Life is full of surprises and there's no better way to indulge in your desire for a random treat than by taking a chance with capsule toys. Popularized by Japanese toy manufacturer Bandai, the circular plastic spheres carrying knick-knacks, merch, and everything in between are everywhere in Japan, and now, they're setting up shop on our shores. Yep, their token-operated machines have finally landed in the Philippines: Gashapon Bandai Official opened its doors in Mistukoshi Mall in Bonifacio Global City on November 8.
Take a look at the Philippines' first Gashapon Bandai Official store:
Rows upon rows of vending machines greet you once you enter the store. Walk up to a machine and plastered upfront is a mini poster of what you stand to win if you take a chance, including all the possible types or iterations you can get. The only way to know what you'll get is to try your luck and pop the ball open.
Right below is a slot for tokens and a handle you can twist to summon a Gashapon ball. Give it a turn and the machine will dispense a ball and you can now see what fate has granted you. Before you take your chance on a machine, be sure to check every single one so you can prioritize the ones you really love over the ones you can come back to later.
To try your luck, you'll need to insert a specific number of tokens into the machine. The number of tokens depends on the type of toy or item you'll get—smaller things go for fewer tokens, while bigger objects or popular characters or designs might need more tokens. The quality of the random items also dictates the price you'll have to pay.
Each token is priced at P65. Some machines need three tokens, so that's P195 in total, while some demand as much as five tokens, totaling P325 per chance. The priciest machines we saw required five tokens, and the most affordable ones required only two for a chance.
Since each Gashapon machine is a random purchase, there's a thrill every time you turn the wheel, and it's that type of rush that has people coming back for more. People often keep trying their luck until they get the version or figure they want, while some trade with others who have also taken a chance. Just keep tabs on your wallet and don't lose all your moolah to the machine.
We spotted machines carrying keyrings, merch, and small figures from popular franchises like Peanuts, Miffy, Sanrio, and Kirby, along with anime and games like SPY FAMILY, Pokémon, Cardcaptor Sakura, and Oshi No Ko. Gundam fans are also in for a treat because there's an entire row dedicated to the popular mecha.
