【Dongguan, July 30, 2025】 The 15th China International Animation & Comic Expo (Animation Expo) will be held at Dongguan’s "China Trendy Toy Capital · Animation Expo Center" from August 8-11, 2025. With the theme "Setting Sail for Trendy Dreams", this year’s expo— the largest animation and trendy toy event in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area—integrates "professional exhibitions" with "industrial towns" for the first time, creating a core platform for global IP display, cultural & creative gift innovation, and tech-driven experiences. Below is an in-depth look at industry trends and consumption hotspots.

I. Global IP Matrix: Coexistence of Classic and Trendy Cross-border Works

1. Localization of Top International IPs

Over 600 enterprises from 40+ countries/regions will showcase 2,000+ renowned IPs. International brands like Bandai, Disney, and Shaun the Sheep will launch regionally tailored co-branded products:

• Disney collaborates with Dongguan’s trendy toy enterprises to release the limited "StellaLou × Lingnan Lion Dance" plush, blending Disney’s cuteness with Guangdong’s intangible cultural heritage lion dance embroidery—an iconic example of cultural cross-border integration.

• Thailand’s Guest Country Pavilion presents "Thai Mythology × Trendy Toys" series, including gilded badges and aroma ornaments modeled after Ramayana characters, attracting collectors via Southeast Asian cultural symbols.

2. Tech Upgrades of Domestic Trendy IPs

Chinese classic animation IPs (Monkey King, Nezha) partner with Dongguan’s manufacturing sector to launch interactive cultural & creative gifts:

• "Nezha: Birth of the Demon Child" AR postcards trigger 3D animations via mobile scanning, recreating movie scenes.

• "Monkey King Returns" smart bracelets with NFC chips unlock exclusive voice blessings when tapped on devices, turning traditional IPs into wearable emotional carriers.

• Local firm Modonghe’s "Cyberpunk Dongguan Eight Scenic Spots" assembly model merges landmarks (Keyuan Garden, Haogang Ruins) with mecha elements, offering collectible and DIY value—a standout case of "trendy toy IP animation".

II. Tech Empowerment: From Static to Dynamic Experiences

1. AI and AIGC Creative Applications

The "AI-Empowered New Scenarios" zone lets visitors generate exclusive animation characters via AIGC, customizable into NFT digital badges or physical blind boxes:

• Shenzhen’s IP "Yan Xiaoli" uses large-model tech for interactive gifts—users scan QR codes to chat with the virtual IP and learn Yantian’s marine culture.

• Chaoshan Yingge Dance robots with pressure sensors trigger dance moves when touched. Their matching keychains, embedded with sensors, record movement data via apps, blending "tech + sports + culture".

2. 3D Printing & Smart Manufacturing Integration

The expo pioneers a two-way model: "animation IPs → trendy toys" and "trendy toys → animation IPs". On-site 3D printing zones showcase IP-to-physical figure processes:

• "Dongguan Keyuan Garden" mini-models, crafted via high-precision 3D printing with personalized engravings, redefine cultural tourism souvenirs.

• Pop Mart’s "city-limited" blind box production line offers factory tours post-purchase, highlighting trendy toy manufacturing aesthetics.

III. Industrial Collaboration: Dongguan’s "Trendy Toy Capital" Ecosystem

1. Local Cultural Symbol Transformation

Dongguan’s first cultural & creative music box integrates 20+ elements (Keyuan Garden, dragon boats, agarwood) and plays Cantonese melodies like Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon—a "portable city memory". The concurrent "Trendy Dongguan: Roaming the Future" exhibition features "Dongguan Dialect Dolls" fridge magnets, resonating with locals via urban culture.

2. Intangible Heritage & Modern Design Fusion

The "Intangible Heritage Activation Zone" showcases Dongguan firm Haoyidai’s "Ben Chao Gangmu Series", merging TCM culture with trendy toys:

• Wangwenwenqie blind boxes include wormwood sachets and scraping boards, with Huangdi Neijing quotes on packaging.

• TCM cabinet-shaped trendy toys with storage drawers and Dongguan herbal shop history illustrations—popular "culture + utility" products.

Chashan Dolls, partnering with animation IPs, release "trendy lion dance dolls" using traditional clay sculpture and modern painting—preserving intangible heritage while appealing to youth.

The 2025 Animation Expo redefines cultural consumption via global IP integration, tech empowerment, and industrial collaboration, solidifying Dongguan’s role as a global trendy toy hub.