Company: Bandai
Release date: 2019+
Size: +/- 3.5 cm
Main distribution: Japan / USA / UK (Gashapon machines)
This is a little Gashapon line of little lizard creatures that hug cables (Hugcot), distributed in Gashapon machines by Bandai.
Apart from the Hachucot line, there’s also a Kerocot line (frogs) and a charm line instead of cable huggers (Hugcot). These are not listed here.
4 series have been released so far, making 38 figures total. I got 4/38.
The figures come in clear balls so you can see which one you got without opening it.
Each figure is individually wrapped in plastic.
Hugcot Hachucot 1
Release date: December 2019
The first set exists out of 8 figures.
I got 0/8.
Hugcot Hachucot 2
Release date: December 2020
The second set exists out of 9 figures, include a chaser.
I got 0/9.
Hugcot Hachucot 3
Release date: December 2021
The third set exists out of 11 figures.
I got 0/11.
Hugcot Hachucot 4
Release date: December 2022
The fourth set exists out of 10 figures.
I got 4/10.
Each figure comes in plastic and with a leaflet. The leaflet is in Japanese, despite getting it in the UK and the front of the machine having an English print. It’s also large and square unlike the little strips you usually get, resembling more the front of the Gashapon machine.
Leopard Gecko (High Yellow)
The Leopard Gecko (High Yellow) is standing upright and holding the cable with its little front paws, or hanging off the cable by its front paws. Its tail is straight backwards so it can stand though. It’s a new mold for the series, but is the same as the Albino variant, just different colouring. He is yellow, with green eyes, dark brown spots and a white belly. The branding is on the bottom of its tail, and reads in raised font © BANDAI B. CHINA 2641228 and the 4 dots of Bandai.
Leopard Gecko (Albino)
The Leopard Gecko (Albino) is standing upright and holding the cable with its little front paws, or hanging off the cable by its front paws. Its tail is straight backwards so it can stand though. It’s a new mold for the series, but is the same as the High Yellow variant, just different colouring. He is yellow, with light brown eyes, very light tan stripes and a white belly. His tail is a yellow white with light brown spots. The branding is on the bottom of its tail, and reads in raised font © BANDAI B. CHINA 2641228 and the 4 dots of Bandai.
Python Regius (Albino)
The Python Regius (Albino) is curled up and the cable runs under it through a slit. It’s the same mold that’s been seen in the second series, but recoloured. The branding is on its bottom, and reads in raised font © BANDAI B. CHINA 2641228 and the 4 dots of Bandai.
Central Bearded Dragon (Red)
The Central Bearded Dragon (Red) is standing on all four paws and has its head curiously looking upwards with a small tilt. The cable runs through its front paws. It’s the same mold that’s been seen in the third series, but recoloured. It’s red with yellow stripes. The branding is on its bottom, and reads in raised font © BANDAI B. CHINA 2641228 and the 4 dots of Bandai.
Central Bearded Dragon (Anger)
The Central Bearded Dragon (Anger) is standing on all four paws and has its head curiously looking upwards with a small tilt. The cable runs through its front paws. It’s the same mold that’s been seen in the third series, but recoloured. It’s orange/lightbrown/tan with darker brown dots and a dark brown beard. The branding is on its bottom, and reads in raised font © BANDAI B. CHINA 2641228 and the 4 dots of Bandai.
Plestiodon Japonicus (Juvenile)
The Plestiodon Japonicus (Juvenile) is standing on all four paws and has its head curiously looking upwards. The cable runs through its front paws. It’s a new mold for the series. The branding is on its bottom, and reads in raised font © BANDAI B. CHINA 2641228 and the 4 dots of Bandai.
I went back to the Gashapon store I found a month later, hoping they would have some new series, and they did. The mark up is still extortionate (you have to buy special coins for the machines, which are £2 each. Then each machine, depending on what’s inside, take a different amount of coins). There were 3 series I was interested in, but these took x2 so £4 a try (which is the cheapest here). Considering these are ¥300 in Japan (used to be ¥200) that is a bit more (especially now that the yen is quite low) but not as bad as some other series.
I had hoped for the little turtle, but a snake would be good too. My boyfriend calls me his little turtle, so that one is a bit special. And I like little animals to make scenes with, either realistic looking or cute ones depending on how I’m theming it. So they all would do really, except the standing / hanging ones. And of course I get that one in my first pull! So I try again and this time I get the snake. My boyfriend still wants me to get a turtle, so decides to give it a go too, and gets the bearded dragon. That was one of his favourites here, so at least he got that.
We went back a few weeks later and decided to try again for the turtle. This time I got the little slim Plestiodon Japonicus. He’s kinda cute. My boyfriend gave it another try as well and we got the Gecko again… So still no turtle, and a dupe!
We went back one more time and my boyfriend was determined to get a turtle. But we got the other bearded dragon, so at least his has a friend now. I’m admitting defeat on this one, I don’t think I’ll get a turtle… My boyfriend gave it one more go, and we got the Gecko Albino this time.
If anyone would like to trade though let me know!
Overall this series is cute and would make for cute cable markers I guess, despite being a little expensive over here.
If you like Gashapon, little figures and cute animals, you’ll like this series. Be advised they may be expensive depending where you find them.
If you prefer larger or articulated toys, you might give these a miss.
Got any more details / information you think I should add? Or did I get something wrong? Do you own these figures? Do you agree or disagree with my findings? Let me know in the comments below!