
It’s about time cats did something for us. We’ve pampered them on the Internet and in convenience stores for years, and all they ever did in return was learn how to poop in the litter box.
Cats are finally giving back now with these cute but somewhat disturbing smartphone stands that depict various cat breeds heroically holding up your smartphone so it won’t topple over.
The adorable cat figures are available to buy from gachapon – those coin-operated capsule toy dispensers commonly found near video arcades and outside toy stores.
These particular capsule machines will be adorned with playful promotional images, with pictures of the various cat stands with captions such as, “I’ve got this. Now, just go. Live a happy life for me.”
Well-known Japanese toy stores Yamashiroya (in Tokyo) and Kiddyland (in Osaka) are also holding a contest to see which store can sell more of the feline martyrs. While Tokyo has an obvious population advantage, we’re going to put our money on perennial plucky underdog, Osaka, based solely on our observations that Osaka seems more cat-obsessed.
Some Japanese Internet forums have expressed some alarm that the cats seem to be dead due to the fairly crude artwork, but let’s give the manufacturer a break: at just 200 yen (US$2) a piece, these novel smartphone stands are a steal.




Cat smartphone stand hopes to become newest Internet meme in Japan
Cats are ready to burst out of your smartphone with these cool suction-cup stands
Beat your phone into submission with these Street Fighter 2 capsule toy stands
Put your smartphone to bed in a cute Pikachu futon
Tiny characters and cuties to hold up your smart phone 【Photos】
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Should you warm up your convenience store onigiri rice balls in the microwave?【Taste test】
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Denny’s in Japan?
7-Eleven Japan’s sakura sweets season is underway right now!
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Starbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino and cherry blossom drinks to the menu
Japan just had its first same-month foreign tourist decrease in four years
Burning through cash just to throw things away tops list of headaches when moving house in Japan
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Christmas cat capsule toy hats from Japan will make your holiday feline festivities jolly
Celebrate famous works of art AND cats with these adorably clever “Cats in Art” capsule toys
New cat hotel in Japan lets you watch kitties right outside your window for entire stay【Pics】
Turn your pets into cute police officers with a hat from a Japanese vending machine!
Japanese vending machines now dispense cute cup clinging cats!
New Japanese gacha capsule vending machine toys bring you sheep’s clothing to dress your cats in
Sit up! Japanese toymaker releases hunchbacked cat collection to stop office workers slouching
Cats bowing in apology is Japan’s latest weird gacha capsule toy collection
Akihabara capsule toy lucky bag is filled with cute characters and cool crap (literally)【Photos】
Cute cat-shaped food and kitchen appliances hit the gachapon capsule toy market
Cat Sushi figures return to Japanese vending machines! Our collection (and lives) are complete
Wanting a frog, man gets too many praying animals from capsule machine, creates cute, creepy cult
Cat-shaped strawberry proves that everything in Japan can be cute, even the fruit
Cats and dogs apologising at Japanese press conference is our newest gacha capsule toy obsession
Cats cosplay as bunnies in Japan with new capsule toy feline hat collection
Nintendo bringing real-life Zelda Zonai Device capsule toy machines to Japan【Photos】