The World of The Monsters
An In-Depth Look at Zimomo, Labubu, and Their Creator
Kasing Lung (龙家昇)
The Visionary Artist
The Creator and His Vision
The enchanting world of Zimomo and Labubu springs from the imagination of Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. Inspired by the rich tapestry of Nordic folklore and fairy tales, he first brought these mischievous elf-like creatures to life in his 2015 picture book, "Mysterious Buka." This laid the foundation for "The Monsters" universe, a whimsical world that would soon captivate audiences globally through a blockbuster partnership with Pop Mart.
Zimomo vs. Labubu: A Family Deep-Dive
Zimomo
"The Leader"
- Key Feature: Possesses a long, slender tail.
- Size: Typically larger in stature. Zimomo 3.0 is a large-scale "Big Figure."
- Role: Considered the "leader" or chieftain figure within The Monsters family.
Labubu
"The Family"
- Key Feature: Has no tail.
- Size: Generally smaller and exists in a vast "family" of characters.
- Global Icon: Skyrocketed to fame, partly due to being a favorite of Blackpink's Lisa.
Shared DNA
Despite their differences, both share the same artistic DNA: large, expressive eyes, pointy ears, and a signature smile of jagged teeth. They are two sides of the same creative coin, complementing each other in story and market presence.
Meet The Complete Monsters Family
Beyond Zimomo and Labubu lies an enchanting universe of unique characters, each with their own personality, backstory, and role in The Monsters' mystical forest community.
Zimomo - The Leader
Chief of the Labubu Elves
As the commanding leader of the Labubu elves, Zimomo stands apart with his distinctive spiked tail that sets him apart from his tail-less companions. Originally designed with a rounder face compared to Labubu's squarish features, Zimomo embodies leadership and wisdom in The Monsters universe.
In the original story series, Zimomo is depicted as twice the size of Labubu, emphasizing his role as the protector and guide of the forest community. The magnificent "I Found You" vinyl face doll stands an impressive 58cm tall, showcasing Zimomo in all his fluffy, larger-than-life glory.
Mokoko - The Special One
Name means "Special" in Elvish
True to her name, Mokoko is indeed unique among The Monsters family. This charming member of the Labubu tribe is instantly recognizable by her pastel pink fur and pristine white belly. Her delicate curly eyelashes and adorable heart-shaped nose make her the epitome of sweetness.
Mokoko has been exclusively featured in three special series for Pop Land, Beijing: the "Close To Sweet" series with a simple green bow, "Fall Into Spring" featuring a white lace dress, and "The Blue Diamond" series with a charming Peter Pan-collar dress. Each version captures her gentle, endearing personality.
Tycoco - The Gentle Soul
Labubu's Beloved Boyfriend
Don't let his menacing skeletal appearance fool you - Tycoco is one of the gentlest creatures in The Monsters universe. This vegetarian character embodies the saying "don't judge a book by its cover," being naturally shy and tender-hearted despite his intimidating looks.
As Labubu's devoted boyfriend, Tycoco brings a romantic element to The Monsters story. He was beautifully featured in the Valentine's Day 2024 special "Catch Me If You Like Me" series, showcasing the sweet love story between these unlikely but perfect partners.
Yaya - The Explorer
The Mischievous Wanderer
With distinctive pointed horns and a prankish grin, Yaya is the adventurous spirit of The Monsters family. This elf loves exploring new territories but has a notoriously poor sense of direction. Fortunately, this navigation weakness led to a happy discovery - finding the Labubu village, where Yaya has joyfully settled down as a permanent resident.
Spooky - The Night Wanderer
Moonlight's Gentle Friend
Despite the frightening name, Spooky is endearingly cute with a distinctive head that resembles dumpling folds. This quiet and curious creature is a night owl who emerges under moonlight. Spooky has a love for lively atmospheres and is frequently spotted visiting the bustling Labubu village during nighttime festivities.
Pato - The Dreamer
The Strategic Mastermind
Recognizable by droopy ears and a contemplative expression, Pato embodies the dreamer archetype. This character's moral alignment remains mysterious - neither clearly good nor evil. What's certain is Pato's brilliant mind, constantly devising ingenious plans and creative solutions to The Monsters' various adventures.
Pippo - The Party Host
The Life of Every Celebration
With his prominent big ears and infectious humor, Pippo is the river elf who knows how to live life to the fullest. As Labubu and Zimomo's closest friend, he brings joy and laughter wherever he goes. Pippo is renowned for his sophisticated palate in wine tasting and his legendary ability to throw unforgettable parties.
The Monsters Universe: Relationships & Lore
Love Stories in The Forest
Labubu ❤️ Tycoco
The most celebrated romance in The Monsters universe. Despite Tycoco's intimidating skeletal appearance, Labubu sees through to his gentle, vegetarian heart. Their Valentine's Day 2024 "Catch Me If You Like Me" series perfectly captures this beauty-and-the-beast love story that proves appearances can be deceiving.
Zimomo's Leadership
As the wise leader, Zimomo watches over all relationships in the village with protective care. His role extends beyond governance - he's the matchmaker, counselor, and guardian who ensures harmony among all The Monsters characters. His leadership creates the safe space where love can flourish.
The Social Circle
Pippo serves as the social connector, hosting gatherings that bring everyone together. His wine tastings and parties create opportunities for characters like the shy Spooky to socialize and for newcomers like Yaya to integrate into village life.
The Adventurers
Yaya's poor sense of direction led to the discovery of the Labubu village, proving that sometimes getting lost leads to finding home. This theme of adventure and discovery runs throughout The Monsters lore, with each character bringing their unique perspective to the community.
The Mysterious Ones
Pato's moral ambiguity and Spooky's nocturnal nature add depth to the community. Not every character fits neatly into "good" or "evil" categories, reflecting the complexity of real relationships and the acceptance found in The Monsters village.
From Stories to Reality: The Pop Land Experience
Beijing's Pop Land Park
The Monsters universe has materialized into a physical wonderland at Pop Land in Beijing, where fans can walk through the actual village where these characters live. Special exclusive figures like Mokoko's three series are only available here, making it a pilgrimage site for serious collectors.
Exclusive Collections
Pop Land's exclusive releases tell deeper stories - Mokoko's evolution from the simple "Close To Sweet" series to the sophisticated "Blue Diamond" collection reflects character growth and artistic maturation, making each series a chapter in an ongoing narrative that collectors can own.
Explore the Magical World of Zimomo
Discover the story, artistic design, and family secrets behind this iconic art toy. Zimomo isn't just a toy, it's a cultural phenomenon embraced by collectors and art enthusiasts.
The Collision of Light and Darkness
The Zimomo 3.0 series tells an epic tale of confrontation, transcending the concept of ordinary toys to become a "large art piece" with premium quality and complex textures.
Designer: Kasing Lung
This visionary artist brought "The Monsters" series to life, drawing inspiration from the mysterious elves of Nordic folklore and blending Eastern and Western aesthetics to create unique art toys.
Zimomo vs Labubu
The secret is in the tail! As the leader of "The Monsters" family, Zimomo is characterized by its long, slender tail, while Labubu has no tail. This detail is crucial for collectors to distinguish them.
Why Collect Zimomo 3.0? The Collector's Edge
Superior Quality
1. Superior Size and Detail
As a "Big Figure" (大娃), Zimomo 3.0 offers a canvas for unparalleled detail. The larger size means more intricate sculpting and paintwork, resulting in a premium piece with significant shelf presence and a higher perceived value for collectors.
Rich Story
2. Rich, Thematic Storytelling
The "Light vs. Darkness" theme adds a layer of narrative depth. With vibrant, summery "Angel" editions and the fiery "Demon" counterparts, the series tells a story, making the collection more than just figures—it's a piece of art with lore.
Leadership
3. Leadership Legacy
Zimomo's role as the leader of The Monsters family adds narrative significance to each figure. Collecting Zimomo 3.0 means owning a piece of the foundational character who guides and protects the entire magical community.
Investment
4. Investment and Rarity
Like all highly anticipated Pop Mart releases, Zimomo 3.0 includes secret "chase" figures with a low pull rate (e.g., 1/72). This rarity, combined with the IP's popularity, fuels a strong secondary market, making certain figures a tangible investment for discerning collectors.