The machines are everywhere. It’s hard not to notice them since they are found in subway stations, convenience stores, and just about every other place you may visit as you move around in the hustle of Tokyo. Some stores are dedicated solely to them, offering stacks of coin-operated, hand-cranked apparatuses for customers to try their luck and see if they get the toy they seek.
The most bizarre collections I’ve seen include the “Bird Dog” series, little figurines with the head of a dog and tail of a bird, and one that dispensed tiny underwear for your smartphone (my friend’s phone did look pretty seductive in its new red panties). With these toy vending machines so ubiquitous, perhaps it’s no surprise they inspired a Zelda item.
In both Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, Link can collect Gasha Seeds. He can then plant these blue, tear drop-shaped seeds in soft soil spots found throughout Labrynna and Holodrum. After defeating forty enemies (or twenty if wearing the Gasha Ring), the seed will fully mature into a tree and bear a large nut that resembles an oversized acorn. I knew plants needed water and sunlight, but I’ve never heard of them needing the blood of fallen adversaries.
When Link removes and opens the Gasha Nut, he will receive a random item and the tree will shrivel back into the ground, leaving only a patch of soil for another seed. The items inside the Gasha Nut can include Magic Rings, Rupees, Fairies, Hearts, Potions, or, if you’re really lucky, a one-time-only Piece of Heart. The chances of receiving a rare item are higher from Gasha Seeds planted in soil patches that are hidden or hard to get to.
The Gasha Nut works very similarly to coin-operated toy vending machines. Insert coin/seed, receive random prize. The connection appears intentional. In Japan, these very popular toy vending machines are known as “gashapon” (ガシャポン) or “gachapon” (ガチャポン). The name is onomatopoeic, mimicking the sounds of a hand turning the crank (gasha or gacha) and a container landing in the collection tray (pon). Gasha Seeds and Nuts appears to have received its namesake from these pervasive gadgets.
Items found in these capsule dispensers run the gamut: If you can think it, there is probably a gashapon for it. Yes, that even includes Zelda gashapon. While toy vending machines can be found all over the world, gashapon tends to be of higher price and higher quality. I landed a decent Frozen 2 DIY snow globe for my kid from a gashapon, but it set me back about five U.S. dollars.
Interestingly, gashapon isn’t the only popular diversion machine Zelda developers have looked to for item inspiration. Ocarina of Time‘s creators considered a creative use for pachinko balls.
It’s unknown if Gasha Seeds and Nuts will return in future Zelda titles, but I’m sure my Shiekah Slate would look fresh in a new pair of undies if they do.
