Member-only story
Insect Armaments The Budget-Friendly Card Game Revolutionizing Japan’s Toy Industry
The Surge in Japan’s Toy Market
Japan’s toy industry has witnessed a significant boom, with the market for trading and board game cards reaching a staggering 234.9 billion yen in 2022. This growth trend, which began in 2018, saw an explosive increase post-2021. Factors contributing to this surge include the intrinsic appeal of trading card games (TCGs), which are easy to pick up yet offer rich strategic depth, and a resurgence of interest fueled by YouTubers and a wave of nostalgia among parents who grew up playing Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh.
Novel Ventures in Card Game Marketing
An intriguing development in the Japanese card game scene is the diversification of trading cards into unconventional areas for regional revitalization. From dam and manhole cover cards to fisherman-themed cards, this expansion reflects a creative approach to leveraging local culture. Amidst this trend, Daiso, a leading 100-yen shop chain, has launched “Insect Armaments,” a card game that’s capturing the hearts of children and adults alike with its affordable and engaging gameplay.