{
  "id": 13876343,
  "title": "Japan’s newest anime figure crane game prize may also be the world’s weirdest hanger [Photos]",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/japans-newest-anime-figure-crane-game-prize-may-also-be-the-worlds",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-12T05:00:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SoraNews24",
    "slug": "soranews24",
    "url": "https://soranews24.com/2026/10/12/japans-newest-anime-figure-crane-game-prize-may-also-be-the-worlds-weirdest-hanger-photos/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Japan’s latest anime figure crane game prize may also be considered the world’s most peculiar hanger. The figure, of Yujiro Hanma from the martial arts series Baki the Grappler, is unique in that it has no base, meaning it cannot be placed on a shelf. Instead, it serves a practical purpose as a clothes hanger. This is due to the character’s extraordinary flexibility – Yujiro can perform the splits with seemingly no physical limitations. The figure, manufactured by Bandai Spirits, is currently available in Japanese arcade crane games since October 6.",
  "summary": "There are two reasons this figure is posed that way. Prizes for UFO catchers/crane games in Japan tend to fall into one of two categories. In one you have stuff that you don’t really need, but which is awesome to have, like a giant Dragon Quest Shadow Slime plushie. Then you have the other group, […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Yujiro Hanma figure lacks base, functions as clothes hanger.",
    "Figure's flexibility allows Yujiro to perform splits easily.",
    "Bandai Spirits manufactures figure, available in Japanese arcades since Oct 6."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Repurposing collectible figures into functional household items marks a shift toward niche merchandise that prioritizes utility over traditional displayability for dedicated anime fans.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}