Claims that a popular toy collectible was actually inspired by a demon from ancient folklore circulated online in July 2025. Some users claimed that Labubu, a cute, fuzzy monster with big eyes and a wide grin that has become an international sales sensation, was inspired by a demon called Pazuzu.
Users on social media platforms like Facebook (archived), TikTok (archived) and Instagram (archived) posted images of the toy alongside renderings of the demon and warned followers, "Do not buy this demonic toy for your children or yourself!!"
Some even included a clip from "The Simpsons" that featured Homer Simpson welcoming a Pazuzu doll into the house only for it to possess the youngest Simpson sibling Maggie (the claim below erroneously declared it possessed Homer).
Despite these users encouraging followers to heed their warning, there was no evidence to suggest that Labubu was inspired by the demon Pazuzu.
Labubu was a character in a 2015 storybook series called "The Monsters" by cartoonist Kasing Lung. The characters in "The Monsters" were turned into toys sold exclusively by the China-based retailer Pop Mart, where they became an international sales phenomenon thanks in part to fandom from internationally known celebrities like Lisa and Rihanna.
We've reached out to Lung for comment on any possible relationship between Labubu and Pazuzu and will update this article if we receive a response. We have opted not to give this claim a rating until we can receive confirmation from Lung directly that Pazuzu was not an inspiration for his character. However, based on available evidence and interviews given by Lung, it seemed that while characters in folklore had a direct influence on "The Monsters," Pazuzu was likely not one of them.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) Europe, viewable on YouTube, Lung explained he moved from Hong Kong to the Netherlands at age 7 and was given storybooks and fairy tales to help him learn the Dutch language. "I went to school, and the teacher gave me many children's books, picture books, to help me learn Dutch quickly," Lung said.
"I also remember reading many fairy tales from Northern Europe and Scandinavia. I spent a lot of time reading in the library to improve my Dutch," the artist continued. "After my studies, I was preparing to become an artist. I always thought about my childhood, what I've read and what I've always loved. So I've always come up with something related to the fairy tales and what I loved so much when I was a kid."
Further, the fan-operated archive Pop Collector World described "The Monsters" as a "Nordic fairy tale" and wrote of Labubu specifically: "At the heart of it all is Labubu — the most iconic Monster — recognizable by her pointy ears and serrated grin. Though her mischievous appearance suggests trouble, Labubu is kind-hearted and always eager to help, even if her good intentions often lead to chaos. Her bright, cheerful smile reminds us that a little positivity can lift our spirits, even in the toughest times."
While Lung has been clear about the mythological influences on "The Monsters," he specifically pointed to Northern Europe and Scandinavia. Pazuzu, however, originated from ancient Mesopotamia, a region of the Middle East now known as Iraq.
According to "Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia: An Illustrated Dictionary" by Jeremy Black and Anthony Green, "Pazuzu was an Assyrian and Babylonian demonic god of the first millennium BC. He is represented with a rather canine face with abnormally bulging eyes, a scaly body, a snakeheaded penis, the talons of a bird and usually wings. He is often regarded as an evil underworld demon."
("Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia: An Illustrated Dictionary")
Based on the physical description alone, it's clear Labubu does not physically resemble illustrations of Pazuzu, nor does it match the cultural influence that Lung cites.
Though most ancient Mesopotamian figures are not common knowledge in popular culture, Pazuzu was named as the demon who possesses 12-year-old Regan MacNeil in "The Exorcist," which in the film is uncovered at an archaeological dig in Iraq.
As a result, Pazuzu has permeated pop culture since, including a 2017 Halloween episode of "The Simpsons" that featured Homer Simpson ordering a statue of the demon Pazuzu thinking it was pizza.
It is likely no coincidence that clips from that episode, "Treehouse of Horror XXVIII," circulated with some claims suggesting Pazuzu inspired Labubu. However, there is no evidence, including from interviews with the creator of Labubu herself, that this is the case.