The Rise of the‍ Two-Dimensional Economy: Understanding the “Eating Grain” Phenomenon

For many young consumers, 2024 ‍is shaping up to be a year of “eating grain” and breaking down the ‌dimensional ⁢wall. But‍ what exactly does ⁤”eating grain” mean, and how is it impacting the business world?

“Eating grain”​ refers to the act of buying grain, which is a‍ transliteration​ of the ‌English word‌ “Goods” and refers to badges, ⁤standees, and other peripheral derivative‍ products with ⁢two-dimensional⁢ IP attributes. The two-dimensional economy is hot right ⁣now, with comic exhibitions and​ two-dimensional formats popping ‍up in shopping malls everywhere. The charm‌ of animation is fermenting among young people,​ breaking through the two-dimensional wall and forming new cultural circles ⁣like the‍ “grain circle.”

Industry ‌analysts say that “eating millet”​ is an emotional ⁢sustenance for young⁢ people and also represents their urgent need for social⁣ interaction. As the popularity of the second dimension culture⁢ continues to rise, the cultural integration behind “eating millet” puts forward higher requirements for current youth education. How​ can ‌we​ guide young⁢ people to establish⁣ correct consumption concepts, interests, and aesthetics, and avoid ‍harm?

The ⁤High‍ Temperature ‌of “Valley Circle” ​Breaks‍ Through the⁣ Dimensional Wall

A⁢ small piece of iron with a diameter of 75mm ‌was recently sold for ⁢a staggering 72,000 yuan⁤ on a second-hand trading platform. ⁢The iron ⁣piece, called a Baji, is a tinplate ‍badge⁣ printed with the image of anime IP and ​belongs to the category of “grain” products. Different grains have formed a unique pricing system based on ⁣quality, number of ‍issues, ‌character IP, and more.

So, how does millet “hard-control” young people? A millet fan, Axi, says it’s more like ‍a form of “support.”⁤ She ​buys large⁢ and small⁤ standees,⁢ bajis,‌ flash cards, and more of her favorite characters, with prices ranging from tens to thousands of yuan. ​In her opinion, eating millet ⁤is a way to show support for the author and the character, and to let them‌ see ‌the value and commercial prospects‌ of‌ the character.

The Cultural Significance of “Eating Grain”

“Eating grain” has become a bridge between the second dimension and the third⁣ dimension. In comic ‌exhibitions or animation stores, you can often see cosplayers eating grain. The products they consume‌ are mostly the characters they cosplay, which breaks the interpretation of grain as a simple anime peripheral and becomes ​more like a cultural penetration.

Young people use the form⁣ of “stamp collecting” to show their love⁢ for ​characters ‌in works, visualize their passion,⁢ and ‌communicate in a physical‌ form. This​ slowly forms a circle that attracts more‍ people ​to join. On social platforms, there are videos ⁤of setting ⁢up grain arrays, grain relays, and more, where like-minded people share their joy ⁢and sense of accomplishment⁣ through the screen.

The Business⁤ of “Eating Grain”

The ⁣reporter‌ visited several local “millet stores” and found ⁣that the millet store industry in Jinan is ⁢still in its infancy. Most stores are‌ located in business districts to attract young ‌consumers. Industry analysts say that the millet market is ​becoming saturated, but the‍ layout is already quite comprehensive.

The​ mall’s investment promotion staff‍ will consider the ⁢impact of ⁣similar display‍ cabinets on the ​mall’s customer flow to avoid homogenization ‍and “involution.” As the popularity of the Guzi circle⁢ continues to rise, Guzi stores have moved from ​schools and streets to business districts. Cases have proved that ‌the two-dimensional business represented by Guzi stores has even become ​the key to the revival of some shopping malls.

Behind⁢ the⁣ “Eating Grain” Phenomenon: ⁣Cultural Integration and Emotional⁣ Sustenance

Why is the ACG⁤ culture⁢ so‌ popular among young people? As a form of cultural‍ output, animation works can bring spiritual satisfaction to readers​ through content ⁤creation‌ and rendering. An‌ excellent animation work can ‍often⁤ penetrate‌ the barriers of the dimension, play ​a positive role ‍in the real world,⁤ and continue to influence generations.

Young people’s preference for animation IP is actually ⁢a reflection ​of‌ their increasing need for emotional sustenance and social interaction. As a link between reality and virtuality, millet allows consumers to find‍ their own spiritual sustenance and aesthetic needs, and achieve emotional catharsis.

However, eating grains has also spawned⁢ chaos ‌such as consumption ​comparison ​and difficulty in protecting ‍rights. Industry insiders believe that society needs to ⁣pay more attention ‍to things that are popular⁢ among young people, ⁣rather than stopping‍ them in a one-size-fits-all manner.‌ We should actively ⁢guide and reasonably intervene to help them ​grasp the scale.

In terms of family education, ⁤we should take ⁣the initiative to understand, appreciate,⁣ and even participate in the things that⁣ children are ⁤passionate about,⁢ establish common​ topics with⁢ them, and then guide them to correctly discover and appreciate beauty and establish ‌a correct consumption concept.

In terms of social education, while⁤ paying attention to comprehensiveness, openness, ⁢and fairness, we must respect​ personalized expression ​and seek benefits and avoid⁤ harm. Facing up to cultural⁢ integration is also more conducive to the formation of cultural confidence.

Author: Li Zhen,⁢ reporter of Jinan ⁣Times New Yellow River Client

Editor-in-charge: Tian Yanmin