Beverage companies like Suntory, Coca-Cola Japan, and Ito En have released Ultraman-themed vending machine wraps during anniversaries or anime collaborations.
These machines are fully wrapped in high-quality vinyl featuring:
These machines are fully wrapped in high-quality vinyl featuring:
- Classic Ultraman (1966)
- Modern versions (Ultraman Zero, Ultraman Geed, etc.)
- Villains like Bemular or Alien Baltan (in playful, non-threatening designs)
- Often include QR codes linking to exclusive digital content, AR experiences, or prize campaigns.
Limited-Edition Drink Promotions
- When a new Ultraman series or movie launches (e.g., Ultraman: Rising on Netflix in 2024), vending machines may stock special-edition cans with Ultraman artwork.
- Example: In 2022, Suntory’s “Tennensui” mineral water released Ultraman 55th Anniversary cans—dispensed from machines wrapped in silver-and-red Ultraman motifs in Akihabara and Ikebukuro.
Regional & Event-Based Installations
- In Tsuburaya’s hometown areas (like Kodaira City, Tokyo, where the studio is based), city-sponsored vending machines sometimes feature local pride characters—including Ultraman.
- At events like AnimeJapan, Tamashii Nations, or Ultraman festivals in Hawaii (yes—Japan exports these too!), pop-up Ultraman vending machines offer themed drinks or collectible bottles.
Interactive & Digital Enhancements
- Some modern Ultraman-wrapped machines include:
- AR activation: Point your phone to make Ultraman “appear” and pose for photos.
- Sound effects: Press a button to hear the classic “Shuwatch!” cry.
- Loyalty rewards: Buy 3 drinks, unlock a digital Ultraman badge in a partner app.
📅 Notable Examples
- 2021 – Ultraman 55th Anniversary: Coca-Cola Japan deployed 55 Ultraman-themed vending machines nationwide, each featuring a different Ultra Hero. Machines were GPS-tracked via a fan app for a nationwide scavenger hunt.
- 2023 – Ultraman Day (July 10): In Shibuya, a giant Ultraman head sculpture was installed atop a vending kiosk selling Boss Coffee cans with retro Ultraman labels.
- 2024 – Tie-in with Ultraman: Rising: FamilyMart and Coca-Cola installed limited-run machines in urban centers featuring Kaiju Baby and Ultraman Ken, promoting the Netflix film with QR-linked mini-games.
Why This Works in Japan
- Vending machines = advertising canvases: With over 4 million units, they’re prime real estate for IP promotion.
- Ultraman is national heritage: Debuting in 1966, he’s as iconic as Godzilla or Doraemon—trusted by parents, loved by kids, and nostalgic for adults.
- Collectibility drives sales: Fans buy multiple drinks just to collect all can designs—boosting beverage sales.
Can You Find One Today?
While most Ultraman vending machines are temporary, you might still spot them in:
- Akihabara (Tokyo) – electronics/anime district
- Ikebukuro Sunshine City – home of the Ultraman Store
- Osaka’s Nipponbashi (Den-Den Town)
- Rural towns hosting Ultraman-themed tourism (e.g., Takamatsu, which partnered with Ultraman for local revitalization)
Yes—Ultraman-advertised vending machines are a real and recurring phenomenon in Japan, blending nostalgia, marketing, and convenience. They don’t shoot Specium Rays, but they do dispense coffee, tea, and a powerful dose of tokusatsu joy—one can at a time.