Trendy and collectible toys become cultural phenomenon in China

Trendy and collectible toys are seen at a local resident's home in Shanghai, east China, April 26, 2026. In China, trendy and collectible toys have evolved from a niche hobby into a cultural phenomenon, appearing in a wide range of daily scenarios. These toys not only provide an outlet for personal expression and a means of social connection, but also bear witness to a trend in consumption that emphasizes the pursuit of individuality. (Xinhua)

People show their trendy and collectible toys in Tongren, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 26, 2026. In China, trendy and collectible toys have evolved from a niche hobby into a cultural phenomenon, appearing in a wide range of daily scenarios. These toys not only provide an outlet for personal expression and a means of social connection, but also bear witness to a trend in consumption that emphasizes the pursuit of individuality. (Photo by Shen Yikai/Xinhua)

People visit a trendy and collectible toy store in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 25, 2026. In China, trendy and collectible toys have evolved from a niche hobby into a cultural phenomenon, appearing in a wide range of daily scenarios. These toys not only provide an outlet for personal expression and a means of social connection, but also bear witness to a trend in consumption that emphasizes the pursuit of individuality. (Photo by Yuan Fuhong/Xinhua)

A taxi driver arranges trendy and collectible toys used as decorations inside his car in Duyun, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 25, 2026. In China, trendy and collectible toys have evolved from a niche hobby into a cultural phenomenon, appearing in a wide range of daily scenarios. These toys not only provide an outlet for personal expression and a means of social connection, but also bear witness to a trend in consumption that emphasizes the pursuit of individuality. (Photo by Xiao Wei/Xinhua)

A girl fiddles with her collection of trendy and collectible toys at home in Bijie, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 26, 2026. In China, trendy and collectible toys have evolved from a niche hobby into a cultural phenomenon, appearing in a wide range of daily scenarios. These toys not only provide an outlet for personal expression and a means of social connection, but also bear witness to a trend in consumption that emphasizes the pursuit of individuality. (Photo by Li Hua/Xinhua)

A man works in front of a desk decorated with trendy and collectible toys in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 21, 2026. In China, trendy and collectible toys have evolved from a niche hobby into a cultural phenomenon, appearing in a wide range of daily scenarios. These toys not only provide an outlet for personal expression and a means of social connection, but also bear witness to a trend in consumption that emphasizes the pursuit of individuality. (Photo by Jiang Xiaodong/Xinhua)

Trendy and collectible toys, worn as bag charms, are seen in Sanlitun, a popular shopping area in Beijing, capital of China, April 25, 2026. In China, trendy and collectible toys have evolved from a niche hobby into a cultural phenomenon, appearing in a wide range of daily scenarios. These toys not only provide an outlet for personal expression and a means of social connection, but also bear witness to a trend in consumption that emphasizes the pursuit of individuality. (Photo by Lin Qiujin/Xinhua)

A girl visits a trendy and collectible toy store in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 25, 2026. In China, trendy and collectible toys have evolved from a niche hobby into a cultural phenomenon, appearing in a wide range of daily scenarios. These toys not only provide an outlet for personal expression and a means of social connection, but also bear witness to a trend in consumption that emphasizes the pursuit of individuality. (Photo by Yuan Fuhong/Xinhua)

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows trendy and collectible toys, attached as decorations to a bike, in Xicheng District in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2026. In China, trendy and collectible toys have evolved from a niche hobby into a cultural phenomenon, appearing in a wide range of daily scenarios. These toys not only provide an outlet for personal expression and a means of social connection, but also bear witness to a trend in consumption that emphasizes the pursuit of individuality. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi)

People take a look at a trendy and collectible toy in Sanlitun, a popular shopping area in Beijing, capital of China, April 25, 2026. In China, trendy and collectible toys have evolved from a niche hobby into a cultural phenomenon, appearing in a wide range of daily scenarios. These toys not only provide an outlet for personal expression and a means of social connection, but also bear witness to a trend in consumption that emphasizes the pursuit of individuality. (Photo by Lin Qiujin/Xinhua)

A Labubu toy is seen at the home of a local resident in Bijie, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 26, 2026. In China, trendy and collectible toys have evolved from a niche hobby into a cultural phenomenon, appearing in a wide range of daily scenarios. These toys not only provide an outlet for personal expression and a means of social connection, but also bear witness to a trend in consumption that emphasizes the pursuit of individuality. (Photo by Li Hua/Xinhua)

A woman visits a trendy and collectible toy store in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 25, 2026. In China, trendy and collectible toys have evolved from a niche hobby into a cultural phenomenon, appearing in a wide range of daily scenarios. These toys not only provide an outlet for personal expression and a means of social connection, but also bear witness to a trend in consumption that emphasizes the pursuit of individuality. (Photo by Yuan Fuhong/Xinhua)