Figures, Merch and Gachapon Prices — 2026-09-18
Bandai Namco Amusement America is set to open a major Bandai Namco Cross Store and THE GUNDAM BASE at Mall of America on September 30, 2026, marking a significant US retail expansion. In Japan, the "Mejirushi Accessory" gachapon series has seen sales suspensions at official shops due to overcrowding, while the Chinese secondary market for anime badges ("guzi") has crashed, with some items previously valued at ¥72,000 now selling by weight. Meanwhile, the Amiami August figure pre-order rankings revealed *Fate/Grand Order* as the top seller, highlighting continued strength in established IP.
Figures, Merch and Gachapon Prices — 2026-09-18
Top developments
Bandai Namco Opens Flagship Stores in Minnesota
Bandai Namco Amusement America Inc. (BNAA) and Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles (BNTCA) announced on September 17, 2026, that they will open a Bandai Namco Cross Store and THE GUNDAM BASE at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, on September 30, 2026. This expansion brings official retail access to key merchandise lines, including Gundam models and other collectibles, directly to US consumers, potentially reducing reliance on third-party importers and mitigating tariff-related price surges for Midwest collectors.
Gachapon Sales Suspended Due to Overcrowding
In mid-September 2026, several "Gashapon Bandai Official Shop" locations in Japan announced the suspension or temporary halt of sales for the popular "Mejirushi Accessory" capsule toy series. Bandai’s corporate communications stated that these measures were taken to alleviate congestion and ensure safety, as demand for the series has overwhelmed store capacities. This disruption highlights the ongoing volatility in the gachapon market, where high-demand items frequently cause logistical bottlenecks in physical retail spaces.
Chinese Badge Market Crashes
Reports from early September 2026 indicate a severe correction in the Chinese secondary market for anime badges ("guzi"). Items such as Haikyuu!! Nishinoya Yuu badges, which sold for approximately ¥72,000 (RMB) in July 2024, are now being sold by weight in some second-hand stores for as low as ¥5 per jin (approx. 500g). This collapse in resale value suggests a bubble burst in speculative merchandise trading, impacting how collectors approach "emotional consumption" goods.
Amiami Pre-Order Rankings Released
On September 8, 2026, hobby retailer Amiami released its August 2026 figure pre-order rankings. The top spot was claimed by a Fate/Grand Order (FGO) figure, with other notable entries including Honkai: Star Rail and LimeLight Lemonade Jam. This data provides insight into current collector preferences, showing that established mobile game IPs continue to drive strong pre-order volumes compared to newer or niche titles.
Local view
Local Japanese media, including J-CAST News, has focused heavily on the operational disruptions caused by the popularity of specific gachapon lines like the "Mejirushi Accessory." The coverage emphasizes the physical strain on retail locations, with official shops issuing notices on social media platform X to manage foot traffic. This contrasts with Chinese media coverage from Smzdm, which focuses on the financial volatility of the secondary market, detailing how speculative bubbles in badge trading have deflated rapidly, leading to "fire sale" conditions in second-hand shops.
Context & numbers
The Japanese capsule toy market has doubled in size over four years, driven by anime and manga collectibles, according to Statista data referenced in recent industry analyses. While specific weekly sales figures for the past 7 days are not publicly aggregated, the suspension of sales for high-volume items like "Mejirushi Accessories" indicates demand exceeding supply chain and retail capacity. In the US, the opening of the Mall of America store on September 30 adds a new direct-to-consumer channel for Bandai products, potentially stabilizing local pricing against import markups.
On the radar
- September 30, 2026: Official opening of Bandai Namco Cross Store and THE GUNDAM BASE at Mall of America, Bloomington, MN.
- October 2026: Bandai Hobby schedule lists upcoming releases including the MG 1/100 Blaze Zaku Phantom (Heine Westenfluss Custom) priced at ¥5,390 (tax included), indicating standard pricing for premium model kits remains stable.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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