First Gashapon" and "Cosmo Hoshimaru! This month, we introduce some nostalgic gachas from the past! Wacky Kaiyama's latest Gacha exploration No. 64

In my previous report on GASHAPON ODYSSEY, which celebrated the 45th anniversary of GASHAPON, I finally got my hands on the original GASHAPON ODYSSEY product, Materials of the Earth.

The characters created by designer Hiroshi Yoshii are so cute and hammy. Combined with the GASHAPON experience with 3D images, it was an unforgettable product. The review is now available on the official YouTube "Wacky Ga Channel," so be sure to check it out. I wish everyone could experience it!

This time, I would like to play back my youth! I will be reviewing that character I met on a junior high school excursion and the nostalgic capsule vending machine miniatures I turned in at the local aquarium.

1/12 Gashapon Station" Bandai, 300 yen, 6 types

I was surprised when the Capsule Station series of capsule vending machines once appeared as 1/12 scale miniatures in Gashapon. The size of the product is such that the tiny miniature capsules included in the package can be injected into the product. When the lid of the miniature vending machine was opened, the capsule could actually be filled, and when the handle was turned, a series of actions were possible at that point: turn the handle, and the capsule would actually come out .......

This product is a further update from that! The lineup includes the new Gashapon Station, a new machine that allows users to set the price up to 2,500 yen, and the first Gashapon machine, the BVM100 (aka "Eicon"), which was introduced in 1977. Right! In this series, you can enjoy both old and new capsule vending machines.

While suppressing your impatience, let's take the time to explore ...... in a calm and collected manner.

Gashapon Station

The logo, which used to be written in roman characters, has been changed to "Gashapon" in katanaka. The name of the machine has also been changed from "Capsule Station" to "Gashapon Station. This is a miniature of the new machine.

Although small, the vending machines can be connected to each other. The cart can also be removed. The description and logos on each part of the vending machine have also been elaborately reproduced. The new machine looks sleeker than previous vending machines.

It comes in five colors: white, orange, black, blue, and yellow, which are similar to those found in amusement arcades.

Assemble the capsule, which is less than 1 cm in diameter, and insert it into the vending machine. Like the actual machine, the transparent case part of the Gashapon station can be pulled forward. Impressive!

Bandai is surely trying to get users to say, "I've always wanted to try this," right?

Close the drawer and turn the handle to ...... (you can actually hear it turn), and the capsule will pop out. This series of movements has been faithfully reproduced in miniature, which is an amazing feat of technology.

I would love to have all the colors and connect them together to make a Gashapon!

The first Gashapon "BVM100

And then, the history of Gashapon began! The first Gashapon model that appeared in 1977, when the history of Gashapon began, is now available as a miniature toy.

The first time we saw it was at the Gashapon Odyssey Experience. I still remember how thrilled I was when I found one on display at the event.

The deep blue lid, the bright red body, and the black legs made of iron, all typical of Bandai's capsule vending machines of the time. The level of reproduction of each part is impeccable. I felt the depth of Bandai's love.

The old logo is decorated on the front. Oh! The capsule character from the Eikon era has also been reproduced.

The reproduction alone is a perfect score, but turn the handle, and pop! Pop! and the capsule comes out. Looking at the vending machine from the side and from the back, I was happy and sad when I was a boy. The first time you see a capsule, you'll feel like you've gone back in time to the days of your childhood, when you were happy or sad to see the next item come out.

Kinkeshi, Arale-chan, Asari-chan, Alloy Combatler V and Godmothers,....... They all came out of this vending machine. The unexpected reunion and the memories that come flooding back make me so happy that I can't help but burst into tears. I was so nostalgic while shaking this machine.

Cosmo Hoshimaru Figure Mascot New Color ver.

The "Cosmo Hoshimaru" character from the "International Science Exposition" held in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture in 1985, also known as "Science Expo Tsukuba 85," is now available in gacha form. As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, the Expo was the very place where I went on a school excursion in junior high school. The rather large Hoshimaru lamp that no one but myself bought (I still own it) ...... and it appeared as a miniature.

Following its appearance last September, it has now reappeared in a new color ver. The color is exactly the same as it was back then. The reproduction rate is also excellent! The alien-like antenna parts are designed to be assembled and completed. This part must have been a special attention to detail. I received the passion of the creator of ...... with my sense of touch.

As for the color, the standard blue is good, but red is certainly possible. The green color reminds me of a forest. I think yellow is the most alien-like among the regular colors. The navy color makes us imagine a deep space. And this time, a rare color has been added!

The rare color in the lineup is the glittering "gold. It's so spacy. Pull off the insulation tape and click the button on the back. The golden star shines like a first-class star in the dark.

Switch on all the other stars and you are instantly in the mood for a planetarium.

I remember many things. As I recall, the price of the star globe light was about 3,000 yen. I remember it was an expensive item that I could barely afford to buy with my allowance. I even remember the look on my classmate's face as he said, "If I buy that, I won't be able to buy any other souvenirs. Emo~! People of my generation, share this feeling with me!

This time, there were many goods that were particularly memorable for me. Sorry for being too much immersed in my own world!

Of course, even without memories, they are all wonderful items. You can display them in your room or enjoy them as gimmicks!
Well, capsule toys are really great!

Ah! I've uttered another Showa-era quote!

Well then, everyone! Bye bye! Lanaiva!

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Wacky Kaiyama
Freelance TV personality, gacha-gacha collector and researcher (capsuleer)
He has been collecting GACHA-GACHA since he was 7 years old and owns 100,000 of them. He has published several books, including "Showa Retro Gacha Gacha: The Most Powerful Collection" (Graphix, Inc.), "All About My Beloved Phony Gacha Gacha Cosmos", "The Wonderful World of Phony Gacha Gacha - Cosmos Forever", and "The Final Definitive Version: The True Story of Phony Gacha Gacha! The Truth of Phony Gachagacha - Cosmos, Its Love" (Futabasha), and "Nihon Kaishikashi Gachagacha Daizen" (Tatsumi Shuppan).
Videos of the latest gacha and retro "cosmos" gacha are shown daily on his official YouTube channel, "Wacky Kaiyama Gacha Channel!

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