Time Magazine Covers Asia Adult Expo

HONG KONG — Time Magazine's “Scenes From the Asia Adult Expo, Where the Sex-Toy Industry Cannibalizes Itself” details a reporter’s first-hand experience of the Chinese novelty market, where he finds knock-offs are accepted by premium brands as a part of the game.

Author Dan Kedmey turns to original and premium toy manufacturers to shed light on the strange phenomenon of innovators and “copycats” existing mostly harmoniously, sometimes only booths away from one another, at AAE.

Will Ranscombe, general manager of sex toy manufacturer Je Joue, says that while copycats irk him, they won’t dissuade his company from expanding into the Chinese market. He explains that the top socio-economic slice of China, the wealthiest 10 percent, totals more than 135 million people, and prefers to shop for top-tier brands. Should Je Joue market to that group alone, the company believes it can spin a satisfying profit.

“They’re not just saying, ‘Let’s buy a vibrator;’ they’re saying, ‘Let’s buy a Je Joue,’” Ranscombe tells Kedmey.

Meanwhile, one week after Je Joue debuted its never-before-seen Kegel-exercise training kit, designed over five years with a team of medical professionals and engineers over five years, a wannabe version is being sold on a Chinese Ebay-esque site for a fraction of the price.

The author points out that while Je Joue and Ranscombe might make out OK, independent designers might not. He offers up the wares of Kota Kuramoto’s Burger sex toy booth as an example, which he says proffers some of the “zaniest,” but most easily replicated products, including ice cream cone-shaped vibrators and a condom “carrying case” modeled after a fast food to-go box.

Kuramoto admits that he ran into a near-perfect copy of one of his non-sexual products, an iPhone case, in New York City. The packaging even sported the real company’s exact address.

Still, the young designer makes light of the situation, and, flipping through business cards from “big” companies he has collected over the course of AAE, says he is still hopeful his line will succeed.

“It’s a hope buoyed by the rising affluence of China’s consumer class, and not even the most diligent copycats can deflate it,” Kedmey concludes.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Le Wand Dive Gets Wired.com Review

Le Wand Dive has been spotlighted by WIRED with a review by tech and lifestyle journalist Amanda Chatel.

Blush Introduces 'Splash' Vibe

Blush has debuted its new duck-themed Splash vibrator.

SVibe Debuts 2 New Vibrators

SVibe has introduced the new Snail GIZI Duo and Snail AXI Spot Wand.

ProDx Health Introduces 'Power Femme' Test

ProDx Health has introduced its new Power Femme Home Collection Kit.

Orion Expands Cottelli 'Accessoires' Line

Orion Wholesale has introduced five new “It” pieces from its Cottelli Accessoires line.

ANME Wraps With Product Drops and Partnerships

ANME wrapped on Wednesday, the event’s third day, after delivering a mix of product launches, power meetings and networking — all while preserving the laid-back vibe that attendees say always makes ANME feel like a homecoming.

Playharda Wholesale, Secret Dome Ink U.K. Distro Deal

Playharda Wholesale and BDSM brand Secret Dome have signed a deal for UK distribution.

Hankey's Toys Releases 'Kitsune's Knot' Dildo

Mr. Hankey's Toys has introduced its new Kitsune’s Knot dildo.

Velvet Thruster Signs Distro Deal With ECN

Velvet Thruster has inked a distribution deal with East Coast News (ECN).

Kiiroo Introduces New Agatha Vega Stroker

Kiiroo has debuted the new Agatha Vega stroker sleeve from its FeelStar line.

Show More