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· Michelle De Pacina
‘A Virtuous Business’: New K-drama follows 4 women selling sex toys in the ’90s
“A Virtuous Business,” a female-led Korean comedy-drama, premiered its first episode on JTBC and Netflix on Saturday, achieving a solid nationwide rating of 3.86%, with a slightly higher 3.99% in Seoul. These figures are consistent with typical ratings for JTBC’s weekend dramas…
· Bryan Ke
This mom of 2 started her own Asian American doll company after seeing a lack of diversity in toys
A San Francisco mother-of-two has launched a company that sells Asian American dolls after being disappointed in the lack of diversity in the U.S. toy industry. Elenor Mak, 43, first thought of starting her own company last year when she wanted to give her daughter, Jillian, a…
· Bryan Ke
Ron DeSantis again slams ‘really cheap’ Christmas toys made in China during Texas rally
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) slammed Christmas toys made in China for the second time this year at his campaign rally in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Monday. What he said: DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate, complained about the “cheap” made-in-China toys he and his wife bought…
· Isa Peralta
‘Super Mario Bros. Movie’ toys leaked by McDonald’s employee hint at unannounced character
Before you read: Chris Pratt playing Super Mario may prove the Nintendo character is not Japanese after all A recent leak has hinted at the potential appearance of a key “Super Mario Galaxy” character in the upcoming “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.”
· Ryan General
Indonesian monkeys use stones as sex toys, researchers find
Researchers studying the activity of over 170 long-tailed macaques living at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in central Bali between 2016 and 2019 observed that the monkeys were using stone tools as sex toys. The study, which builds on lead author Camilla Cenni’s previous…
· Michelle De Pacina
Tokyo Police arrest 24-year-old suspect dubbed the ‘Lego Kid’ for stealing toys
Naoto Daitoku, 24, and his two accomplices, aged 17 and 19, were arrested on June 24 by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police on suspicion of stealing 12 toys on the evening of Dec. 16, 2021. The thieves were reported to have been shoplifting Lego blocks and other toys from a mall toy…
· Carl Samson
Indonesia Burns Over 400 Sex Toys After Raid
Local authorities in Indonesia burned hundreds of sex toys last week, remaining steadfast in the belief that such products corrupt public morals. A total of 442 products, mostly imported from China, were destroyed in Bandung, the capital city of West Java province on Nov. 25.
· Carl Samson
Chinese Master Carpenter Makes Toys for His Grandson With Skills Used to Build the Forbidden City
A 63-year-old man from eastern China has found fame on YouTube for videos that showcase his exemplary skills in traditional carpentry. Wang Dewen, known to his followers as Grandpa Amu, has created intricate wooden toys for his grandson using nothing but wood — no glue, nails or…
· Carl Samson
Man Horrified to Find Grandma Wore his Sex Toys as Socks
A 21-year-old Japanese man was left speechless after learning that his innocent grandmother had mistaken his silicone sex toys for a pair of thermal socks. The incident was documented in photos and videos via Twitter on July 5.
· Bryan Ke
McDonald’s in Japan Starts Using Trays Made Form Recycled Plastic Toys
McDonald’s in Japan are using trays recycled from plastic toys as part of the fast food chain’s attempt to reduce plastic waste.
· Heather Johnson Yu
24 Chinese Bootleg Toys Naughty Kids Better Pray They Won’t Get This Christmas
Christmas is just around the corner, and while everyone is busy hanging up their stockings and chugging hot cocoa, Santa is busy making his list and checking it twice. If you’ve been good this year, you’re bound to get that … ohh, what is it that kids are playing with these…
· Ryan General
7-Year-Old Asian Boy Makes $11 Million A Year Reviewing Toys on YouTube
A 7-year-old Asian American boy has been raking in millions by reviewing toy cars, action figures, Play-Doh, and other toys on YouTube. Ryan, the fun-loving son of Vietnamese mom Loann and Japanese dad Sean, is the adorable “host” of “Ryan ToysReview” a popular toy-review…
· Ryan General
Chinese Netizens Outraged Over a Claw Machine That Uses Live Cats Instead of Toys
Netizens are not a bit happy about a claw machine which uses live cats instead of plush toys at an arcade in an unidentified city in China. The mechanism of the controversial machine lets customers pick up cats and drop them into a funnel like a normal claw machine.
· Carl Samson
McDonald’s is Partnering With Nintendo to Bring Back the Best Happy Meal Toys Ever
If you happen to visit any McDonald’s branch between April 26 and May 22, chances are you’ll find yourself traveling back in time. That’s literally the case when you ask for a Happy Meal, which features eight Nintendo toys that strike a chord among nostalgic fans.
· Carl Samson
Donald Trump is Trying to Make iPhones, Jeans, and Sex Toys Way More Expensive
A looming trade war between the United States and China has been speculated since Donald Trump claimed that the east Asian giant is “stealing” American jobs. That comment, among other remarks, pushed many to contemplate consequences for both countries, whether favorable or not.…
· Ryan General
14-Year-Old Australian Boy Earns $10,000 In One Week Reselling Chinese-Made Toys
A 14-year-old Australian teenager has made thousands of dollars re-selling Chinese toys in Australia. Will Deeth, a Toowoomba Christian College student, buys toys in China during trips with his parents and then sells them online and through his pop up shops back at home.…
· Editorial Staff
The Kaplan Twins: These Sisters ‘Sleep’ With Superhero Toys and Sell Them for $333 on Instagram
Identical twin sisters who are “sleeping” with children’s superhero figurines are posting suggestive photos on Instagram and selling each one for $333 a pop. The Kaplan Twins are young artists based in Los Angeles who are currently working on a project called Boy Toys. The work…
· Ryan General
Chinese ‘Claw Machine God’ Grabs Over 3,000 Stuffed Toys, Becomes Arcade Owners’ Worst Nightmare
The claw machine, while looking deceptively easy, is arguably one of the most challenging games in any arcade. If you are the competitive type who does not like losing, it is best to stay away — unless, of course, you are as skillful as Chen Zhitong from China who is considered…
· Riley Schatzle
Tech Employee Spends $476,000 on Online Strippers and Sex Toys Using Company Card
A “national solutions architect” for a St. Louis-based company was indicted last week by federal authorities for using nearly half a million dollars in company funds to pay for online strippers. John David Berrett, 40, is accused of falsifying expense reports from September 2013…
· Ryan General
South Korea’s top court rejects US composer’s ‘Baby Shark’ copyright claim
South Korea’s Supreme Court dismissed a copyright lawsuit filed by American composer Jonathan Wright, ruling on Aug. 14 that his 2011 version of “Baby Shark” lacked sufficient originality and could not claim legal protection. The decision ends Wright’s six-year legal battle…
Anime → Toei Animation
Anime connects to Sony, Toei Animation, and Bandai Namco through streaming, studios, licensing, merch, and games.
If anime for you means Crunchyroll, soundtracks, figures, games, or theater releases, these are some of the companies sitting behind it.
People & Works
Results
Company · Japan · TYO:7832
Bandai Namco Holdings
Bandai Namco sits behind toys, anime IP, games, and licensing that turn fandom into everyday consumer products.
Company · China · HKEX:9992
Pop Mart
Pop Mart turned blind-box designer toys into a global craze — Labubu queues, resale markups, and sold-out drops from Bangkok to Los Angeles.
Company · Japan · TYO:4816
Toei Animation
Toei Animation is tied to some of the biggest anime franchises and the global licensing machine around them.