Let’s waddle back to the mid-2000s, when Bandai delighted collectors in Japan with a truly unique concept: exclusive mini PEZ dispensers distributed through Gashapon capsule machines. These small plastic eggs, filled with various mini PEZ dispensers dispensed from vending machines, quickly became a sensation among collectors, and for good reason. At the time, the Bandai series absolutely blew us away and pushed our collector passion to the next level. Among the many fantastic releases, two standout series featured mini PEZ dispensers based on the beloved character Pingu.
The History of Pingu PEZ in Japan
The first of these mini PEZ series appeared in 2006, followed by a second in 2007. The lineup included fan-favorite characters such as Pingu himself, his sister Pinga, Robby the seal, as well as expressive variants like “trumpet-mouth” Pingu (famous for his “Noot Noot”) and even a teary-eyed, crying version.
For those less familiar: Pingu is a classic claymation character created in Switzerland.The cheerful little penguin lives in the Antarctic with his family and friends, communicating in a charming, made-up language often highlighted by his iconic “Noot Noot!” sound.
The series gained worldwide popularity and remains a nostalgic favorite for many collectors today. Now, almost exactly twenty years later, excitement is building once again!
Today, PINGU officially announced a new collaboration with PEZ across their social media channels, releasing teaser images that are already fueling intense speculation among collectors. These previews showcase regular PEZ dispensers with designs remarkably similar to the original Japanese minis, alongside an intriguing new Pingu igloo dispenser.
While we are keeping a close eye on these developments to provide more details as they emerge, it seems likely that if these become a reality, they may be released exclusively in Japan. However, there is still plenty of reason for optimism; thanks to a strong network of fellow collectors in Japan, there is a great chance these pieces will eventually find their way into collections worldwide. One thing is certain: this is shaping up to be an incredibly exciting release!
Happy Collecting!
March 20, 2026
