All About Japan

7 Weirdest Capsule Toys of 2016 (So Far!)

Food & Drink Toys Animals Otaku

Gachapon, or capsule toys, are hugely popular in Japan and definitely not just with kids. Companies leech the blood from this revenue vein by providing an endless stream of weird and wonderful figures to collect. So now, let's look at the top seven strangest gacha toys that were announced in January of 2016.

7. Locker Key Wrist Watches (¥300 [US$2.50], release month: April)

7. Locker Key Wrist Watches (¥300 [US$2.50], release month: April)

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If you’re a frequent visitor of gyms or swimming pools, these designs will probably be familiar to you. When you leave your clothes in a locker, you have to keep your key with you while exercising, so they usually come handily attached to a wristband labeled with your locker number. Also, to avoid accidental stabbings, the key folds back into a little rubber holder. But in the case of these wristbands, it’s not a key that comes out, but a digital watch! Almost as trendy as that Swatch you had back in the ’90s.

6. Squishy Bananas (¥300 [US$2.50], release month: April)

6. Squishy Bananas (¥300 [US$2.50], release month: April)

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The appeal of these rubbery bananas is apparently their “mysterious texture.” Hang them off your bag and have a squeeze whenever you're feeling a bit stressed.

5. Shakurel Planet (¥200 [US$1.70], release month: January)

5. Shakurel Planet (¥200 [US$1.70], release month: January)

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This is the 22nd series from quirky gacha toy maker Panda no Ana, and… we don’t really have any words to describe it. Apparently animals with underbites and giant chins are a thing people want?

4. Mannequins (¥200 [US$1.70], release month: January)

4. Mannequins (¥200 [US$1.70], release month: January)

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Collect all six bizarre mannequin poses in both white and silver and use them as drawing references, jewelry stands, or just to freak out your workmates when you leave them on their desk to find first thing in the morning.

3. Hanging Pugs (¥300 [US$2.50], release month: April)

3. Hanging Pugs (¥300 [US$2.50], release month: April)

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Pugs are the pet of the moment. But if you’re not in a position to care for one, how about one of these little toys instead? They’ll hang off the edge of your glass in the most elegant of doggie poses, such as lifting one leg, or sticking their butt in the air.

2. Snack Packet Tissue Holders (¥400 [US$3.40, release month: April)

2. Snack Packet Tissue Holders (¥400 [US$3.40, release month: April)

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When you’re out shopping in Japan you’ll often find your pockets stuffed full of free packets of tissues that double as advertising. With these tissue cases you can store them where they won’t get all scrunched up while also disguising them as packets of popular snacks. Why? Why not!

1. Bottle Panties (¥200 [US$1.70], release month: April)

1. Bottle Panties (¥200 [US$1.70], release month: April)

http://en.rocketnews24.com/2016/01/29/the-top-7-weirdest-japanese-capsule-toys-of-january-2016/

The first ones must have been a hit, because this is the second series of panties for your drinks bottles. This time the range includes patterns like check and zebra-print, plus a pair of secret underwear to discover.

Related Stories:
Gachapon maker to change the shape of capsule toys: “GashaPon Can”
Panties return to Japanese vending machines, but this time as pervy coasters for plastic bottles
Bandai to launch online capsule machines controlled by smartphone

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