Globally popular Chinese character became source of national pride
The success of Labubu, a Chinese product, overseas helped fuel demand in China out of a sense of pride. (Photo by Tomoko Wakasugi)
TOMOKO WAKASUGI, KENSAKU IHARA and NAMI MATSUURA
December 30, 2025 12:00 JST
SHANGHAI/HONG KONG/SEOUL — A roundup of 2025 consumer trends in Asia reveals that the key word was “characters,” with goods related to Labubu, “KPop Demon Hunters” and various Japanese figures garnering attention at home and around the world.