Lau

Lau (, Rau; Chinese Pinyin: Liú) is a Chinese nobleman, the British branch manager of the Shanghai trading company "Kong-Rong,"Kroshitsuji manga; Chapter 39, page 13 an operator of opium dens,Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 13, page 14 the top official of the Chinese syndicate Qīng Bāng, and an Aristocrat of Evil.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 15, page 14
In order for Lau to conduct business in England's "underworld," he must follow Ciel Phantomhive's orders to the letter.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 15, page 15 That being so, Ciel has left the administration of the Oriental quarter, the East End, and black-market docks to Lau.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 51, page 12
==Appearance==
Lau is a tall man with short black hair and dark brown eyes, which he almost never opens. Additionally, he has a blue dragon tattoo on his left arm.March 2009 Issue of Square Enix's GFantasy MagazineKuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 171, page 4
Lau often dresses in sumptuous Chinese clothing, which includes a Changshan. He tends to keep his hands clasped and hidden in his "capacious" sleeves. Within said sleeves is a needle, which he describes as "an instrument of oriental medicine."Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 43, pages 13-14
==Personality==
Lau is a placid, even-tempered individual who is apt to make facetious remarksKuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 150, pages 17-18 and act as though he is aware and well-informed of an important matter, only to later reveal that he is, in truth, clueless;Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 18, page 9Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 147, page 16 Sebastian Michaelis believes that he simply chimes in whenever "he thought it appropriate."Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 15, page 16 Moreover, he is frequently accompanied by the female attendants of the opium den he manages. He refers to his personal assassin, Ran-Mao, as his sister, although they are not related by blood.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 21, page 5
Lau is an enigma; Baldroy once mused that he is uncomfortable around him, since he can never tell what he is thinking.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 170, page 12 Furthermore, Lau is, for the most part, unprincipled and mercenary. He curries favor with those he thinks will allow him and his business to advance and those who are ambitious, such as Ciel Phantomhive.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 147, page 27Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 150, page 8 He once suggested that he has no qualms about ingratiating himself with Scotland Yard, despite his mafia origins, so long as he can profit.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 147, page 5 Generally, he does not assist others without expecting payment in return; for instance, after rescuing Ciel and his household from Scotland Yard, he stated that he must be repaid "with interest."Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 147, page 15 Moreover, he is averse to handouts "for the penniless" and the like; for that reason, he had Ciel and Sebastian work at the opium den during their temporary stay.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 150, page 7
Lau possesses a strong propensity for violence; he once told Ciel that he would kill Agni if he were Harold West Jeb, much to Ciel's surprise, since he, on the other hand, found that excessive.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 21, pages 6-7 While Ciel was willing to spare Harold and Mina, Lau had Ran-Mao terrorize both of them.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 22, page 29 Moreover, in his zeal to aid Sebastian in distracting Elizabeth Midford with a magic trick, which involved sticking swords in a chest Sebastian was in, Lau did so without delay or leniency and even immediately attacked from the top; Sebastian admitted that Lau had managed to inflict minor pain on him, a demon.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 7, pages 32-34
Additionally, Lau is an expert on the use of needles and knowledgeable about human anatomy, as demonstrated when he effortlessly put Harold's guards to sleep with his needle.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 18, page 13 He is not particularly fond of English dishes; to him, they taste "only of salt and pepper."
==History==
==Plot==
===Black Butler Arc===
Lau engages in a meeting with Ciel Phantomhive, Chlaus, Angelina Dalles, Azzurro Vanel, Arthur Randall, and Diedrich. They discuss the issue of a malicious "rat" and the necessity of it being eradicated, implying that a drug-dealer is among them.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 3, page 8
===Red Butler Arc===
At Ciel's London townhouse, Lau, with Angelina Dalles and Grelle Sutcliff, loot for tea leaves. Sebastian Michaelis accommodates them with tea, and they gather to discuss the recent string of murders so vicious that the killer was given the nickname "Jack the Ripper."Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 6, pages 5-8
Lau points out that the murderer is definitely an "abnormal madman", and he questions if Ciel is daring enough to investigate the gruesome crime scene. He opts that they go right away, but when Angelina asks him for the location, he reveals that he, too, does not know where the crime scene is.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 6, pages 9-11
Consequently, Ciel suggests a certain place for information, and they arrive at the funeral parlor of Undertaker. When Undertaker appears out of his custom-made coffin, he frightens Lau, Angelina, and Grelle.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 6, page 12-14 They are directed to sit atop the coffins, and Undertaker agrees to share information, but only for some form of compensation. Lau asks him how much money he wants, and Undertaker vigorously approaches him to declare that he does not care for the Queen's money. Undertaker tells them to amuse him with the finest of laughs; Lau attempts to do so with a Chinese-influenced joke, but he fails. Sebastian later steps up, requests for them to wait outside, and forbids them from peeking inside. Lau and the others perceive strange noises coming from the funeral parlor, and afterwards, with Sebastian's permission, they enter to see Undertaker laughing wildly. Undertaker, then, reveals to them that all of Jack the Ripper's victims have had their internal organs removed with medical precision (Lau is also skeptical of his drink as Undertaker might have stored a kidney in the container).Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 6, pages 17-24
On the carriage ride home, Sebastian is ordered to compile a list of suspects, and departs, impressing both Lau and Angelina. Ciel asserts that Sebastian will definitely be able to accomplish his mission and that he will have tea prepared for them as well. Lau comments that Ciel must be confident of Sebastian because since a long time ago, he has always been at the Earl's side, never leaving him- "like a shadow." Ciel then points out that Sebastian has not served him for even two years yet.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 6, pages 28-32
They return to Ciel's townhouse late because Grelle traveled the wrong way. Lau and Angelina are dumbfounded to see that Sebastian has already returned home first, with the tea and preparations finished. They listen with admiration as Sebastian reads off the blacklist of suspects.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 6, pages 32-37 They chat, while having tea, and Sebastian, paying close regard to the conditions, narrows down the possibilities to Aleister Chamber.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 7, pages 3-4
That evening, they arrive at Aleister's party. Angelina and Grelle attend the party as themselves, Ciel as Angelina's niece from the countryside, Sebastian as Ciel's home tutor, and Lau as Angelina's lover.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 7, page 8 Afterward, Lau is obliged to fan Angelina as she indulges in luxury.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 7, page 14
Sebastian, to serve as a distraction for Ciel, pretends to be a magician and asks the "random" gentleman, Lau, to assist him in the performance.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 7, page 30 Lau agrees, and Sebastian instructs that after he enters the cupboard, Lau is to tightly chain it up and then pierce the cupboard with several swords. Sebastian promises to come out alive, and after he goes inside the cupboard, Lau says he will not hold back. He immediately stabs from the top, bewildering the audience. He then swiftly applies the chains and thoroughly penetrates the cupboard with swords.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 7, page 31-34 Despite this, Sebastian steps out alive, and he and Lau receive the audience's passionate acclaim. Lau and Angelina praise Sebastian, and the former lightheartedly says that he had believed he killed Sebastian with his "mountain of needles". He curiously asks if there was some sort of trap, which causes Angelina to scold him for shoving all the swords at Sebastian without a thought. Nevertheless, Sebastian assures them both that he told them there were no tricks or traps.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 7, pages 34-35
The following day, they discover that Aleister is not "Jack the Ripper." Lau muses that if the suspect could not have carried out the murders, then others from the beginning are responsible for them.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 8, page 14 Later, Lau comments that the stormy night is "pitiful".Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 8, page 28
Subsequently, Lau attends Angelina's funeralKuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 13, page 4 and visits Ciel by her grave. He questions if he has revealed who the murderer was to the Queen, but Ciel states there was no reason to since the Jack the Ripper killings have stopped. Lau declares that this decision will cause him to "steadily sink into the mud" because of his refusal to seek help. Ciel retaliates by saying Lau's opium and intoxicants den, in time, will surely be closed by the police. Lau asserts that he can find a new business venture, as his interest in England and in Ciel is "far from exhausted"; he adds that he hopes Ciel will show him many more interesting things. They then part ways.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 13, pages 13-15
===Indian Butler Arc===
Ciel and Sebastian, after learning about the Anglo-Indian attacks, go to visit Lau in his opium den to see if he knows of any Indian hideouts. There, Lau is relaxing with Ran-Mao and several girls. Ciel scolds him to stop smoking opium and listen, and leaves East End to Lau since the number of people who move in and out of the street are under his management. They walk to East End to find the stronghold of Indians, but Lau soon admits he has lost track of where they are at while listening to Ciel's explanation of the incident.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 15, pages 11-16
They are then attacked and threatened by Indians, and Lau conceals himself on top of a roof and watches the ensuing fight and the arrival of Soma Asman Kadar and Agni. After Agni defeats all the Indians and subsequently departs with Soma, Lau praises Sebastian and Ciel and claims that he was hiding on the roof for the "right chance to jump in". He comments that Soma and Agni are definitely not from the East End due to their elegant apparel and accent.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 15, page 17-20
Afterward, Lau returns with Ciel to the Phantomhive townhouse. There, they encounter Prince Soma and Agni again as the pair have decided to stay with Ciel since they "saved" him; Lau also decides to stay with Ciel.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 16, pages 2-4 Soon, they learn that Agni and Soma are looking for Mina, and throughout the day, he joins Soma and Agni as they interrupt Ciel during his lessons at whatever available opportunity.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 16, pages 8-14
At fencing hour, Ciel challenges Soma to a match. During the match, Agni intervenes and unintentionally hurts Ciel's arm in the process. Lau tosses a sword to Sebastian and tells him that he should take reprisal for his master. However, after the match, Agni and Sebastian are tied, much to Lau's disappointment.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 16, pages 14-16Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 16, pages 22-25
The next day, another mysterious attack occurs, and Lau points out that Soma and Agni have been suspicious from the start. They decide to wait until nighttime to investigate Soma and Agni who usually leave every night. Lau, Ciel, and Sebastian then follow them, and they discover that they are simply looking for Mina.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 18, pages 4-6
Later, however, Agni leaves on his own; Lau, Ciel, Sebastian, and Soma follow him as they are all unaware of his motive in going out arbitrarily at night. They eventually end up at Harold West Jeb's house, who is an importer of trade goods, and Lau notes that they are in the same business.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 18, pages 6-10 They sneak onto his property with Sebastian lifting Ciel over the wall while Lau and Soma are forced to climb over. Lau soon calls them over to the entrance, as he has already knocked out the guard personnel by rendering them asleep with a needle soaked with a drug- an ancient Chinese technique. When they respond in a disapproving manner, he nonchalantly states that at least the guards are not dead.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 18, pages 11-13
They go inside and eavesdrop on Harold and Agni. Later, when Soma bursts in, he watches the ensuing fight. Lau and Ciel deduce that Harold is involved in the black market, so Lau concludes that this matter is in Ciel's jurisdiction. Sebastian rescues Soma while wearing a stuffed deer's head, which amuses Lau. When Lau deems it too dangerous to remain there, he carries Ciel out and back to the townhouse. There, they speculate that Agni betrayed Soma in order to earn Harold the Royal Warrant, and in return, Harold would release Mina.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 18, pages 14-19Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 18, pages 27-29Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 19, pages 18-26
Ciel decides to obtain the Royal Warrant for the Funtom Corporation, and Lau agrees, saying that launching into food industry will also deter competitors.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 19, pages 26-30 However, Soma announces that Agni's "Right Hand of God" will be unbeatable and claims he has never tasted a more delicious curry than Agni's; Lau and Ciel derive that his nickname is not conceived in respect to his strength, but rather because of his god-like capability in preparing curry.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 19, page 31-37
Later, as directed by Ciel, Lau uses his position as the head of a trading company to obtain the best spices in a short period of time and complains that he had to prepare them all in one day despite not being an expert in spices. Ciel counters that only on occasions such as this is Lau beneficial and Lau concedes that it is never a bad time to do Ciel a favor. He then also aids in taste-testing the curry until Sebastian can make a competition-worthy one.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 20, pages 4-8Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 20, pages 10-22
Lau follows Ciel to the kitchen, where Ciel requests that Sebastian prepare him a chocolate cake for a dessert. Out in the hall, Lau comments that the inconvenience Ciel has imposed on Sebastian seems to indicate that he would like Sebastian to lose. Ciel says it would be more interesting than obtaining the Royal Warrant if he did, and Lau calls him a bully.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 20, pages 23-25
At the competition, Lau arrives with Ran-Mao, and he introduces her as his sister although they are not related biologically. They speculate the possibility of the disclosure of Harold's dishonest deeds by Agni should he be released. Lau then asks if Ciel would kill Agni if he was Harold, and the latter finds it excessive. Lau casually states that if it was him, he would do as such, and he adds that he is intrigued by Sebastian's strategy in the curry contest.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 21, pages 4-7
After the competition is declared a tie between Agni and Sebastian, the Queen arrives to cast her own vote. When reminded of her dead husband, she breaks down crying; Lau comments that she seems like a complex character, and Ciel admonishes him. After she has recovered, she officially announces Sebastian as the winner.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 21, pages 44-49 Seeing Harold's distress upon losing, Lau follows him and Mina to an alleyway. He remarks that while Ciel would let them go, he must discipline the "naughty little mice" that made a mess out of the East End. Hence, he keeps a "cat", referring to Ran-Mao, who violently swings her clubs. They scream, promising to never repeat the offense.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 22, pages 28-29
===Phantomhive Manor Murders Arc===
Lau and Ran-Mao are invited to a party thrown by Ciel. There, he introduces himself to Arthur Conan Doyle, and tells him that though Ciel is moody, something interesting is bound to happen.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 39, pages 6-9 When Ciel introduces the other guests to Lau, Patrick Phelps is shocked to hear that Lau manages the Kong-Rong Company, but he goes silent when Lau glares at him. When Ran-Mao flirts with Georg von Siemens, Lau attributes her bold action to her supposedly pampered nature. He and the other guests are impressed by Grimsby Keane and Irene Diaz.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 39, pages 13-16
In the midst of the festivities, Grimsby and the other guests hear a loud scream from Georg. They rush to his bedroom; inside, they discover, to their unanimous horror, that Georg has been killed.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 39, pages 33-37 After Baldroy and Finnian move Georg's body to the cellar, Lau points out that the storm will keep the Scotland Yard away and that they are probably trapped in the Phantomhive Manor with the murderer. They contemplate about the details of the murder, and Lau suggests that Georg's death is a locked room murder. When Karl Woodley and Grimsby start fighting, he easily stops them and asks everyone for their alibis. When it is his turn, he says that he and Ran-Mao were drinking in the lounge with Karl. Ciel does not have an alibi, and Lau relays his suspicions about Ciel. He then proposes that they confine Ciel for the time being, to ease everyone's anxiety. However, he refuses to be the one to watch over Ciel; to make sure he does not escape he nominates Arthur instead. Afterward, Lau and the other guests are escorted to their respective rooms.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 40, pages 5-6Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 40, pages 10-24
The next morning, Lau and the other guests discover the brutal murder of Sebastian Michaelis.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 41, pages 26-28 Lau notes that it must have been impossible for the confined Ciel to have committed the murder, and he adds that things "just got interesting"; Arthur, who is beside him, is shocked by Lau's sinister smile.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 41, pages 37-38 Soon after, the guests examine Sebastian's body. When Lau comments about the savagery of the murder, Finnian emotionally demands that they stop, as they are discussing the appalling details in front of Ciel. They decide to move Sebastian's body to the cellar for the meanwhile and plan to pursue the topic at breakfast.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 42, pages 9-11
Later, at the breakfast table, they realize that Patrick is absent. They head to Ciel's bedroom, where Patrick was assigned to stay in. When they find that the door is locked, Grey swiftly cuts it down, to Lau's amazement. They hurry inside, and discover Patrick's corpse.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 42, pages 17-26 While everyone else is concentrating on Patrick, Lau and Ran-Mao rummage through Ciel's wardrobe, much to Ciel's annoyance. Soon after, they have dessert in the drawing room where they discuss the three murders. Ciel voices his suspicions about Lau, which are derived from the facts that Patrick was Lau's business rival and that Lau carries around a large needle that could have inflicted the wound they saw on Patrick. When Lau displays his needle, Karl and Grimsby rashly jump to the conclusion that Lau is the murderer. Lau explains why he cannot be the murderer and wonders aloud if Ciel is taking revenge on him; Ciel assures him that he is simply teasing him for suggesting his confinement earlier.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 43, pages 4-15 When Karl goes berserk at the idea that there is most likely more than one murderer, Tanaka effortlessly suppresses him with a move Lau recognizes as Japan's "baritsu."Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 43, pages 18-25
Ultimately, the group allows for Arthur to dictate their actions from here on out, as through deductive reasoning, he is the only one who could not have committed any of the crimes.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 43, page 27 They decide to investigate Sebastian's body in the cellar, but Lau asks to stay behind to enjoy tea with Ran-Mao.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 44, page 3 Subsequently, Arthur explains to all the guests that their rooms and belongings must be checked, and they give their consent; Lau is the last room Ciel and Arthur inspect for the male side, and just like the other rooms, they do not find Sebastian's key.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 44, pages 17-18 The group gathers in the drawing room once again, and Lau hypothesizes that the key could have been thrown outside; this prompts Finnian and Mey-Rin to volunteer to search outside.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 44, pages 21-23 Afterward, Lau suggests the idea that there is a thirteenth person in the manor, and that he is probably waiting for the right moment to strike.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 44, pages 37-38
Soon after, Jeremy Rathbone, the "thirteenth person," is brought to them, much to their astonishment. Lau claims that even he did not expect for the thirteenth person to show up so soon, but he then demonstrates that he does not have a clue to who the thirteenth person is.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 45, pages 5-6 After they verify that Jeremy is not involved in the murders, Jeremy is allowed to lead the investigation.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 45, page 15
For dinner, the group eats the scrumptious steak meat the Phantomhive servants have prepared. Lau presses for the truth behind the incidents, but Jeremy advises them to not be hasty.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 46, pages 26-27
While Jeremy implements a plan to catch Patrick's killer, Lau and the rest of the party members accumulate in Karl's room and wait. After a while, Patrick's killer is revealed to be an African snake that has been trained to attack whoever or whichever harbors Ciel's scent. Lau says that if Ciel had died, he and Ran-Mao would have been in trouble. They soon deduce that the snake must have been smuggled, which brings their attention to Karl, who specializes in the African diamond trade. Karl tries to put the blame on Lau, but Lau rebuts the accusation by stating that Kunlun does not do business with African companies. Jeremy has enough evidence to pin the murders of Georg and Sebastian on Karl.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 47, pages 4-27 After Karl is detained, Lau joins in on the toast to celebrate the solving of the case. He and the other guests later safely leave Ciel's manor.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 47, pages 30-31
===Luxury Liner Arc===
One morning, Lau and Ran-Mao barge into Phantomhive Manor, startling Ciel Phantomhive. Lau expresses his disappointment that Ciel has already finished his breakfast, for he was planning to eat it. He offhandedly notes that he thought Sebastian Michaelis had died recently, and Ciel scolds him for not listening.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 51, pages 10-11
After he is seated and given food, Lau reveals that he has come to discuss the Karnstein Hospital, which reportedly revives the dead, as claimed in the newspaper. He informs Ciel that the hospital has been doing a lot of shopping in the back docks he is in charge of. The hospital often illegally shops for foreign slaves, but the amount has increased abnormally as of late. He voices his doubt that a hospital could fit so many people, and he comments that it is disastrous for such an underhanded hospital to feature in the regular society's news. With this information, they speculate that the hospital is conducting illegal human experimentation, and Ciel orders Sebastian to investigate. Afterward, Lau and Ran-Mao take their leave.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 51, pages 11-14
===Public School Arc===
Sebastian Michaelis asks Lau and Ran-Mao to attend Weston College's annual cricket tournament, along with Lau's collection of women, so that said women can distract the other cricket players for Ciel Phantomhive's sake. Lau agrees and brings them with him on June 4, the day of the tournament. There, Ran-Mao holds up a betting board while Lau attempts to persuade other spectators of the tournament to place bets on whether Red House or Blue House will win the match.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 78, pages 11-12Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 76, page 19
Later, Lau, with Ran-Mao sitting in his lap during Ciel's final match with Green House, is flanked by several other women. Upon seeing the women display their bare legs, the Green House players become flustered, as planned.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 78, pages 14-16 After a certain informer reports them to the officials, Lau and his women are forcibly taken away from the venue.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 78, page 17 Despite this, they are later able to witness Ciel's victory and the birth of the second "Miracle of Sapphires."Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 80, page 20
==Quotes==
<tabber>
Manga=
* (To Ciel Phantomhive) "— And thus, do you become further mired in mud. Even if you reach a place from whence you cannot return, you will never utter an unsightly scream or beg for help in front of anybody. You proud hound of the Queen. I shall be careful myself to avoid falling into my lord's 'care'."Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 13, pages 13-14
* (To Ciel Phantomhive) "I am still interested in this country. And in you as well, my lord. I expect you will continue to amuse me."Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 13, page 15
* (To Harold West Jeb and Mina) "Lord Earl said to leave the small fry alone, but those who try something once will try it again and again. He's still too soft when it comes to that sort of thing, I guess. Well, I do find his boyish side rather lovable. But I must strike some fear into the hearts of the naughty little mice who made a mess of my garden here, in the East End. That's why I keep this cat. Meow!"
|-|
Anime=
* "The spider's web has already been woven. The more you struggle, the harder it becomes to escape from those bonds. Whatever the prey, once they get involved with me, catching them is only a matter of time."Kuroshitsuji anime; Episode 9
* "In this world, Earl, there're people who can't survive because of the cruelty of reality. I sell those people's dreams."Kuroshitsuji anime; Episode 19
* "In this whole world, everything is the dream of a butterfly."Kuroshitsuji anime; Episode 20
* "One night, Zhuang Zhou dreamt he was a butterfly. He was a happily fluttering butterfly. It was so much fun. He could fly wherever he wanted. And he had no thought of being Zhou, but suddenly he woke up, and was startled to find that he was now Zhou. He couldn't decide: Was he Zhou who'd dreamt he was a butterfly or a butterfly now dreaming he was Zhou? Between being Zhou and a butterfly, surely there must be some distinction. This is what we call the transformation of things."
</tabber>
==Trivia==
<tabber>
General=
* only time Lau wore something different from his Chinese clothing was when he went to Aleister Chamber's party as Angelina Dalles' lover, dressed in a traditional suit.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 7, page 5
* Lau was included in the list of possible Jack the Ripper suspects Ciel Phantomhive madeKuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 9, page 21 because of his skill in the use of needles and familiarity with human anatomy.Kuroshitsuji manga; Chapter 6, page 28
===Out of Universe===
* According to the official Kuroshitsuji character popularity poll, Lau is the ninth most popular character in the series, with 268 votes.June 2015 Issue of Square Enix's GFantasy Magazine
* According to Yana Toboso, Lau's special feature is his "adaptability." She also states that he may be the character with the strongest nerves as he does not let himself get worked up easily.Kuroshitsuji Character Guide; page 57
* When planning the cover illustration for the March 2009 issue of Monthly GFantasy, Toboso and her editor Mr. K came to the conclusion that Lau most likely does not know Sebastian's name as he generally ignores the servants and has no interest in Sebastian. Because of that, Toboso and Mr. K ultimately chose to include Ciel on the cover as a "buffer.""To tell the truth, ever since the anime started, I have drawn a lot of illustrations featuring 'Sebastian and someone'. However, this time it's not a pair because Lau and Sebastian don't have common ground at all! (lol)(The series) already has 7 comic volumes and there are a couple of scenes in which both of them appeared, but I think they only had a conversation once. Hmmm. (Lau has an) amazing skill to ignore the servants.Even in the meeting with my editor, we came to the conclusion that Lau probably doesn't even remember Sebastian's name. That's why the illustration of the pair 'Sebastian and Lau' didn't work.[...] So this time (it's not a pair but) I put our young master between them [acting as a buffer between Sebastian and Lau]."
** Additionally, Lau's voice actor Koji Yusa once stated in an interview that Lau is not interested in Sebastian and is only interested in Ciel. Toboso confirmed this."Even Yusa-san, the voice actor of Lau, said in an interview, 'Lau isn't really interested in Sebastian. If anything, he's interested in Ciel', and he's right indeed."
* According to Toboso and Mr. K, Lau is the character who underwent the biggest development during the early stages of the series, because, at first, he did not have much of a personality. However, this changed after Koji Yusa started voicing him. Without him, Lau would not be like he is now, and he would not have become an important character in the series.Kuroshitsuji Character Guide, page 144
* Toboso and her assistants nicknamed Lau "Ramen" because the pattern of the waist sash he was wearing during the Red Butler Arc reminded them of a pattern used for ramen bowls.Downstairs with Kuroshitsuji, Volume VIII
|-|
Musicals=
* Lau is portrayed by various actors in the musicals:
**By Ryuuya in That Butler, Friendship.
**By Hirofumi Araki in Lycoris that Blazes the Earth.
</tabber>
==References==
==Navigation==
pl:Lau
de:Lau
es:Lau
ru:Лау
fr:Lau
pt-br:Lau
it:Lau
Category:Characters
Category:Male characters
Category:Aristocrats of Evil
Category:Athena Sanatorium
Category:Black Butler Arc
Category:Red Butler Arc
Category:Indian Butler Arc
Category:Phantomhive Manor Murders Arc
Category:Luxury Liner Arc
Category:Public School Arc
Category:Blue Memory Arc
Category:Blue Revenge Arc
Category:Shard of Hope Arc
Category:Conspiracy and Revenge Arc
Category:Kuroshitsuji II
Category:Kuroshitsuji Musical