The Red & White

Labubus are more than just an innocent keychain; in just one summer, they have grown into a fad sweeping across the globe, consequently emerging as a hot topic on the Hilltop. A schoolwide poll of the St. George’s student body asked if they knew about the creepy collectibles and what their opinions were. Of 162 students who responded to the poll, a whopping 90 percent were aware of the existence of the trendy plush toys. When asked about their opinions toward them, students were evidently divided in their views; over 75 percent indicated that they strongly disliked or hated Labubus, whereas only 17 percent felt positively about them. Indeed, it is rare for the student body to achieve such majority in opinion. Some even went so far as to describe them as “demonic,” the root of “all world problems,” or even “a symptom of our economic nightmare.” What was once perceived as just a simple keychain is now a heavily contested global frenzy and symbol of consumerism.

Labubus originated over a decade ago in 2015, yet did not start to garner popularity until around 2020. The toy is most typically released in a blind box, concealing its color from the buyer. Over time, blind boxes became in vogue, and with them, Labubus. It was not until they reached the mainstream, however, that people began to turn against them.  

But what makes this new fad so controversial? While they may be strange in their uncomely faces, the hate directed toward these fuzzy creatures appears unjustified. It could be the high price that comes with the rarer forms of the toy. However, stuffed animals like Beanie Babies have garnered attention in the past without receiving nearly as much hatred. No other stuffed toy has been quite as relevant as the Labubu, whether that be due to hate or love.

The Labubu controversy lies in a deeper societal context. Many are quick to note the toy’s association with the rise in consumerism as a rationale for this hatred. Its swift increase in popularity parallels that of Stanley Cups and fidget spinners, other trends of the last decade. Similar to Labubus, global society bought into these trends, with many people spending hundreds of dollars on them. These items, while arguably pointless, are not inherently harmful; Labubus, Stanley Cups, and fidget spinners were all given extreme amounts of hate for seemingly no reason. Out of this resentment, however, rises an unexpected unity.

In a society rapidly growing more polarized, Labubus, Stanley Cups, and fidget spinners serve as a common enemy, uniting people in their shared disdain. Controversy on the lines of politics and beliefs is widespread. But ideological debates risk fractured relationships and deepening divides. The people want something to hate; that is undeniable. Labubus offer an outlet for this need, without posing risks of actual controversy. Whether you love or hate them, Labubus unite the people.