#HimmapanMarshmallow trended during the long weekend last week, showcasing kawaii rendition of Thai mythical creatures founded at Buddhist temples in the north and the northeastern regions of Thailand. Why the hashtag? I guess Himmapan (magical forest) is because these creatures are mythical and marshmallows because they have been rendered roundish and cuddly.
Presumably built by the locals without formal art training, amateurish-looking sculptures of mythical creatures such as mom, mgorn, singha and nak have captured the imagination of Thai illustrators and cartoonists, becoming the viral inspiration of many "fan art" and spin-off ideas. Their simplified and roundish design, instead of their traditionally elaborate design, has sparked countless cutesy creations and here's a fraction of the outstanding ones for your entertainment.
1. Nattawat Maxmanster Saepueng (fb.com/maxmanster) marries these Thai creatures with the concept of mecha in the Japanese super sentai series in which a team of superheroes combines their vehicles into one giant robot to fight the monster of the week.
(Photo: fb.com/maxmanster)
2. This cute character of he-ra, a naga with four short legs, by Giant Smiles (fb.com/giantsmiles) is based off of its sculpture found at Wat Chaiyaphummigaram in Ubon Ratchathani.
(Photo: fb.com/giantsmiles)
3. KumsStudio (fb.com/KumsStudio) presents the entire cast of popular Himmapan Marshmallow creatures as a possible franchise as Thailand's answer to Pokemon, obviously. I choose the long-necked lion that also looks like an alpaca with very long beard.
(Photo: fb.com/KumsStudio)
4. This pixelated perfection is titled Pokenon and done by Change Everything to Moe (fb.com/changeeverythingtomoe) and is obviously inspired by Pokemon. But as you can see this rendition comes with a huge dose of Thai twists as the trainers are a Buddhist monk (understandably so since these creatures are holy), a girl in student uniform and a motorsai taxi guy.
(Photo: fb.com/changeeverythingtomoe)
5. Sangtawan Punpong, aka 15cm (fb.com/15cmoflove), turn them into Thai numerals from ๑ to ๙.
(Photo: fb.com/15cmoflove)
6. Kalamary Miniature Design (fb.com/kalamaryminiature) has turned them into key chains. One set consists of five characters for the ultimate adorableness.
(Photo: fb.com/kalamaryminiature)
P.S. I'm waiting for a series of video games, gashapon and Line stickers based on Himmapan Marshmallow characters and possibly a tour of temples where the original sculptures are located.