When Pulsar announced its Demon Slayer collaboration, it felt like a promising crossover: top-tier gaming hardware meeting one of anime’s biggest hits. Released in late 2023, this special collection featured stylish anime-themed designs on Pulsar’s popular gaming mouse models—the Xlite V2, X2, and X2 Mini. Fans could choose from mice inspired by iconic characters from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, including Tanjiro Kamado, Nezuko Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma, Inosuke Hashibira, Giyu Tomioka, Kyojuro Rengoku, and Shinobu Kocho.
But despite the initial buzz, something unexpected happened. Just months after release, many of these limited-edition mice began popping up frequently at discounted prices, signaling a lackluster performance in sales.
Pulsar Mice Often Go on Sale—But Not Usually Like This
Discounts aren’t unusual for Pulsar’s products. Whether clearing inventory for new releases or seasonal sales, price drops happen regularly. Yet, seeing numerous Demon Slayer mice deeply discounted was surprising, especially given the collaboration’s appeal as potential collector’s items.
Anime Fans ≠ Gamers: The Disconnect in Audience
One reason behind the slow sales might be a fundamental mismatch between the anime and gaming communities. Being passionate about one doesn’t automatically mean you’re into the other. For anime fans, Pulsar’s gaming mice—although fairly priced for limited editions—may still seem expensive, especially if they don’t game seriously. On the other hand, dedicated gamers might prefer performance-oriented designs rather than spending extra money on flashy anime-themed gear.
Collectibility also became a challenge. With several character designs available, collecting the entire set quickly became pricey. Most users typically only need a single gaming mouse and aren’t eager to replace it frequently. Additionally, the gaming mouse market is fiercely competitive, with new, affordable options regularly hitting shelves. This made the Demon Slayer mice a harder sell, especially against more practical or budget-friendly alternatives.
Shinobu Kocho’s Mouse: The Exception to the Rule
Interestingly, there was one notable exception: Shinobu Kocho’s design consistently sold out across various stores. Whether due to her character’s popularity, appealing aesthetics, or limited availability, Shinobu’s mouse stood out as the only real success. This suggests Pulsar might have benefited from focusing on just a select few beloved characters rather than releasing a broad lineup.
Your Thoughts?
Do you own a Pulsar Demon Slayer mouse? Was it worth the price, and would you want more anime-themed collaborations, or is the concept itself flawed? Let us know your thoughts!
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