New Sanrio mini piggy banks are actually some of the largest capsule toys ever
A charming new set of “mini” Sanrio themed piggy banks are actually so big that they’ll need to be sold in the largest ever Gashapon capsules.
The “Sanrio Characters Mini Piggy Bank” is a new series of functional piggy banks that are shaped like some of Sanrio’s most popular characters
Sanrio characters, such as Hello Kitty, My Melody, Gudetama, Kerokerokeroppi, and Pochacco, have achieved global icon status.
These characters are celebrated for their “kawaii” (cute) aesthetic and now feature in animated cartoons, fashion collections and many other brand collaborations.
Gashapon, the popular Japanese capsule toy vending machines, are a staple of Japanese pop culture and offering affordable and collectible items.
A significant innovation with this release is the use of Bandai’s new “90mm Capsule”.
Introduced in August 2024, this is the largest capsule series in Gashapon history.
Measuring approximately 11mm larger in diameter than the previous largest 79mm Premium Gashapon capsules, the 90mm capsules boast a capacity increase of about 150%.
This allows for “super-big-sized products that go beyond the conventional wisdom of capsule toys” offering larger figures and bigger products that would otherwise be too big to sell via capsule machines.
The “Sanrio Characters Mini Piggy Bank” takes full advantage of this larger capsule size.
Each piggy bank stands at a total height of approximately 8cm and is designed to be fully usable for coin storage.
They can hold about 20 100-yen coins, making them practical as well as decorative.
Every piggy bank features a “luxurious glossy finish” to enhance their appeal beyond merely functional use, transforming them into display items.
The initial line-up for the series includes three popular Sanrio characters:
- Hello Kitty
- Kerokerokeroppi
- Pochacco
These mini piggy banks will be available at a wide range of locations where Gashapon vending machines are typically found, such as amusement centers, arcades, and Bandai Gashapon official shops.
Each “Sanrio Characters Mini Piggy Bank” capsule will cost 500 yen (approx. $3.45 USD / £2.54 GBP) and dispense one piggy bank at random.
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