Core Insights - The rise of "pain culture" in the ACG (Anime, Comic, Game) community has led to the popularity of "pain gold" jewelry, which combines gold with popular IP images, appealing to young consumers as a form of emotional expression and investment [1][5]. Group 1: Market Trends - "Pain gold" has gained significant traction among young consumers, with related topics on social media surpassing 2.25 million views [2]. - The demand for "pain gold" products has led to significant price increases, with some items being sold at nearly three times their original gold price [1][2]. - The transaction volume for IP gold products has increased by 294% year-on-year, indicating a strong market trend [2]. Group 2: Product Examples - Various brands have collaborated with well-known IPs to launch "pain gold" products, including 周大福 and 老凤祥, with prices often exceeding those of standard gold jewelry [3][4]. - Specific examples include a gold card featuring Pikachu priced at 888 yuan for 0.5 grams and a Saint Seiya figure priced at 890,000 yuan for 666 grams, showcasing the premium pricing of these items [4]. Group 3: Consumer Behavior - Young consumers aged 18 to 34 contribute over one-third of gold jewelry sales, reflecting their willingness to spend on unique items like "pain gold" [5]. - The emotional connection provided by IPs encourages young consumers to pay a premium for "pain gold," which is perceived as more durable than traditional collectibles [6].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolution of the Xiaohongshu community, highlighting the significant growth in the gaming and ACG (Anime, Comic, Game) content sectors, which are now among the top categories on the platform, indicating a vast potential for interest-based communities [4][18][19]. Group 1: Event and Community Engagement - Xiaohongshu created a unique immersive experience called "Pain Island" to cater to the gaming and ACG community, showcasing the platform's commitment to engaging its user base [7][10]. - The event featured over 50 well-known gaming and anime IPs, including popular titles like "Honor of Kings" and "Genshin Impact," enhancing the immersive experience for attendees [11][18]. - The community's engagement was further amplified by live performances, such as the Echo Project music festival, which resonated deeply with the audience, marking a significant cultural moment for fans [13][14]. Group 2: Growth Metrics and Trends - From 2023 to 2025, Xiaohongshu's ACG content has rapidly grown, becoming the third-largest category on the platform, with a notable increase in user engagement [18][19]. - The platform reported that the number of posts related to gaming and ACG content has increased by 175% and 168% year-on-year, respectively, indicating a strong upward trend in user-generated content [19][20]. - Xiaohongshu's gaming user base has reached over 110 million monthly active users, with daily exposure of gaming posts exceeding 2 billion [18]. Group 3: Cultural Integration and User Experience - The concept of "2.5D" culture is emerging on Xiaohongshu, blending virtual and real-life experiences, allowing users to engage with gaming content in a more relatable manner [20][24]. - The platform is fostering a community where gaming and ACG culture are integrated into daily life, as seen in user-generated content that reflects real-life applications of gaming themes [25][30]. - Xiaohongshu's shift from a lifestyle guide to an interest-based community signifies a broader cultural acceptance of niche interests, allowing for deeper emotional connections among users [33][39].

Core Insights - The Chinese animation and gaming industry is experiencing significant growth, with the market expected to exceed 270 billion yuan in 2024, making China the largest market globally for the "二次元" (2D) culture [2] - Major events like ChinaJoy and BiliBili World are becoming increasingly competitive, with cities vying for the rights to host these exhibitions, reflecting the rising commercial value of the industry [2] - The "痛" (pain) culture, characterized by the decoration of personal items with anime and gaming merchandise, is driving consumer interest and economic value, as evidenced by the rapid ticket sales for events like BW 2025 [4] Industry Trends - The rise of "痛" culture is linked to the continuous upgrade of domestic gaming companies, which are now focusing on creating a full IP value chain around popular games [4][5] - Companies like叠纸游戏 and米哈游 are successfully launching high-quality merchandise and achieving significant sales, indicating a strong market for IP-related products [4][5] - The trend of cross-industry collaborations is growing, with more consumer brands seeking partnerships with gaming and entertainment companies to tap into the lucrative market of IP merchandise [5] Event Dynamics - Major gaming companies are leveraging events like ChinaJoy to showcase their products, with companies like世纪华通 and网易游戏 presenting a diverse range of games and attracting large crowds [6][7] - The immersive experience provided at these events is crucial for gathering player feedback and enhancing marketing strategies, as players increasingly value firsthand experiences over traditional marketing [8] - The focus on high-quality, boutique games is reshaping the industry, with player reviews and word-of-mouth becoming critical for the success of new game launches [8]

Core Viewpoint - The emergence of "痛楼" (Pain Building) represents a new trend in commercial spaces, where fan culture and commercial activities converge, creating immersive experiences for fans and driving foot traffic to malls [15][62][67] Group 1: Concept and Characteristics of "痛楼" - "痛楼" is characterized by elaborate decorations and immersive experiences that cater to fan communities, often featuring large-scale displays and themed environments [1][12][32] - The term "痛" derives from Japanese culture, indicating an overt display of fandom, often associated with merchandise and themed events [21][62] - The phenomenon has become a new standard for fan support events, with costs starting at 20,000 yuan per day for mall rentals, attracting significant youth spending [15][51][62] Group 2: Economic Impact and Business Model - "痛楼" has proven to be a lucrative opportunity for malls, with over 60% of LED screens in core business districts expected to host fan support orders by 2024, with costs ranging from thousands to millions of yuan [32][62] - The model allows malls to attract younger consumers by creating a welcoming environment for fan activities, thus increasing overall foot traffic and sales [62][63] - The cost of organizing a "痛楼" event is significantly higher than traditional fan support methods, with expenses for a single day often exceeding 20,000 yuan [51][62] Group 3: Fan Engagement and Experience - Fans engage in various activities during "痛楼" events, including taking photos, participating in themed activities, and collecting exclusive merchandise, enhancing their sense of community [40][64] - The events often include interactive elements such as dance performances and custom merchandise, which further enrich the fan experience [42][47] - Malls are increasingly offering tailored services and discounts to fans, aiming to maximize emotional value and customer satisfaction [46][62] Group 4: Challenges and Considerations - While "痛楼" can drive traffic, it also requires careful planning and execution to avoid backlash from fans, as seen in instances where events did not meet expectations [63][64] - The success of "痛楼" is contingent on the mall's ability to create an authentic and immersive experience that resonates with fans, balancing commercial interests with community engagement [62][63] - Malls must navigate the competitive landscape of fan events, often requiring advance booking and strategic partnerships to secure prime locations and favorable terms [53][55]

Core Insights - The article discusses the rise of "pain culture," a visual expression trend among young people that originated from Japanese "痛车" (itasha) culture, which has evolved into a broader phenomenon encompassing various forms of public and personal expression [1][4][8] - Pain culture is not merely a subcultural decoration but represents a significant shift in content economy and consumer engagement, challenging traditional commercial spaces and visual authority [4][9][19] Group 1: Cultural Mechanism - Pain culture serves as a means of identity confirmation for young people, allowing them to express not only their preferences but also their self-identity [7][12] - The phenomenon is characterized by high levels of participation, where young individuals engage in collective activities that transform them from passive consumers to active content creators [11][12] Group 2: Market Trends - Data from 2024 indicates a 268% year-on-year increase in the number of pain culture products on the Xianyu platform, with over 70% of users being post-95s and 25% being post-05s [1] - The popularity of pain culture is evident across social media platforms, with significant engagement metrics such as 14.5 billion views on Xiaohongshu and 16.9 billion views on Douyin for related topics [5] Group 3: Spatial Redefinition - Pain culture is redefining urban spaces, shifting the visual narrative from brand-centric to character-driven expressions, thereby creating a "gentle occupation" of public spaces [9][10] - Commercial spaces are evolving into participatory environments where consumers are invited to engage actively, transforming traditional retail into interactive storytelling venues [11][19] Group 4: Future Implications - The article emphasizes that successful commercial spaces must foster a sense of belonging and identity among users, moving beyond mere content display to creating a sustainable cultural ecosystem [19] - Future commercial strategies should focus on building long-term relationships and community identities, rather than short-term engagement through fleeting trends [18][19]

Core Insights - The article discusses the emerging "pain culture" and its significant market potential, particularly among the millennial generation, with the "guzi economy" market size surpassing 100 billion yuan in 2023 [6][7]. - Bilibili World (BW), a major ACGN event, showcases the growing consumer power of the anime and gaming community, with record attendance and participation from various brands [16][18]. Group 1: Event Insights - BW 2023 saw the highest participation ever, with 900,000 ticket reservations and 400,000 attendees, covering an area of 240,000 square meters, making it four times larger than Japan's AnimeJapan [17][18]. - The event attracted a diverse audience, including international attendees, and featured over 700 exhibitors, with 18 brands from non-ACGN sectors [34][35]. Group 2: Brand Engagement - Brands like Upgraded Snacks creatively integrated into the event, achieving high visibility and engagement, demonstrating the effectiveness of content-driven marketing [29][30]. - The automotive industry also participated actively, with major brands showcasing "pain cars" and collaborating with popular IPs, indicating a shift in marketing strategies to engage younger consumers [36][38]. Group 3: Market Trends - The article highlights the increasing consumer spending power within the "pain culture," with reports indicating that by 2024, the pan-anime demographic in China will exceed 500 million people, with average spending over 1,000 yuan per person [71]. - Companies like Chow Tai Fook have successfully tapped into this market, with their collaboration with popular IPs leading to significant sales growth, showcasing the potential for brands to connect with younger audiences [63][67].

Core Insights - The "Butterbear" IP has gained significant popularity in China, particularly in Shanghai, through various marketing strategies and events that resonate with the younger demographic [2][3][5] - The integration of IPs like "Butterbear" into shopping experiences has transformed consumer engagement, creating immersive environments that enhance brand loyalty and sales [3][4][6] Group 1: Popularity and Cultural Impact - "Butterbear" has become a cultural phenomenon, with its character being widely shared on social media, leading to a viral marketing effect [2] - The character's design and personality have been tailored to appeal to the emotional needs of consumers, fostering a strong connection with fans [2][5] - The rise of "Butterbear" reflects a broader trend in consumer culture where IPs are not just products but part of a lifestyle and community [5][6] Group 2: Commercial Strategies - The collaboration between commercial spaces and popular IPs has resulted in increased foot traffic and sales, with reports indicating a 36% increase in overall sales during the "Butterbear" event [4] - The event featured over 100 product types, with prices designed to be more accessible compared to other IPs like Disney, enhancing consumer participation [3][4] - The success of the "Butterbear" pop-up shop illustrates the effectiveness of experiential marketing in driving consumer engagement and sales [3][4] Group 3: Long-term Engagement and IP Evolution - The concept of "pain culture" has been leveraged to create a unique marketing strategy that emphasizes self-expression and community among fans [5][6] - The industry is moving towards long-term IP management strategies to avoid the pitfalls of short-lived consumer interest, focusing on sustainable engagement [5][6] - The evolution of IPs in China reflects a blending of virtual and physical experiences, indicating a shift in how brands interact with consumers [5][6]