Carbuncles are most certainly worth it. I have no self control when it comes to carbuncle related merch.
I literally built a Yu-Gi-Oh deck just so I could use a card based on a carbuncle. And bought several Final Fantasy games because of the summon. And am considering spending Ł17 on a carbuncle mount for FFXIV, despite not actually having a sub for the game yet.
I might need help.