Company: Kaiyodo
Year: 2019
Size: various
Main distribution: Japan (Gashapon Machines)
This is a gashapon set of miniature figures based on animal illustrations and is a collab between Kaiyodo (Japanese toy company) and Sato Kunio (animal illustrator).
Sato Kunio makes funny animal illustrations and several Gashapon have been made based on his illustrations. The bathroom ones seem to be quite popular, having multiple series under Bathroom Break (sat on the toilet) and Bathroom in groups (at the urinal). Here I’ll show the Bathroom in groups.
The Gashapon are based on the following illustration;
2 volumes of 5 Gashapon have been made, with each volume having one Gashapon of 2 small figures in the lineup, resulting in 12 individual figures.
I got 1/10.
The figures come in green capsules with a wrapper, and it’s impossible to see which one you have until you open it. I’ve also seen blind box versions.
Sato Kunio’s Animal – Bathroom in groups –
There are 6 figures to collect in 5 Gashapon; Pig, Polar Bear, Gorilla, Red Panda and Boar & Mouse.
I got 0/5.
Sato Kunio’s Animal – Bathroom in groups 2 –
There are 6 figures to collect in 5 Gashapon; Rabbit, Panda, Penguin, Hippo and Frog & Cat.
I got 1/5.
It comes with a full colour double sided leaflet, depicting all the figures, and the illustration on the other side.
Each gashapon needs to be put together, and comes with a base, urinal and figure.
Penguin
Penguin is standing by the urinal, looking slightly nervous and to its left. On its right, it has a little penguin chick looking up to it. The urinal is white and the base floor is green tiled.
The branding is underneath and reads © KUNIO SATO / KUNIO CO.,LTD. KAIYODO MADE IN CHINA, as well as a 3.
The first time I saw these was when a co-worker had gone to Japan and had brought back some of the silliest and weirdest Gashapon he could find, including this animal toilet series. I thought it was great.
I had heard of a shop in the Netherlands that had a lot of Gashapon machines, and when I had an opportunity to visit, to my surprise, they had these gashapon (5 years later)! It was quite expensive though (€10), but I had to have one. The machine broke on us, but staff opened it for us to give us one.
I didn’t have a favourite, they all look great. I ended up with the Penguin, which is so cute with the little kid in tow, and on the original illustration. I love when 3D figures get made of 2D art.
It would be nice to have the full set and create a public toilet, but having 1 is fun too. They now sit in our toilet, and are a great conversation starter.
If you like funny animals, or 3D representations of 2D art, you’ll love these gashapon.
If you prefer something more serious, you’ll give these a miss.
Got any more details / information? Did I get something wrong? Do you own the same figures or the full set? Let me know in the comments below!