As an adult, you’ve likely come across a plethora of unappealing anime merchandise. But have you ever wondered why it’s all so gaudy? Here’s my take.

Typically, officially licensed anime merchandise falls short in the aesthetic department. This is because its primary purpose isn’t to look good, but rather to generate revenue. Companies view merchandise as a marketing tool, which is why they often distribute free “swag” to promote themselves.

The same approach applies to anime merchandise, which is designed to be loud and eye-catching to entice viewership. Unfortunately, this means that we may never see refined and tasteful official anime merchandise.

If you happen to know of any exceptional anime merchandise, do share it with us.