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🇸🇬 Singapore /Economy & Trade

Japan's Bonbon Drop Sticker Craze Sparks Sell-Outs, Fuels Counterfeit Market

From The Straits Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Bonbon Drop stickers, produced by Japan's Q-Lia, are experiencing a surge in popularity, leading to sell-outs and a rise in counterfeit products.
  • The trend has revived childhood sticker trading among adults, particularly women in their late 20s to 30s, who are driving demand with nostalgic purchases.
  • Cumulative shipments have reached 34 million sheets, prompting Q-Lia to increase production while authorities crack down on counterfeit operations.

A sticker craze reminiscent of childhood is sweeping Japan, driven by the "Bonbon Drop" collection from Osaka-based stationery maker Q-Lia. These plump, transparent stickers have become a sensation, selling out rapidly as both children and adults eagerly collect them.

Those are rare, but I can trade any of them if you want.

— A sticker collectorDescribing the value and tradeability of Bonbon Drop stickers at a sticker trading cafe in Osaka.

The popularity of Bonbon Drop stickers has extended beyond children, attracting adult women in their late 20s to 30s. Many of these individuals grew up trading stickers and are now purchasing them to recapture a sense of nostalgia. This trend is revitalizing sticker trading culture, with dedicated cafes in cities like Osaka becoming popular gathering spots for enthusiasts.

We're packed on some days and have many regulars.

— Mika KawanoThe manager of a sticker trading cafe in Osaka on its popularity.

Q-Lia launched the Bonbon Drop line in March 2024, aiming to create a unique sticker. The company initially targeted elementary school children, but social media posts featuring the stickers on phone cases and cosmetic containers broadened their appeal to adult consumers. This unexpected success has significantly expanded the reach of sticker culture.

We're amazed by this unexpected success.

— Seiichi KurakakeQ-Lia's development chief on the wide appeal of Bonbon Drop stickers.

Cumulative shipments of Bonbon Drop stickers have surged dramatically, reaching 34 million sheets by the end of June, up from 4 million in April 2025. Q-Lia plans to increase production to meet demand. However, the stickers' immense popularity has also spawned a market for counterfeits. Japanese police have arrested individuals for copyright infringement, including a company executive and a business owner found with over 1,000 counterfeit sheets. Another woman was arrested for selling fake stickers imported from China, highlighting the challenges in combating illicit production.

Women in their late 20s to 30s who grew up trading stickers as children are driving such trends after entering the workforce, as they 'can now freely purchase items that bring them a sense of nostalgia'.

— Yohei HaradaA professor studying youth culture explains the resurgence of sticker trading among adults.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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