In the virtual city of New Eridu from HoYoverse’s latest title, Zenless Zone Zero, a group of small, intelligent devices known as Bangboo — famous for their adorable ‘enn enn’ sounds — have evolved from simple gameplay elements into a full-blown subcultural phenomenon sweeping through the player community. Let’s dive in and learn more!
Bangboo Everywhere
On Sixth Street, Bangboo are the lively heartbeats of everyday life.
As the morning mist still lingers, a One-Dennyboo behind the newsstand is already busy sorting the day’s newspapers, its mechanical arms deftly flipping through different editions. Every so often, it pauses, tilting its head to meet the gaze of passing players, its electronic eye on the screen flashing with a curious light.
By noon, as sunlight floods the streets, a Stickyfingerboo beside the 141 Convenience Store is hard at work restocking the shelves. One by one, it pulls out items from behind its back — anything from essential energy drinks to oddly shaped Hollow components — each piece quietly telling the story of Sixth Street’s rich and bustling offerings.
In the evening, a Exploreboo behind the coffee shop activates its “treasure radar,” weaving back and forth between tricycles and trash bins nearby. The searchlight atop its head flickers on and off, as if scanning for hidden treasures. Suddenly, it stops, seemingly having found something. Maybe it’s a precious relic from the Old World, or perhaps a few limited-edition records. Every treasure hunt is full of surprises, making players even more eager to explore every corner of Sixth Street.
Of course, Bangboo on Sixth Street aren’t limited to these everyday helpers. In certain special missions, players might encounter Bangboo modeled after members of the Cunning Hares, like Asaboo and Miyaboo — inspired by Asaba Harumasa and Miyabi. These special Bangboo not only have unique appearances but also embody the personalities and stories of their originals, making them beloved additions among players.
The Bangboo of Sixth Street are the soul of the neighborhood. In their own charming way, they guard and breathe life into this place, accompanying every visitor who steps onto its streets. Whether it’s sorting newspapers in the early morning, stocking shelves at midday, or hunting for treasures at dusk, the Bangboo show what warmth and companionship truly mean. They may be small robots, but their presence fills Sixth Street with heart and vitality.
Bangboo: From Gameplay Mechanic to Cultural Icon
On the streets of New Eridu, the moment players hear the distinct “enn enn” sounds, they immediately know — a Bangboo is nearby.
These small intelligent devices, standing no taller than an adult’s knee, were originally designed to assist residents during Hollow disasters. Whenever a Hollow outbreak occurs in the living zones of New Eridu, each Bangboo instantly receives emergency alerts and evacuation instructions through the public network, helping nearby citizens avoid danger.
However, as the world of the game evolved and technology advanced, Bangboo have grown beyond their original role as simple evacuation aids. They’ve become versatile, intelligent companions — some even capable of accompanying investigators deep into Hollows for specialized missions.
Bangboo’s design perfectly blends functionality with an irresistibly cute aesthetic. Their rounded forms, squishy textures, and the signature “mn-mn” vocalizations create an instantly recognizable identity. This design language fits seamlessly into Zenless Zone Zero’s unique blend of cyberpunk and anime art styles, while the anthropomorphic touches forge a deep emotional bond with players. As one player commented in the community, “Bangboo are just too cute!” — a straightforward expression that speaks volumes about the success of their design.
In terms of gameplay, Bangboo serve as versatile support companions. They’re not only reliable allies during combat — offering buffs and dealing extra damage — but also help players with city exploration, quest guidance, and more. Their presence adds another layer to the Zenless Zone Zero experience: they are both practical tools and emotional companions. This dual identity laid the foundation for their later cultural explosion.
As the story unfolds, Bangboo’s adorable image has steadily captured the hearts of players, sparking a wave of enthusiasm across the fan community.This craze isn’t limited to the game itself — it has spilled over into the real world, inspiring a wide range of Bangboo merchandise. Among these, Bangboo plushies and keychains have become particular favorites.These products not only faithfully recreate Bangboo’s charming in-game appearance, but also offer players a perfect way to express their love and support for the game..
Then, in December 2024, Zenless Zone Zero’s collaboration with McDonald’s brought Bangboo culture to an all-time high. The event used Bangboo’s signature “mn-mn” phrase as a password for a playful, “encrypted communication” style experience: players had to say this quirky, non-human phrase at McDonald’s counters to receive exclusive crossover merchandise.
This creative design not only boosted the fun of the event but also deepened the sense of community among players. On the very first day, themed McDonald’s locations were packed with excited fans, eager to take part.
Bangboo’s Combat Value
1. Attribute Bangboo: Breaking the Stalemate of the Disruption Era
In Version 1.7, where Abnormal teams dominate the Abyss, Attribute Bangboo have become a crucial factor thanks to their ability to accelerate Disruption buildup:
- Robin: With its single-faction trigger mechanism, Robin is a must-pick for Vivian’s Anomaly team. Its Ether Black Hole skill boosts the target’s Disruption accumulation speed by 50%.
- Rocketboo: Its Fire Attribute Chain Skill synergizes perfectly with Bernice’s Burn setup, enabling three Disruption bursts within 30 seconds.
- Plugboo: Its Electric Sniper skill deals an extra 30% damage to enemies under the Shocked state, making it an ideal fit for Grace’s combo system.
Real combat data shows that teams equipped with Attribute Bangboo clear Floor 12 of the Abyss 45 seconds faster on average, with Disruption uptime increasing to 82%.
2. Faction Bangboo: Amplifiers for Specialized Systems
Faction Bangboo raise the ceiling for faction-based setups by enhancing QTE combo damage multipliers:
- Amillion: Boosts Crit Damage for Cunning Hares faction units by 45%, allowing Nekomiya’s Chain Skill to break the 1 million damage mark.
- Sharkboo: Increases Ice Penetration by 25%, letting Ellen’s Ice Blade system ignore 30% of enemy defense.
- Resonaboo: Doubles Ether Anomaly accumulation, enabling Zhu Yuan to trigger three Anomaly Bursts in a single fight.
This design reinforces the irreplaceability of faction systems, forcing players to prioritize Bangboo faction synergy when building their teams.
3. Utility Bangboo: Game-Changers in Special Environments
In high-pressure environments like Shiyu Showdowns, Utility Bangboo truly shine:
- Avocaboo: Recovers 21% HP every 20 seconds. When paired with Astra Yao’s shield system, it can reduce incoming team damage by up to 70%.
- Pressboo: Restores energy to off-field characters while a support unit is on the field, boosting Soukaku’s energy cycle efficiency by 35%.
- Knightboo: Provides a 10-second Attack bonus, increasing overall team DPS by 22% when used within Bernice’s Burn setups.
Thanks to these Bangboo, players can create tailored strategies for different environments, rather than relying on just a few overpowered characters.
As a key element in Zenless Zone Zero, Bangboo have evolved from their original role as evacuation assistants into indispensable partners in battle. They not only boast powerful combat capabilities and diverse functions but also carry significant cultural and social value within the game. As the game continues to update and players further explore the Bangboo system, Bangboo are set to play an even greater role in future content, bringing players even more surprises and challenges.