Core Viewpoint - Dongguan's toy industry is transitioning from OEM to ODM and now to OBM, seizing new opportunities in the潮玩 (trendy toys) sector, supported by government initiatives and industry events like the China International Animation and Comic Copyright Protection and Trade Expo [3][4][6]. Group 1: Industry Development - Dongguan was awarded the title of "China's Trendy Toy Capital" in 2023, with 112 large-scale enterprises in the trendy toy sector generating nearly 23.8 billion yuan in revenue, a year-on-year increase of approximately 19% [4]. - The city is home to the largest toy export base in China, producing 25% of global animation derivatives and 85% of the country's trendy toys, with the core area being Shipa Town [4][5]. - The local government plans to allocate 120 million yuan to support the development of the trendy toy and animation industry across four key areas: industrial ecology, market expansion, content creation, and cluster development [3][7]. Group 2: Market Trends and Challenges - The trend of self-owned IP commercialization in the trendy toy sector faces challenges, including the need for a strong fan base and effective market promotion capabilities [8]. - The competition for original IP is intensifying, requiring companies to have robust marketing, channel resources, and capital support for successful IP incubation [8][12]. - Dongguan's toy industry is evolving from OEM to ODM and now to OBM, indicating a shift towards self-owned brands and greater control over product design and pricing [7][12]. Group 3: Government Support and Initiatives - The Dongguan government has integrated the trendy toy economy into its modern industrial system, emphasizing the importance of original design and brand building [6][7]. - A special fund for the trendy toy and animation industry is planned to connect investments across the supply chain and guide financial resources to relevant enterprises [6][7]. - The local government is also providing subsidies for participation in key domestic and international exhibitions and supporting cross-border e-commerce initiatives [7][12]. Group 4: Talent and Infrastructure - Dongguan is enhancing its talent pool by collaborating with educational institutions to train skilled workers in toy design and production [13]. - The city is implementing measures to streamline export processes, reducing customs clearance times and improving efficiency for toy manufacturers [13]. - Companies like Weishi Culture Technology are leveraging these advantages to expand their international sales networks and enhance their global brand presence [13].

Core Insights - Dongguan is establishing a special fund for the潮玩 (trendy toys) and animation industry, with a planned investment of 120 million yuan to support development across various sectors [1][8] - The潮玩 industry in Dongguan has seen significant growth, with 112 large-scale enterprises generating nearly 23.8 billion yuan in revenue, marking a year-on-year increase of approximately 19% [2][3] - The city has been recognized as "China's潮玩 Capital," and the潮玩 production cluster in Shipaizhen is a key area, contributing about 10% of the national潮玩 output [3][7] Industry Development - The 15th China International Animation Copyright Protection and Trade Expo showcased over 2,000 animation IPs and 600 key enterprises, highlighting the industry's international engagement [1][2] - Dongguan's潮玩 industry has transitioned from OEM to ODM and is now moving towards OBM, with local companies beginning to develop their own IP products [3][9] - The local government is focusing on enhancing original design capabilities and brand building within the潮玩 and animation sectors [8][9] Economic Impact - The潮玩 industry in Dongguan is supported by a robust supply chain and has a significant export presence, with toy exports reaching 9.97 billion yuan in the first half of the year, a 6.3% increase [2][16] - The local government is implementing measures to facilitate market expansion, including subsidies for participation in domestic and international exhibitions [8][15] - Dongguan's潮玩 production cluster has surpassed a total output value of 10 billion yuan for the first time, indicating a strong economic footprint [7][8] Talent and Innovation - The region is investing in talent development, collaborating with educational institutions to create specialized training programs for toy design [15] - Companies are leveraging innovative practices, such as integrating IP development with product sales, to enhance market competitiveness [9][15] - The local潮玩 industry is characterized by a high degree of clusterization, with a focus on technological innovation and rapid response to global market demands [14][15]