Anime economy diversified momentum

Once a playground for self-proclaimed geeks and midnight forum lurkers, China's "goods economy (anime economy)" — what's fondly called erciyuan (two-dimensional space) — has entered the mainstream. No longer confined to back-alley comic shops or niche BBS threads, it now boasts an ecosystem that generates billions of dollars and mobilizes millions of people. And yes, it's still got cosplay.

Born from subculture and turbocharged by digital technology and a finely segmented market, the anime economy is no longer just about quirky cartoons or obscure game characters. It's become a full-fledged consumer universe — complete with its own identity politics, emotional economies and tribal rituals.

In 2024 alone, the broader anime merchandise market in China was worth an incredible 597.7 billion yuan ($82 billion). Badges, blind boxes, body pillows and other products of the same ilk are now a heavyweight in the national economy. Behind this development is a 500-million-strong army of fans who don't just buy stuff; they buy meaning.