Banpresto
One fun way to see what anime or game series are currently popular with kids and otaku in Japan is to visit an arcade and take a look at the prizes up for grabs in the crane machines, or UFO catchers, as they’re often called in Japanese.
Unlike North America, arcade culture is still going strong in Japan and UFO catchers are one of the main attractions. Always found on the first floor of arcades, these machines are stocked with the latest limited-edition figurines and plushies of popular characters, many of which can only be acquired as UFO catcher prizes (or on Amazon at obscene prices).
Japanese toy company Banpresto has announced their newest lineup of CRANEKING arcade-exclusive prizes, available this October. Check what toys are hot on the Japanese arcade scene below!
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One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Japanese government will check and judge new baby name pronunciations, presents guidelines
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Starbucks Japan releases a new Frappuccino that looks and tastes like a floral bouquet
Monthly
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Uniqlo announces first-ever collaboration with horror manga master Junji Ito【Photos】
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
Starbucks Japan is calling it quits with paper straws
Japan’s most popular castle raising ticket prices by up to 200 percent for non-local tourists
Furikake rice seasoning sales are soaring, which is bad news for Japan as a whole- Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
Studio Ghibli releases new range of cardigans for anime fans
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- [Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
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Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese
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Police called out to investigate suspicious Santa in Wakayama
Shimonoseki’s Koreantown isn’t like Tokyo’s or Osaka’s, but it has a retro atmosphere all its own
Right now is the very best time to go to Japan’s “castle in the sky,” and here’s why【Pics, Vids】
Manga artist raises question online about false perspective in Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro
We try making a low-calorie katsu with tofu instead of pork【SoraKitchen】
Kura Sushi has a new parade-delivered whole cake dessert, but what’s it like to eat?【Video】
Celebrating legal marriage days in Japan with budget-friendly photoshoots
Giant Clodsire Pokémon plushie comes with up to 32 Woopers in super size, super cute set【Pics】
Tokyo’s super-secret-location sushi restaurant has a stand-up sister shop that’s open to all
Japan’s premier love doll maker is closing, says goodbye to fans with heartfelt message
“Please, tread on me!” beg anime fans
79-year-old Japanese granny who fell in love with Initial D sports car finds perfect new owner【Vid】
Not ready to go full tatami? This clever item adds a dash of Japanese reed flooring to your home
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