Manar Elbaz

DUBAI: The first collectable anime trading card vending machine opened in the United Arab Emirates last February, making it the first of its kind in the region. Inspired by Japan, the vending machine hopes to promote trading culture in the Middle East.

Located in Dubai’s Arabian Center in Al Mizhar, the vending machine is established by Nostalgia Vault, a UAE-based online business that specializes in selling trading card games (known as TCG). 

“This idea is Japanese inspired because (in Japan) they are mostly working with vending machines, especially for mystery cards or some TCG packs,” Moaza Al Sharif, founder of Nostalgia Vault, told Arab News Japan.

“I picked this location because I grew up in this neighborhood. I want to bring this culture to the local communities,” she added.

The vending machine offers a variety of anime trading cards such as ‘Pokemon’, ‘Naruto,’ ‘One Piece,’ ‘Dragon Ball Z,’ as well as football trading cards. The selection will rotate depending on availability and demand. 

“The reason why I picked these shows, like ‘Pokemon’, is because it’s our childhood. It’s technically where Nostalgia Vault comes from, so Pokemon is our main product, I would say. ‘One Piece’ (is added to the vending machine) because it’s the most watched anime,” Nostalgia Vault’s founder reflected on the products. 

One of the vending machine’s highlights is that it offers mystery cards, where buyers can pull either a signed card or a card worth thousands of dollars for the price of  approximately 10,222 yen.

“The main chase is a black label, which is the highest grade you can obtain,” she said. “Usually, the price of a black label or an autographed card can reach up to more than thousand dollars, depending on the card and the voice actor. We sell it here for minimum AED 250, which adds more to the mystery. There are different grades and different cards inside the mystery cards, and it will keep rotating.” 

Although the vending machine is newly established, Al Sharif told Arab News Japan that she is already considering expanding to other parts around the UAE. “We are still in discussion (in regards to other locations) but it will be announced within the next couple months.” 

Nostalgia Vault’s vending machine will make its Abu Dhabi debut at Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC) this April. “After Comic Con, we will announce our next locations,” she said, adding that she is looking forward to meeting people at MEFCC. 

Prices for the products start at 1,022 yen.