How to Gashapon 101: A Guide for Newbie

Hello, peeps!

I know I said I wanted to update every month, but, hehe, I'm sorry. I won't make any excuses, though. ALRIGHT, LET'S MOVE! GACHA TIME!

The first gashapon I won from a gashapon machine

A few days ago, I visited a shopping mall that was recently opened somewhere in the West Java area. Because it's still new, there weren't so many people. Anyway, I think this mall is somehow acquainted with Japan? I found a lot of products from Japan. Like, no kidding, I found a lot of make-up and skincare products from Japan. AAAAAAA, so cool!

Okay, we are not going to talk about skincare and make-up in this session. Let's save it for another session. Now, so, gacha (or they usually call it gashapon/gachapon?).

Before that day, I had never tried to get any gashapon. Most of the time, it's because the offered merchandise doesn't really appeal to me. But, that day was different. The mall has so many gashapon machines, displayed on the foodcourt, asking the customers to try to get something from them. The variety of merchandise really amazed me. They even have Doraemon!

And who am I to resist? I am actually really weak to temptation, you know.

Long story short, I finally decided to try to get a Doraemon eco bag. After I know where to go to buy the coins, I bought two coins for a starter. I spent IDR 40.000 to buy two gashapon coins. It costs you IDR 20.000 for a coin.

For 23 years of living, never had I tried any gashapon machine before that day. So, when I was faced with the machines, I had no clue how should I did this. Fortunately, the instruction is written on the machine. And, you know what, it turned out that it required five coins to get a Doraemon eco bag.

I was devastated.

I only had two coins and I didn't want to buy more. But, I still wanted to try it. So, I carefully read the coins requirement for every machine to find a machine that would accept my humble offering. Then, I got three choices: a mini stand figure of Dragon Ball characters, a cat keychain, and a stand figure of Pokemon characters. I took my time to briefly analyze according to the use of each merchandise.

Obviously, the keychain won.

The story didn't just end like that, unfortunately. They said, once a clown, they will always be a clown. Yup, I'm the clown. So, the machine has a handle and a button(?) on it. It was actually written that we needed to turn the handle three times to get the gashapon. And you know what I did? I turned the handle two times and PRESSED THE BUTTON. Then, got really confused because my gashapon didn't come out.

I mean, OF COURSE, IT WOULDN'T COME OUT! After that, I carefully reread the instruction and lol, I know, I was so dumb. Yeah, well, no drama no life. Gladly, I managed to do it right on my third try. I got it, a cat keychain. At first, I didn't know where this cat came from. But, some of my friends said that it was Nyanko-sensei from Natsume Yuujinchou.

I got a shocked Nyanko-sensei.

Well, that was my first gashapon experience. From this experience, here's guidance for a gashapon virgin out there who wants to get their first gashapon.

GET YOUR GASHAPON 101:

1. Know if you really want this.
2. Know your budget before buying the coins.
3. Know if there any machine that will accept your coins (I mean if you don't buy too many coins like I did).
4. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY, PLEASE. Do not be like me

Okay, I think that's all. See you in another story of mine! I hope when we meet again soon, I already get a job. Wish me luck! I wish you happiness in life.