Chris Infotainment

The Rise of the Capsule Toy Market in Japan The capsule toy market in Japan has experienced a remarkable surge, reaching an impressive 120 billion yen (approximately $784 million) in fiscal 2024. This represents a tripling of its value over the past four years. Known as "gacha gacha" due to the sound they make when the handle is turned, these toys are set to celebrate their 60th anniversary in Japan in 2025. Their popularity continues to grow, capturing the interest of both children and adults alike. A Growing Industry In late August, the Gashapon Department Store Ikebukuro Sohonten in Tokyo was bustling with visitors, including both children and adults. The store, which features over 3,000 vending machines, also attracted Chinese tourists. According to Bandai, the market expanded from 40 billion yen ($261 million) in fiscal 2020 to over 120 billion yen in fiscal 2024. Bandai's "Gashapon" holds about 57% of the market, shipping around 220 million capsule to...

Expansion of Nintendo's Presence in Thailand Nintendo has made a significant move by announcing the addition of Thai subtitles to its popular game, Donkey Kong Bananza, for the Nintendo Switch 2. This update is set to be available for free to all existing owners of the game. Players will have the opportunity to experience this new feature firsthand at Nintendo's booth during the upcoming Gamescom Asia × Thailand Games Show in October. The event, which will take place from October 17 to 19, will allow visitors to try out the Thai-language version of Donkey Kong Bananza on the Switch 2. This initiative marks an important step in Nintendo's efforts to strengthen its presence in the Thai market. The company recently revealed plans to expand its operations in the region by establishing a new local subsidiary. While the exact date for the subtitle update has not been officially announced, Nintendo has confirmed that the feature will be available for download without any additi...