Ultraman Card Company Earns Nearly 10 Billion Yuan, Reaping Huge Profits from Elementary School Students
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The 'children's toy' Ultraman cards have quietly generated nearly 10 billion yuan in revenue over three years, primarily from elementary school students across the country.
The company behind these cards is Zhejiang Kayou Culture Communication Co., Ltd., currently the largest card company in China, with main products including cards, stationery, and trendy toys.
Moreover, Kayou recently submitted its listing application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, planning to list on the main board, with Morgan Stanley, CICC, and J.P. Morgan serving as joint sponsors.
The prospectus reveals that Kayou's revenues for 2021, 2022, and the first nine months of 2023 were approximately 2.3 billion yuan, 4.13 billion yuan, and 1.95 billion yuan, respectively, with adjusted net profits of 800 million yuan, 1.62 billion yuan, and 580 million yuan for the corresponding periods.
It is reported that after obtaining IP authorization from the company 'New Creation China,' Kayou began producing Ultraman cards in series after series. 'New Creation China' holds the exclusive copyright agency rights for the Ultraman brand in mainland China, licensed from the Japanese company Bandai, the copyright owner of Ultraman. By the first three quarters of 2023, Kayo has already introduced 274 trading card series and 28 stationery series based on over 50 Ultraman characters.
Moreover, it's not just elementary students—Ultraman trading cards also attract specific adult consumer groups. Last year, an "Ultraman Orb Courageous Form card" was auctioned for a jaw-dropping price of 100,999 yuan, showcasing the frenzy around these collectibles.