In a drawer, Amble finds a ticket he bought when he was young. He gave up that journey to care for family and kept saying he would travel when there was time. Now there is time, but he worries about walking slowly, getting lost and inconveniencing others. He sets a smaller goal: explore one unfamiliar lane a day. Pip wants a map, Pivot wants to check event routes and Mallow needs a new meeting place. They quietly become his travelling companions. Amble learns that accepting company does not make the journey less his own. At the station he buys a ticket for today, keeping the old one as a reminder that a missed departure need not be the last.
Character connections
Young travelling companion: LIF-004 Pip. Route-planning partner: LIF-008 Pivot. Old friend: LIF-002 Mallow.
Character arc
From avoiding change under the excuse of not troubling anyone, through missing a meeting while trying to cope alone, to stating his needs and travelling with confidence.
First-episode idea
The Furthest Breakfast Shop: the group packs for an expedition, but Amble leads them just two streets away. An old photograph in the café makes that short journey unexpectedly meaningful.
LIF-001 / LEAD
Amble
DZ100-LIF-001 · Original board no. 011
“Slow down. There's more to see.”
Role
Retired resident; collection lead
Visual identity
Tweed jacket, knitted waistcoat and walking stick.
Personality & blind spot
Wry and curious; reluctant to admit when he needs help.
Current goal
Finish the local journey he never took as a young man.
Likes & habits
Loves maps; keeps tickets in a notebook.
Background
An unused ticket found in a drawer inspires him to explore one unfamiliar street each day.
Story potential
The route is short; the people he meets keep making the journey longer.
LIF-002
Mallow
DZ100-LIF-002 · Original board no. 012
“Sit down first. Then tell me.”
Role
Community craft organiser
Visual identity
Lavender shawl, floral dress and checked shopping trolley.
Personality & blind spot
Warm and decisive; sometimes decides too much for other people.
Current goal
Bring the quiet community centre back to life.
Likes & habits
Loves knitting; keeps a spare shawl in her shopping trolley.
Background
A single knitting class attracts neighbours who mostly want someone to talk to.
Story potential
Says she is done fussing, while carrying everything her friends might need.
LIF-003
Bean
DZ100-LIF-003 · Original board no. 013
“One more!”
Role
Toddler
Visual identity
Pastel romper, building blocks and seated toddler proportions.
Personality & blind spot
Curious and determined; still learning to share.
Current goal
Build a first block city that stays standing.
Likes & habits
Loves bright blocks; lines objects up in little teams.
Background
After seeing a crane, Bean turns every box at home into part of a city.
Story potential
What adults mistake for a mess turns out to be a carefully organised row of missing objects.
LIF-004
Pip
DZ100-LIF-004 · Original board no. 014
“Where does this road go?”
Role
Primary-school pupil
Visual identity
Blue cap, shorts and oversized school backpack.
Personality & blind spot
Helpful and inquisitive; often mistakes a guess for an answer.
Current goal
Draw a personal map of after-school adventures.
Likes & habits
Collects leaves; marks every new lane on the map.
Background
A wrong turn leads Pip to Timber's workshop and starts a project to map every shop in town.
Story potential
Confidently offers directions, then stops at every corner to ask another question.
LIF-005
Bloom
DZ100-LIF-005 · Original board no. 015
“A little at a time is still preparation.”
Role
Expectant mother and illustrator
Visual identity
Coral maternity dress, knitted cardigan and natural rounded silhouette.
Personality & blind spot
Gentle and practical; plans too much too far ahead.
Current goal
Finish a picture book of everyday life before her baby arrives.
Likes & habits
Loves drawing by the window; records small daily changes.
Background
Drawing pregnancy memories for her future child helps Bloom rediscover her own interests.
Story potential
An ever-growing checklist eventually gains a new item: rest today.
LIF-006
Cuddle
DZ100-LIF-006 · Original board no. 016
“I'll hold the baby. You take a break.”
Role
Dad caring for a baby
Visual identity
Casual jacket, front baby carrier and sleeping infant.
Personality & blind spot
Earnest and eager to learn; trusts instructions a little too literally.
Current goal
Find a daily rhythm that works for his family.
Likes & habits
Enjoys organising the baby carrier; checks supplies three times.
Background
His first solo outing with the baby is planned like a major expedition.
Story potential
Packs every piece of baby equipment but forgets his own coat; the baby sleeps peacefully anyway.
LIF-007
Tempo
DZ100-LIF-007 · Original board no. 017
“Give me a moment. This bit's nearly ready.”
Role
Secondary-school pupil and music-club member
Visual identity
Red varsity jacket, headphones and loose trousers.
Personality & blind spot
Reserved but caring; afraid friends will laugh at his music.
Current goal
Play his first original song for his friends.
Likes & habits
Loves bass lines; taps his headphones when nervous.
Background
An old recorder in the community centre inspires him to build songs from neighbourhood sounds.
Story potential
Calls it something he just threw together, then explains every note in detail.
LIF-008
Pivot
DZ100-LIF-008 · Original board no. 018
“Make room, and everyone can join in.”
Role
Wheelchair user and event organiser
Visual identity
Yellow sports jacket, wheelchair and trainers.
Personality & blind spot
Direct and witty; dislikes last-minute changes.
Current goal
Create a street event everyone can take part in.
Likes & habits
Enjoys racing and board games; checks routes before setting out.
Background
An awkward venue layout prompts Pivot to bring residents together to improve access.
Story potential
Spots practical obstacles instantly, then gets caught out by an overpacked schedule.
LIF-009
Vow
DZ100-LIF-009 · Original board no. 019
“Today should feel like us.”
Role
Bride and florist
Visual identity
White wedding dress, veil and informal bouquet.
Personality & blind spot
Romantic and independent; finds it hard to let go of small details.
Current goal
Hold a wedding where friends and family feel at ease.
Likes & habits
Loves wildflowers; leaves one leaf deliberately out of symmetry.
Background
After arranging many other weddings, Vow must work out what she actually wants for her own.
Story potential
Revises the seating plan endlessly; guests become friends while helping move the tables.
LIF-010
Roam
DZ100-LIF-010 · Original board no. 020
“Step outside. Start there.”
Role
Traveller and amateur photographer
Visual identity
Sun hat, camera and well-used suitcase.
Personality & blind spot
Open-hearted and adventurous; underestimates luggage weight.
Current goal
Collect ten photographs with real stories behind them.
Likes & habits
Loves local breakfasts; talks to people before taking photographs.
Background
After a chapter of work ends, Roam sets off with an old suitcase and finds the first surprise close to home.
Story potential
The guidebook is full, but the best photographs happen off the itinerary.
Original character concepts and stories by DONGZE. A new collection, with more stories to come.
