Anime gashapon is the lifeblood of the capsule toy industry. The combination of beloved characters, the randomization thrill of the pull, and the remarkable quality that Bandai and other manufacturers now achieve at a low price point has made anime gashapon one of the fastest-growing collectible categories globally. But with hundreds of series releasing every year, knowing where to put your money — and your shelf space — requires guidance.
This list ranks the 25 best anime gashapon series available or actively traded in 2025. Our ranking criteria: sculptural quality, character selection within the set, rarity system design, value for money, and long-term collector desirability. We've consulted collector communities on r/gashapon, Discord servers, and Japanese collector forums to ensure these rankings reflect real enthusiast opinion, not just mainstream popularity.
Each entry includes: Manufacturer, Capsule price (per pull in Japan), Set size, Rarity tier (1–5 stars), and Why collect it. Prices are JPY converted to USD at current rates.
S-Tier: The Holy Grails of 2025
1. Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba) HG Series Vol. 7
The seventh volume of Bandai's HG Demon Slayer line is a masterpiece of the format. This series focuses on the Swordsmith Village arc, featuring Tanjiro in the Hinokami Kagura form, Mitsuri Kanroji in full Hashira stance, and — as the secret rare — Yoriichi Tsugikuni with translucent flame effects. The paint work on these figures is exceptional even by HG standards, with the flame-breathing techniques represented through separately injected translucent plastic pieces. If you collect nothing else on this list, collect this.
2. Jujutsu Kaisen World Collectable Figure Vol. 4
JJK's WCF line has exploded in popularity since Season 2, and Vol. 4 captures the Shibuya Incident at its dramatic peak. Characters included: Yuji Itadori in awakened state, Megumi Fushiguro with Mahoraga summoned (a stunning dual-figure set), Nobara Kugisaki with Hairpin technique, Satoru Gojo unmasked, and — as the ultra-rare secret — Ryomen Sukuna in full 4-armed manifestation. The Gojo figure in this set is the most visually impressive version of the character ever produced in gashapon format. Secondary market value is climbing steadily.
3. One Piece DX Figure — The Grandline Voyage Vol. 3
The DX line's premium positioning is justified by the scale and detail of these figures (approximately 10cm tall, larger than standard WCF). Vol. 3 covers the Wano Country arc with Luffy in Gear 5 (the Nika form), Zoro in his Enma wielding pose, and Yamato in battle stance. The Gear 5 Luffy is the standout of the set — the cloud-like translucent effects around him required an entirely new manufacturing process. This figure alone justifies completing the set at any reasonable secondary market price.
4. Dragon Ball Super HG Vol. 14 — Tournament of Power
Dragon Ball gashapon has been in continuous production since the 1990s, and the quality ceiling keeps rising. Vol. 14 focuses on the Tournament of Power saga with Ultra Instinct Goku (the canonical white-hair form), Jiren at full power, Vegeta in Ultra Ego, and Android 17 in his tournament costume. The secret rare in this set is Ultra Instinct Goku with a clear silver aura effect that makes it visually spectacular. Dragon Ball figures maintain their value better than almost any other IP in gashapon — a safe collecting choice for any collector.
A-Tier: Essential Collecting
5. My Hero Academia HG Series Vol. 10
MHA's HG line focuses on capturing heroes mid-quirk activation, and Vol. 10 is the best of the series. Deku in Full Cowl 100% with the shock wave effects, Bakugo in AP Shot: Auto Cannon pose, and Shoto in Half-Cold Half-Hot — the visual contrast of his fire/ice split rendered beautifully in two separate plastic materials. As the final season continues to air, MHA figures are seeing renewed collector interest. The relatively affordable per-pull price makes this an excellent entry point.
6. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood HG Revival Vol. 2
FMA:B consistently ranks among the highest-rated anime of all time, and Bandai's Revival series is a direct response to the franchise's enduring popularity. Vol. 2 focuses on the Ishval Massacre arc — darker character designs, more intense poses, and notably more mature themes than the typical anime gashapon. Roy Mustang in full flame alchemy, Riza Hawkeye in combat, and the Homunculus Envy in monster form are among the standouts. The Envy figure specifically achieves something remarkable: the monster form's morphing nature is represented through layered translucent plastic pieces that suggest transformation.
7. Attack on Titan Final Season HG Vol. 3
The final season of Attack on Titan has a different, more military-realistic aesthetic than the early series, and Bandai's HG Vol. 3 captures it perfectly. This is the Rumbling arc set — Eren in Founding Titan form (a tiny, incredibly detailed rendition of the colossal skeletal Titan), Armin in commander uniform, and Reiner in Armored Titan with crystal effects. The Eren figure is technically impressive given the scale challenge of representing a 50-meter Titan at 6cm.
8. Naruto Shippuden HG — Akatsuki Vol. 1
Rather than mixing main cast and villain figures (the typical approach), the Akatsuki Vol. 1 set focuses entirely on the villainous organization — Pain in his six bodies (represented as 3 separate poseable figures sharing one capsule), Konan with paper butterflies, Itachi in Amaterasu pose, and Kisame with Samehada. This thematic focus creates an unusually coherent display set. Naruto merchandise maintains steady demand and these figures are well-priced relative to quality.
9. Pokémon Scale World — Galar Region
The Scale World series is one of Bandai's most ambitious gashapon concepts: Pokémon figures at accurate 1:20 scale relative to each other, so Snorlax towers appropriately over Pikachu when displayed together. The Galar region set includes the full evolutionary chains of the Galar starters and Legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta in crown form. The scale accuracy makes these figures remarkable display pieces — worth collecting even for non-Pokémon specialists purely for the visual impact of a correctly-scaled collection.
10. Chainsaw Man HG Series Vol. 2
Chainsaw Man's body horror aesthetic creates unusual gashapon design challenges — and the results are distinctive. Vol. 2 captures the Katana Man arc: Denji in Chainsaw Devil form (the chainsaws as translucent orange plastic attachments), Makima in sniper pose, Power in Blood Devil manifestation with red translucent effects, and Aki wielding the Future Devil's hand. The gore aesthetic is handled artistically, with the violence suggested rather than explicit. These figures stand out on any display shelf.
B-Tier: Strong Series Worth Collecting
11. Hunter x Hunter HG — Chimera Ant Arc
HxH merchandise has been relatively scarce during the ongoing hiatus of the manga, making any quality release notable. The Chimera Ant Arc set focuses on the most visually dramatic arc — Gon Freecss in the Jajanken charged form, Killua in Godspeed, and Meruem with Komugi in a paired figure. The Gon/Killua dynamic is captured well, and Meruem's figure achieves the character's terrifying elegance. Recommended for HxH fans and anyone building a comprehensive Yoshihiro Togashi collection.
12. Spy x Family HG Vol. 3
Spy x Family merchandise tends toward the adorable rather than the dramatic — and Vol. 3 leans fully into that strength. Anya in her various facial expression modes (the different expression figures come as the "set within a set"), Loid in both Loid and Twilight identities, Yor in assassin mode. The Anya expression figures are the highlight: the series includes 4 alternate Anya faces, each capturing one of her viral reaction faces from the manga. Gift-tier collectibles that appeal far beyond core anime fans.
13. Vinland Saga HG — Warriors of the North
Vinland Saga is not a mainstream anime in the way One Piece or Naruto is, but its gashapon series has developed a passionate collector following. The historical Viking aesthetic provides a unique visual palette in a sea of contemporary anime merchandise — earth tones, rough textures, and grim facial expressions. Thorfinn, Askeladd, and Thorkell are the central figures, all sculpted with exceptional attention to their weathered, battle-worn designs. A standout series for collectors seeking variety from the typical anime gashapon aesthetic.
14. Tokyo Revengers HG Vol. 2
The delinquent gang aesthetic of Tokyo Revengers produces gashapon with a streetwear-influenced design vocabulary — pompadours, uniform jackets, gang emblems. Vol. 2 features the Valhalla arc characters: Draken, Mikey in commander pose, Kisaki in his signature glasses, and Baji in the mid-confrontation moment from the arc's climax. These figures display well together in a confrontational tableau. Recommended particularly for fans of the series who want a complete arc captured.
15. Bleach TYBW HG — Stern Ritter Vol. 1
Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War revived Bleach merchandise after years of relative quiet, and the Stern Ritter set demonstrates why. The Quincy villain designs are among the most distinctive in recent anime — white uniforms, letters, and a militaristic aesthetic that translates unusually well to gashapon scale. Yhwach in full emperor mode, Jugram Haschwalth, Bambietta Basterbine, and Äs Nödt in his horror form are the standouts. The set benefits from having a coherent villain roster that makes sense as a display group.
16. Mob Psycho 100 HG — Claw Arc
ONE's deliberately crude art style creates unusual sculpting challenges — the figures must capture the intentionally simple character designs without losing what makes them expressive. Bandai navigates this well in the Claw Arc set. Mob at 100% Rage (the most visually dramatic moment in the series) is the key figure, with psychic energy effects in dark purple translucent plastic. Reigen Arataka is also included because, let's be honest, any Mob Psycho set is incomplete without him.
17. Re:Zero HG — Sanctuary Arc Vol. 1
Re:Zero merchandise is dominated by the Rem vs. Ram debate (always Rem), and Bandai's Sanctuary Arc set smartly includes both — but gives Rem the more dynamic pose. Emilia in the Sanctuary trial costume, Garfiel in demi-human form, and Beatrice with her grimoire are the supporting figures. The figure quality is excellent for the price point, and the Rem figure in this set is widely considered the best gashapon rendition of the character.
C-Tier: Recommended for Franchise Fans
18. Sword Art Online HG — Alicization Vol. 2
SAO merchandise is divisive among collectors — the franchise has many dedicated fans but a reputation for inconsistent quality in earlier years. The Alicization Vol. 2 set represents a genuine improvement in figure quality for the line. Kirito as the Dark Knight, Alice in the Integrity Knight armor, and Eugeo at the Administrator battle are the standouts. Recommended for SAO fans specifically; general collectors may find better value elsewhere on this list.
19. Black Clover HG — Elf Reincarnation Arc
Black Clover occupies a solid middle ground in the shonen gashapon landscape — not as high profile as the Big Three, but with consistent merchandise quality and a loyal collector base. The Elf Reincarnation Arc set is the most visually dramatic in the Black Clover gashapon catalogue, with Asta wielding all three swords, Yuno in Star Magic form, and the Witch Queen in full magic array pose. Good value for money at the ¥300 price point.
20. Overlord HG Vol. 3 — Ainz Ultimate Form
Ainz Ooal Gown in full lich regalia is one of the most visually striking character designs in recent anime, and Vol. 3 gives him the centerpiece treatment. The Ainz figure in this set features a separately injected dark aura effect piece — the floating bone-hand effect from the show rendered in translucent black plastic. Albedo in battle armor, Shalltear in true vampire form, and Cocytus round out the set. Overlord fans will want this; casual collectors might pass.
21. Trigun Stampede HG — Vol. 1
The 2023 CG remake of Trigun prompted Bandai to revisit the franchise in gashapon format for the first time in over a decade. The Stampede redesigns of Vash, Wolfwood, and the Nebraska siblings translate well to 3D sculpture. This is a niche series for Western audiences where Trigun Stampede developed a strong following. Recommended for fans of the remake or the original 1998 series.
22. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End HG Vol. 1
Frieren became a phenomenon in 2024, winning multiple anime of the year awards and attracting a collector audience that skews older and more discerning than typical shonen fans. The HG Vol. 1 set reflects this with unusually refined, emotionally resonant figure poses — Frieren herself in the melancholy contemplative pose from the opening arc, Himmel the Hero as he's remembered, and Fern in battle mage stance. The emotional quality of these figures is distinct from more action-focused series. High recommendation for sophisticated collectors.
23. Oshi no Ko HG — Vol. 1 (Debut)
Oshi no Ko's idol industry setting creates a visually glamorous gashapon aesthetic — stage costumes, performance poses, dramatic lighting effects. Ai Hoshino in her final concert costume (with stage-light effect base), Aqua and Ruby in idol group formation, and Kana Arima in her breakout performance costume. The Ai figure is the standout and already trading above retail on the secondary market. An increasingly desirable series as the manga continues toward its conclusion.
24. Danmachi HG — Freya Familia Arc
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? has a dedicated following that makes Danmachi gashapon a consistent seller despite lower mainstream recognition than the other series on this list. The Freya Familia arc set includes Bell Cranel in his Level 6 powered form, Ais Wallenstein in full combat armor, and Freya herself in her divine regalia. Recommended for Danmachi fans and collectors who want something slightly outside the mainstream.
25. Mushishi HG Retrospective — Vol. 1
The wild card on this list — and perhaps the most important choice we made in compiling it. Mushishi is a critically revered but niche series, and a gashapon release for it is genuinely surprising. These figures capture Ginko the Mushishi traveling his atmospheric, foggy world, with translucent mushi creatures as accessories. Only 4 figures in the set, but each one is a meditation on the series' aesthetic rather than an action pose. For collectors who want gashapon that tells a story rather than showcases a power level, this set is extraordinary. A potential future grail given the series' cult status and the limited production run.
How to Choose: Building a Focused Anime Gashapon Collection
With 25 series on this list and hundreds more in production, the challenge isn't finding quality gashapon — it's making focused choices. A few principles that veteran collectors consistently recommend:
Anchor to franchises, not individual figures
Collecting all figures from one franchise (e.g., all Demon Slayer HG volumes) creates a more meaningful display and a clearer identity for your collection than collecting the "best figure of each series." Depth over breadth.
Prioritize current-production series for value
Figures from currently-airing or recently-concluded anime have the most active production support, the easiest sourcing, and the best price-to-quality ratio. Older figures from discontinued series cost more on the secondary market without necessarily being better figures.
Set a per-series budget
Before starting any new series, decide how much you're willing to spend to complete it. Factor in the typical number of pulls needed to complete a set (usually 3–4× the set size to avoid major duplicates). If the math doesn't work for your budget, buy individual figures secondhand instead.
Need to start from basics? Our complete beginner's guide to gashapon covers everything from machine mechanics to rarity systems. Want to know what's worth big money on the secondary market? See the 15 most valuable gashapon figures. And before buying anything online, read our fake gashapon authentication guide.