What is Bangboo in Zenless Zone Zero? The cutest "Chubby Bunny"!

If I asked everyone today which character in Zenless Zone Zero is the most attractive, I bet people would argue fiercely, even come to blows. But if I asked what the cutest thing is, I believe many would immediately say "Eous!" As the absolute mascot of Zenless Zone Zero, Bangboo is the most unique existence in this worldview.

So today we will discuss, based on known in-game information, the adorable "chubby bunny mascot"-Bangboo. What kind of creature is it?

Before the main text begins, it's necessary to clarify that, considering Bangboo's related lore has not been fully revealed yet, the speculations in this article are unverified and purely for entertainment purposes. If more information about Bangboo emerges in the future, we will publish entirely new Bangboo articles.

1. What exactly is Bangboo in Zenless Zone Zero?

Let's start with the most fundamental question-what exactly is a Bangboo? The earliest definition of Bangboo appears in New Eridu City Entry Guide Vol.3: Bangboo Chapter:

A Bangboo is a small intelligent device, roughly knee-high to adults, used to assist residents of New Eridu City in production and daily life. Its original purpose was to help New Eridu residents evacuate during Hollow Disasters. Designed to gather Hollow Disaster intel and provide guidance in real-time, Bangboos later evolved into more versatile intelligent entities through iterative updates and modifications. They are now deployed across various work scenarios, such as front-desk duties, specialized operations, and daily companionship.

Their most critical function, however, is accompanying Proxies into Hollows for missions. To summarize what a Bangboo is in one sentence, refer to the tips displayed during scene transitions: "A chubby bunny mascot that wobbles its head and hops around lively."

Normally, Bangboos are not our enemies. However, the Enemy Archive still includes two special Bangboo individuals. The description of the Golden Bangboo mentions: "Research by the Hollow Investigation Association shows that many stray Bangboos live deep in the Hollows. They collect lost Gear Coins and Denny, then hand them over to the Golden Bangboo for safekeeping."

As for how these stray Bangboos living in the Hollows came to exist-we have no idea. And what are they plotting within the Hollows? We remain clueless. Perhaps we can only pray their slogan isn't "eliminate humanity."

Beyond the lore, Bangboo-related content in actual gameplay is abundant. For players, they are everywhere. In our home, there are Front Desk No.18 and Gatekeeper No.06. Outside, the 141 Store has its shopping consultants-the "Triple Mini Trio". At Lumina Square, Security Boo maintains traffic order. Even in Wildfire Town, there's a Bangboo dedicated to pulling elevator levers.

During world exploration, we also encounter all sorts of bizarre Bangboos. Examples include Bangboos debating "which type of electric current tastes better", the CEO Bangboo, the Screaming Engineer Bangboo, and more.

Additionally, each faction has Bangboos tailored to their unique styles. This diverse Bangboo ecosystem adds a distinct flair to the world shrouded in post-apocalyptic gloom, even spawning Bangboo culture. For instance, the Bangboo Statue at the corner of Sixth Street and the artwork in Ballet Twins.

When it comes to the Bangboo we know best and cherish the most, it's undoubtedly our "beloved son"-No.01 Bangboo, Eous. During the Version 1,5 event "The Day of Brilliant Wishes", Eous not only received a fragrant kiss from Astra Yao but also won the Bangboo Beauty Pageant, earning the title of "Annual Bangboo". Though it occasionally feels insecure as an older, mass-produced model, this is our Phantom's exclusive Bangboo for Hollow operations-the only one of its kind in all of New Eridu.

Additionally, while Eous' personality seems scholarly and reserved, it's actually highly popular in Bangboo society. When interacting with other Bangboos, some even show extra respect to us simply because we're "Eous' boss". Frankly, this little guy has the makings of a leader.

Let's circle back to Bangboos themselves. At their core, Bangboos are small robots primarily powered by electricity. In the parking lot of Lumina Square, you can spot charging piles specifically for Bangboos, with many frequently plugged in. Additionally, areas like our second-floor bedroom and the Anti-Air Squad 6 room feature large clamps holding Bangboos, which appear to be more advanced charging stations.

We can also refer to the Ether Battery item description: "The energy required for a small Ether-powered vehicle to travel 20 meters can fuel a Bangboo to run wild for two hours."

The manufacturer of Bangboos is the Marcel Group, as stated in the worldview PV. The inventor of Bangboos is Lady Sunbringer, CEO of the Marcel Group. This is mentioned in the Version 1.5 event "The Day of Brilliant Wishes": On Gilded Carrot Day，When Joyous escaped the Hollow, his only companion was a borrowed Bangboo-a prototype made by Lady Sunbringer herself! The first "Carrot" was stored in this Bangboo! / Legend has it that when Joyous escaped the Hollow, he only had a borrowed Bangboo with him. A prototype made by Lady Sunbringer herself... The first Carrot was stored in this Bangboo.

In the description of the event item "Popular Carrot", there is an Easter egg about them: Someone once asked Joyous why he called the Hollow route data "Carrot." He replied, "Why not ask that woman why she made those machines look like rabbits?"

Based on known information, the current production and maintenance of Bangboos are still managed-even monopolized-by the Marcel Group. Referencing the Boopon item description, the Boopons we use are essentially "Bangboo-exclusive cleaning vouchers". With these, you can make Bangboos work for you wholeheartedly. On Inter-Knot, there are countless posts about Bangboos and the Marcel Group, ranging from complaints about unaffordable latest models to Marcel's promotional posts about Bangboo parades.

While the game hasn't explicitly clarified the Marcel Group's corporate status, I'd guess that their dominance in a massive market would easily land them in TOPS. Of course, for most people, buying a Bangboo is purely practical. Inter-Knot even has tutorials on modifying Bangboos-turning a household Bangboo into a Hollow-ready unit with some tweaks.

Overall, Bangboos have become an organic part of Zenless Zone Zero's world and New Eridu's urban culture. These adorable, lively electronic chubby bunnies add a vibrant touch to the game's post-apocalyptic backdrop.

2. How to understand the identity of Bangboo in Zenless Zone Zero?

After discussing lighter topics, let's delve into something heavier. Zenless Zone Zero's world is set in a near-future post-disaster setting, where the definition of "personhood" now includes robots. For example, Billy and the Tin Master at the café are intelligent mechanica who have passed qualification tests and obtained citizen status in New Eridu.

Clearly, Bangboos are not included in this definition-meaning they have no "personhood rights" but only "property rights." This is precisely why many subtly tragic storylines are woven into Bangboo-related narratives. The most poignant reflection of Bangboos' current status is the side quest "Pensive Phantom" near ​Ballet Twins: A novelist repeatedly sees ghostly figures near Ballet Twins, driving them to nervous breakdown. Upon investigation, a Bangboo is discovered hiding there. Its owner, a Proxy, entered Ballet Twins' Hollow for a mission and never returned. The novelist explicitly mentions that ownerless Bangboos risk being sent to ​forced decommissioning.

However, reducing Bangboos to mere extensions of their owners is also unfair. Many side quests reveal that numerous Bangboos have developed distinct personalities. Examples include a Security Boo begging us to help it find a job and a ​Detective Boo in another mission. The ​One-Dennyboo exchanges "letting you pet it" for one Denny to raise funds for a friend's battery replacement-and that friend is actually a cat. These examples prove Bangboos are not cold AI robots but emotional beings.

Legally, Bangboos are classified as property, but in daily life, people perceive them differently. The Version 1.1 event "Friendship Supervision" highlights that humans view Bangboos more as family members.

The protagonist siblings hold Eous to mourn their mentor; some Bangboos even refuse a stable life in Blazewood to wander with their owners. Such narratives emphasizing bonds between humans and Bangboos are abundant in the story. The contrast lies in the setting: Bangboos possess high intelligence and emotions as individuals, yet legally remain mere "property."

If the previously mentioned quests only hint at the debate over Bangboos and mechanical life, then Qingyi's Agent Story "The Case of a Missing Bangboo" truly puts this issue front and center. Qingyi accepts a request from a little girl to find ​Sharkboo, who grew up with her. When Qingyi asks the ​Public Safety Bureau to allocate resources to rescue the missing Bangboo, the request is denied because Bangboos cannot be classified as "population." Qingyi explicitly states: "The purpose of intelligent mechanicum's existence is to be discarded in place of humans when danger arises."

By the end of Qingyi's story, the writers lay the weight of life before players. The question of whether intelligent mechanicum or human lives hold greater value will inevitably split opinions-everyone may argue their own logic. Let me reiterate: Zenless Zone Zero is set in a near-future post-apocalyptic world. No matter how glamorous the surface seems, it can't hide the reality that everyone might perish in the next moment. ​Bangboos' lives are cheap, and human lives are just as cheap. In such a world, the mere existence of a functioning city and a relatively stable government is a miracle in itself.

In the Version 1.4 event "Into That Pale Wasteland", the ​Deputy Section Chief's notes mention that Ether inherently harbors malice toward non-Ether entities. ​Corrosion effects manifest more rapidly and violently on "soul-bearing substances"-whether flesh-and-blood beings or certified machine citizens. The Hollow naturally holds ​extra malice toward living beings. Beyond prompting us to ponder the nature of the Hollow and Ether, this description also explains the current state of Bangboos. We've seen humans mutated by Ether corruption but never witnessed a corrupted Bangboo-nor heard of such cases.

It's highly possible that Bangboos are deliberately restricted to an intelligence level immune to ​Ether corruption. This dooms them to remain limited in intellect, forever subordinate to humans, never becoming equals in fate.

Perhaps only when the Hollow crisis is fully resolved, ​Ether corruption eradicated, and both humans and Bangboos no longer live under the threat of imminent death, will the boundary between Bangboos and humans vanish. When that day comes, don't forget to hold these little ones close.

That concludes all the content of this article. I've shared stories about Bangboos and my understanding of them with everyone. Of course, this is neither comprehensive nor free of potential errors. I also hope more players will discuss Bangboo-related lore. And don't forget to keep following the Bangboos in-game and official Bangboo merchandise!