China 101
ACG and designer toys
Anime, comics, games, and the collectible toy economy built around them.
Guzi economy (ACG merch)
谷子经济
The booming youth market for anime, comic, and game merchandise such as badges, standees, and trading cards; guzi is Chinese transliteration of the English word goods.
Blind boxes
盲盒
Sealed toy boxes sold without revealing which figure is inside, a mystery-collecting format popularized by Pop Mart that hooks buyers on completing sets.
Designer toys (art toys)
潮玩
Collectible art toys aimed at adults rather than children, driven by original IP characters and artist collaborations, with Pop Mart as the industry's flagship.
Labubu
Labubu
The snaggle-toothed elf character from artist Kasing Lung, sold by Pop Mart, whose plush charms became a global craze and a symbol of Chinese IP going worldwide.
Bilibili
B站
A video platform that grew out of anime, comics, and gaming fandom into China's defining Gen Z video community, famous for its bullet comments.
Danmu (bullet comments)
弹幕
Real-time viewer comments that scroll directly across the video screen, turning solo viewing into a shared, chat-like experience.