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What is IP Blind Boxes ?

An Article to Help You Understand IP Blind Boxes

The Art Toy Universe: Celebrating Innovators and Trendsetters

IP blind boxes, as an emerging toy trend, have gained increasing popularity among teenagers and young adults in recent years, gradually becoming a cultural phenomenon. The concept of blind boxes originates from "blind purchases," where consumers pay a fixed price for sealed packages without knowing the specific type or style of the item inside. These packages may contain various items or styles, and sometimes include special items like "jackpot prizes." Mystery blind bags are characterized by their strong randomness, non-essential nature, low transparency, and strong social attributes.

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The mystery and adorable designs of these cute blind bags attract more and more people to try purchasing and collecting them. Some manufacturers even release limited or special editions, enhancing their rarity and collectible value. Simultaneously, blind bag toys have become significant social catalysts, fostering communication. Due to the unpredictable contents, situations often arise where people get duplicate or different items, sparking demand and lively discussions.

During peaks of anime and movie popularity, brands leverage well-known IPs to launch co-branded products combined with the blind boxes sales model, creating a current trend. The collectible nature of blind box collectibles allows brands to collaborate with IPs for custom packaging, adding an element of mystery through mystery blind box marketing to attract fan purchases.

The blind boxes model combines collectible figures with the capsule toy (Gashapon) concept. These are typically merchandise from anime, films, or independently designed figurines. The uniqueness lies in their release in series, usually containing over 10 different blind box figurines. Today's consumers seek joyful experiences. For many blind box players, collecting isn't primarily about profiting from rare "hidden" items but about emotional satisfaction.

Cheap blind boxes themselves are not expensive. When consumers obtain a figurine they like through purchasing an affordable mystery blind bag, the joy often surpasses the product's price. As functionality becomes less paramount, captivating consumers and delivering emotional satisfaction is key. Deep integration of blind boxes with famous IPs not only cultivates fan communities but also maximizes the IP's commercial value.

The Definition of IP Blind Boxes vs. Traditional Blind Boxes

An IP blind box incorporates elements of well-known intellectual property into creatively designed blind boxes, transforming them into products with special meaning and limited-edition status. Compared to traditional blind bags and boxes, IP blind boxes have distinct differences and commercial value, making them highly sought-after. The design of IP blind boxes follows certain conventions but allows for diverse thematic variations to meet different group needs. These creatively designed pretty blind box items, infused with popular IPs, stimulate purchasing desire and become coveted blind box collectibles. Through IP blind boxes, people can uniquely collect, display, and share their favorite IPs, adding fun and emotional resonance.

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Design Elements of IP Blind Boxes

The design elements primarily encompass three aspects: the IP image, the blind box experience, and packaging design. These are crucial in creating unique charm and appeal.

  1. Selecting well-known IPs (e.g., anime, characters, celebrities) leverages their broad influence and fan base to attract attention and purchases. Integrating the IP image cleverly into the design gives the product distinctive personality.
  2. The unique experience of unboxing sets blind boxes apart. Consumers don't know the specific contents beforehand – the surprise is revealed only upon opening. This creates anticipation, suspense, and discovery, attracting widespread interest.
  3. Carefully designed packaging enhances the product's perceived value and appeal. Unique packaging highlights the theme and style of the kawaii blind box, providing a special purchase experience.
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The Blind Box Cultural Experience Brought by IP Blind Boxes

The rise of IP blind boxes has pioneered a new wave in blind box culture, bringing several changes:

  1. Design elements like scarcity, limited editions, and fixed themes significantly boost the collectible value of art toys blind box items, attracting numerous collectors. These elements make IP blind boxes unique collectibles.
  2. IP blind boxes foster new social interactions. Enthusiasts connect through trading, combining sets, and sharing their blind bag mini figures collections and experiences, enriching the culture and interactivity.
  3. The display potential of blind box figures provides collectors space for showcasing and exhibiting their prized items as decorative art pieces, enhancing aesthetic value and offering opportunities for self-expression.
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Business Models of IP Blind Boxes

  1. Creating blind boxes based on original, non-famous IPs designed by artists, building a fanbase first, then exploring the IP's value through operations. For example, Pop Mart's MOLLY has numerous co-branded blind boxes and cross-industry licensing. This model cultivates IP influence through sales and fan engagement, paving the way for future operations and licensing.
  2. Leveraging mature, famous IPs to produce mystery box figures, monetizing the IP while strengthening its reach. Examples include popular blind boxes based on IPs like "Onmyoji" or "Naruto." These capitalize on existing fan enthusiasm for collecting, achieving commercial returns while boosting brand image and loyalty.
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Specific Marketing Models for IP Blind Boxes

  1. Celebrity Endorsement + Blind Box Marketing: Using famous stars or idols as spokespersons, linking their image to the blind box gifts to attract fan attention and purchases. Fan enthusiasm for celebrity merchandise drives significant sales growth.
  2. Material Quality of Figurines: Blind box figurines often use high-quality materials, emphasizing detail and craftsmanship to meet collector demands. This makes them popular during anime/movie hype. Brands leverage IPs for co-branded blind boxes, combining the sales model with custom packaging enhanced by mystery marketing to pique fan interest.
  3. Brand + Blind Box Marketing: Brands can turn core products into blind boxes, distributing items randomly or creating merchandise-themed korean blind boxes or japanese blind boxes. This injects surprise and interactivity, increasing purchase desire.
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Types of IP Blind Box Gameplay

  1. Purchase-Type Blind Boxes: The most common. Consumers buy without knowing the specific item, getting one random piece. Often include rare "hidden" items. Involves risk due to unpredictability.
  2. Promotional Blind Boxes: A marketing tactic. Aims to boost sales by offering bonuses or special deals (e.g., buy one get one free blind box). Focuses on the added value rather than just the product.
  3. Chance-Based Blind Boxes: Involves risk and opportunity. Purchase doesn't guarantee an item; buyers might get something valuable or nothing (like a lottery). Probability of getting an item is uncertain, adding suspense and excitement. This uncertainty creates a unique thrill-seeking experience.
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Common Materials for IP Blind Box Figurines

  1. PVC: The most common material. Stable, easy to preserve, highly moldable for complex shapes, lightweight. Used by brands like Pop Mart, TOYCITY. (Example Product: Custom PVC Soft Model GP-083)
  2. PVC Vinyl Process: A special technique on PVC. Figurines are hollow, with nearly invisible mold lines. More complex/expensive but allows greater shape variation and cost-saving color changes.
  3. ABS: More durable and tough than PVC. Known for use in LEGO. Better for detail and expressing metallic textures. Often used for parts requiring strength within PVC assemblies.
  4. Resin: Popular among niche designers. Allows small batch orders at moderate cost. Prized for detail and refinement. (Example Product: Custom Corporate Resin Model ST-033)
  5. PU Resin: A premium resin type. Excellent molding, high detail expression, comfortable feel, diverse/special colors. Ideal for detailed blind bag mini figures in small batches.
  6. Polystone: Also called artificial stone/cold cast. Resembles porcelain/stone. A resin compound known for impressive texture and detail. Used for high-quality box figurines.
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Where to Buy Blind Boxes?

Finding a reputable blind box store is key. Look for retailers specializing in japanese blind box toyskorean blind boxes, or blind box brands. Many offer both single boxes and full set blind box options. Online platforms and dedicated hobby shops are common places to find a wide variety of blind boxes for adults featuring everything from cute blind boxes to intricate art toys blind box collections.

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More than a toy, it is also an emerging "Chinese specialty"
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