Core Insights - The rise of emotional consumption and the "millet economy" are key drivers, with the Gen Z demographic leading to over 500 million participants in the pan-second dimension market by 2024, and a market size of approximately 600 billion yuan, including a millet economy worth over 150 billion yuan [1] - The trend in the collectible toy market is expected to reach 110 billion yuan by 2027, with a competitive landscape characterized by "one strong and many strong" players, where Pop Mart leads the industry, while foreign brands like Lego and Bandai hold significant market shares [1] Market Segmentation - In the toy segment, blind boxes, building toys, and card games are leading the growth of the collectible toy industry, with blind boxes driven by unknown stimuli and IP value, targeting a consumer base that is 75% female and primarily Gen Z, with a projected market size of 58 billion yuan by 2025 [1][2] - Building toys are designed for all age groups, activating both parent-child and adult scenarios, with a market size expected to reach 64 billion yuan by 2028, led by domestic brand Blokus [1][2] - Card games focus on a younger demographic (ages 8-15) and are dependent on parental spending, with a projected market size of 44.6 billion yuan by 2029, where Card Game occupies a leading position [1][2] Competitive Landscape - Leading companies such as Pop Mart, Blokus, and Card Game are driving industry development through differentiated competition, with Pop Mart focusing on IP incubation and blind box mechanisms, Blokus targeting children's educational scenarios, and Card Game emphasizing children's social interaction [3] - Pop Mart maintains strong channel control primarily through direct sales, while Blokus is shifting from online direct sales to a dealer-centric model, and Card Game is also focusing on a dealer model but is experiencing channel contraction [3] - Financially, Pop Mart is enhancing its brand premium with a projected gross margin of 66.8% and an adjusted net profit margin of 26.1% in 2024, while Blokus has improved its inventory turnover days from 137 to 46, achieving a turnaround in adjusted net profit margin from -107.9% to 26.1% [3] International Insights - Successful overseas companies demonstrate that a multi-faceted business ecosystem centered around IP is crucial, with Disney leveraging its IP across films, parks, and merchandise, Bandai focusing on vertical IP and high-precision models, and Sanrio expanding its "cute economy" through light asset character licensing [4]