When tourists visit Japan, the first things that they notice may be the futuristic-looking vending machines1 located outside supermarkets, department stores, and convenience stores. There are more than 400,000 of these machines that drop plastic capsules2 containing high-quality, yet affordable, collectable toys called gachapons. Typically, the gachapon capsules contain small anime3 or manga figurines4.
The word gachapon comes from the gacha sound made when the customer turns the handle and the pon sound made when the capsule drops out of the machine. The Japanese fondly call the gachapon machines, capsules, and toys gacha-gacha.
Children, teenagers, and many adults love gacha-gacha. One reason why it is so popular is that the contents of the capsule remain unknown until the customer inserts the coins, turns the handle, and opens the capsule.
Each five to 7.5 centimeter capsule costs from NT$30 to NT$180. Recently, one of the gachapon companies added the GashaPon Can. It is larger than the typical gachapon capsule and is the same size and shape as a soda can. This allows for bigger and better-quality toys. Gachapon has gone global and is now available in Taiwan. Have you gotcha gacha-gacha?
futuristic a. 未來的
Gary's latest novel is a fantastic story set in a futuristic background.
蓋瑞的最新小說是一個以未來時空為背景的奇幻故事。
contain vt. 裝盛；含有
Chocolate contains a special substance that makes people feel happy.
巧克力含有一種能使人愉悅的特殊物質。
＊ substance n. 物質
affordable a. 負擔得起的，買得起的
Sarah's plan is not only creative but also very affordable.
莎拉的計畫不但很有創意，而且在花費上也十分可行。
typically adv. 通常；典型地
typical a. 典型的
Male birds are typically more colorful than females.
公鳥的顏色通常比母鳥更鮮艷。
fondly adv. 深情地；柔情地
James smiled fondly at his wife and children.
詹姆士深情地對著他的妻子及小孩微笑。
content n. 所容納之物，內容
This biography has 250 pages of content, plus 10 pages of pictures.
這本傳記有兩百五十頁的內容，加上十頁的圖片。
insert vt. 放進，插入
Fill the vase with water before inserting the flowers.
把花插進花瓶前要先裝水進去。
global a. 全球的，世界的
The government managed to survive the global economic crisis.
該政府設法撐過了全球經濟危機。
vending machine n. 自動販賣機
capsule n. 小塑料容器；膠囊；太空艙
anime n. 日本卡通動畫
figurine n. 小塑像，小雕像
字首 un- 的相關用法
本文 "One reason why it is so popular is that the contents of the capsule remain unknown..." 中的 "unknown" 表『未知的』，為形容詞，而其開頭的 un- 為常見字首，也會以其他詞性出現，表『否定、缺乏、相反』，常見單字有動詞 unlock（開……的鎖）及副詞 unfortunately（不幸地）等。例：
The identity of the suspect is still unknown.
（嫌犯的身分依然未知）
By turning the key clockwise, you will unlock the door.
（順時針轉動鑰匙的話，你將可以打開門鎖。） Unfortunately, the earthquake in Japan killed five people.
（不幸的是，日本的地震奪走了五條人命。）
