
In Japan, these small toys are a collectible craze! Japan Minis are usually purchased in special vending machines, and range from famous anime characters (Gundam, Astro Boy, Pokemon) to off-beat and even wacky subjects (fake sushi, deep sea fish, shoes for Barbie Dolls). An entire collecting subculture has sprung up from these miniature toys!
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Small Toys, Global Obsession
As a child, you might have played with little toys received from fast food restaurants, or saved the surprise toy from your Kinder Surprise Eggs. However, in Japan and other parts of Asia, a similar surprise toy is not merely a childhood memory, it is a cult phenomenon. Welcome to the world of Japan Minis!
Also called Gashapon or capsule toys, Japan Minis are small toys encased in plastic capsules and sold in vending machines. Each toy is usually no more than 10cm tall, and are usually anime or video game-related characters. These little plastic figures usually come in a series for buyers to collect. However, purchasing a Japan Mini is a roll of the dice. Japan Minis are dispensed from machines randomly, so collecting a whole series is a challenge.
Beginning life in 1965 in Japan, these small toys triggered a collecting fever. In 1994, leading toy manufacturer Bandai created the HG series, a capsule toy series featuring high quality toys inspired by animation, comic books, and many other licensed properties. Japan Minis serve a wide range of toy collectors. Younger fans of anime or comics hunt for the latest series, while more serious toy collectors hunt for rarities or special releases. Sometimes a single vintage Japan Mini can be worth hundreds of dollars! Many groups have been formed around collecting Japan Minis, with the Internet being the best tool to trade toys with other fans. Some fans even like to customize their Japan Minis, taking an original toy and modifying it to make it a unique, one-of-a-kind toy.
Pick up a free Japan Mini from YesAsia.com and get started in the wonderful world of capsule toy collecting!