A recent survey by the Japanese website Anime! Anime! has shed light on the spending habits of anime fans, revealing that 1 in 10 fans spend over 50,000 yen (approximately US$300) monthly on fandom-related activities. The largest group of respondents, around 40%, reported spending 5,000 yen (about US$30) or less per month, while 20% spent 1,000 yen (around US$6) or less, and 15% spent up to 10,000 yen (about US$60).
The survey highlighted that nearly 95% of fans primarily spend their money on merchandise, followed by 75% who purchase manga and novels. About 45% of respondents also attend events such as screenings, live performances, and doujinshi sales. Merchandise remains a cornerstone of the anime industry, driving significant revenue for top franchises like Gundam, Pokémon, and Yu-Gi-Oh!.
Acrylic stands were the most popular merchandise item, chosen by 70% of respondents for their accessibility and ease of display. Character figures and can badges followed, with 30% and 25% of fans purchasing them, respectively. Plush toys and keychains were also frequently bought due to their portability. Some fans incorporate their favorite works into daily life through items like T-shirts and eco-bags, while others store their merchandise carefully in boxes.
Despite their enthusiasm, fans face challenges such as managing limited budgets against the temptation to buy expensive items. Storage and display space, as well as the difficulty of obtaining specific characters from randomized blind-box merchandise, were also noted as common issues.