Gachapon ガチャポン

  • Published on : 21/03/2019
  • by : S.V.
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Surprise toy!

The instructions for the encapsulated toy vending machines called gachapon are simple: insert the indicated amount and then turn the crank. " Gacha! " A small plastic capsule falls into the receptacle. "Pon!" What toy or adorable little figurine will you get? This little surprise effect has been the popularity of gachapon for more than 50 years!

Installed in front of konbini, in shopping malls, tourist spots, arcades, train stations, restaurants, and even in big brands like Bic Camera, Yodobashi, Aeon, Loft, etc... these little machines generate every year 30 billion yen in sales.

A simply dizzying amount; especially when you know that you only have to pay between 100 and 500 yen to buy one of the figurines or accessories offered. A very modest sum that greatly contributed to the success of the gachapon.

gachapon-vintage

Gachapon vintage in front of a store

Jun OHWADA

gachapon-yodobashi

Gachapon in a Yodobashi store

Laika ac

The gachapon offers a completely delirious variety of objects: figurines with the effigy of manga and anime characters, key chains, cards, badges, telephone jewelry, toys to mix, various and varied reproductions (trains, famous monuments, animals, insects, or food products) or even hats for cats!

Most diehard fans buy the missing pieces from their collection in toy or second-hand stores. To respond to the craze, Bandai and Takara Tomy Arts have put a localization service for their machines online, specifying the models available as well as the release dates of new products.

Gashapon_Shop_Akihabara

Gachapon shop in Akihabara, Tokyo

Ubahnverleih

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