Guess he got a little more than he bargained for…
Capsule machines are up there with UFO catchers as some of the most frustrating and yet alluring things in Japan, because sometimes, if you’re really lucky, you might get something really cool for a little bit of money, and sometimes you just won’t. Unlike UFO catchers, though, capsule machines are pretty straightforward and usually aren’t rigged against you; you’re always going to get something for the money you spend, even if it’s not exactly what you wanted.
Still, striving to get that one particular capsule toy likely means you’ll be spending quite a bit of cash and getting a lot of toys that you didn’t want, as demonstrated by one Japanese man. He really wanted the frog from the below selection of animals that looked like they’re praying, so he put coin after coin in, in an attempt to get what he wanted.
夫がカエルがほしくて回し続けた結果、 pic.twitter.com/d1rWIzI8CK
— だまだま (@poyoyome) October 20, 2018
There were several varieties of animals that he could get, so the likelihood that the man would get the frog was low, especially because some theorize that within each capsule machine some toys are rarer than others. So, according to his wife, @poyoyome, who documented his adventure on Twitter, he tried so many times that he ended up acquiring two cats, two dogs, two otters, a rabbit, two Serval cats, and three elephants by the time he finally got a frog, spending a total of 2,600 yen (US$23).
But when he stood them all together, he got something a little more than he expected:
ちょっとした宗教団体に。 pic.twitter.com/Wv9RildaN8
— だまだま (@poyoyome) October 20, 2018
The frog looks like he is leading his fellow animals in prayer, while the others all look like they’re bowing down to him as they stand in neat rows. He had accidentally made a kinda creepy animal cult!
While our first instinct is to reject any free event tickets and run for the hills, Japanese netizens seemed less creeped out, and more admiring of the scene:
“How cute! lol The frog is the founder of the sect!”
“I’m glad he finally got the frog (´;ω;`)”
“Awesome! Now I want some haha”
“It’s a perfect balance hahahaha”
“This made me really want the frog too lol”
“I wonder if the panda is the rarest, since he didn’t get any?”
Overall, it looks like @poyoyome’s husband is satisfied with his haul, and isn’t terrified that his animals will come to life in a Toy Story-like twist and try to convert him to their new religion, so it wasn’t all bad. On the flip side, however, judging by the comments, his wife may have inadvertently converted a few new followers to the cult just by sharing her creepy-cute photos. Hopefully it doesn’t turn into anything too wacky!
Source: Twitter/@poyoyome via My Game News Flash
Featured Image: Twitter/@poyoyome

Bandai to launch online capsule machines controlled by smartphone
Japanese capsule toy vending machines now selling working capsule toy vending machines
Capsule toy machines in Japan have taken to selling face masks too
Gacha capsule toy machine you control with your brain/prayers created in Japan【Video】
Japan’s Flat Gasha Pon takes gacha capsule toy machines to a whole new level
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Saitama is home to the best strawberries in Japan that you’ve probably never even heard of
Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service returns to theaters with first-ever IMAX screenings and remaster
Survey finds that one in five high schoolers don’t know who music legend Masaharu Fukuyama is
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
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Development of Puyo Puyo puzzle game for use in nursing homes underway
Skyscraper sized Pokémon cards to appear in Tokyo all year long in Tocho projection mapping event
The massive Pokémon card public art display going on in Japan right now is a thing of beauty【Pics】
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
Japan has trams that say “sorry” while they ride around town…but why?
Sakura Totoro is here to get spring started early with adorable pouches and plushies
Poop is in full bloom at the Unko Museums for cherry blossom season
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
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
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
Father and son dissect a gachapon capsule toy machine to show us its magical insides【Video】
Japanese drink vending machine capsule toys: A must-have for recreating Japan in miniature
Gacha capsule toy machine sells…Japanese rice bags?!
A sign of the times: Japan now has “hand sanitizer stand” gacha capsule toy machines
Our reporter successfully quits high-stakes capsule machines… but this one feels like a lock!
Naughty anime tentacles are on their way to Japanese capsule toy machines – in six cute colors!
Poop Flinging Game – Literal weird crap from Japanese capsule toy machines【Photos】
Super-expensive capsule toys – Trying out Japan’s Premium Gachapon machine【Photos】
“Grandpa’s F**k it, Whatever Anything Best 3” gacha is today’s weird capsule machine find
The perfect work out equipment for your fingers is waiting inside Japanese toy vending machines
Sushi By Foreigners BC: Japanese gacha capsule toys just keep on getting weirder
Wanna win a Nintendo Switch? You can with this gigantic gacha capsule machine in Nara【Photos】
A capsule toy vending machine pandemic shopping solution The My Gashapon Handle
Posable “Nude” vending machine capsule toy is a better choice for artists than perverts
Japanese capsule toy vending machine area for women includes Sailor Moon items for a limited time