Bandai's "Gashapon" certified by Guinness World Records as number one capsule toy brand

Japanese toy and hobby company Bandai has announced that its original capsule toy brand, “Gashapon,” has been certified by Guinness World Records.

The brand was officially recognized as the “Largest capsule toy brand” based on its global sales revenue for the 2024 fiscal year.

Gashapon is a cornerstone of hobby culture in Japan, a brand of capsule toys dispensed from vending machines that has been in operation since 1977.

gashapon machine — Gashapon machines are a popular way to sell small collectables in Japan

In the 2024 fiscal year, Bandai shipped over 2.2 billion Gashapon products, a number so large that the capsules, if stacked, would equal the height of the Earth.

To celebrate this world record achievement, a series of special campaigns and new product releases will be held, centered around “Gashapon Day,” which is officially recognized in Japan as the 8th of August, 2025.

A massive “Gashapon Wall” exhibition, displaying over 150 new products for the month of August, will be installed at the Bandai Namco Cross Stores in Tokyo and Hakata.

A nationwide campaign will also be held at all Gashapon Bandai Official Shops in Japan.

Customers who say the secret phrase, “Gashapon world’s number one, congratulations!,” to a staff member will receive a free Gashapon mini pouch while supplies last.

A variety of new products, all themed around the Gashapon machines themselves, will also see an advance release at the official shops.

These include miniature Gashapon machine charms, a buildable Gashapon machine model kit, and a new series of figures featuring personified Gashapon machines waiting patiently.

Other celebratory releases include exclusive, metallic-painted “HG Dragon Ball” figure sets at Bandai Namco Official Shops, and a new, functional 1/3 scale “Gashapon Machine Joy” for home use.