Blind-box series, secrets and full-case buys.
Summaries are AI-generated
POP MART is partnering with Sony to bring LABUBU from blind boxes to the big screen. The company is building a cross-format IP ecosystem by opening POP Bakery, expanding collaborations, and adding digital experiences, while using data and artist collaboration to drive growth.
Tenacious Toys will host the Tenacious Collective at booth 1771 for NYCC 2026, featuring brands like UVD Toys and Furry Feline Creatives. The booth will release three exclusives: Atomik OG Roller Blue, MAD Toy Design Citizens Blue GID, and Jae Martin's Lovestronaut Tenacious HRT Edition, alongside various blind boxes, resin figures, and vinyl toys.
POP MART reported strong 2025 revenue and profit growth, with the LABUBU series contributing nearly 40% of total revenue. Despite the solid performance, the stock price has fluctuated violently due to cooling secondary market prices, stretched valuations, and concerns about the sustainability of the trend. The company is expanding overseas stores and cultivating other IPs to reduce reliance on a single hit character.
POP MART Japan announced that a fan sign event with artist Dan for the ZSIGA IP will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at the POP MART Osaka Namba store, alongside the launch of the new “Life is a Show” blind box series. Applications open from September 25 to 30 via a Google form, and a themed photo booth will run from September 25 to October 31, offering limited‑edition ZSIGA stickers to users who tag the official Instagram or X accounts in their posts.
China's designer toy market is projected to exceed 100 billion yuan in 2026, with brands like POP MART and TOP TOY increasing original IP investment. The industry faces homogenization in categories like vinyl plush, requiring brands to balance industrialization with continuous innovation.
The SAMR released six cases of illegal blind box operations, including false advertising and gambling violations. Reporters noted many cases involved livestreams with undisclosed secret probabilities and illegal gameplay like number stepping.
Zsiga's 'Life Show' MINI figures are released at 89 yuan, selling out quickly with high social media engagement. The analysis suggests this price drop from 399 yuan validates the mass-market potential of high-interaction categories, potentially becoming a major category after plush toys.
The IBTE Indonesia International Toy and Art Toy Exhibition will be held from August 18 to 21, 2027, in Jakarta, covering 20,000 square meters with over 1,000 booths and expecting 40,000 international buyers. The event features categories like building blocks, blind boxes, figures, and anime merch, aiming to provide a B2B platform for Chinese companies to enter the Southeast Asian market.
LABUBU's global popularity boosted POP MART's 2026 first-half revenue by 23.8%, with its THE MONSTERS series contributing 26% of total revenue. The article dissects the supply chain from IP development to manufacturing, logistics, and e-commerce, confirming business relationships with three listed companies: POP MART, Ecmoho, and Aoki Technology, while warning investors to distinguish between online rumors and actual performance impact.
The SAMR released 6 typical cases of illegal blind box operations, including false ads for recharge, private payments after livestream referrals, blind box apps used for gambling, and sales of unverified blind bags near schools.
The SAIC released 6 cases involving false advertising, private domain fraud, and unqualified products, setting compliance boundaries for the industry.
The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) announced six cases of illegal blind box operations, involving false advertising, counterfeit products, and high spending by minors.
Miniso founder Ye Guofu stated that the store's daily sales have exceeded POP MART's, which is just 10 meters away. Miniso is transforming into a toy retailer through large-format stores and affordable IP products, directly competing with POP MART.
The SAIC released six cases involving false advertising, selling unverified products, and suspected online gambling. Lawyers warn that cashable or buyback blind boxes may constitute online gambling, urging consumers to avoid marketing traps and keep evidence for disputes.
The State Administration for Market Regulation released six cases of illegal blind box operations, involving false advertising, counterfeit goods, and inducement of high spending by minors.
The POP MART City Park Carnival Shanghai tour kicked off on September 4 at the Oriental Pearl Tower City Plaza, running until November 1. The event replicates iconic park scenes, features POP BAKERY dessert pop-ups, and offers combo tickets to extend visitor stay and boost spending.
The LABUBU-themed tour opened on Sept 4 at Shanghai's Oriental Pearl Tower and runs through Nov 1. The event recreates park scenes with interactive games and features POP BAKERY pop-ups and bundled tourism tickets.
The POP MART City Park Carnival tour kicked off on September 4 at the Oriental Pearl Tower City Plaza in Shanghai, running until November 1. The event recreates park scenes with interactive games and links with POP BAKERY desserts and hotel packages to extend visitor stay and boost consumption.
POP MART's H1 2026 revenue reached 17.17 billion yuan, up 23.8%, with net profit of 5.16 billion yuan. THE MONSTERS family generated 4.45 billion yuan, and Twinkle Twinkle revenue hit 2.65 billion yuan, growing 580.6%.
POP MART reported 17.2 billion yuan in 26H1 revenue, up 24%, but overseas revenue fell 11%. THE MONSTERS (LABUBU) revenue dropped, while Twinkle Twinkle became the second-largest IP. Figure sales stagnated, with plush toys driving growth.
POP MART reported 17.17 billion yuan revenue and 5.16 billion yuan net profit in the first half of 2026. THE MONSTERS revenue was 4.45 billion yuan, down 7.5%, while Xingxingren revenue was 2.65 billion yuan, up 580.6%. The company announced a buyback of between 2 and 5 billion yuan in the next six months.
LABUBU's cooling popularity has slowed down POP MART's growth. Founder Wang Ning stated on the August 20 interim earnings call that the company is unlikely to meet its 20% revenue growth target for the year.
NeeDoh squishies became a hard-to-find hit in 2026, driven by their stress-relief appeal and social media. However, a class action lawsuit alleges they can rupture and cause burns when exposed to heat, and counterfeit products are also spreading.
Funko reported a net income of $15.4 million in Q2 2026, compared to a $41.0 million loss in the same period last year. The company held $40.7 million in cash and cash equivalents and had total debt of $198.3 million.
Taobao released the '2026 New Opportunities in Designer Toys' report, noting the domestic market exceeds 250 billion yuan. It analyzes five potential sectors: blind boxes, game merch, TCG, large figures, and IP derivatives, suggesting brands leverage interest-based marketing and content operations.
Takara Tomy participated in Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles from July 2‑5, showcasing its BEYBLADE X battle tops, Licca‑chan dolls and Gacha capsule toys. Over several thousand visitors attended the booth, with more than 7,000 fans taking part in BEYBLADE X tournaments and the limited‑edition Hatsune Miku × Licca‑chan doll selling out each day. The company used live battles, interactive attractions and a Gacha Galaxy to let North American fans experience Japan’s “asobi” culture and expand its global presence.
Taobao released the '2026 Taotian Toy New Opportunities' report, indicating the domestic market exceeds 250 billion yuan. With 36 million post-00s consumers and a 25% penetration rate, the report segments the market into three circles and highlights five key growth sectors: gaming peripherals, 'Three Kinds' clothing, celebrity merch, models, and trading cards.
Taobao released the '2026 Taotian Designer Toys New Opportunities' report, indicating the domestic market exceeds 250 billion yuan with over 36 million Gen Z users. The report divides the market into three circles and analyzes five growth sectors: game esports peripherals, 'Three Pits' clothing, celebrity peripherals, models, and trading cards.
POP MART Japan announced that its first store in Okinawa will open on July 25, 2026 at Hotel Collective 1F, 2‑5‑7 Matsuo, Naha City. The shop will feature a wide lineup such as the 10‑year THE MONSTERS ‘Hair Salon’ series and the CRYBABY ‘Cry Me An Ocean’ collection, and customers spending over ¥12,000, ¥15,000 or ¥24,000 will receive exclusive CRYBABY scarves, eye masks or picnic mats respectively.
KAIYODO announced that its flagship hobby store “HOBBY LOBBY OSAKA” will open on July 17, 2026 in the Shinsekai district of Osaka. The venue will carry the company’s figures, model kits, blind‑box toys and exclusive store‑only items, and will feature a display area and hands‑on workshops for visitors to experience the brand’s sculpting culture.
