Who Is Labubu, Really?
🌱 A Character Rooted in Childhood & Folklore
In 1972, Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung moved with his family to the Netherlands at just seven years old. With limited Dutch, he spent his early years absorbed in European storybooks. Drawing became his escape—many of those early sketches laid the foundation for a world inspired by Nordic elves and forest myths.
🧚♀️ The Birth of “The Monsters”
While working as an illustrator in Hong Kong and Belgium, Lung published a few children’s books before unveiling The Monsters in 2015. This was no linear fairy tale—rather, it was a series of sketchbooks and illustrated books introducing a whole tribe of curious creatures, each with distinct traits. Labubu, the rabbit-eared elf with a crooked, toothy grin, was the first among them—and very quickly became a fan favorite.
🖋 Who Is Labubu, Really?
Labubu is a lovable trickster: well-meaning, adventurous, but eternally clumsy. She means well—yet chaos seems to follow in her wake. Over nine years, Lung reflected, Labubu started out mischievous and wild, but as both creator and creation have matured, she’s also revealed a calmer, gentler side.
Interestingly, Labubu is female—just one of the many spirited “Monsters” who blur the line between fantasy and reality.
🧩 A Whole Cast of Monsters
Labubu shares her world with a quirky ensemble:
- Zimomo: the tribe’s leader, similar in appearance but distinguished by a tail.
- Tycoco: a shy, vegetarian skeleton—rumored to be Labubu’s romantic interest.
- Mokoko, Pippo, Spooky, and others round out a forested society, each with design quirks contributed by his daughter’s baby-name brainstorming sessions .
Kasing Lung designed this as a shared universe—no single character is the absolute star. Instead, each Monster brings its own history, personality, and charm.
🎨 A Blend of East & West
Labubu’s charm lies in her imperfect cuteness—nine jagged teeth, big eyes, fuzzy body—striking a “creepy-cute” balance that resonates beyond traditional kawaii aesthetics. Inspired by Nordic folklore and Chinese folklore alike, the design feels both familiar and mysteriously new—a universal invitation into Lung’s storybook forest .
🌟 An Open-ended World
There’s no rigid storyline. Instead, Lung leaves space for imagination: Labubu and her Monster friends exist as open characters in a flexible narrative. Fans write their own mini-stories, fan art, comics, even cosplay—turning this world into a community-fueled imagination playground.
🚀 What Lies Ahead?
Lung has shared plans for new picture books spotlighting Labubu, continuing to grow her story and world. For him, this isn’t just cute toy-making—it’s life-long storytelling transformed into tangible art.
In a Nutshell
- Origins: Nordic-tinged childhood in Europe, storytelling through drawing.
- Cast: Labubu leads a forest tribe of Monsters, each with unique quirks.
- Personality: Kind-hearted mischief with evolving depth over time.
- Design Philosophy: Offbeat charm from cross-cultural inspiration.
- Narrative Style: Ambiguous, flexible—fans fill in the gaps.
- Future: More storytelling, more adventures, grounded in creative freedom.
Labubu isn’t just a cute creature—she’s an invitation. A prompt. A gentle spark for creativity. Whether you sketch her in a comic, pen a short story, or dream up her next misadventure, her world is yours too.
Want help shaping a short story or script around her—and maybe her buddy Tycoco? I’d love to collaborate!