Bandai Namco Amusement Europe Ltd, part of the Japanese entertainment group, Bandai Namco, has opened one of its first stores in the UK at Ealing Broadway.

The new store includes its popular collectable items and characters within three shop-in-shop experiences, including Gashapon®, Ichibankuji, Sun-Star Stationery.

Gashapon® is Bandai's miniature capsule collectables and vending machines featuring many of its products. 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, meaning 'Number One Japanese Prize game', where you can randomly get rare toys, figurines and collectables. Purchase your ticket, peel to find out the letter, check to see what you've got and then get your prize.

Everyone can get the prize but shoppers must be 16+ to take part.

The 'Gashapon' machines let shoppers by their favourite japanese character toys (credit: Ealing Broadway).

Sun-Star Stationery creates cute (kawaii) and practical stationery and everyday items, including products featuring popular Japanese characters. Shoppers can enter the world of "Practi-Kawaii"

The opening at Ealing Broadway follows two successful London launches in Camden and Victoria station earlier this year.

Andrew Rollings, centre director at Ealing Broadway, said: "It's brilliant that Bandai Namco has chosen to open one of their first stores in the UK at the centre.

"We know just how much of a following their characters have and I'm sure the store's unique experience will prove popular with our shoppers – especially in the run up to Christmas. The items make great stocking filler presents!"

Bandai Namco Amusement Europe's store is located next to Decathlon and is open Monday-Saturday 9:30am-7pm and Sunday 11am-5pm.   

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