Doraemon

Doraemon (ドラえもん, Doraemon) by Hiroshi Fujimoto, pen name Fujiko F. Fujio, is a Japanese manga about a robotic cat, Doraemon, who has travelled back in time from the future to aid a schoolboy, Nobita Nobi.

Doraemon was originally sent back in time by Nobita’s great-great grandson, Sewashi, in order that his descendants reap the benefits of Nobita’s success one day rather than be burdened by the considerable financial debts which his incompetence has led them to suffer in the original timeline.

Chogokin Gacha Gacha Doraemon (1979 Reissue)
超合金ガチャガチャドラえもん〈1979復刻版〉

The Gacha Gacha Doraemon is an exact replica of the 1979 Chogokin version. They even have included a vintage-style box inside the modern box. The only difference between boxes is that it now says made in China.

Outer Box

Inner Box

This toy is a brutal chunk of chogokin. It’s almost all metal, and if thrown at someone, would likely kill them.

The whole idea behind Gacha Gacha Doraemon is that this toy acts like a Gashapon Machine. It comes with 12 different capsules that can be filled with included goodies. You insert the capsule into the back of Doraemon’s head through a spring loaded trap door. You then open his “pouch” and pull back on his tail. When the tail is released, the capsule comes out!

Other neat features include a cloth collar with a metal bell, as well as a magnet embedded in the end of his left hand. Some of the prizes in the capsules have little metal bits embedded in them, so they attach to the magnetic hand. Other prizes have suction cups that can adhere to Doraemon’s head, and one prize, a hammer, can fit in his hand.

I really love the old-school feel of this toy, it captures a certain innocence that I can really relate to. I hope Bandai continues to reissue these classic chogokin toys.