Gashapon facts for kids
Gashapon (also called gachapon) are cool capsule toys you get from vending machines. They are super popular in Japan and have been around since the 1960s. Bandai is a famous company that makes and sells them.
The name Gashapon comes from two sounds. "Gasha" (or "gacha") is the sound you make when you turn the machine's handle. "Pon" is the sound of the toy capsule dropping into the tray. So, Gashapon refers to both the machines and the fun toys inside.
Other companies like Tomy and Kaiyodo also make these capsule toys. The idea of gashapon has even inspired many digital games. These are called gacha video games and are popular on mobile phone games and in online worlds.
Contents
The Story of Gashapon
How Capsule Toys Began
The idea for capsule vending machines started with gumball machines in the United States. Soon, these machines began selling small toys inside capsules. This became a big hit in America. In 1965, these fun machines arrived in Japan. By the 1970s, they were popular all over the country.
Gashapon's Growing Popularity
More companies started making capsule toys, and their popularity grew even more. Many toys featured famous characters from movies, TV shows, and games. You can often find these machines in candy stores and supermarkets. Some special stores even have hundreds of gashapon machines!
You might also see gashapon machines in tourist spots. They offer unique souvenirs from that area. Some machines have even been placed in unusual spots. For example, you could find them inside a special train car or a sightseeing bus!
Gashapon for Travelers
Before 2020, gashapon machines were often in airports like Narita Airport. Travelers could use their leftover 100-yen and 500-yen coins. It was a fun way to buy a last-minute souvenir before flying home. Today, many adults also enjoy collecting gashapon toys. They bring back happy memories from their childhood.
What Makes Gashapon Special?
The Toys and Their Value
Gashapon toys usually cost between 100 and 500 Japanese yen. That's about US$0.69 to US$3.45. These toys are often made from strong PVC plastic. They have amazing details and bright paint. Even though they are small, they are made with high quality. Many gashapon become collector's items because they are so well-made.
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Collecting Your Favorite Characters
Many gashapon toys feature popular characters. These can be from Japanese manga, video games, or anime. You might also find characters from American entertainment. These detailed toys are loved by people of all ages in Japan. Their popularity is growing around the world, especially with adult collectors.
The Thrill of a Surprise
Almost all gashapon toys come in sets. Each series has several figures to collect. When you buy one, it's a "blind purchase." You put in your coins and hope to get the toy you want. This surprise element is part of the fun! Sometimes you might get the same toy twice, which can be a little frustrating.
Serious collectors might buy entire sets from special gashapon stores. These stores are in places like Tokyo's Akihabara. Buying a whole set can sometimes be cheaper than trying your luck with the machines. Bandai has sold billions of gashapon toys since 1977. You can find gashapon figures outside Japan too. They are sold in stores like Five Below and Target in the US. Some malls even have dedicated gashapon stores.
What's Inside the Capsules?
A World of Tiny Treasures
In the past, gashapon toys were mostly for younger kids. They included things like erasers shaped like supercars or Kaiju monsters. You could also find characters from popular anime shows like Kinnikuman and Gundam. Sometimes, machines even gave out special tickets for bigger prizes!
Over time, gashapon toys became popular with older kids and adults too. The quality of the toys got much better. Now, you can find all sorts of items. These range from classic children's toys to very realistic figures. There are even unique items based on dramas, manga, and games.
Special and Limited-Edition Gashapon
Companies make sure their toys are suitable for different age groups. Some toys are designed for older collectors. Since the 2000s, you can find limited-edition gashapon in tourist areas. These might be special pins, straps, or bags that are unique to that place. For example, Japan Airlines once offered capsule toys made from parts of old airplanes!
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When you buy a gashapon, you can't choose the exact toy you get. This means you might get duplicates. Many collectors enjoy trading their extra toys with friends. This helps everyone complete their sets! That's why they are sometimes called trading toys or trading figures.
Different Kinds of Capsule Toys
Blind Boxes and Blind Bags
Sometimes, capsule toys are sold in "blind boxes." These are sealed cardboard packages instead of capsules from a machine. You still don't know what's inside until you open it! A popular brand for these is Pop Mart, known for its designer toys. Kidrobot also makes famous blind boxes.
Pop Mart blind boxes usually have twelve different designs in a series. Each design has an equal chance of being inside. The box often shows all the possible figures. Sometimes, there's a "secret" figure that is much rarer to find! If you buy a whole set, you usually get all the regular designs without repeats.
Blind bags are similar but use a disposable bag instead of a box. This is how some gashapon figures are sold in places like the US. Lego also used blind bags for their collectible Minifigure series. This idea comes from fukubukuro, which are Japanese "lucky bags" with random items.
Bottle Cap Figures
Another type of capsule toy is bottle cap figures. These are small figures placed on top of plastic bottle caps. You can find them in machines or blind boxes. The caps are just for decoration and don't actually screw onto bottles.
Gashapon in Video Games
How Gacha Games Work
Many video games, especially mobile games, use a "gacha" system. This is like a digital gashapon machine! Players use in-game money to try and get special characters or items. If you don't get what you want, you can sometimes use real money for more tries. This is how many of these games make money.
Gacha games can be free to play. But rare items often come from special gacha draws that cost real money. Games like Dragon Collection, Fire Emblem Heroes, Genshin Impact, and Puzzle & Dragons use this system. Even some paid console games have gacha-style features for getting random items.
The Fun and Connection of Gacha Games
The random nature of gacha can be exciting. Players enjoy the surprise of seeing what they get. It's like opening a present! Companies like the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA) have rules. They make sure games show how likely you are to get rare items. This helps players understand their chances.
Many players also feel a strong connection to the characters they get in gacha games. This is called a parasocial relationship. It's like feeling you know a character from a book or TV show. Game creators often give characters interesting backstories. This helps players learn about their lives and personalities.
For example, in Genshin Impact, when you get a new character, you learn more about them. You can read about their thoughts and relationships. This helps players feel a deep emotional bond with the characters. It's common for players to say a desired character is "coming home" when they finally get them. This shows how much they care about their virtual friends!
Images for kids
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Capsule toy machines lined up in Narita International Airport
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