Social media is notorious for popularizing trends and short-lived fads that captivate millions of users. From various dances and foods, to even water bottles, this overload of propaganda results in crazes that allure others into following the trend, whether they are enjoyable, fun, or practical. With that said, a new fad has recently captivated the media: Labubu dolls. These small, plush dolls, which originated in China, have a creative and unique appearance. Some feel these dolls make for a fun accessory that’s often reminiscent and nostalgic, while others may be skeptical of their appearance, history, and costs.
In this article, we discuss the following question:
Are Labubu dolls worth the craze?
| Support: Yes, Labubu dolls are worth the craze! | Opposition: No, Labubus are not worth the craze! |
| 1. A Cute and Innovative Accessory Humans are often seen purchasing accessories to decorate their homes and bags with. Labubus are just another one of those accessories. People build aesthetics off their Labubus, pairing clothes, bags, and accessories with the plush keychains. While some people buy multiple Labubus, many often only buy one, costing around thirty-five dollars after shipping. While this can be seen as pricey, people have spent equal amounts of money on similar items such as regular stuffed animals, figurines, and action figures. This price can help people hone their creative spirits as they work to personalize their Labubus to their preferences. People have been seen dressing up their Labubus, creating full on wardrobes paired with nail and lash extensions. | 1. Terrifying and Hazardous Labubu dolls have a wide smile accompanied with spikey teeth, a grimace of pure evil intent that could spook anyone. Additionally, Labubu dolls have been linked to the ancient Mesopotamian demon Pazuzu due to their physical similarities, which has sparked controversy over its demonic roots. To add on, their high demand has sparked physical altercations between consumers in stores in attempts to obtain this doll. The fact that Labubu dolls are scary themselves, and have caused physical disputes goes to show how these dolls have and will pin humanity against each other. |
| 2. A Visit Back to Childhood Labubus are not only popular among children but with adults as well. Many adults seem drawn to the plushes as a way to connect back to their inner child. Under all the stress of work and responsibilities, adults can find an escape through items that remind them of childhood, when things were less complicated. Many find joy in collecting Labubus as it reminds them of past collectibles that they once collected such as Barbie dolls, Littlest Pet Shop pets, and more. For children, it is their current collectible, one that they can look back on in the future and recall as a fond memory. Labubus can be both a way for adults to spend their money on something that makes them happy and for children to collect and play with, just as we did with other objects. | 2. Unnecessary Overconsumption The price of a single Labubu doll can be enough to cover a meal for at least two people. If one aims to continuously collect these figures, prices can add up, and money that could’ve been saved or spent on something more productive could be mindlessly spent on a Labubu doll that is only a short-term internet craze. Like the Stanley water bottles or Dubai chocolate, these all gained short-lived popularity through social media, and eventually lost that momentum. Falling into this trap can result in an unnecessary use of money that could instead be saved or used toward a more sustainable purpose. |