Miniature Blue Bug-Eyed Character Figure in Striped Shirt

A chunky, palm-sized mini figure of a quirky blue character with a big round, glossy head, cross little eyebrows, large yellow goggle-like eyes and a grey muzzle with two buck teeth. It wears a cream-and-black striped shirt over little blue hands and feet, and two small grey wing or tail flaps sit on its back. Tiny ear nubs poke out on each side. It's a fun, slightly grumpy little desk companion or a great add to a mini-figure shelf. A small mould mark is on the back of the head. It's in good condition with clean paint.

Collectible mini figures have a big following around the world. In Japan, capsule-toy machines, known as gacha or gashapon, first appeared in 1965. They were imported from the US by the Penny company and set up outside toy shops and sweet shops, where kids traded tiny erasers and figures for 10 or 20 yen. Today Japan's capsule-toy scene is a phenomenon, with whole stores full of machines.