Released by benelic capsuletoy, a gashapon brand under Japan's BENELIC (ベネリック) company, the "Keroro THE Gashapon Toy" series, which miniaturizes the frog robot "Keroro" (ケローネン) – a collaboration between the godfather of Japanese sci-fi military, "Kow Yokoyama," and Japanese artist "Toshiya Takeyama" – is set to launch its latest fourth installment in January 2026. Each gashapon is priced at 500 JPY, with a total of five styles to collect.
"Keroro" is a frog robot character that combines the design characteristics of both Kow Yokoyama and Toshiya Takeyama, featuring rounded lines and a bipedal stance. In Toshiya Takeyama's original concept, Keroro was initially envisioned as an amphibious disaster relief robot, capable of assisting with various rescue efforts and post-disaster reconstruction during major earthquakes. Aesthetically, Keroro boasts a plump body and short, stout limbs, making it incredibly cute. Turning it around reveals crab-like mechanisms and thrusters, and the pilot on its back can be freely detached and reattached.
Fully supervised by Kow Yokoyama and Toshiya Takeyama, "Keroro THE Gashapon Toy" meticulously recreates Keroro's mechanical body at a height of 6 cm. It features rotating mechanisms in its arms and waist, and the pilot on top can be freely removed. With a satisfyingly substantial feel in hand and a rounded exterior that hints at a touch of toughness, a single gashapon offers abundant enjoyment, while collecting multiple allows you to form a frog robot squad. This fourth installment marks a significant departure from the previous three, utilizing transparent materials throughout. Not only can you see the contents within the body, but you can also open them up for play! What's more, the contents of all five models are different, which is incredibly exciting!
● Keroro Micro K
● Keroro Heart K
● Keroro Pad K
● Keroro Bad K
● Keroro Charge K
Keroro The Capsule Toy 4
Suggested Retail Price: ¥500 / capsule, Product Specifications: Approximately 6 cm tall, 5 types in total
Scheduled for release starting January 2026
Source: PR TIMES