Gachapon are toy capsules from coin dispensing machines that are found all over Japan. What’s unique is that they don’t only have high quality anime figures and other surprises, but they’re loved by adults as well as kids! Japanese love the mystery of the what’s inside that gachapon capsule. Gachapon toys are often based on popular character licenses from Japanese manga, video games, anime, popular icons and some American entertainment figures.
Gachapon
Gachapon items are collectables. Some have value and many sell out fast. Virtually all gachapon are released in sets with each series having a number of figures to collect. They are, by nature, a “hope and prayer purchase”; people insert coins and hope to get the toy or figure they desire. This can be frustrating, as one risks obtaining the same capsule repeatedly, but trading the capsules is a big thing in Japan.
Gundam Meisters
Gashapon ガシャポン is a Bandai brand trademark and widely used throughout the world for their capsule toys. It is also referred to as gachapon ガチャポ which is the word we are using here. The name “gachapon” is actually an onomonopia – it comes from the sound the machine makes when you turn the handle (“gacha gacha”) and the capsule hits the bottom (“pon”).
Akihabara is otaku central and the video host John Daub meets up with reporter Satsuki Uno and reporter Kai Okudara from Tokyo University. Together, the trio go deeper into the mystery of the gachapon.
At Akihabara’s Gachapon Kaikan, we will explore several interesting machines among the 530 in the shop. Are you ready for some otaku adventure in Japan? Watch this!
Akihabara Gachapon Kaikan / 秋葉原ガチャポン会館 Website: http://www.akibagacha.com/
photos by:
hslo &
tsuihin - TimoStudios
