Annie Koehler, 10

Why don’t you like labubus?

“They look really creepy, like, really creepy. People have them hung up in their cars, and they’re not very cute. They’re just not great overall. They’re scary.”

Why do you think they’re so popular?

“I honestly have no idea. They shouldn’t be in my opinion.”

Thoughts on them being demonic? 

“I don’t think so, but I wouldn’t doubt it.”

Levi Weisser, 11

Why do you like labubus?

“They’re cute and fluffy, and they’re a small key chain so you can wear them.”

Why do you think they’re so popular?

“It was the loot box system that Pop Mart created. It’s the fact that you could get a rare one that’s very valuable. That makes you feel like you’re better than everybody else.”

Thoughts on them being demonic? 

“I could see that, but I think it’s also design. It’s meant to be a monster, not necessarily a demon.”

Zienna Reeder, 9

Why don’t you like labubus?

“They’re cute and stupid, and I like cute and stupid things a lot. They’re pretty pointless, but they’re cute, stupid and fun to carry around.”

Why do you think they’re so popular?

“They’re expensive, and people just buy expensive things because they’re dumb. They’re just a toy, but it’s Pop Mart, and Pop Mart is expensive.”

Thoughts on them being demonic? 

“I can see why people think that because they look creepy, but they’re not demonic — they’re toys.”

Max Bates, 12

Why don’t you like Labubus?

“I’m trying to start the anti-performative rise. Being performative has gone too far, and honestly, it’s just getting old. We need to start a new trend and actually embracing manlihood. I’m not saying being performative is bad or anything. We need a culture change, a culture shift. So I’m actually starting the Anti-Performative League.”

Why do you think they became popular?

“Just the scarcity of it — since it was hard to get, there were limited drops and it was this new thing that people would show off.”