Series: Thomas the Tank Engine
Company: Qualia
Release: 2023
Size: 6cm
Main distribution: Japan / Australia (Gashapon machines)
This is a Gashapon set of Thomas the Tank Engine whereby each Thomas figure has a funny face, made by Qualia.
They come in coloured transparent balls so you can see which one you got without opening it. Each colour also corresponds to a specific figure.
Each Thomas is individually wrapped in plastic, and comes with a colour leaflet.
There are 5 different designs to collect; Stern / Frowning (Musutto) Thomas, Tired Thomas, Angry / Furious (Punpun) Thomas, Anxious (hara! hara!) Thomas and Sleepy Thomas.
We got 4/5.
Tired Thomas
Tired Thomas has a tired expression on his face plate. His eyes are droopy and he looks like he gave out a big sigh. His cheeks are rosey too. Thomas is his iconic blue, with black parts and a red undercarriage and a large yellow 1 on the side. The branding is on the bottom, which reads in white text: © 2023 Gullane (Thomas) Limited. He comes in a pink gashapon capsule.
Angry Thomas
Angry Thomas has an angry expression on his face plate. His eyes are frowned and he looks to the left. His mouth is open as if telling someone off. Thomas is his iconic blue, with black parts and a red undercarriage and a large yellow 1 on the side. The branding is on the bottom, which reads in white text: © 2023 Gullane (Thomas) Limited. He comes in a yellow gashapon capsule.
Anxious Thomas
Anxious Thomas has closed eyes, with frowns and he looks a bit fed up. His mouth is curled downwards. Thomas is his iconic blue, with black parts and a red undercarriage and a large yellow 1 on the side. The branding is on the bottom, which reads in white text: © 2023 Gullane (Thomas) Limited. He comes in a blue gashapon capsule.
Sleepy Thomas
Sleepy Thomas has an tired expression on his face plate. His eyes are half open, with thick eyelids. His mouth is open as if yawning or talking. Thomas is his iconic blue, with black parts and a red undercarriage and a large yellow 1 on the side. The branding is on the bottom, which reads in white text: © 2023 Gullane (Thomas) Limited. He comes in a green gashapon capsule.
While in Sydney, Australia we had to go look at the Gashapon machines of course. And we found this Thomas the Tank Engine set. The faces are hilarious and my husband, who is British and loved trains, and watched Thomas a lot as a kid, needed to have one.
In particular he wanted the Stern Thomas, but alas, he did not get him. In fact, we ended up with each one but that one. Twice. And another dupe. Unlucky!
So if anyone wants to trade one for Stern Thomas, or buy them off us, let me know.
My only disappointment with them is, they do not roll. Considering it’s the same figure but with a different face plate, I feel like they could have added that.
If you love Thomas the Tank Engine, or funny, absurd little figures, you’ll like these.
But if you prefer other merchandise, you’ll 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!