One craze that seems to be popping up everywhere I go is that of gashapon. If you’re not familiar, gashapon are toys dispensed in a vending machine in a capsule (usually a ball) that originated in Japan. The term can however refer to both the vending machines and the collectible toys themselves. What makes them so special? When you insert your money (or token) you usually don’t know exactly which toy you’ll get, providing you with a randomised outcome. Gashapon toys are often detailed, well-made, and themed around anime, video games, pop culture, or everyday objects. Of course, I have been able to find some themed around amphibians and reptiles (as you’ll soon find out below), and they often come in a series, encouraging people to collect the entire set. Due to the randomised nature of which toy you will end up with, it can be fun trying to ‘chase’ the rarest of the set you are collecting. I’m not necessarily setting out to collect every animal from every set, just trying my best to get as many cool amphibian and reptile figurines without too many duplicates – if that is even possible!
You can probably where I am going with this. I recently visited a small gashapon store, found within the Bandai Namco Cross Store in Camden, although there are others available throughout Great Britain. If you are interested in what is available at any point in time, then I would recommend that you give the Official Bandai Gashpon Instagram account a follow. As indicated by the photo above, you insert your tokens (which can be purchased on site) and then twist the handle to the right, in order to provide you with you toy at randomw. It is a pretty simple concept but is deeply satisfying and quite addictive. I decided to give it a go and get six gashapon, let’s see what I got!
African fat-tailed gecko
The African fat-tailed gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) is a terrestrial lizard native to the arid and semi-humid regions of West Africa, including countries like Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal. Related to and resembling the the leopard gecko (which is found in Asia), it is named for its thick, fat-storing tail, which serves as a reserve of nutrients and water during periods of scarcity. Typically displaying earthy tones of brown, tan, and white with bold stripes or bands, some individuals may also exhibit a striking white dorsal stripe, especially in captive-bred morphs (or the gashapon figure below). This gecko is nocturnal and secretive, often hiding in burrows or under rocks during the day to avoid heat and predators. Its calm temperament, ease of handling, and moderate care requirements have made it increasingly popular in the pet trade. This model is slightly less realistic than some of the others but is articulated, including the jaw and tail which allows you to pose the gecko more dynamically than the upcoming frogs.
Asiatic toad
The Asiatic toad (Bufo gargarizans) is an amphibian native to East Asia, particularly found in China, Korea, and parts of Russia. It inhabits a range of environments, including forests, grasslands, and human-dominated areas like farmlands and gardens. This species is known for its warty skin and distinctive parotoid glands, which secrete a potent toxin called bufotoxin as a defence mechanism against predators. You may be familiar with the European common toad (Bufo bufo) which is a closely related species, which is why the two resemble each other. In traditional Chinese medicine, its skin and secretions have been used for their supposed therapeutic properties, though this use raises concerns about overharvesting and conservation. Despite habitat disturbance in some areas, the Asiatic toad remains relatively common and is currently not considered threatened. I can’t help but think that this gashapon model of one looks a little grumpy, although the detail is extraordinary!
Crested gecko
The crested gecko (Correlophus ciliatus), native to New Caledonia, is a distinctive and popular species known for the fringed crest that runs from its eyes down to its tail, giving it a unique and expressive appearance. Once thought to be extinct, it was rediscovered in 1994 and has since become a favourite in the pet trade due to its docile temperament, ease of care, and striking variety of colours and patterns. This nocturnal, arboreal lizard thrives in humid forest environments, where it uses its sticky toe pads and prehensile tail to climb and manoeuvre through vegetation. In the wild, it feeds on a mix of insects, fruit, and nectar. Crested geckos do not have eyelids; instead, they clean their large, lidless eyes with their tongues. While habitat loss threatens wild populations, widespread captive breeding has helped reduce pressure on wild specimens and ensured the species’ continued survival in captivity. One of the gashapon figurines available is the axanthic individual below, which even includes details in the eye and has articulating joints. It may not be the wild type colouration but it still a highly detailed model!
Ishikawa’s frog
Ishikawa’s frog (Odorrana ishikawae) is an endangered frog endemic to the subtropical forests of Okinawa Island in Japan. Often considered Japan’s most beautiful frog, it is noted for its striking emerald-green and black mottled skin, which provides effective camouflage among mossy rocks and leaf litter near clear mountain streams. To me, it looks very similar to a mossy frog (Theloderma corticale), and I am sure many of you will agree. This species is highly dependent on pristine, well-shaded freshwater habitats for breeding, laying its eggs in streamside pools where the tadpoles develop. Due to its limited range and specialised habitat requirements, O. ishikawae is particularly vulnerable to threats such as deforestation, stream pollution, and habitat fragmentation. Conservation efforts are in place to protect this unique species, focusing on habitat preservation and environmental education. Its rarity and vivid appearance have made it an important symbol for amphibian conservation in Japan. Therefore, this figurine not only serves as great representation of this species but also helps to raise awareness of this frog – I hadn’t previously heard of it myself.
Japanese treefrog
The Japanese tree frog (Dryophytes japonicus), formerly classified as Hyla japonica, is a small tree frog native to Japan, the Korean Peninsula, and parts of northeastern China and Russia. Typically green or brown with a distinctive dark stripe running from its snout through the eye and along the side of its body, this species is well-camouflaged among vegetation. It thrives in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, rice paddies, and urban areas, where it often perches on plants or structures to call during the breeding season. Known for its loud, trilling mating call, the Japanese tree frog breeds in still or slow-moving freshwater environments, such as ponds and ditches, where females lay eggs in clusters. Its wide distribution and tolerance for human-altered landscapes have made it a common and resilient species. Below are photos of one of the models which feature this species, sitting on a leaf. I like this dynamic pose and the level of detail included, which I hope is visible in my photos below.
Below is another model of the Japanese tree frog in a dynamic pose, holding onto the end of a broken piece of wood. You may think this is a little strange but the frog is also meant to fit on your finger like a ring, and this faux wooden base is there to give the frog something to hold onto in the meantime. However, the level of detail matches the from above and I love the way the frogs look wet or waxy, despite being bone dry giving them a sense of realism.
What can I say? That was a lot of fun although I did struggle with opening some of the capsules. How people manage to do it with one hand I do not know! I am fond of all of these models and they have found a permanent home in my collection. From what I understand, you need to visit different shops at different times to catch the circulation of different sets, so that is what I intend to do in the future. I am hoping to film future trips to the gashapon stores to share with you all, so please keep an eye out for these in the future. Perfect for nature lovers, herpetology enthusiasts, or toy collectors, these tiny models have the power inspire curiosity and appreciation for these remarkable creatures. I hope they have inspired you as much as they have me!
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