Core Insights - The 15th China International Animation Expo will be held from August 8 to 11, 2025, in Dongguan, themed "Tide Dreams Start," integrating professional exhibitions with industrial towns to upgrade from a single exhibition scene to a full industrial chain park [2][21] - Dongguan is the largest潮玩 (trendy toy) production base in China, producing nearly 85% of the country's潮玩 and 25% of global anime derivatives, with a significant concentration of industry in Shipai Town [2][7] Industry Development - The潮玩 industry is a crucial carrier of the animation industry, with companies like 摩动核 (Modonghe) focusing on original IP rather than traditional manufacturing [4] - Modonghe's original anime IP "Star Armor Soul" has gained over 10 billion views and collections on Tencent Animation since its launch in 2021, creating a positive feedback loop between潮玩 sales and anime story experiences [5][11] - The潮玩 industry in Dongguan has a mature industrial cluster with 146潮玩 enterprises, including 59 large-scale companies, exporting products to over 80 countries [7][9] Technological Innovation - The潮玩 industry is increasingly integrating AI technology, with companies like TOYCITY launching interactive AI潮玩 products that enhance user engagement and emotional connection [13][15] - The Guangdong Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology estimates that the "AI +潮玩" sector could generate over 100 billion yuan in additional output for the toy industry, with total toy output expected to exceed 300 billion yuan [17][21] - 威斯潮玩 (Weisi Toys) is constructing a smart factory that integrates automation and AI algorithms, aiming for over 80% automation coverage and a projected annual output value of 500 million yuan [17][19] Event Significance - The upcoming animation expo will feature over 600 enterprises from more than 40 countries, promoting a deep integration of exhibition and industrial town concepts [21][24] - The expo will also include an "AI Empowerment New Scene" exhibition area, showcasing the integration of AI with潮玩 and providing platforms for IP development and technical realization [22][24]