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
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
Sushi Push Pops aiming to be Japan’s newest sakura season snack sensation
Is this Japan’s most extreme cherry blossom viewing? Leap, cycle and climb through 2,500 sakura
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Cowboy Bebop creator’s Samurai Champloo anime to become live-action series from Hollywood studio
Cute Japanese hamster T-shirt has a secret weapon: boobs【Photos】
Starbucks Japan opens new Kyoto store in Place of Scenic Beauty
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
We tried eating a raw “mizu nasu” eggplant, and it tastes like a weird fruit【Taste Test】
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
Is Japan’s Crab-shaped Cup Ramen Timer worth the hype?
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Silicone testicle covers banned from Japanese sauna following cups being left behind and on shelves
Japanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
Pikachu and Eevee become handmade Lladró porcelain sculptures to celebrate Pokémon’s 30th birthday
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
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
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
Mr. Sato takes on the “Trap or Treasure” capsule machine for 500 yen