The ACG (Anime, Comic, and Games) culture has become popular in China, with IP (intellectual property) peripheral products selling well, driving a wave of "peripheral economy." It is estimated that the market size is expected to exceed RMB 500 billion (approximately TWD 2.2 trillion).

In recent years, various anime-related events can often be seen on the streets of major cities in China, with many anime collaboration stores and pop-up shops springing up like mushrooms after rain. Many commercial districts have seen the emergence of anime peripheral stores, and many people carry their favorite peripheral products with them, with heavily decorated "pain bags" being regarded as essential items to showcase their love for the works and characters.

Anime peripherals are not only important symbols of the development of ACG culture but have also become one of the driving forces of consumption, with the "peripheral economy" rapidly growing.

According to a report by First Financial, data from the Forward Industry Research Institute and Zheshang Securities shows that from 2016 to 2023, the scale of China's ACG industry grew from RMB 18.9 billion to RMB 221.9 billion, with the scale of peripheral derivative industries growing from RMB 5.3 billion to RMB 102.3 billion; it is expected that from 2023 to 2029, the scale of China's ACG industry will grow to RMB 590 billion.

Many IPs have targeted the New Year goods market this year, launching limited edition collaboration peripherals for the Spring Festival, making "peripheral economy" one of the consumption trends for the Spring Festival in 2025. This trend indicates that more and more young people are participating in the New Year goods market, redefining it with their preferences and popular culture.

The report cites a market survey indicating that among the young demographic aged 18 to 34, 83% believe they play a decision-making role in Spring Festival consumption, tending to incorporate their aesthetic concepts, interests, and social needs into the selection of New Year goods. This group has already become the main force in New Year goods consumption by the Spring Festival of 2024.

Game industry analyst Zhang Shule mentioned that capturing the interests and emotional consumption of young people is a significant challenge for brands, and the "peripheral economy" can become a new market for New Year goods. Whether it is festive-style peripherals, traditional New Year goods in collaboration with IPs, or increasing peripheral displays in physical consumption, all can become a model for the peripheral economy to drive the real economy. The core value of the "peripheral economy" is to seek novelty and change.

He also admitted that achieving real growth in the peripheral economy is not easy. Currently, the most common approach is to open collaboration stores; however, at this stage, they cannot be opened everywhere. It is essential to locate stores in places where young people gather and where there is more potential for consumption to be effective.

The rise of the peripheral economy also symbolizes the youthfulness and creativity of consumer brands, which are being tested while also changing the market landscape