Capsule Toys

Do you like Gashapons? Have you ever turn one from those Capsule machines?

Well I love Gashapons because it seems to satisfy my need to shop for toys in a relatively cheap manner and FAST! They are virtually everywhere here in Singapore. Along the streets, coffeeshops and shopping centres. I do not know about the western countries but Gashapons are HOT in Asia, particularly in Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.

As mentioned above, some gashapon just required a dollar to turn them, some $2 while others can cost as much as $4. Gashapon toys are largely based on popular cartoons and Japanese Anime such as Disney, Mario Bros, Bleach, Dragonball, Naruto, etc. For Japanese anime, the maker Yujin and Bandai are the top 2 licensee of such toys. They are usually of a higher quality, detailed artsmanship and comes with a slip of paper showing authencity.

The variety of such capsule toys are endless! For Disney toys, there are figurines, phonestraps, magnets, mini-torchlights, key-holders, etc. Multiply that to all the Disney characters and you'll know what I mean. The series which I'm fond of is Tim's Burton The Nightmare Before Christmas (Touchstone Pictures) by Yujin. I one I love was called NMBC ~Now and forever~. You need 5 different toys to make up a set. It costed $4 an egg. Not cheap but that's understandable, given the beauty and intricated parts of the toy. Yes, they required simple assembly. And that's what makes it all the more fun. The PROCESS of putting those tiny parts together and the sense of achievement one gets when finally "...oh I've finished with Sally siting on the tree!. Let's fix the next one.."

Another variation of Gashapon toys which I love is what I refer as "Gashapon within Gashapon". Let me explain... You get a mini-gashapon machine inside the egg from the BIG gashapon machine in which you feed the coins. (It's like filming within a film)...get it?
Next you'll to assembly the mini-gashapon machine. The tricky parts is the miniscule eggs because they can actually be opened and they look no smaller than your nose-pee. (well I don't want to use the word s***)... Why you need to open those baby eggs? It's because the stickers are provided to be inserted into a tiny divider of the eggs. After which you'll need to close it back. Once the parts are all assembled, the decorative decals are for you to paste everywhere on the mini-machine. Make a complete set and you'll be happy for the entire day! Almost forgotten to mention this, this mini vending machine does WORKS! I turned it as gently as I could and it "clicked" a couple of turns before a mini-egg released itself. Very Cute!

The demographics of people collecting capsule toys is as varied as the toys itself. From crying babies to stay-at-home-mums, such toys are gaining popularity throughout Singapore, if the increase in visibilty of the machines everywhere is anything to go by. Some people enjoy the thrills of "turning" while some of genuine toy collectors. Not surprisingly, some are re-sellers who will invest the time and effort to obtain a set to sell off for a neat profit, either online or in flea market. It's not bad an idea to buy from such seller because sometimes lady luck seems to avoid you and you ended up getting reptitive toys and then frustration. And if you can't control yourself, you'll end up $30 poorer just on a series alone. On the other hand, the same set found in a flea market only sells for $18. It doesn't matter much though if you have a lot cousins or girl friends which you can pass those extras to. It makes them like you more.... :)

Talking about genuine collectors. There are groups or community in Singapore that self-formed itself and discusses everything about Gashapons, including exchanges. This group is known as the Gashapon and Capsules Club or GCC in short. Interestingly, the founder "Alucard13"
had decided to name its members in "military" terms and in a hierarchy manner. Thereafter, there are 3 Zone leaders to look after each areas. Very creative I should say. They do organise informal gathering for Gashapons trips. They are the experts in the hottest and newest series in Singapore. (The link is provided below)

If you wish to collect or buy Gashapons, you can do so in the conveinence of your home by going to ebay. Remember only in countries such as Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore have quality and nice-series Gashapons by Yujin & Bandai. Not everything you get from ebay is the cheapest. There are a few Gashapon stores (see below) which sells these toys at a bargain. Most are priced in SGD and you'll be surprised you can get so much more for so less. (www.xe.com for conversion rates)

I hope your interest for Gashapons will rise a little after reading these. There is a poll on Favourite Gashapon Toys below. Do take part just for fun. (...hmm..I like Disney best!) and also "What do you think of Capsule Toys?". I'll like to hear what people miles away feel about such toys. Pls also spend a min of your time signing the Guestbook so that it encourages me to write more..hee hee. (why they called it blurb..makes me blur..)

Thanks for reading and have a good evening! :)
Oh...last but not least, I have included a Youtube slide of crazy Japanese fascination over Gacha toys! Do watch it ya ^_^