Designer toys, artist collaborations and MEGA figures.
Summaries are AI-generated
海洋堂宣布，Wonder Festival 2025夏季将于2025年7月27日在幕张MESE举行，门票预售截至7月26日23:59。官方已在特设网站公布展商展位编号及场馆地图，供参观者提前规划路线。本次活动还将推出《新世纪福音战士》30周年特别企划“Eva One Fest”，以及首次“动物造形”主题展区。
The organizer, Kaiyodo, announced that Wonder Festival 2025 Summer will take place on July 27, 2025 from 10:00 to 17:00 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan, spanning halls 1‑8. Ticket options include a 7,500 JPY priority pass, 3,500 JPY advance tickets (A‑F zones) and discounted tickets for under‑22 visitors and afternoon entry, on sale from May 30 to July 26. To mitigate heat, the venue will feature first‑aid stations, wind‑shield tents, free cooling items, and a dedicated hall with rest, food, and workshop areas for a more comfortable experience.
Dreams USA has secured two preliminary injunctions against alleged infringers of its trademarked and copyrighted Sonny Angel®, HIPPERS®, and Smiski® products in the U.S. market. The company is actively policing and pursuing legal action against various infringers, including kiosk operators, C-store owners, and social media sellers, to protect authorized distributors and prevent consumers from purchasing unauthorized and inferior products.
The report notes China's ACG user base reached 503 million in 2024 with a market size near 600 billion. It analyzes nine new business ecosystems including themed dining, merch economy, fan creation, training, cosplay, virtual idols, concerts, city landmarks, and IP tourism.
The Thai art toy market is growing due to strong purchasing power from 'Kidult' consumers and creativity from local small manufacturers. Data shows Thailand's total toy exports reached $8.78 billion, with art toy exports at about $3.202 billion, accounting for 36.4% of total toy exports.
BANDAI will release a 990 mm, approximately 1/1 scale replica of Okkotsu’s sword from the film Jujutsu Kaisen 0, priced at ¥14,850, in June 2023. The PROPLICA item features three vibration gimmicks, two BGM tracks, multiple character voice lines, a touch sensor for curse‑energy simulation, and includes a display stand and booklet.
Los Angeles-based artist Josh Mayhem transforms designer toys into contemporary sculpture, creating gravity-defying works with resin and acrylic paint.
Paddle8's third art toy auction features 27 vinyl figurines by contemporary artists and toymakers, priced from $400 to $13,000. KAWS has the most works in the sale, with prices closer to those on AliExpress, eBay, and Phillips, making them an accessible entry into the art market.
Michael Lau's art toy collections are on display in Seoul for the first time, running through April 14 with tickets priced at 12,000 won for adults.
From July 7 to August 31 2025, Kotobukiya and Orion Shobo’s Nordt store will host the “Kaiju Sekai Seifuku × Orion Shobo” collaboration fair, featuring limited‑edition goods, a themed café and giveaways. On the same day, KADOKAWA releases the full‑color original comic priced at ¥1,375.
Kotobukiya announced a wrapping train featuring the TV anime “Kaiju Sekai Seifuku” and Hello! Project’s new group “Rose Chronicle” will run on the JR Chuo Line Rapid from April 6 to May 3, 2025. The service uses a single set and may be suspended or cancelled without prior notice.
Kotobukiya says promotion for the TV anime “Kaiju Sekai Seifuku” featuring Hello! Project’s new unit “Rose Chronicle” will run on station posters and a banner at JR Tachikawa Station’s east‑gate concourse from March 31, 2025 (posters until April 20, banner until April 27). Outdoor screens at ISETAN Tachikawa Vision and Alea Vision will also show the video from March 31 to April 29.
Takara Tomy Arts is offering a Disney‑themed super‑large ‘Nui Pan’ sandwich‑shaped cushion featuring Pooh, priced at ¥19,800 (tax included), with pre‑orders opening on March 5 2025 at 12:00 on its e‑Group e‑commerce site and closing on April 3 23:59. Based on the ‘Nui Pan’ S‑size plush, the cushion is about 125 times larger (≈61 × 64 × 34 cm), made of polyester and polyurethane, and is marketed for ages 6 and up as both décor and cuddle item.
Takara Tomy Arts and the Dutch picture‑book brand Miffy’s Flower Shop are releasing a new plush mascot, “ブルーナ ちょっこりサンキューマスコット”, on February 15, 2025 for ¥1,870 (tax included). The line includes four pastel‑colored versions and will be sold at toy and hobby retailers nationwide and online, with a pre‑sale at the Flower Miffy pop‑up in Shibuya MODI from January 31 to February 16, 2025.
Kotobukiya, together with the ENRAI platform and partners, opened entries for the 1st Digital Apparel Design Contest (Jan 15–Mar 31, 2025). The student‑focused competition requires CLO software and offers a top prize of ¥100,000 plus virtual productization, with winners’ works displayed on Kotobukiya’s Akihabara venue screen and Hobby Japan’s VR sphere.
Kotobukiya, Booklista and Yuka & Alpha are holding a free, pre‑registration webinar for school teachers on Jan 8 2025 (Wed) 10:00‑11:30 JST to explain the 1st Digital Apparel Design Contest. The archive, minus the Q&A, will later be posted on Booklista’s YouTube channel.
Kotobukiya says the ARTIST SUPPORT ITEM web platform “ZIZAITEN” will enter early‑access in early 2025. It offers freely rotatable 3D video assets, priced at ¥110–¥220 per 24 h rental and a ¥3,300 monthly subscription for all content. Top creators Naoki Saito, Shimoida Sketch and KawaiiSensei will post review videos on Dec 12, 19 and 26.
Kotobukiya and Booklista are co‑hosting the First Digital Apparel Design Contest for university students, using CLO 3D software, with entries open from mid‑January to the end of March 2025. Winners receive cash prizes, virtual and real‑world productization, and exposure on Kotobukiya’s Akihabara Hall screen and official online channels.
Kasing Lung, born in 1972 and raised in the Netherlands, was influenced by Nordic folklore. He transitioned from a children's book illustrator to a toy designer in 2010 and created LABUBU in 2015. In 2019, he signed an exclusive license with Pop Mart, leading to the character's rapid popularity. In March 2024, his work 'Mon' sold for HK$330,200 at auction.
Sid Chou is redefining designer toys and interactive art through creative technology. In a rapidly evolving world of creative technology and design, staying ahead of the curve while maintaining uniqueness is no easy feat.
Independent designer brand RedGuardian LLC, founded by Angel Martinez in New York, focuses on handmade art toys, enamel pins, and art card series. Its first lines include "The Creative Clown" and "Chunder", and it recently launched the "Can't contain us" containers in collaboration with Martian Toys, as well as the limited edition "Clown of Wall Street".
