扭蛋机，日本最抽象的“全民盲盒”

Group 1 - The article discusses the unique and humorous nature of Japanese gacha machines, particularly the "wanted criminal gacha" that dispenses figurines of fictional criminals, which has gained popularity online [1][3][5] - The developer of the gacha machine, Hiroki Terai, revealed that the criminals depicted are fictional and based on acquaintances, leading to a lighthearted reception from consumers [5][7] - The gacha machine has expanded in Japan, selling over 30,000 capsules and generating approximately 9 million yen in revenue, showcasing the commercial success of this novelty [9][49] Group 2 - Japan's gacha market is extensive, with over 500 billion yen (approximately 3.2 billion USD) in market size, having doubled since 2010, indicating a strong growth trend [49][63] - The gacha machines are prevalent across various locations, with an estimated 500,000 machines in Japan, selling nearly 300 million capsules annually [47][49] - Despite the popularity of gacha machines, the market size is significantly smaller than that of the Chinese blind box company Pop Mart, which is projected to exceed 13 billion yuan in sales in 2024 [63][72] Group 3 - The article highlights the creativity and diversity of gacha products, ranging from food items to absurd concepts, reflecting a culture of innovation in Japan [11][25][27] - Gacha machines have evolved from simple toy dispensers to complex marketing tools for popular IPs, with major companies like Bandai dominating the market [45][68] - The competitive landscape for smaller gacha manufacturers has become challenging, with many struggling to achieve significant sales volumes, indicating a saturated market [70][72]