Japan’s Gachapon machines now offer detailed miniature rack server collectibles
Each 1/12 scale server model replicates real brands like Cisco, Dell and A10
They feature tiny cables, ports, fans, and stackable racks, but they’re only toys
If you live in the United States or the UK, you’re probably familiar with vending machines in grocery stores and shopping malls that dispense tiny toys or collectibles in plastic capsules. You insert your money, turn the handle, and out pops a prize, typically something like bouncy balls, fidget toys, collectible characters, and so on.
Japan offers something similar, but with genuinely desirable products that are of far better quality. Gachapon machines are a part of everyday life there and can be found everywhere, including train stations, shopping centers, arcades, and even on the sidewalk. The name Gachapon comes from two Japanese sounds: “gacha,” the cranking of the machine’s handle, and “pon,” the sound the capsule makes when it drops.
