Exhibition Tracing 10 Years of 'THE MONSTERS' and Kasing Lung Arrives in Tokyo on June 11. Experience the World of 'THE MONSTERS' and See Collections of Historical Figures and Original Artworks.
Art toy brand POP MART JAPAN will host "MONSTERS BY MONSTERS: NOW AND THEN," an exhibition celebrating the 10th anniversary of artist Kasing Lung's 'THE MONSTERS,' starting June 11, 2026, at Azabudai Hills Gallery in Tokyo. The Tokyo exhibition, the final stop of a global tour that began in Shanghai, offers an immersive experience into 'THE MONSTERS' world across eight areas, including an immersive video theater, historical figures, and original artwork collections.
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POP MART JAPAN Co., Ltd. (Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Tokuichi Bun), the Japanese subsidiary of POP MART, a leading art toy brand in global pop culture and entertainment, will hold "MONSTERS BY MONSTERS: NOW AND THEN," THE MONSTERS 10th Anniversary Exhibition, at Azabudai Hills Gallery (Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza A, MB Floor) starting Thursday, June 11, 2026. This global tour, which began in Shanghai and traveled through Taipei, Hong Kong, and Paris, finally arrives in Tokyo to celebrate the 10th anniversary of 'THE MONSTERS' by artist Kasing Lung. (Pre-sale tickets will be available from May 25 on the POP MART official website).
Kasing Lung's popular character "LABUBU" captivates fans worldwide with its adorable appearance. Its roots lie in Kasing Lung's three-part picture book series 'THE MONSTERS TRILOGY' — 'The Story of Puca,' 'Pato and the Girl,' and 'Miró’s Requiem.'
Kasing Lung, who moved to the Netherlands in his childhood, became interested in legends and folk tales about fairies from various parts of Europe after starting to read picture books to learn Dutch. Through his brush, he breathed life into LABUBU and other characters from 'THE MONSTERS' series, creating an imaginative world. Since then, this worldview has continued to be loved by many people. The unique characters, inspired by the Nordic forests, have spread across countries and cultures, growing into cultural icons that combine trendiness and empathy.
New Immersive Experience Area Unveiled: Stepping into the Picture Book
This exhibition creates a space where the reality and fantasy of 'THE MONSTERS TRILOGY' intersect. The "Immersive Video Theater" is a newly unveiled area, presenting an animation of 'The Story of Puca,' the first chapter of 'THE MONSTERS TRILOGY' created by toito, through five-sided projection and three-dimensional surround sound. 'THE MONSTERS TRILOGY' picture books were published 10 years ago, but only a few hundred copies were issued, making opportunities to see them very limited until now. This exhibition offers a precious opportunity to be completely immersed in that world.
In addition, you can experience Kasing Lung's and LABUBU's 10-year journey with 'THE MONSTERS' companions in the "Magic Forest," which consists of eight areas, including newly unveiled sections.
"Painting & Sculpture Zone"
This zone reflects Kasing Lung's worldview and thoughts through his oil paintings and three-dimensional works.
"Experience Area"
LABUBU plush toys, a collaboration with POP MART, are densely arranged in fairy huts, offering a photogenic space.
"Art Toy Exhibition Zone"
Starting from the first LABUBU figure, this zone displays collaborative works up to the present, tracing their evolution and history.
"Mirror Room"
This room exhibits the collection of 'THE MONSTERS' series, where the reflection of mirrors creates an infinitely expanding art universe, allowing visitors to experience a fantastical dimension.
"Picture Book Area"
Through 'Pato and the Girl,' the second chapter of 'THE MONSTERS TRILOGY,' visitors can deeply reconsider the theme of "love."
"Creative Journey & Sketch Zone"
This zone delves into Kasing Lung's sources of inspiration and presents his 10-year journey with HOW2WORK in a chronological format.
Furthermore, a collection of Kasing Lung's original artworks, whose creative focus has shifted to painting in recent years, is also on display. This area allows visitors to experience the birth process of the characters through the depth created by the varying strengths of lines unique to original art, and to connect with the artist's origins. Additionally, original artworks specially drawn for this exhibition will be unveiled for the first time.
This will be a special opportunity for many existing fans of LABUBU, as well as for new audiences to discover the charm of its companions, experiencing the entire series.
Kasing Lung's popular character "LABUBU" captivates fans worldwide with its adorable appearance. Its roots lie in Kasing Lung's three-part picture book series 'THE MONSTERS TRILOGY' — 'The Story of Puca,' 'Pato and the Girl,' and 'Miró’s Requiem.'
Kasing Lung, who moved to the Netherlands in his childhood, became interested in legends and folk tales about fairies from various parts of Europe after starting to read picture books to learn Dutch. Through his brush, he breathed life into LABUBU and other characters from 'THE MONSTERS' series, creating an imaginative world. Since then, this worldview has continued to be loved by many people. The unique characters, inspired by the Nordic forests, have spread across countries and cultures, growing into cultural icons that combine trendiness and empathy.
New Immersive Experience Area Unveiled: Stepping into the Picture Book
This exhibition creates a space where the reality and fantasy of 'THE MONSTERS TRILOGY' intersect. The "Immersive Video Theater" is a newly unveiled area, presenting an animation of 'The Story of Puca,' the first chapter of 'THE MONSTERS TRILOGY' created by toito, through five-sided projection and three-dimensional surround sound. 'THE MONSTERS TRILOGY' picture books were published 10 years ago, but only a few hundred copies were issued, making opportunities to see them very limited until now. This exhibition offers a precious opportunity to be completely immersed in that world.
In addition, you can experience Kasing Lung's and LABUBU's 10-year journey with 'THE MONSTERS' companions in the "Magic Forest," which consists of eight areas, including newly unveiled sections.
"Painting & Sculpture Zone"
This zone reflects Kasing Lung's worldview and thoughts through his oil paintings and three-dimensional works.
"Experience Area"
LABUBU plush toys, a collaboration with POP MART, are densely arranged in fairy huts, offering a photogenic space.
"Art Toy Exhibition Zone"
Starting from the first LABUBU figure, this zone displays collaborative works up to the present, tracing their evolution and history.
"Mirror Room"
This room exhibits the collection of 'THE MONSTERS' series, where the reflection of mirrors creates an infinitely expanding art universe, allowing visitors to experience a fantastical dimension.
"Picture Book Area"
Through 'Pato and the Girl,' the second chapter of 'THE MONSTERS TRILOGY,' visitors can deeply reconsider the theme of "love."
"Creative Journey & Sketch Zone"
This zone delves into Kasing Lung's sources of inspiration and presents his 10-year journey with HOW2WORK in a chronological format.
Furthermore, a collection of Kasing Lung's original artworks, whose creative focus has shifted to painting in recent years, is also on display. This area allows visitors to experience the birth process of the characters through the depth created by the varying strengths of lines unique to original art, and to connect with the artist's origins. Additionally, original artworks specially drawn for this exhibition will be unveiled for the first time.
This will be a special opportunity for many existing fans of LABUBU, as well as for new audiences to discover the charm of its companions, experiencing the entire series.