Ever walked into an anime exhibition or bought some merch, only to feel like you got way less than you bargained for? Turns out, you're not alone. Recently, Sumito Owara, the manga artist behind "Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!", took to X (formerly Twitter) to air his grievances about how some anime and manga events and merchandise are planned.
Owara didn't mince words, confessing his absolute disdain for exhibitions that operate with a "fans will just shell out cash anyway" mentality, or merchandise that's simply "slap a character on it, and otaku will buy anything." He emphasized his own commitment, stating he'd go as far as drawing multiple brand-new illustrations and personally getting involved in planning to ensure the exhibition content is thoughtfully conceived.
Some netizens chimed in, agreeing that repeatedly using the same old art for merchandise feels like a lazy shortcut. They suggested that commissioning fan artists for fresh new designs would be a much better approach.
One commenter even shared a nightmare experience from a "Magical Girl" themed exhibition. They'd paid a hefty ticket price and waited in line, only to be utterly disappointed by the display.
The entire venue featured just a few display boards with illustrations that had already been publicly released, alongside a looped 10-second audio clip and music. Even the merch booth was full of recycled designs, leaving them wondering, "Why did I even pay to be here?" – a feeling of utter emptiness and frustration.
In response, one netizen perfectly articulated the core issue: fans aren't just looking for "new art." What truly matters is whether the exhibition and merchandise details convey that the official creators genuinely cherish and are dedicated to the work.
Others drew parallels to many "local revitalization" events from around 2010. Numerous cases back then failed precisely because they adopted this same crude, "quick buck" formula, ultimately fizzling out due to a lack of scalability and substantial content. 
When it comes to commercializing anime IP-related exhibitions and merchandise, it's not just about the work's popularity; content planning and fan experience are equally crucial. Finding that sweet spot between cost control and creative quality remains a significant challenge!