Connect with us

Technology

MoonFox Analysis | “ACGN Merch Economy” Surge and the Breakthrough of the “Dimension Wall” in ACGN Consumption

Published

on

About us: Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG) established in 2011, is a leading customer engagement and marketing technology service provider in China. Its business includes notification services, marketing growth, development tools, and data products. As its sub-brand, MoonFox Data is a leading expert in data insights and analysis services across all scenarios, aiming to help companies gain market insights and empower precise decision-making.

SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In today’s cultural consumption landscape, the “ACGN Merch Economy” (Anime, Comics, Games, Novels) is rapidly gaining momentum. The consumption of “ACGN Merch” has emerged as a hot topic in the market. This concept originates from ACGN culture and refers to an economic model centered around virtual content, including anime, games, and novels. It generates commercial value through various means, such as derivatives, copyright operations, and offline activities. With the widespread dissemination of ACGN culture and the continuous expansion of its audience, the influence of the “ACGN Merch Economy” has transcended traditional boundaries, permeating mainstream culture and the real economy. This phenomenon blurs the lines between the previously separate worlds of ACGN and the real world. As the “ACGN Merch Economy” continues to extend its influence across multiple dimensions, its market impact and commercial value are becoming increasingly evident.

I. User Expansion: “ACGN Merch” Becomes the New Social Currency for the Younger Generation

Historically, ACGN culture has been viewed as a niche subculture, but it is now trending toward wider popularity and mainstream acceptance. According to public data, the size of China’s ACGN industry reached RMB 221.9 billion in 2023, with projections estimating it will grow to RMB 270 billion by 2024. By 2029, the market value is expected to double, exceeding RMB 590 billion. The industry is primarily divided into content markets and peripheral derivative markets. In 2023, the peripheral derivative market accounted for 46.1% of the industry, reflecting a significant increase of 18.1% since 2016. This notable growth underscores the rise of the peripheral derivative market as a key driver in the ongoing expansion of the ACGN industry.

Chinese ACGN Industry Market Size

Year

 

Industry Size (Billion RMB)

 

Annual Growth Rate

2023

2219

–

2024E

2750

Annual Growth 16.6%

2029E

5900+

Data Source: Zero Power Industrial Research Institute

ACGN Industry Market Distribution

2016

2023

ACGN Content Market

72.0 %

53.9 %

ACGN Peripheral Derivative Market

28.0 %

46.1 %

Data Source: Zero Power Industrial Research Institute

According to public reports, China’s general ACGN user base has grown substantially, reaching approximately 460 million by 2021. As ACGN culture continues to break through the “dimension wall,” this large user base is still expanding. The younger demographic, particularly those aged 25 and under, is undoubtedly the main force driving ACGN culture. Data from MoonFox iMarketing indicates that these mobile internet users show a strong preference for ACGN communities and anime and manga-related apps. Additionally, the ACGN-related mobile internet industry exhibits a clear holiday effect. Monitoring data from MoonFox iApp reveals that both the anime and manga industry and ACGN community applications see a noticeable increase in active user numbers during the winter and summer holidays.

TGI (Target Group Index) of User Preferences of Mobile Internet Users Aged 25 and Under

Industry

TGI

ACGN Community

280

 

Couple Interaction

276

 

Higher Education

269

 

Anime & Manga

247

 

Image Sharing

244

 

Gaming Platform

231

 

Game Assistant

229

 

Card & Board Games

220

 

Music Games

216

 

Strategy & Puzzle

215

Data Source: MoonFox iMarketing, Data Cycle: October 2024

Changes in User Base for ACGN and ACGN Community Apps (Unit: 10,000)

 

Year/Month

 

Anime & Manga

ACGN Community

2024-01 (Winter Vacation)

3,893.48

350.53

2024-02 (Winter Vacation)

4,152.07

342.98

2024-03

3,651.66

354.12

2024-04

3,466.41

320.66

2024-05

3,345.23

298.43

2024-06

3,555.53

317.29

2024-07 (Summer Vacation)

4,006.55

338.06

2024-08 (Summer Vacation)

3,805.50

361.99

2024-09

3,062.02

288.87

2024-10

3,126.15

331.54

Data Source: MoonFox iApp, Data Cycle: January 2024 – November 2024

As the data indicates, ACGN culture is no longer confined to fringe groups; it is gradually becoming part of mainstream culture, particularly among the younger generation, where its influence is profound. “ACGN Merch,” as a product of ACGN culture, have transcended mere entertainment consumption and emerged as a new medium for social interaction, acting as a form of “social currency” for youth. This shift is driven by a strong demand for personalization and community identity among young people. In their social circles, shared interests and hobbies serve as bonds connecting individuals, and “ACGN Merch”—whether in the form of anime character merchandise, in-game items, or related cultural symbols—become tools for self-expression and identity building. By sharing and exchanging these “ACGN Merch,” young people create common cultural spaces and social networks, enhancing their connections and sense of belonging.

II. Expanding Scenarios: ACGN Continues to Step Deeper into the Real World

As ACGN culture continues to permeate various aspects of life, its commercial scenarios are expanding from the virtual realm into the real world. In recent years, ACGN retail brands have emerged rapidly, serving as a vital bridge between ACGN and mainstream culture. Numerous ACGN brand retail stores are experiencing significant growth, with KAYOU opening 318 locations. This expansion of ACGN retail outlets has also spurred the development of related industries, including anime exhibitions, themed cafes, and a range of online communities and offline gatherings. As a result, ACGN culture is constructing a diverse ecosystem that integrates various facets of entertainment and social interaction.

Number of ACGN Retail Stores

 

Brand

Number of Stores

 

KAYOU

318

IPSTAR

139

BOOM COMIC

58

GOODSLOVE

50

MarchMonster

37

Kyoko ACGN MerchStore

35

GUGUGUGU

34

Mancool

34

HEYZAKKA

25

Karasumaya

23

Data Source: Lei Newspaper, Data Cycle: November 2024

This ecosystem not only enriches consumer experiences but also presents new business opportunities for traditional physical enterprises. According to the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of Shanghai, the Bailian ZX Creative Center—the first commercial complex in China focused on ACGN culture—transformed from the former Hua Lian Shopping Mall. It has successfully gathered major overseas ACGN retail and social cultural experiences. By the end of 2023, its sales reached RMB 300 million, with daily foot traffic increasing by 3 to 8 times post-transformation.

In addition to physical stores, IP marketing has become a crucial driver for ACGN culture’s rapid integration into the mainstream. In recent years, many restaurant brands have begun targeting the ACGN market. Notable brands such as Pizza Hut, HEYTEA, and KFC have engaged in ACG IP marketing, collaborating with popular ACGN franchises like Naraka: Bladepoint, Light and Night, and Genshin Impact to release limited-edition products and events. These collaborations not only cater to the collection and experiential needs of ACGN fans but also generate buzz and enhance brand visibility, boosting the youthful appeal of these companies.

Partial Restaurant Brand Collaborations with ACGN IPs

Date

Brand

 

Co-branding IP

2024.01

Pizza Hut

Naraka: Bladepoint

2024.03

HEYTEA

Light and Night

2024.04

NAIXUE

Arknights

2024.04

ChaPanda

Honkai: Star Rail

2024.05

Auntea Jenny

Howl’s Moving Castle

2024.05

ChaPanda

Tuntunzai

2024.05

YH.TANG

The King’s Avatar

2024.07

KFC

Genshin Impact

2024.08

Luckin Coffee

Black Myth: Wukong

The commercial value of ACGN culture extends far beyond mere entertainment and consumption; it has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, societal trend, and even an economic model. The purchasing power and enthusiasm of the ACGN demographic are significant and should not be underestimated. In marketing strategies, leveraging ACGN culture provides brands with fresh perspectives and approaches. By collaborating with ACGN IPs, brands can forge deeper emotional connections with young consumers, enhancing brand awareness and loyalty through “ACGN Merch” and the “Fans Economy.” These cross-industry collaborations not only drive innovation and diversification in marketing strategies but also enrich brand performance, ultimately propelling the prosperity of the ACGN economy.

Our Information:

Website: https://www.moonfox.cn/
Contact number: 400-888-0936

Contact us:

Name: Felix
Title: Director of Sales, Industry Insight Division
Tel: +86 -13366276383
Email:zhouzt@jiguang.cn
Address: 608/F, Tower B, Wintrust Center, No. 1 Xidawang Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China

Name: Janette Zhou
Title: Marketing Manager
Tel: +86-13928239332
Email: zhouxt@jiguang,cn
Address: 608/F, Tower B, Wintrust Center, No. 1 Xidawang Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/moonfox-analysis–acgn-merch-economy-surge-and-the-breakthrough-of-the-dimension-wall-in-acgn-consumption-302339259.html

SOURCE Aurora Mobile Ltd

Continue Reading

Technology

Trive Capital Announces Sale of EarthLink

Published

on

By

DALLAS, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Trive Capital (“Trive”) is pleased to announce that it has closed on the sale of EarthLink, LLC (“EarthLink” or the “Company”) to a family office consortium consisting of WaveDivision Capital (“Wave”), The Pritzker Organization (“TPO”) and Stephens Capital Partners (“SCP”), in partnership with EarthLink’s management team. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, EarthLink is one of the largest internet service providers in the United States, serving over 500,000 internet and managed services customers nationwide. Through partnerships with several of the nation’s largest fiber and 5G providers, EarthLink has built an asset-light, nationwide network that can offer fiber internet service to more than 68 million homes.

Since Trive’s investment in EarthLink in 2018 as part of a corporate carveout, the Company has transformed from a legacy DSL and email business in precipitous decline to an asset-light connectivity platform serving over 500,000 consumers and small businesses nationwide. The Company has grown and will continue to grow based on its expanded fiber and 5G internet solutions and commitment to customer service for consumers and small businesses.

Shravan Thadani, Partner at Trive, stated, “EarthLink has been a true partnership between management and Trive in every sense of the word. The team built a differentiated, asset-light platform that gives consumers and small businesses real choice in how they get connected, and did so while standing up every function of the platform outside of its former, public parent. We are proud to have been a part of such an iconic brand’s journey and will continue to support Wave, TPO and SCP as they work with management to accelerate growth in the coming years.”

“During our partnership with Trive, we have taken one of the most trusted brands in the internet space and turned it into a trusted option for consumers and small businesses nationwide,” commented Glenn Goad, Chief Executive Officer of EarthLink. “As internet access has become one of the most important utilities in a consumer’s life, EarthLink has a renewed focus on making it easier for our customers to access the best internet options at affordable prices. Trive was critically important through and after the carve-out, and we are excited to partner with Wave, TPO and SCP to continue to grow EarthLink alongside our trusted fiber and 5G partners. Our collective goal remains the same: to provide the right technology at the right price, supported by a world-class customer experience.”

About EarthLink

EarthLink is an internet service provider offering fiber and 5G internet solutions for homes and businesses nationwide. With a focus on dependable connectivity, flexible plans, and customer-focused service, EarthLink provides broadband options designed to meet the needs of modern households and businesses. EarthLink is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and serves over 500,000 customers. To learn more, visit earthlink.net.

About Trive Capital

Trive Capital is a Dallas, Texas based private equity firm with more than $8 billion of regulatory assets under management. Trive focuses on investing equity and debt in what it sees as strategically viable middle-market companies with the potential for transformational upside through operational improvement.

The Trive team is comprised of seasoned investment professionals who have been involved in over 250 middle-market transactions representing in excess of $10 billion in revenue across Trive’s targeted industry sectors and situations.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trive-capital-announces-sale-of-earthlink-302914673.html

SOURCE Trive Capital

Continue Reading

Technology

Rondo Energy and Rio Tinto Advance Australia’s Largest Thermal Energy Storage Project

Published

on

By

GLADSTONE, Australia, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rondo Energy and Rio Tinto have started front-end engineering and design on the project for a 360 MWh storage / 30 MW discharge Rondo Heat Battery, supported by a grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

ARENA’s funding for the project will be provided in stages, with an initial $3.6 million to complete front-end engineering and design work. Following successful completion of that study, ARENA will provide up to $38 million for deployment. ARENA has also approved up to $33.3 million in conditional contingency support, which would only be made available in defined circumstances to manage specific project risks, including cost overruns and electricity costs. 

If progressed, the project would be delivered at Rio Tinto’s Yarwun alumina refinery near Gladstone, Queensland and would be one of the first large-scale demonstrations of thermal energy storage for industrial process heat globally, and a world-first for the alumina industry.

Rondo Heat Batteries use abundant, low-cost midday electricity to charge, storing energy as high-temperature heat in refractory brick, and supplying energy as 24/7 continuous process heat to industry. Typically, the heat is delivered as steam, directly into an industrial facility’s steam network. Australia regularly has 4-6 hours of surplus solar-generated renewable electricity in the middle of the day, but industrial facilities need heat 24 hours a day, not just when the sun is shining. By charging when electricity is cheap and abundant and discharging continuously, Rondo Heat Batteries turn short periods of low-cost electricity into 24/7 delivery of low-cost steam. 

For energy-intensive industries such as alumina refining, Rondo Heat Batteries create a pathway to electrification that addresses both emissions and energy costs. Because the heat battery slots into the existing steam network, the facility’s processes run exactly as before — the only thing that changes is the energy for that heat: no longer from fossil fuels, but sourced from low cost electricity instead. The Yarwun study will assess the technical and economic viability of integrating the technology into refinery operations.

“This project shows how Australia’s abundant energy can become a competitive advantage for industry,” said Dr. Kira Rundel, Rondo’s Head of Australia. “Heat batteries allow manufacturers to use low-cost electricity to produce the reliable, round-the-clock heat their operations need. Australia’s largest heat battery will show how factories can cut emissions without increasing energy costs, helping Australian industry to increase global competitiveness and supporting local manufacturing jobs.”

Rio Tinto Pacific Operations Managing Director Armando Torres said: “Reducing emissions from alumina refining is complex, particularly when it comes to generating the high-pressure steam needed for our operations.

“This study will help us determine whether thermal energy storage can provide a technically and economically viable alternative to fossil fuels for part of Yarwun’s steam requirements.

“The best way to tackle challenges of this scale is through collaboration between industry, government, and technology partners. We welcome ARENA and Rondo’s support as we assess technologies that could help reduce our Scope 1 emissions while maintaining reliable operations at Yarwun.”

About Rondo Energy

Rondo Energy delivers firm heat and power, including combined heat and power (CHP), to heavy industry and provides power solutions and long duration storage to data centers. For industrial heat applications, Rondo Heat Batteries convert 4-6 hours of low-cost electricity into continuous 24-hour, high-temperature heat, delivered as steam or hot air up to 1,000°C. The heat delivered integrates directly with existing industrial equipment and processes, eliminating on-site emissions and running on lower cost energy. Rondo heat storage can integrate with steam turbines to deliver combined heat and power (CHP) for industry, and long duration power-to-power solutions for large energy consumers such as data centers. Built on proven refractory brick as the thermal storage medium, Rondo’s platform is engineered for multi-decade operation in the most demanding industrial environments.

Rondo Heat Batteries have been delivering firm heat and power at scale since 2023, with operational facilities serving customers in fuels and cement (including steam driving turbines for electricity) in the United States and in Asia. The next unit will come online shortly – a 100 MWh Rondo Heat Battery under construction in Europe for a chemical plant. Rondo is a global company based in California, with teams across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia. Providing heat and power solutions to the alumina industry is an area of focus for the company due to the strong fit of Rondo’s technology with the heat and power needs of the alumina industry.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rondo-energy-and-rio-tinto-advance-australias-largest-thermal-energy-storage-project-302914664.html

SOURCE Rondo Energy

Continue Reading

Technology

14 Organizations Earn CHIME’s Highest Digital Health Most Wired Designation for 2026

Published

on

By

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), the leading professional organization for digital health leaders, today announced 14 organizations have achieved Level 10 in the 2026 CHIME Digital Health Most Wired (DHMW) survey. Powered by Digital Health Analytics (DHA), the survey is CHIME’s global assessment of digital health excellence, with Level 10 as its highest designation.

Representing health systems across the U.S., this year’s Level 10 organizations demonstrated exceptional performance across the enterprise digital ecosystem, leveraging technologies, data, infrastructure, and strategic practices shaping modern care delivery. The prestigious designation recognizes organizations that have moved beyond technology implementation to integrate digital investment across clinical and operational environments, producing measurable value for their health systems, patients, and providers.

The 2026 DHMW survey maintains a rigorous scoring methodology designed to account for differences in organizational size, complexity, risk, and resources, creating an equitable measure of performance across diverse healthcare environments. The model evaluates organizations across 10 distinct segments, measuring both the foundational elements required for digital maturity and the advanced practices that demonstrate broader adoption, integration, and value.

“Healthcare is experiencing extraordinary technological acceleration, driven in large part by the rapid adoption of AI and increasingly sophisticated digital capabilities,” said Russ Branzell, President and CEO of CHIME. “As that pace intensifies, the Digital Health Most Wired Survey continues to provide a rigorous benchmark for evaluating whether technology is translating into meaningful progress. It gives leaders a data-driven view of performance, critical gaps, and opportunities for high-impact investment while setting an industry standard of excellence for responsible technology adoption. The Level 10 organizations recognized this year exemplify the leadership and innovation required to turn digital investment into measurable improvements in care delivery.”

The 2026 Digital Health Most Wired survey includes data from more than 45,000 facilities worldwide, offering a global view of technology adoption, investment and performance across healthcare organizations and the evolving role of digital health in care delivery, operations and the patient and provider experience.

Each participating organization received a customized benchmarking report through the Digital Health Analytics (DHA) portal, offering detailed insights into performance metrics across 10 key segments:

InfrastructureSecurityAdministrationSupply chainAnalytics and data managementInteroperabilityPopulation healthPatient engagementInnovationClinical quality and safety

Fourteen healthcare organizations achieved Level 10 distinction, the highest designation awarded through the 2026 CHIME Digital Health Most Wired survey. The recipients are Baptist Health System (Jacksonville, Florida); Bon Secours Mercy Health (Ohio); MetroHealth Medical Center (Ohio); MultiCare Health System (Washington); Northeast Georgia Health System (Georgia); NYU Langone Health (New York); Parkview Health (Indiana); Roper St. Francis Healthcare Services, Inc. (South Carolina); Stanford Health Care (California); UCHealth (Colorado); UNC Health (North Carolina); University Health (Texas); University of Utah Health (Utah); and UPMC (Pennsylvania).

Collectively, the 2026 Level 10 designees reflect a healthcare environment in which digital performance increasingly depends on the alignment of technology strategy, data, infrastructure, and organizational priorities with strong leadership and a sustained commitment to innovation. Their results demonstrate how leading health systems are converting digital investment into measurable gains across clinical and operational environments while establishing the foundations required to responsibly adopt emerging technologies at scale.

CHIME will formally recognize these distinguished Level 10 honorees on November 12, 2026, during the CHIME26 Fall Forum in Denver, CO, which runs from November 11-14.

For additional details on the 2026 Digital Health Most Wired survey and the complete list of all Level 7-10 award recipients, visit dhanalytics.org.

About CHIME 
The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) is the leading professional organization for digital health executives and leaders. CHIME provides a trusted, collaborative environment where members and partners connect, share best practices, advance professional development, and advocate for the effective use of information and technology to improve health and care in the communities they serve. For more information, please visit chimecentral.org.

About Digital Health Analytics (DHA)
Digital Health Analytics provides healthcare organizations, technology companies, and academic researchers with the data, benchmarking, and market intelligence they need to lead digital transformation — 365 days a year. Powered by the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), DHA helps provider organizations supercharge their digital health transformation capabilities. For more information about DHA, visit dhanalytics.org.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Calli Dretke
Executive Vice President & Chief Digital and Marketing Officer
CHIME
734.665.0000
cdretke@chimecentral.org

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/14-organizations-earn-chimes-highest-digital-health-most-wired-designation-for-2026-302914691.html

SOURCE College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME)

Continue Reading

Trending