Chiikawa Movie Mascots to Be Made-to-Order, No Limit on Numbers
Listen to the story
The popular Japanese character Chiikawa has a new movie, and it comes with 21 different mascots for fans to collect.
Because the mascots are so popular, some people worried that resellers would buy large numbers of them just to sell them again at higher prices.
To stop this, the company running the movie's official goods has announced a new plan. Starting today at 6 p.m., fans will be able to place orders for any of the 21 mascots online.
The key change is that there will be no limit on how many mascots each person can order. Instead, the items will be made using a made-to-order system, meaning the company only produces the exact number of mascots that people actually order.
This is different from the usual method, where a fixed number of items go on sale in stores and often sell out within minutes, which makes it easy for resellers to buy them all.
With the made-to-order system, every fan who wants a mascot should be able to get one, since supply is no longer limited by store stock.
Fans have reacted with excitement online, praising the company's response as a smart way to protect regular customers from resellers. Many called the decision a "godly" move by the operators, showing strong approval for how the situation was handled.
Vocabulary7 words
- Chiikawa
- a very popular cute Japanese cartoon character
- reseller
- someone who buys items to sell again for a higher price
- place orders
- to ask a company to send you something you want to buy
- limit
- the biggest amount allowed
- made-to-order
- produced only after a customer asks for it
- stock
- the goods a store has ready to sell
- operators
- the people or company running a business
Quiz
Answer key
1. Resellers might buy all the mascots to sell for more money 2. The company only makes as many mascots as people order 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The popular Japanese character Chiikawa has a new movie, and it comes with _____ different mascots for fans to collect.
Because the mascots are so popular, some people worried that _____ would buy large numbers of them just to sell them again at higher prices.
To stop this, the company running the movie's official goods has announced a new plan. Starting today at 6 p.m., fans will be able to _____ for any of the 21 mascots online.
The key change is that there will be no _____ on how many mascots each person can order.
Instead, the items will be made using a _____ system, meaning the company only produces the exact number of mascots that people actually order.
This is different from the usual method, where a fixed number of items go on sale in stores and often sell out within minutes.
Fans have reacted with excitement online, praising the company's response as a smart way to protect regular customers from resellers.
Discussion questions
- Do you think made-to-order systems are a good way to stop reselling? Why or why not?
- Have you ever tried to buy a popular product but found it sold out quickly?
- Why do you think people become resellers?
- Would you collect all 21 mascots if you were a fan of Chiikawa?