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Alien Anime Dolls

Medicom Toys Teams with Takashi Murakami for Figurines

— August 29, 2009 — Art & Design
Medicom Toys has teamed with art world heavyweight Takashi Murakami to create these “Inochi” figurines. The “Inochi” dolls are based on the movie by Shinohara Tetsuo also titled “Inochi” from 2002.

This doll is available in 5 different outfits. If you are interested in picking up an “Inochi” doll, you will need to move fast because there are only 200 of each available, priced at $1,500 apiece.

Implications - In the last few years, the entertainment industry and Hollywood have seen a movement toward comic book and animated properties. A company or brand can capitalize on this by associating itself with an animated property. This allows the company to market additional products (toys, video games, children's clothing) that the cartoon commodity is ready-made to produce.
Trend Themes
1. Anime Figurines - The rise of anime and manga fandom presents an opportunity for companies to produce collectible anime figurines, tapping into the growing market for anime merchandise.
2. Limited-edition Collectibles - Manufacturing a limited number of highly-priced collectibles is a potential business opportunity that may create a sense of exclusivity among fans.
3. Collaboration with Artists - Partnering with artists and designers, particularly those with a strong following, can help companies create unique products that appeal to collectors.
Industry Implications
1. Toy Industry - The toy industry can expand its offerings by producing anime-inspired figurines and other merchandise that cater to the fans of anime and manga.
2. Entertainment Industry - By aligning themselves with popular animated properties, companies in the entertainment industry can leverage merchandise sales to enhance the overall profitability of their brand.
3. Art Industry - Partnering with artists and designers to create unique and exclusive figurines can provide a new source of revenue for galleries, museums, and other players in the art industry.
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