A city has reportedly banned Labubu dolls as conspiracy theories around the viral toys continue to swirl.
The quirky plush collectibles, known for their furry texture, pointy teeth and wide grins, have been flying off shelves in recent months. Labubus come in a variety of colours and editions, but much of their appeal lies in the ‘blind box’ format, buyers don’t know which one they’re getting until they open the package.
But that element of surprise is exactly why officials in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, have moved to prohibit them.
According to local outlet Rudaw, the city’s commercial monitoring authorities have cited both consumer exploitation and cultural concerns as reasons for the crackdown.
Hogir Ali, director of Erbil’s commercial monitoring body, explained the issue with blind box sales, saying: “These sales tactics misled consumers, especially when lower prices were advertised for dolls that were unavailable, pushing buyers toward more expensive options.”
Ali added that “the appearance of the doll is far from our customs and traditions.”
To date, roughly 2,000 Labubu dolls have reportedly been seized, and legal action has been taken against six businesses. Erbil’s provincial authorities and civil police are also said to be supporting the ban.
While consumer protection and cultural standards were the stated reasons, the move comes as Labubu dolls have become the subject of intense speculation online, including wild conspiracy theories.
Some social media users have likened the dolls to Pazuzu, a demon from ancient Mesopotamian mythology known for its lion-like face, bird talons, and wings. The figure was also portrayed in the 1973 horror film The Exorcist.
As this theory spreads, some internet users have claimed the toys carry “demonic energy” and have posted videos of themselves burning them.
Others, however, have mocked the panic, noting that similar “satanic” theories have been directed at children’s toys before, from Furbies to Cabbage Patch Kids.
Meanwhile, Kasing Lung, the Hong Kong-born artist behind Labubu, has never suggested anything remotely sinister. His designs are instead inspired by “the whimsical folklore and Nordic fairy tales that he grew up with”, a far cry from anything demonic.