A string of new arcade and Gashapon collectable stores are opening across the UK

Bandai Namco Amusement Europe has launched additional Gashapon stores in the UK, with Brighton, Ealing and Sheffield opening in December 2023, joining newly opened London stores.

Following the launch of the first ever Bandai Namco Cross Store outside of Japan, more stores will open in the UK featuring arcade experiences, collectable Gashapon, Ichibankuji, Sun-Star Stationery and more.

London’s Camden Bandai Namco Cross Store opened in the summer, followed by Victoria Place brand store in November 2023, and now the following stores will open in December with Ealing opening on December 7th, Brighton’s North Street on December 12th featuring arcade games and Gashapon, and Meadowhall Sheffield on December 15th featuring Gashapon and Sun-Star Stationery. 

The company said in a press release there are also more launches planned in 2024, including larger stores, tours and other brand appearances.

As Japanese pop-culture such as anime, manga, and video games, contribute to the global appeal of Japanese collectables, Bandai Namco said ‘there is a huge growth of Japanese entertainment in the UK market’.

“Once again, the Bandai Namco Group is expanding their physical experiences outside of Japan allowing our well-known brands to embrace UK communities, celebrating more fun and collections which continue to build passionate fans”, said John McKenzie, MD of Bandai Namco Amusement Europe.

“It is great to offer our customers this new and unique offer at London Victoria Station,” added Hamish Kiernan, Commercial Director at Network Rail.

“The opening of Bandai Namco will undoubtedly create excitement and attract new shoppers to Victoria Place. We look forward to supporting its success and are thrilled to be part of their UK expansion.” 

Gashapon is Bandai’s miniature capsule collectables and vending machines. The name is a combination of the “clunk (gasha)” sound made when the handle is turned, and how the capsule “pops (pon)” out of the machine.

Ichibankuji is the Japanese experience where every player is a winner. Meaning “Number One Lottery” in Japanese, the Kuji combines anime collectibles with a lucky-dip style draw, with prizes ranging from statues, character plush and more. Customers peel and reveal their ticket to claim a prize, with every draw being a guaranteed win.

And Sun-Star Stationery is a Japanese company part of the Bandai Namco Group. They create ‘cute (kawaii) and practical stationery and everyday items, including products featuring popular Japanese characters’. Customers can enter the world of Practi-Kawaii at the Sun-Star Stationery Shop.

Earlier this year, Bandai Namco’s £5,000 official Tekken 7 Major at EGX was interrupted by Just Stop Oil protestors.

Dom Sacco

Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.

As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.