Gashapon is any toy (or sometimes other items like keychains or coin purses) obtained via capsule machine. Most prominent in Japan, gashapon (the term can refer to the machine itself or the toy that comes in the capsule) can be found anywhere from malls, to train stations, to even the side of the road in a suburban neighborhood. Unlike the capsule machines I grew up with outside of grocery stores in the USA in the 90s, the toys that come in Gashapons, are often really high quality with fine detail. Today we will be looking at a Jersey Devil figure that is part of a cryptid series of gashapon toys.
The Jersey Devil is considered a cryptid, a creature which people have claimed to have seen, but actual proof of does not exist. The Jersey Devil is one of the most outlandish cryptids, appearing different in many eyewitness accounts across central and southern New Jersey since the 1700s, but most often consisting of body parts of several different animals, like a horse’s head, bat’s wings, reptile’s tail, and hooves. For more detailed information about this bizarre creature’s lore, check out my review of the Monster in My Pocket’s rendition of it.
The figure from this gashapon series is mostly consistent with the most famous descriptions of the monster. It has a horse-like head with red eyes, cloven hooves, a long tail with three prongs at the end, horns, and bat wings. This figure also has little fangs sticking out of its upper jaw and a row of small dinosaur-like spines down the back. It also has spindly human-like four-fingered hands. (it is sometimes portrayed with animal claws in the front, but this is the first time I’ve seen it with humanoid hands) This figure has a proportionally huge head which might be intentional to make it a sort of cute chibi version of the creature.
It is taking on a human-like pose, sitting in a hunched position with its little hands resting on its knees. It is leaning slightly to one side, so it looks nice on my desk, as if its dozing off against my pencil cup.
This series includes two sets of monsters, all in similar positions, but in varying sizes. I think the intent is to collect them and them arrange them in size order so it looks like they’re all leaning on each other as they doze off together. The other creatures that were possible to obtain in the same machine are Bigfoot, the Flatwoods Monster, a Grey Alien, a winged black cat, and a winged white cat. (winged cats are not true cryptids to my knowledge but whatever). The second set consists of the Loch Ness Monster, a kappa, Mothman, a white jackalope, a brown jackalope, and an air-rod/flying fish. (That last one is a weirdo. Look it up.)
Overall this is one of my favorite toys of the Jersey Devil. It’s extremely charming and the detail is beautiful. It is widely available on many online stores and ebay. If you’re lucky like me you might find its machine in a Japanese-themed store.
… liked this!