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Market Research Reveals Idol, Vocaloid, Doujinshi Market Growth in 2016

Yano Research Institute released its report on the otaku marketplace for 2017 on Tuesday.

The report indicated that the idol market, doujinshi, plastic model, pro wrestling, Vocaloid, and toy gun/airsoft market all grew from 2015 to 2016, and Yano Research projected all markets for growth in 2017. The idol market grew 20.6% in 2016, with the market valued at 187 billion yen (about US$1.66 billion), an increase over 2015's 155 billion yen (about US$1.38 billion). Yano Research noted that the market continues to support long-running groups such as Johnny's and AKB48, while also seeing the success of new groups. Yano Research projected a 12.3% growth for the market in 2017, with a projected value of 210 billion yen (about US$1.87 billion).

The Vocaloid market grew 4.2% to 9.6 billion yen (about US$85 million) in 2016, compared to 9.2 billion yen (about US$81 billion) in 2015. The doujinshi market grew from 77.5 billion yen (about US$684 million) to 79.5 billion yen (about US$702 million) between 2015 and 2016.

The cosplay costume, doll, maid (cosplay and related services), and adult video markets saw a decrease from 2015 to 2016. The cosplay costume market was valued at 39 billion yen (about US$349 million) in 2016, compared to 43.5 billion yen (about US$387 million) in 2015. Yano Research stated that the decrease is largely due to the price reduction on online mail orders of costumes. The company projected a further reduction to 35 billion yen (about US$311 million) in 2017.

Adult games and romance games saw similar reductions, from 17.6 billion yen (about US$156 million) in 2015 to 16.8 billion yen (about US$149 million) in 2016 for adult games, and from 16.3 billion yen (about US$145 million) in 2015 to 15 billion yen (about US$133 million) in 2016 for romance games. Yano Research stated that download versions of adult games have not been complementing the physical releases. The company also noted that romance games aimed at women have supported the romance game market, but competition between similar games, and the sense that the market has reached the peak of new user numbers, have both weakened the market.

The boys love market was valued at 21.9 billion yen (about US$195 million) in 2016, a reduction from 22 billion yen (about US$196 million) in 2015. Yano Research stated that the market has fans who support it, but that sales of books and drama CDs have been sluggish, and price reductions in e-books have further reduced the market.

The market for railroad models (Including dioramas and related products) and figures stayed the same from 2015 to 2016, but both are projected for an increase in 2017.

Source: IT Media Business Online via Yaraon!