, we'd recommend turning on your TikTok notifications. However, you need to be wary when shopping elsewhere, as counterfeit versions (jokingly referred to as 'Lafufus') are common on third-party sites, while fake Labubus have more recently been seized from brick-and-mortar shops, too. Leaning into maximalism, Labubus bring a pop of personality and fun to any outfit, so it's easy to see the appeal. Their popularity can be traced back to Lisa from the K-pop band BlackPink. Having shared Labubus on her Instagram stories, the singer confirmed her love of Pop Mart during a blind unboxing for Vanity Fair, and even referred to Labubu as her 'baby' when interviewed for Teen Vogue. Since then, Rihanna has been seen adorning her Louis Vuitton bag with a lychee berry Labubu, and Dua Lipa has also jumped on the trend. Emma Roberts also took to Instagram to open a whole blind box. Now, the charms can often be seen dangling from Birkins and Miu Miu bags, lending them a fun and colourful twist, though, of course, you don't need a designer bag to enjoy the trend. Labubu dolls are often sold in 'blind boxes'. These contain a toy chosen at random from the series, so you won't know which one you've bought until you open the box. As well as regular designs, there are also so-called 'secret edition' Labubus, which are especially rare and sought-after by collectors. The latest is the Big Into Energy series (£17.50, which dropped this spring. To give you an idea of scale, the toys are around 6in in size (about the same size as an iPhone 16). Where to buy Labubus in the UK Labubu figures are available on the Pop Mart platform, but they're usually sold out. However, if you don't mind shopping brick-and-mortar, Pop Mart's new flagship has just opened at 262 Oxford Street. The store sells exclusive drops of the collectable Labubu dolls. When it comes to online shopping, the platform does limited drops, which sell out fast. You can also head to Pop Mart shops or check the retailer's TikTok shop. It's definitely worth watching out for Pop Mart's TikTok live streams, too, as some shoppers have reportedly had more luck bagging their Labubu that way. and mini bags (£14, which you can purchase from Popmart. You might find you have more luck buying the toys at other retailers, such as StockX, Depop, eBay and the Pop Mart store on Amazon. However, remember to be wary of counterfeit versions. It pays to research the differences between the fakes and the real thing. For instance, collectors suggest looking for signs such as the brightness of the packaging, whether the dolls have a Pop Mart stamp on their foot, the number of teeth the dolls should have (nine), and the presence of a QR code on the back of the packaging, which should take you to the official Pop Mart website. There are also several Pop Mart shops in the UK, so if you'd rather buy a Labubu in person, you can head to the locations in Manchester, Birmingham, London, and Cambridge. Labubus are also available from Pop Mart's vending machines, known as Robo Shops, which can be found in London and Reading. Where to rent Labubus in the UK With the fashion rental market booming, it's perhaps no surprise that you can now rent Labubu dolls by the day. The trend may not last, so renting a doll for a specific outfit might be more cost-effective than buying your own Labubu – you might not be as keen to hang a doll off your bag once summer is over. Leading rental platform By Rotation has a variety of dolls to rent, starting at £3 a day ( Hurr has been slower to jump on the trend; at the time of writing, the platform only has one doll to rent (from £22,
Mint
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
The Simpsons did it again? Labubu doll craze sparks demonic conspiracy fuelled by viral clip
The Labubu doll, once a niche collectible designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, has now exploded into the global fashion and fandom scene. Along with its skyrocketing prices and celebrity endorsements, the toy is now at the centre of an unsettling internet theory: that it is cursed, demonic and was predicted by The Simpsons. According to a Unilad report, Labubu dolls, created through a collaboration between Pop Mart and Lung, are based on his book series The Monsters, which features a tribe of female elf-like creatures. Known for their mischievous grins and exaggerated features, Labubus are now hot items in the Gen Z market. However, not everyone is thrilled. Some users on TikTok and Reddit have claimed that the dolls radiate 'dark energy,' and one even filmed themselves burning their Labubu doll, saying that the collectible was cursed with a demon that almost ruined their life. According to another Times of India report, fueling the paranoia is a resurfaced clip from The Simpsons' 2017 Treehouse of Horror episode, where Homer orders what he believes is pizza but receives a demonic Pazuzu statue instead. The possession of baby Maggie that follows in the episode has drawn eerie parallels to Labubu's rise. Although Labubu does not resemble Pazuzu physically, who, in mythology, has wings, a canine face and talons, the vibe, some say, is disturbingly similar. Fans, as per Unilad, were quick to link the two, with one user writing on X (formerly Twitter), 'Labubu = Pazuzu. Do not invite demons into your home.' Another noted that Homer from The Simpsons brought one home and it possessed him, and added Labubus give off the same energy. Labubu's transition from underground collectible to luxury status symbol, Unilad reported, only added fuel to the fire. Once a $10 novelty, some dolls now fetch thousands on resale platforms. This shift, combined with their uncanny aesthetic, has led many to believe their rise was too strange to be organic. The report added that a viral AI-generated image comparing Pazuzu to Labubu only deepened the frenzy. It prompted conspiracy theories about demonic symbolism and spiritual danger, with some self-proclaimed spiritual influencers warning followers to avoid the collectibles altogether. As per the Unilad report, Snopes, a debunking site, took a direct approach to the theory, claiming there is 'no evidence' Labubu is modelled after Pazuzu or shares any demonic connections with any characters. Snopes acknowledged that the toys poorly resemble the ancient Mesopotamian figure and that Kasing Lung references his own characters, not myth and folklore. But the internet was not having it. Even though meme-ification of fear is rampant, Labubu has morphed from plush to paranormal and now stands at a strange intersection of fashion, fandom, folklore and fear. Pazuzu is a demon from ancient Mesopotamian mythology, often associated with evil and chaos. Labubu is a toy that has gained sudden fame due to its resemblance to Pazuzu, sparking conspiracy theories about its origins and nature. The 666th episode of The Simpsons is titled "The Burns and the Bees." Labubu dolls, created through a collaboration between Pop Mart and Lung, are based on his book series The Monsters, but viral theories now claim it was inspired by Pazuzu demon.
Mint
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Viral Labubu dolls reportedly set on fire after chilling online theory links them to demon Pazuzu
Labubu dolls, which have taken social media by storm as quirky collectibles and fashion accessories, are now being burned by concerned owners following the rise of a disturbing conspiracy theory. The dolls, based on The Monsters, an illustrated book series by Hong Kong-based studio Kasing Lung, have become an internet sensation in recent months. However, they are now at the centre of viral panic. The controversy erupted after online posts began claiming the dolls are linked to Pazuzu, a demon figure from ancient Mesopotamian mythology. The theory, which has gained traction across TikTok and other platforms, suggests the dolls are "possessed" or spiritually connected to Pazuzu—prompting some owners to destroy their dolls in fear. Images comparing the smiling face of Labubu to historical depictions of Pazuzu—often portrayed with a sinister grin, bulging eyes, and sharp features—have added fuel to the fire. Pazuzu originates from ancient Mesopotamian religion and mythology, specifically from Assyrian and Babylonian texts. He was believed to be the king of the demons of the wind and was associated with both protection and destruction. Although considered a malevolent figure, Pazuzu was paradoxically invoked to protect against other evil spirits—especially the demoness Lamashtu, who threatened pregnant women and infants. Pazuzu was also famously introduced to modern audiences in the 1973 horror classic 'The Exorcist', where he served as the film's central demonic force. His grotesque appearance and haunting presence contributed to the demon's reputation as a symbol of evil in popular culture. While the current panic around the Labubu dolls lacks any credible evidence, the emotional response has been strong. Several videos have surfaced showing people burning the dolls in symbolic acts of cleansing or protection. As of now, there has been no formal statement from the creators of Labubu or the brand behind The Monsters series. Meanwhile, collectors and cultural critics alike continue to debate whether the reaction is justified concern or another case of viral hysteria.
