Digital artist and animator Movail claims Duolingo asked them to remove fan-made content featuring one of the company’s best-known mascots. In a November 3 post, the artist said they had deleted their Duolingo-related work at the request of what they described as the company’s legal team.
However, Movail has not shared evidence of a formal legal notice, and Duolingo has not confirmed making such a request. The announcement attracted attention online, with fans questioning the company’s reported approach to fan art and how much control brands should have over independent artists’ interpretations of their characters.
The character involved is Lily, Duolingo’s purple-haired, emo teenager. She’s known for her dry humor and blunt responses in the sometimes controversial language-learning app.
Artist claims Duolingo asked them to remove their work
Movail had been sharing animated videos featuring Lily with followers and Patreon subscribers. According to Dexerto, one animation brought the artist’s work to a much wider audience.
On October 31, Movail reportedly posted an animated loop featuring Lily alongside the caption, “Don’t give up on your lessons!” The video allegedly attracted around 30 million views within days.
The animation’s suggestive portrayal of Lily became a point of contention, given that Duolingo presents the character as a teenager. Movail has not shared the correspondence behind the alleged removal request, leaving the circumstances unclear.
On November 3, the artist announced on X that they had deleted their Duolingo-related posts. The artist also apologized to followers and announced a break from creating Duolingo-related content. Movail also revealed they had maintained a Duolingo learning streak for more than four years and credited Lily with helping motivate them to keep studying.
The announcement has since prompted reactions from fans and digital creators. Some have criticized Duolingo over the alleged request, while others have shared references to the deleted animations.
Duolingo is yet to comment on the artist’s claims
Much of the criticism has focused on the company’s online persona. Duolingo has built a social media presence around edgy jokes, provocative humor, and an intentionally chaotic version of its green owl mascot. Critics have questioned why a company that embraces provocative marketing would reportedly object to an independent artist’s interpretation of one of its characters.
Duolingo has not publicly addressed Movail’s claims. There is also no confirmation that a formal copyright complaint, trademark notice, or other legal action was involved.
For now, the account of what happened comes from Movail. Without supporting correspondence or a response from Duolingo, the circumstances behind the artist’s decision remain unverified.
Published: Nov 5, 2026 09:45 am