Trends Center
Industry commentary and research on how IP ecosystems evolve—across production, platforms, and global fandom.
Browse by Theme
The `Trends` archive is now organized by theme so revenue analysis, industry structure, community systems, and tourism-focused essays are easier to browse.
Narrative Tourism
How stories reshape real-world travel demand, destination value, and pop culture pilgrimage behavior.
IP Economics
Revenue structure, merchandise economics, platform behavior, and long-run franchise value creation.
Why Merchandise Has Become More Valuable Than Content in the Modern IP Economy
Why merchandise now outperforms content in many IP businesses: identity economics, licensing scale, collectibles, and merchandise-led franchise design.
Why Pokemon Generates More Revenue Than Marvel: The Platform Economics Behind the World's Most Valuable Franchise
Why Pokemon outperforms Marvel in lifetime revenue: merchandise economics, collection loops, identity formation, and platform-style franchise design.
Industry Structure
Production systems, distribution changes, and the broader operating model of the anime industry.
How AI Is Changing the Anime Production Pipeline (2026 Industry Report)
A deep structural analysis of how AI is transforming anime production—from transitional labor to hybrid workflows and IP operating systems.
Why Anime Is Becoming a Global Entertainment Industry
How streaming distribution, IP-first franchises, and fandom economics turned anime from a niche export into a global entertainment ecosystem.
Community Systems
How fandom, identity, and network effects turn audiences into durable communities.