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| Astro Boy | Chocobo Hangers | Chocobo Candy Toys | FF VIII Hangers | FF VIII Candy Toys |
Sometimes they come in vending machines, sometimes they're prizes from game machines, and some come packaged in boxes with little packets of sugar candy. These types of figures are often bootlegged, but these shown here are all authentic, licensed figures.
The word "Gashopan" is for the larger collectible figurines that come in vending machines. The figures come unassembled but with just a few pieces, so they're very easy to put together. The average size of the figures are 3 to 4 inches.
The word "Sofubi" is for the small hollow figures, which are sometimes referred to as finger puppets. They usually come either in vending machine capsules or in boxes with candy.
1. Astro Boy - Yujin - This is the complete set of 6, which includes a clear version of Astro Boy.
2. Chocobo's Magic Dungeon Hangers / Keychains - Banpresto, 1998 - About 1 & 1/2 inches tall, these figures came in little dome capsules. Each has a small ball chain attached. This is the complete set of 6.
3. Chocobo's Magic Dungeon Candy Toys - Bandai, 1998 - Each figure came in a box with a small packet of sugar candy. The boxes weren't marked, which made it difficult to complete a set.
4. Final Fantasy VIII Hangers / Keychains - Bandai, 1999 - These figures measure about 2 inches tall, and each figure has a small ball chain attached. This is the complete set of five.
5. Candy Toys - Bandai, 1999 - These little figurines came boxed with a small sticker and a small packet of candy. The new trend in Japan is selling these toys randomly packed. You can't tell from the box which figure is inside. Some were painted, and some were molded in translucent colored plastic. I bought an entire case and managed to complete the set of seven translucent figures. Here's an extra image which shows the figures in close-ups, to show the details on the figures.
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| Astro Boy | Chocobo Hangers | Chocobo Candy Toys | FF VIII Hangers | FF VIII Candy Toys |
6. Gamera Capsule Toys - Bandai, 1999 - This is my favorite set of all. Although they only measure about an inch and a half, the detail is outstanding. This is the complete set of eight, made up of the classic Gamera, the new Gamera from the 1999 film Gamera 3, and both new and old Gamera villains.
7. Gamera III - Bandai, 1999 - Here's a non-superdeformed set of 6, which include the latest rendition of Gamera, plus some of Gamera's greatest foes. Released at the same time as the Gamera III film, which features some really stunning effects and a very vicious Gamera.
8. Godzilla '98 - Bandai, 1998 - Released at the same time the US Godzilla film premiered in Japan, this set includes the US Godzilla and US Baby Godzilla, as well as the 1954 Godzilla, Angillas, Ghidorah '64, Space Godzilla, Mothra larvae '64 and Mecha-Godzilla '93.
9. & 10. Godzilla/Mothra Capsule Toys - Bandai, 1998 - I believe there were eight in this set, the missing figure being Mecha-Godzilla. Like the Gamera set, the detail is fantastic in this set, so I decided to show the figures from different angles. The only figures shown from just one angle are the Ghidorah & King Ghidorah figures.
6 7 8 9 10 Gamera Gamera Godzilla '98 Godzilla/Mothra Godzilla/Mothra
11. Giant Robo & Daitetsujin - Bandai, 1998 - This great set includes Giant Robo (whom you may know from Johnny Sokko and his Giant Robot) and two enemies, plus Daitetsujin 17, Daitetsujin 18, and Daitetsujin 17 in his converted aircraft carrier form.
12. Robocon Blaze - Bandai, 1999 - These are based on the new Robocon series which started in January of 1999. The updated version includes some great new slickly made robots, unlike the clumsy costumes from the classic series.
13. Robocon 2 - Bandai, 1998 - Based on the classic 70's version. This Robocon is in riding mode.
14. Robocon 3 - Bandai, 1998 - More classic characters. This time, Robocon has his propeller on his back, and he's in flying mode.
15. Robocon 4 - Once again, based on the classic version.
11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Giant Robo Robocon Blaze Robocon 2 Robocon 3 Robocon 4
16. Sailormoon SuperS - Bandai, 1995 - This is the complete set of eight, including Super Sailormoon, Super Chibimoon, Sailors Mercury, Mars, Jupiter & Venus, plus the lovestruck Usagi and the annoyed Chibiusa.
17. Super Robots Set 1 - I believe these capsule toys were game prizes. Although tiny, the detail and painting are very good. These stand about 1 & 1/4 inches tall. Set 1 includes Mazinger Z, Getter 1, Getter 2, Getter 3, & Boss Robot. Made by Bandai.
18. Super Robots Set 2 - a second set like the one above. Great Mazinger, Getter Dragun, Poseidon, ? and Grandizer. Made by Bandai.
19. Ultraman Candy Toys - Bandai, 1992 - This is the complete set of ten.
20. Ultraman Figures - Yutaka, 1994 - I don't know much about this set, since I found them at a convention without any packaging. Yutaka is another subsidiary of Bandai, and they produce small, low cost impulse buy items for sale in convenience stores and restaurants.
16. 17. 18. 19. 20. Sailor Moon Super Robots 1 Super Robots 2 Ultraman Ultraman
21. Toei Superheroes - Bandai, 1997 - Some of the top live action superheroes from the '70s are inthis set, including Kikaider, Inazuman, Robot Keiji K, Ninja Arashi, plus one other I can't identify.
22. Kikaider - Bandai - 3" tall. Jiro, Kikaider 01 and three villains.
21. 22 Toei Heroes Kikaider
