Cute new Pokémon "Hyper Ball Bug Cage" encourages kids to explore nature responsibly

An adorable Pokémon inspired product, aimed at helping children explore nature, has been released in Japan.

Pokémon enthusiasts can carry their real-world insect discoveries in style, as Takara Tomy has launched the “Hyper Ball Bug Cage”.

The Pokémon franchise, created by Satoshi Tajiri, first debuted in 1996 and has since grown into one of the highest-grossing media franchises globally, spanning video games, anime, movies, and merchandise.

A core mechanic of the games involves players using various types of “Monster Balls” to catch wild Pokémon.

PokeBalls — The Pokémon series features a variety of different “Monster Balls”, also referred to as “Poké Balls”, each with a different purpose or success rate

The Hyper Ball is a more advanced version, offering a higher success rate for capturing Pokémon compared to the standard Poké Ball or the Great Ball.

Manufactured by Takara Tomy, a prominent Japanese toy company known for its wide range of popular toy lines, the Hyper Ball Bug Cage allows children and collectors alike to playfully mimic the act of “catching” creatures.

The bug cage faithfully replicates the distinctive design of the Hyper Ball, featuring a black base with prominent yellow lines.

While the in-game Hyper Ball is designed to fit in a trainer’s hand, this real-life bug cage measures approximately 17cm in diameter, making it larger than its digital counterpart for practical use.

Hyper Ball Bug Cage 5 — The bug cage is fairly sizeable, allowing you to capture pretty much any insect you come across

The product aims to offer a tangible connection to the Pokémon world, allowing users to experience the “feeling of catching Pokémon” by housing live insects within the themed container.

Master Ball Bug Cage — The Hyper Ball is the latest in the Poké Ball bug cage range, as the Master Ball and standard Poké Ball have been released in the past

To encourage responsible bug catching, the Poké Ball bug cages features a slotted design that allows the “captured” bugs to breathe, and those using the cage are advised to practice a catch and release system, as well as to avoid harming the insects.