アニメグッズanime guzzu
Quick definition:Anime merchandise is the range of products based on anime, manga and games, such as figures, clothing, stationery, posters and accessories, sold in shops, online and at conventions.
Meaning
Anime merchandise, often shortened to merch, covers any product that carries a series' characters or designs. Common items include figures, plush toys, keyrings, posters, clothing, stationery, bags, phone cases, trading cards and snacks with special packaging. Some goods are made for general sale, while others are limited or sold only at certain events.
In Japan, the word guzzu, from the English goods, is used for such items. Merchandise is an important source of income for studios and publishers, and series are sometimes planned with products in mind. Shops dedicated to anime goods can be found in many cities, and online stores ship them worldwide.
Fans buy merchandise to show support for a series, to decorate their space and to collect rare items. Limited editions and collaborations with cafes, shops and brands are especially popular, and events often sell exclusive goods. Collectors usually weigh the price, quality and storage space before buying.
Origin:Anime merchandise combines anime with merchandise, an English word for goods sold to the public. In Japanese the usual word is guzzu, a loanword from goods, or kyarakuta guzzu, meaning character goods. The practice of selling products based on animated characters is old, and it grew alongside television anime from the 1960s. Shops have stocked such goods for decades.
Example:At a convention, a fan queues to buy a small acrylic stand, a plush mascot and a packet of themed biscuits from a booth selling items from a favourite series. Some products have special convention-only designs, and they sell out quickly by the afternoon, so many fans arrive before opening to get a place in line.
Did you know?Some anime collaborate with shops, restaurants and railways to sell limited goods, such as themed drinks, collector cards given with meals or stamp rally events. These tie-ins attract fans who travel to visit places connected with the series. The collaborations are sometimes limited to a few weeks.
