Product Review: We Love Gacha Shoulder Bag Book
This product was first released on Gacha Day in Japan on February 17, 2025 and was made by Takara Tomy Arts to resemble a gashapon (aka gacha) machine. 2025 marked the 60th anniversary of gacha capsule toys in Japan and the magazine accompanying the bag goes into detail about that history.
Fun Fact: In Japan a lot of those buzz worthy items you may see are actually sold as books. The actual book part is mainly just a small magazine or guide explaining information about the item or its history and the majority of the package is actually just a box to hold it. You can see them in conbini convenience stores and book stores throughout Japan. They usually look like a really thick book and have a very obvious picture of the item inside so they’re easy to spot.
The shoulder bag is A4 sized and it can hold up to three 500ml plastic bottles and is great for storing things when you’re on the go. There’s also a pretty deep pocket in the back that can fit your phone.
The highlight of the bag is of course the clear panel on the top that can hold up to six standard sized capsules. There’s also another pocket inside where you can place thinner objects like the pop paper or sticker designs inside the magazine to decorate the bag. It’s great for carrying gacha capsules, displaying your favorite otaku merch, or for oshi-katsu fan support/stanning like showing off your favorite character or idol.
Caution: Do not leave things like your phone there if you are in a situation where your bag may flip over. Always store valuables in a securely closed pocket. Read all about how I made the mistake and dropped my phone on the train tracks because of it and learn from my mistakes!
The magazine that comes wrapped around the shoulder bag box is filled with 32 pages that covers the history of gashapon machines, a popular capsule toy catalogue, things to do on Gacha Day, recommended gacha spots, how to accessrieze and more.
While being able to fit your favorite merch in the clear panel of the bag is the main appeal I personally find another feature to be the absolute best. That is the fact that you can actually spin the handle and it makes the iconic gacha machine clacking sounds. Not only is this a novel addition to really sell your gacha shoulder bag as the real deal but it’s a great fidget spinner for adults and kids alike. I’ve had many people spin the wheel and get that instant dopamine rush.
As a mom and an otaku this bag has been a lifesaver for me especially with the addition of a carabiner to swap out keychains. I usually switch them between stuff I want to show off when I go out to themed cafes and events or to ones that entertain my little one when on the go. Currently I always have my triceratops chicken nugget clicker attached so that we both enjoy it. (Shoutout to my good friend back home for this present it’s the best) She also loves grabbing and turning the gacha handle or trying to get into the pockets, especially the open one in the back where sometimes she’ll slip in surprises for me at restaurants like shibori wet towelettes.
Also if you don’t mind sacrificing the gacha window for your kids it’s a great spot to store their little plushies to keep them clean and show them off too. It’s always good to have a clear pocket to see what you have as a new mom with brain fog.
This is what I usually carry in my shoulder bag on a daily basis when I’m in full mom mode. Contents include: wallet, wet wipes, tissues, hand sanitizer, hand towel, handkerchief, spit-up cloth, water bottle, pack of gummies.
Do you have a We Love Gacha shoulder bag? If not, do you want one? Are you aready living that oshi-katsu and ita-bag life? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Useful Links
PR Times Article: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000007251.000002535.html
Takara Tomy Arts Post: https://x.com/tartsPR/status/1871854434822844552
