Wacky Kaiyama, Japan's number one capsule toy enthusiast, talks about the current state of capsule toy manufacturers.

The popularity of capsule toys has been on the rise in recent years. What was once considered a “children's” genre has now become popular with a wide range of people, both men and women, young and old.

As a result, buyers are becoming increasingly discerning, and their knowledge of and commitment to products is becoming even deeper.

More and more people are interested not only in design, theme, and playfulness, but also in the characteristics and development background of each manufacturer.

We spoke with capsuleer Wacky Kaiyama, known for many years as “Japan's number one capsule toy collector” and who has appeared in numerous media outlets, about the personalities of some of the manufacturers that deserve our attention.

(Wacky Kaiyama)

Table of Contents

1 Wacky Kaiyama talks about the “uniqueness” of manufacturers.
2 ■"We are free to do things that can only be expressed in the world of capsule toys."
3 ■Toys Spirits' bell tower is "pressed 108 times with the finger."
4 ■Profile

Wacky Kaiyama talks about the “uniqueness” of manufacturers.

Q: You have collected more than 110,000 capsule toys to date. Are there any manufacturers that you feel are particularly "unique"?

Mr. Wacky:

Of course there is.

Ken Elephant" produces exquisite miniatures with a wonderful eye for detail.

Toys Cabin" has great attention to detail in 1/64 size.

Qualia" has a soft touch, "Brightlink" is a magician of acrylic materials, and "J-dream" is a mass-produced miniature technician.

Mr. "Turin International" with excellent cosmetics. Yale, a pioneer in anthropomorphic figures.

Mr. "Sota" has a unique view of the world.

Gimmick craftsman "Toys Spirits".

Mr. Bushigacha, an intelligent deployable toy.

Mr. "Standstones", the devilishly skilled pillar corps, and "Kitanklub", the spark of the current boom.

And are celebrity figures your specialty? Takara Tomy Arts.

And then there is Namco Bandai, a general trading company of Gashapon.

Many other up-and-coming makers have also appeared, and it is interesting to see how collaborations with creators can sometimes make the makers look like makers, but in a good way!

■"We are free to do things that can only be expressed in the world of capsule toys."

Each of them is unique.

Mr. Wacky:

I think we focus on making people happy, even though we have different ways of accessing the site.

We are free to do things that can only be expressed in the world of capsule toys.

For example, this is a capsule toy known only to those in the know, sold only at the Toys Cabin store in Shizuoka.

The structure is a replica of Hello Mac's castle, which is now gone.

(Image courtesy of Wacky Kaizan)

Since it is currently transforming into various types of businesses, it is good to be able to create freely, coloring it accordingly and creating our own stores.

(Image courtesy of Wacky Kaizan)

What kind of things are you unintentionally excited about?

Mr. Wacky:

I'm excited about Toys Cabin's work cat series.

(Image courtesy of Wacky Kaizan)

(Image courtesy of Wacky Kaizan)

Also, Ken-Elephant's miniatures are not just small reproductions, but parts of the products can be removed and actually played with.

Yoshinoya's red ginger can also be neatly clipped with tongs and removed.

Other manufacturers are also going all out with their recent product samples, such as miniatures that look just like the real thing when opened.

■Toys Spirits' bell tower is "pressed 108 times with the finger."

Q: Are there any “hidden gems” that are a bit geeky but that you would personally like to recommend?

Mr. Wacky:

It is released at the end of each year, and I would like to push for Toys Spirits' Bells and Doors. No, I want to push it (laughs).

(Image courtesy of Wacky Kaizan)

It is a miniature New Year's bell, but you can actually "press" it with your finger.

(Image courtesy of Wacky Kaizan)

(Image courtesy of Wacky Kaizan)

I also gave you a video of me pressing 108 times with my finger.

That's great. I guess that means you can't decide who is "the best." Any last words?

Mr. Wacky:

Among the many capsule toys out there, it is difficult to recommend this one! It's hard to guess which one is the best among the many capsule toys!

I was a youth who was swept away by an outlandish manufacturer called Cosmos, which is no longer around, so I am immune to any kind of harshness.

Dear makers! Please continue to entertain us~!

Thank you very much.

Capsule toys have gone beyond mere "toys" and are now becoming a kind of culture.

Knowing the playfulness and passion that goes into each manufacturer's products will further deepen their appeal.

“By finding your ”favorite maker," the world of capsule toys may become even more fun and profound.

Keep an eye on the future lineup and try to find your own personal “gacha”.

■Profile

Wakky Kaiyama
1970 Freelance TV personality living in Sendai
He has collected over 110,000 capsule toys since the second grade of elementary school.
After the Great East Japan Earthquake, he started his career as a capsuleer and gacha researcher in Morinomiyako, and is now distributing his YouTuber "Wacky Kaiyama Gacha Channel".
Books "Ai no phony gacha gacha daizenshuu - All about Cosmos", "Wonderful World of Phony Gacha Gacha - Cosmos yo Eien", "Final Definitive Version: The Truth of Phony Gacha Gacha - Cosmos, Its Love" (Futabasha), "Nihon naikashii gacha gacha daizen" (Tatsumi Books), "Gacha ai 100% wakkyu Gacha Ai 100% Wakkyu: Showa Retro Gacha Saikyou Collection" (Graphix, Inc.), "Gacha Hon 06" (Keichaps), "Cosmos Mounted Paper Collection" (Doujinshi), and others.
Media "Kaiun! Nandemo Kanteidan", "Matsuko Ariyoshi Angry New Party", "Matsuko no Shiranai Sekai", "Tokoro-san Jiken desu yo", "Non-Stop", "Numa ni Hamaite Kiteitaita", "Tamamusubi", etc.
Gacha-gacha and Showa-retro exhibits are being developed nationwide.
Official website:http://www.wakky4649.com

Information is current at the time of publication.
.

Serials] Wakky Kaiyama's Articles