Anime-Related Stocks Become Hot Ticket Among Chinese Investors

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A display at a Pop Mart store in Nanjing, Jiangsu province on Nov 20. Photo: VCG

China’s booming demand for physical products based on media intellectual property (IP) is increasingly reflected in the stock market, where related stocks have become a hot topic among investors.

These products, known in Chinese as “guzi” (谷子) — a transliteration of the English word “goods” — are based on IP from comics, anime, TV dramas and computer games. Their prices vary widely. On popular e-commerce platform Taobao, simple figurines can be bought for under 10 yuan ($1.38) while high-end versions can sell for more than 15,000 yuan.

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China's demand for media IP-based products is rising, impacting the stock market, with Pop Mart and Miniso seeing notable gains.
Pop Mart’s revenue outside mainland China surged by over 440% year-on-year, particularly thriving in Southeast Asia, driven partly by celebrity endorsements.
China's "2D industry" has grown significantly, from 18.9 billion yuan in 2016 to 221.9 billion yuan in 2023, with expectations to reach 590 billion yuan by 2029.

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Who’s Who

Pop Mart International Group Ltd.: Pop Mart International Group Ltd. is a Chinese chain store specializing in trendy plastic figurines. It has experienced rapid global expansion, opening stores across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. Its stock, listed in Hong Kong, has surged over fourfold this year, with overseas revenue rising between 440% and 445% year-on-year. Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, is a key market, with notable endorsements from K-pop star Lisa and local celebrities.

Miniso Group Holding Ltd.: Miniso Group Holding Ltd. is a Chinese company that sells goods like fluffy toys and daily necessities based on media intellectual property. It has seen a 21% increase in its stock price since Monday's open and closed at around HK$39. The company benefits from the booming guzi economy linked to China's demand for physical products based on IPs from comics, anime, TV dramas, and games.

Qianzhan Intelligence Co. Ltd.: Qianzhan Intelligence Co. Ltd. is a think tank that provides data and analysis on various industries. According to the article, they reported that China's "two-dimensional industry" has significantly grown from 18.9 billion yuan in 2016 to 221.9 billion yuan in 2023. They also predict that the industry will be worth 590 billion yuan by 2029.

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