Capsule Toys as a Platform for Creators to Showcase Their Work - SO-TA's New Capsule Toys, Released One After Another Wacky Kaiyama's Latest Capsule Toys - Episode 74

We recently paid a surprise visit to SO-TA's headquarters to congratulate the company that presented us with the "Capsule Toy Award 2023" MVC (Most Valuable Capsule toy) last year.

At the lovely office located one street off Takeshita-dori in Harajuku, CEO Koji Ando and his staff greeted us with smiles in spite of their busy schedules. In the conference room we were shown in, the walls were lined with a display of items that have been introduced to the world, and we were unintentionally excited to see them! In such a wonderful space, we had a lot of frank discussions.

I was particularly impressed by their strategy of introducing innovative products to the general public and discovering new customers. We ended the meeting with a promise to discuss capsule toys over drinks.

The details are uploaded on my YouTube channel, so if you are interested, please check it out.

In this issue, I would like to introduce SO-TA's most recommended items!

-FORM Series- Rabbit Void / SO-TA / Total 4 kinds / To be released in May / 500 yen

This year is the year of the rabbit! So, a futuristic rabbit will appear on the market.

This is the first in a series of collaborations with designer and sculptor Arata.

This project has been passed down and revived many times before finally seeing the light of day, and SO-TA has a lot of feelings for this project. Even if the project itself is good, SO-TA's policy is not to immediately commercialize it, but to release it at the right time in consideration of current trends. He is always on the lookout for good content, so if you are interested, please let us know! If you are interested, please let us know!

The "-FORM Series- Rabbit Void," which went through many twists and turns before being commercialized, is a fascinatingly styled product. In addition, even though it is the size of a capsule toy, the fact that its entire body is movable in 16 places is simply astonishing. All sorts of lifelike poses are possible. If you curl her up, you can express her bunny-like cuteness.

The palm of the hand, which resembles an open human palm, is so lifelike that it looks as if it is about to start moving at any moment. The shin part that connects to the massive thigh, the heel part made of clear parts, and the neck have a wide range of posability, allowing you to express your feelings by posing the figure well. The form of the ears, which are made of streamlined clear parts, is very sophisticated and very cool!

Either of two types of weapons is included. Either of the two weapons is included, and can be attached or detached with the palm of the hand. The figure holding the weapons is also stylish and cool!

With this much freedom of joint movement, comical poses are of course possible. The figure can be cool, cute, or cute-any expression is possible, and it is sure to be popular with men and women of all ages! As you move it around, you will grow attached to it.

In addition, a blind box with the product name "- FORM Series- Rabbit Void Enhanced" is also in the works. Apart from the four capsule toy versions, a luxury version will be available for 1,320 yen (tax included). The "- FORM Series- Rabbit Void Enhanced," with its gorgeous design of visor, ears, right thigh, etc., is 3mm in diameter, a standard shared with the capsule toy version, which means that the parts can be interchanged with each other, expanding the world even further.

The "Noanoid Ropiatan" (a capsule toy released by SO-TA, sold separately from the Rabbit Void. (a capsule toy released by SO-TA, an assembled model created by sculptor Kazuma Taiki ). Is this a near-future war? If the Total (Tortoise) Void were to appear, a science fiction version of "The Hare and the Tortoise" would be complete! Since Lopiatan seems to be a type of robot with a beam sword coming straight from its hand, could it have a direct confrontation with the tortoise?

This is just my imagination, but I'm excited to see SO-TA's products that let users imagine their own unique worldviews outside the world of capsule toys.

1/12 ICOMA TATAMEL BIKE / SO-TA / 4 types / scheduled for release in April / 500 yen

Normally, when an actual gadget is commercialized as a capsule toy, it is usually based on an existing gadget, but this time, the capsule toy is being produced before the original gadget is released, which is a reversal of the usual trend. This is a new attempt to commercialize a capsule toy in the hope that the capsule toy will generate publicity. Perhaps that is how major the world of capsule toys has become.

First, let me explain about the "ICOMATAMEL BIKE. This is an electric bike that can be folded and transported, and is being developed by ICOMA Corporation for release in 2023. The development was inspired by Japanese transformable toys, and the developer, Mr. Takamitsu Ikoma, is actually a professional in his own right, having once been involved in Transformer design at Takara Tomy. It certainly makes sense that the idea for this bike came about because he has seen various items that transform into motorcycles.

It also won the CES 2023 Innovation Awards, which are given to the most innovative products that demonstrate the latest technology. It has also been recognized for its design. The bike's transforming gimmick, which can be unfolded to become a stylish electric bike and folded to the size of a trunk case, is truly beautiful.

In addition, it can travel approximately 30 km on a 3-hour charge. It can also be used as a power source in case of emergency. It is truly a "portable power source that runs! In Japan, where disasters are common and parking space is limited, this bike will be especially needed. It is truly a bike that combines design and functionality.

The "ICOMATATAMEL BIKE" is now available as a palm-sized miniature kit! The palm-sized transformer is just like the transforming mechanical toys you used to play with as a child! Does it open here? Does it move too? It's really fun to transform them while mumbling to yourself, "Does it open here?

Each part is well made, and the gimmick is also very well reproduced. It is easy to imagine that the development must have been quite difficult. The cost and size had to be taken into consideration.

However, it is worth it, because the movement is very smooth. The handlebars can be folded and expanded. The tires are firm and stable. I looked at it from various angles.

Another important point is that the side panels can be removed (fine!!!!). The side panels can be removed. Just like the actual "ICOMATATAMEL BIKE," the user can freely customize this part. I think this is close to 100% reproduction, isn't it? I haven't seen the real thing, so I'm just guessing.

I would love to collect capsule toys of this, and I would also love to ride in the actual car. Wouldn't this be a great advertising campaign?

That's why this month's issue was dedicated to SO-TA. I could feel the enthusiasm and passion that the company has for capsule toys through their products. I would love to see you all pick up one of their wonderful gashapon toys.

I would also like to conclude this review with a faint hope that someday they will make a capsule toy of my own: .......