You’ve probably seen the big-eared, jagged-toothed grin of Labubu staring at you from a shelf or a backpack recently. It’s everywhere. But most people just see a trendy toy. They don't realize that there is an entire foundation of lore and art history sitting in The Monsters book Kasing Lung produced to document this universe. It’s honestly a bit wild how a series of sketches turned into a global cultural phenomenon that has people lining up for hours in cities like Bangkok, Shanghai, and London.
Kasing Lung isn't just some guy who got lucky with a cute design. He’s an artist with deep roots in the Belgian illustration scene, and his work bridges the gap between European fairy tales and a very modern, almost punk-rock aesthetic. When you crack open a book by Kasing, you aren't just looking at product photos. You’re looking at the soul of the Nordic forests.
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The Reality Behind the Nordic Inspiration
A lot of folks assume Labubu and the rest of the gang are just "designer toys," a term that feels a bit sterile. Kasing Lung moved to the Netherlands at a young age and later worked in Belgium. This is crucial. If you don't understand his European background, you don't understand the "The Monsters" series. He was heavily influenced by the tradition of European picture books. Think of the dark, moody atmosphere of old-school folklore—the kind where the forest is beautiful but also a little bit dangerous.
That's where Labubu comes from.
Not Just a Pretty Face
Labubu is the star, obviously. But the book reveals a much wider ecosystem. There’s Tycoco, the skull-headed character who is actually quite shy and serves as Labubu’s romantic interest (sort of). Then you have Zimomo, who looks like a larger, more authoritative version of Labubu, often depicted with a tail. What The Monsters book Kasing Lung does so well is show the evolution of these characters from thin, spindly sketches to the more rounded, "collectible" forms we see today.
It’s messy. It’s chaotic.
The sketches aren't always clean. Some are rough charcoal or ink bleeds. That’s the charm. In an era where everything is polished by AI or vector-perfected in Illustrator, Kasing’s book feels tactile. It feels like someone actually sat at a wooden desk and bled a little onto the page.
Why Collectors Are Scrambling for the Literature
Why do people care about a book when they could just buy the vinyl figure? Because the secondary market for these toys is basically the Wild West. Prices for a rare "Labubu Panda" or a "Zimomo" can skyrocket into the thousands. For a serious collector, the book is the map. It provides the context that turns a piece of plastic into a piece of art history.
Pop Mart, the giant behind the blind box craze, partnered with Kasing Lung in 2016. That changed everything. Before that, Kasing was mostly known in niche art circles and through How2work, a Hong Kong-based production house. The transition from "art gallery" to "global retail" is documented through these publications. You see the shift in design language. You see how the monsters became more expressive, more "toy-etic," without losing their mischievous edge.
Honestly, the "hype" can be exhausting. But when you look at the raw illustrations, you remember why you liked the character in the first place. Labubu isn't "good." She's a trickster. That’s a classic mythological trope that Kasing taps into perfectly.
The "Lisa" Effect and the 2024-2025 Explosion
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the Blackpink member in the room. When Lisa started posting photos of her Labubu collection, the demand for anything related to The Monsters book Kasing Lung went through the roof. It wasn't just about the toys anymore; it was about the lifestyle.
This created a weird situation.
Suddenly, art books that were sitting on shelves for $50 were being flipped for $300. But if you can look past the market madness, the content of the books remains a masterclass in character design. Kasing uses a "monstrous" aesthetic to convey very human emotions—fear, joy, mischief, and loneliness. It’s a bit like the Where the Wild Things Are for the Gen Z and Millennial generation.
The Different Editions
There isn't just one single book. There have been various art books and "zines" released over the years. Some are specifically focused on his "Fairies" series, while others are deep dives into the sketches of The Monsters.
- The Sketchbooks: These are usually the most sought after. They show the skeletal structures and the "first breaths" of the characters.
- The Exhibition Catalogs: These are often released alongside shows in places like the Hong Kong Arts Centre or galleries in Tokyo. They contain more formal photography of the sculpted pieces.
- The Pop Mart Collaborations: These are more commercial but contain high-quality renders and backstories for the various blind box series like "The Monsters Forest Party" or "The Monsters Candy."
Navigating the Misconceptions
People think Labubu is a boy. Kasing has clarified that Labubu is a girl. People think she's a rabbit because of the ears. She’s actually an elf. These small distinctions matter because they influence how the world is built in the books. The "monsters" are a race of beings living in a hidden world, and the books act as a field guide for a naturalist who stumbled into a magical dimension.
The sheer variety of the characters is often missed by casual fans. You have Pato, who is often seen with a beak-like face, and Spooky, who lives up to the name. The books allow these side characters to breathe. They aren't just filler; they are part of the "Nordic Forest" lore that Kasing has spent over a decade cultivating.
How to Get Your Hands on the Real Info
If you’re trying to find The Monsters book Kasing Lung now, you need to be careful. The market is flooded with "fan-made" compilations and unofficial prints.
- Check the Publisher: Look for How2work or official gallery imprints.
- Look for the Texture: Kasing’s official books often use high-quality, textured paper that mimics the feel of an artist's sketchbook.
- The Language Barrier: Many of these are published in Traditional Chinese or are bilingual. Don't let that scare you. The art speaks for itself. It’s a visual narrative.
It's fascinating how a character with "nine teeth" (a signature Labubu trait) could become a symbol of high-end fashion and collectible culture. It shows that there is a deep hunger for stuff that feels "handmade," even if it’s produced at scale. Kasing Lung managed to bottle that feeling.
Actionable Steps for New Collectors
If you're serious about getting into the lore of The Monsters, don't just buy the first toy you see on a resale site. Start by looking for the older exhibition catalogs. They are harder to find but much more rewarding. Join forums or Discord groups dedicated to "Sofubi" (soft vinyl) and designer toys. The community around Kasing Lung is actually quite knowledgeable and can help you spot fakes.
Most importantly, look at the art. Study the lines. The magic of Kasing Lung isn't in the plastic; it's in the ink. That’s what the book reminds you. It takes you back to the forest. It makes the monsters feel real.
Keep an eye on secondary bookstores in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Sometimes, out-of-print copies of his early sketchbooks pop up there for a fraction of what they cost on global auction sites. It takes some digging, but for the true fan, the hunt is half the fun.