Core Viewpoint - The consumption-level 3D printing market is expected to grow significantly, driven by factors such as the export demand from Europe and the US, as well as the influence of trendy toys, with a projected market size of approximately $50 billion by 2028, reflecting a CAGR of 19% [2][15]. Group 1: Market Growth and Trends - The consumption-level 3D printing market is anticipated to reach $7.1 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19% from a market size of $2.503 billion in 2022 [15][16]. - The demand for desktop-level 3D printing devices is being driven by the "maker movement" and innovative culture in Europe and the US, leading to a projected export value of $1.147 billion for China in 2024, representing a year-on-year growth of 31.09% [11]. Group 2: Industry Dynamics - The consumption-level 3D printing devices represent a significant shift of high-end industrial technology into the consumer market, characterized by ease of use and lower costs [3][6]. - The synergy between trendy toys and 3D printing is expected to enhance both the creativity of toy products and the sales of consumption-level 3D printers, with new economic models emerging in China starting in 2024 [9][11].

Core Insights - The surge in overseas sales of LABUBU has spotlighted Dongguan's Shipaizhen, attracting both domestic and international businesses to the area [1] - Shipaizhen boasts a top-tier toy manufacturing industry chain in China, which supports the growth of brands like Pop Mart [1] - The rise of "trendy toys" is reshaping Dongguan's toy industry, with businesses pursuing opportunities in this sector [1] Industry Overview - Shipaizhen is recognized as the "Trendy Toy Capital of China," with over 400 toy and trendy toy production enterprises [11] - The total output value of the trendy toy industry cluster in Shipaizhen is projected to reach 13.218 billion yuan in 2024, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 12.3% [11] - The town accounts for approximately 30% of Dongguan's trendy toy industry output value, making it the largest in the city [11] Company Developments - Dongguan Yanchuang Cultural Development Co., Ltd. was established in 2024 and has developed its own trendy toy brand, EMMA, which has gained popularity [2][3] - The company transitioned from producing complex figurines to focusing on trendy toys due to market demand and operational challenges with previous partners [3] - Dapiaoqiang Toy Co., Ltd. has capitalized on the popularity of plush toys, achieving significant sales growth due to the demand for alternatives to high-priced limited-edition products from LABUBU [4][5] Market Dynamics - The trend of live-streaming sales has significantly influenced the growth of companies like Dapiaoqiang, which has amassed a large following and expanded its product offerings [5][6] - The competitive landscape is shifting as traditional toy manufacturers face pressure to adapt to the higher profit margins associated with trendy toys [9][10] - The entry of non-industry players into the trendy toy market has led to increased competition, with many struggling to sell their products [10] Technological and Operational Advancements - Companies like Wenbo Craft have upgraded their production capabilities by introducing advanced machinery and establishing a professional product laboratory [7][8] - The local industry benefits from a well-established supply chain, allowing for quick assembly and production of trendy toys [6] Consumer Behavior - Trendy toys differ from traditional toys in that they often rely on aesthetic appeal rather than established character narratives, leading to a stronger emotional connection with consumers [10] - The lower production costs associated with plush and rubber toys have made them more accessible for manufacturers, although this has also intensified competition [10]

本报记者 李豪悦 杨怀玉认为，泡泡玛特在海外市场迸发出的潜力将使其在全球市场中的竞争力得到提升。"面对全球IP玩具竞争趋势，中 国企业未来与全球巨头正面对抗不可避免，品牌大规模'出海'也成为必然。" 国内品牌直面全球竞争 7月28日，高盛发布研究报告称，对比北美、日本等成熟市场，中国当前的IP支出规模仍显著偏低，但情感价值赋予IP更 高溢价，短视频、直播等便捷媒体渠道亦扩大受众。 "中国IP玩具市场仍是蓝海一片。"上海夏至良时咨询管理有限公司高级研究员、大消费行业分析师杨怀玉对《证券日报》 记者表示，"中国本土IP玩具品牌呈现充分竞争局面。市场前五大IP玩具公司市场份额合计仅占20.8%，剩余的都分散在中小厂 商，这也意味着行业仍有弯道超车的爆发机会。" 中国市场潜力巨大 高盛研报认为，中国IP玩具市场具备进一步增长的潜力，供需两端均出现更强劲的驱动因素。供应端方面，多样化IP矩阵 有望持续拓宽客户群，而精心设计的产品与品类扩张则为IP变现提供了载体。 从国内产品侧来看，潮玩品类已经从盲盒向毛绒玩具、可动玩偶、大娃等更多类型蔓延。与此同时，原创IP出新速度加 快。例如，52TOYS今年陆续推出CiCiLu、P ...

Core Viewpoint - WAKUKU has rapidly gained popularity among Generation Z, driven by its unique branding and effective celebrity marketing strategies, while Quantum Song, the parent company, faces significant challenges in its core education business despite the surge in interest for WAKUKU products [2][4][10]. Group 1: WAKUKU's Market Performance - WAKUKU's blind boxes are sold out across various online and offline channels, with reports of a half-month stockout period and limited restocking quantities [2][4]. - The price of certain WAKUKU items, such as the "Sweetheart Rabbit" tag, has seen significant increases, with second-hand prices rising from approximately 150 RMB to around 320 RMB, reflecting a 1.5 times increase from the original price of 129 RMB [5][9]. - WAKUKU's marketing strategy includes collaborations with celebrities, which has effectively boosted brand visibility and appeal among consumers [4][10]. Group 2: Quantum Song's Business Challenges - Quantum Song's core education business has been declining, with a reported 39.6% drop in revenue year-over-year for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025, amounting to approximately 571 million RMB [8][9]. - The number of paid students has drastically decreased from 1.7 million in June 2024 to 300,000 in early 2025, indicating a loss of nearly 1.5 million users within a year [10][13]. - Complaints regarding misleading marketing practices have surged, with significant refund requests reported, highlighting a growing trust issue among consumers [10][13]. Group 3: Market Outlook and Strategic Moves - The Chinese collectible toy market is projected to grow from 174.2 billion RMB in 2024 to 335.7 billion RMB by 2029, presenting a potential growth avenue for Quantum Song through its acquisition of WAKUKU [7]. - Despite the initial market excitement following the acquisition, Quantum Song has yet to see substantial financial contributions from WAKUKU, raising questions about the sustainability of its business model [7][10]. - The company is at a crossroads, needing to rebuild trust in its education services while effectively managing the dual focus on both education and the emerging toy market [13].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges and strategies of Lehua Entertainment in the context of its reliance on top star Wang Yibo and the introduction of high-cost training programs for aspiring young artists, raising concerns about accessibility and the company's future revenue diversification [2][9]. Group 1: Training Programs and Partnerships - Lehua Entertainment is launching a youth artist training program in collaboration with Yanjing Middle School, offering early career artistic education and talent scouting for a high fee of 198,000 yuan per year [2][6]. - The training program is designed for youth aged 8-18, covering various disciplines such as acting, vocal performance, and dance, with a total of 81 class hours over three sessions [3]. - The program has already seen high demand, with the first session fully booked, indicating strong interest among families despite the high costs [3][4]. Group 2: Financial Implications and Revenue Dependence - Lehua Entertainment's revenue is heavily dependent on Wang Yibo, who contributes over 50% to the company's income, with 90.9% of revenue coming from artist management [9]. - The company faces a potential revenue gap as Wang Yibo's contract expires in October 2026, necessitating the search for new income sources [9]. - The high tuition fees for the training programs are seen as a way to filter candidates based on their financial background, potentially reducing the company's upfront investment in artist training [6][7]. Group 3: Market Trends and Future Directions - The article highlights a shift in the entertainment industry towards higher cultural and educational standards for artists, moving away from the previous focus on mere popularity [8]. - Lehua Entertainment is exploring new avenues such as virtual artists and the潮玩 (trendy toys) market, with significant investments in these areas to diversify its revenue streams [10][11]. - The company's stock price has seen significant growth, increasing sixfold from January to June 2023, driven by its ventures into潮玩 and the popularity of its artists [11].

Group 1 - The article highlights the life of a family worker, Hu Meiyu, who earns a daily wage of around 50 yuan by trimming excess plastic from Labubu doll faces, a popular product from Pop Mart [7][10][28] - Labubu dolls have gained immense popularity globally, with initial products fetching prices as high as 1.08 million yuan at auctions, leading to long queues at Pop Mart stores and even violent competition among scalpers [6][28] - The production process involves multiple steps and workers, with Hu Meiyu's role being just one of many in the supply chain, reflecting the low wages and labor-intensive nature of the work [15][20] Group 2 - The article discusses the broader context of the toy manufacturing industry in Dongguan, which is home to over 4,000 toy production companies, making it the largest toy export base in China [15][22] - The article mentions that the price for a single Labubu doll face in a factory setting is around 5 yuan, while the retail price can exceed 1000 yuan, indicating a significant markup in the supply chain [15][28] - The article also touches on the related market for doll clothing, which has seen a resurgence due to the popularity of Labubu, with wholesale prices for doll outfits ranging from 15 to 30 yuan [26][27]

Core Insights - The collectible toy market, particularly the "潮玩" (trendy toys), is experiencing significant growth, with companies like Labubu and Pop Mart leading the charge, resulting in substantial market valuations and wealth creation for founders [1][2] - The emergence of "AI潮玩" (AI trendy toys) is seen as a potential new trend, combining the popularity of trendy toys with AI technology, attracting investments from major players in the tech industry [2][4] - Despite the excitement, many companies in the AI潮玩 space have yet to achieve successful product commercialization [3] Market Dynamics - The trendy toy market is characterized by limited releases and collaborations that create scarcity and drive demand, as seen with Pop Mart's blind box series [5][6] - AI潮玩 products are positioned as interactive companions, offering emotional engagement and voice interaction, distinguishing them from traditional trendy toys [6][8] - The AI潮玩 market is crowded, with at least 30 companies competing, but the actual differentiation in product offerings remains limited [2][9] Product Characteristics - Traditional trendy toys rely on IP and scarcity for value appreciation, while AI潮玩 integrates AI capabilities, which may undermine the collectible aspect due to rapid technological advancements [8][17] - AI潮玩 products are often marketed with a focus on their functional attributes, such as emotional interaction and AI capabilities, rather than just aesthetics [6][23] - The pricing of AI潮玩 varies significantly, influenced by the integration of software and hardware, with some products reaching high price points due to their advanced features [17][21] Marketing Strategies - AI潮玩 companies are adopting marketing strategies similar to those of traditional trendy toy brands, including pre-sales, community engagement, and limited product releases to create hype [13][15] - The focus on surrounding merchandise and subscription services for software updates is becoming a common practice to enhance profitability [11][21] - Companies are also targeting international markets early in their development to capitalize on broader opportunities, as seen with brands like Ropet and Oilovef [15][24] Consumer Behavior - Consumers of AI潮玩 tend to prioritize functionality and durability over collectibility, viewing these products as technology rather than mere toys [23][24] - The desire for companionship and novelty drives purchases, with many consumers not inclined to spend on additional features or accessories [22][23] - The competitive landscape is intensifying, with consumers comparing products based on performance and price, leading to potential price wars among similar offerings [23][24]

Summary of Key Points from Conference Call Records Industry Overview - The current state of the collectible toy (潮玩) and anime (二次元) markets shows continued growth momentum in the first half of 2025, with a significant increase in store openings in 2024, indicating strong sales in 2023 [1][3] - The collectible toy market is characterized by high absolute store numbers, while the anime market exhibits faster growth rates, reflecting consumer demand for IP products and highly standardized items [1][4] Core Insights and Arguments - **Collectible Toy Categories**: The collectible toy market is divided into card games, blind boxes, and building toys. Blind boxes rely on direct sales to control pricing and prevent market dilution, while card games and building toys are sold through distributors or large KA channels [1][5] - **Anime Brand Expansion**: Anime brands are rapidly expanding through collective store formats in shopping centers, with grocery collective store sales expected to grow by 10%-15% year-on-year in 2024. The use of major KOL channels has accelerated sales growth, although the sustainability of IP and the maturity of the supply chain still require development [1][6] - **Shopping Center Collaboration**: Shopping centers collaborate with collectible toy brands through fixed rent, a combination of fixed rent and sales commission, or direct high commission. Leading brands like Pop Mart typically use a guaranteed minimum plus commission model, with a rental yield ratio of about 11%, lower than the retail sector average [1][7] - **Sales Performance**: The collectible toy sector has shown remarkable performance, with significant month-on-month sales increases in April and May 2025, where benchmark stores exceeded 1 million yuan in sales, contributing significantly to shopping center revenues [1][8] Additional Important Insights - **Market Dynamics**: Despite an overall negative growth in shopping center formats since 2019, the collectible toy and anime sectors have maintained a long-term growth trend in store openings [2] - **Anime Market Characteristics**: The anime market is still developing, with a relatively weak brand concentration. Leading brands achieve monthly sales of approximately 40-50 thousand yuan, while non-leading brands only reach 10-20 thousand yuan [3][17] - **Consumer Preferences**: Young consumers view purchases in the collectible toy and anime sectors as social currency, indicating that marketing strategies should focus on social engagement to attract foot traffic [14] - **Geographic Trends**: Major cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Chengdu are leading in the anime market, with a high concentration of young consumers who are receptive to these cultural trends [16][23] Future Outlook - **Growth Potential**: The collectible toy sector is expected to maintain its popularity, with a focus on attracting more brands into shopping centers. The sales growth rate for collectible toys and anime in shopping centers is projected to be between 15%-30%, significantly higher than the overall growth rate of 5% [9][28] - **Challenges for Anime Brands**: The anime sector still faces challenges in achieving the same level of brand strength and market maturity as collectible toys, requiring further cultivation of IP sustainability and supply chain development [10][18][30] - **Consumer Behavior Trends**: The preference for Japanese IP products remains strong, with IP being a crucial factor in driving sales and market growth [24] This summary encapsulates the key points from the conference call records, highlighting the dynamics, performance, and future outlook of the collectible toy and anime markets.

Core Insights - The popularity of LABUBU, a toy character launched by Beijing-based Pop Mart, has rapidly gained traction among global youth, showcasing the effective grasp of trends, cultural confidence, and advantages in China's industrial and supply chains [1][2][3] Product Evolution - LABUBU was first created by Hong Kong artist Long Jia Sheng in 2015 but gained significant attention after Pop Mart signed the IP in 2018 and launched it as a collectible figure [3][8] - The character underwent several iterations, with a major design shift occurring in 2020 when the MiniSeries3 series transitioned the design from "ugly monster" to "cute monster," enhancing its appeal [10][12] - The introduction of the "Heart Macaron" series in October 2023 marked a breakthrough in materials, combining PVC and plush to create a more tactile and visually appealing product [10][12] Market Expansion - LABUBU's international recognition surged after a social media post by BLACKPINK member Lisa in April 2024, leading to a significant increase in sales and the establishment of a LABUBU-themed store in Bangkok, which achieved over 10 million in single-day sales [17][19] - The character's association with high-profile celebrities has further propelled its popularity, with notable figures showcasing LABUBU in various contexts, leading to viral trends on social media platforms [17][19] Consumer Behavior - The primary consumer base, mainly Gen Z, is shifting from mere collection to self-expression, viewing LABUBU as a symbol of individuality and a social currency among peers [19][20] - The emotional connection with the product is emphasized, as consumers engage in customizing their LABUBU figures, enhancing the personal significance of the toys [19][20] Supply Chain and Production - The production of LABUBU involves over a hundred processes, reflecting the complexity and craftsmanship required to meet the high standards of adult collectors [21][22] - Pop Mart has established deep collaborations with factories in Guangdong, focusing on improving manufacturing processes and ensuring quality control, which highlights the advantages of China's supply chain [21][22]

Financial Performance - In 2024, the company achieved a revenue of CNY 2.376 billion, a year-on-year increase of 8.5%, and a net profit attributable to shareholders of CNY 48.54 million, up 152% [5] - In Q1 2025, revenue reached CNY 496 million, growing by 21%, with a net profit of CNY 4.92 million, an increase of 127% [5] - The company expects continued growth in its new retail operations, logistics solutions, and smart self-service terminals in 2025 [5] New Retail Operations - The new retail comprehensive operation business generated approximately CNY 160 million in revenue by the end of 2024, with a growth rate exceeding 50% [7] - The business model integrates public and commercial points, allowing the company to enter areas typically inaccessible to commercial points [7] - The company has nearly 10,000 operational points, indicating a strong growth trajectory [7] Competitive Advantages - The company has a dedicated R&D team of over 1,200, with R&D investment averaging over 10% of revenue [9] - As of the end of 2024, the company holds 2,185 valid patents, including 661 invention patents [9] - New Beiyang has established a global marketing service network, selling products in over 40 countries and regions [11] International Expansion - In 2024, overseas revenue reached CNY 992 million, a 24% increase, accounting for over 40% of total revenue [12] - The company has pursued a dual-market strategy since its inception, expanding into international markets after establishing a foothold domestically [13] Future Growth Strategies - The company has transitioned from a focus on specialized printers to a diversified business model, enhancing growth potential [16] - Increased service operations and international revenue are expected to support sustainable growth [16] - The company emphasizes a value investment approach and warns investors to be mindful of risks [14]