"Foreigner's High Praise! Murray from Canada's Pachinko and Pachislot Experience."

長北真 Pachinko the WORLD！海外と外国人とジャパニーズパチンコ事情

I've been finding it increasingly tedious to come up with introductory sentences. Hello, this is Makoto.

Today, I thought we'd change things up a bit and introduce "Actual feedback from foreigners who have played pachinko and pachislot." This is not because I've run out of time to write due to various reasons or because the deadline has suddenly approached. Really isn`t.

Until now, we've been discussing how Japanese people perceive foreigners' reactions, but I thought perhaps it's also necessary to hear what the foreigners themselves think. So, I've handed the pen over to Murray, a regular in our Discord server who lives in Canada.

Since the original text exists, translation should be easy! To give you a bit of background on him, he discovered our Discord through someone and asked, "Can someone explain how pachislot works?" He's a rather unique person, I suppose? Quite rare? I don't think there are many people who would go to the trouble of using Google Translate to search for information on pachinko and pachislot in Japanese (although, for some reason, we have several such individuals in our Discord server).

We asked Murray to share his thoughts on playing pachinko and pachislot. Now, let's take a look at his genuine feedback.

★Hello My Name is Murray!

Greetings! I'm Murray! Growing up in the snowy heart of Canada, Japanese pop culture always seemed like a tale from a distant land to me.

It was purely by chance that I stumbled into the world of pachinko and pachislot through YouTube, as if by fate's prank. The first model I saw on YouTube was an "Evangelion" machine. I can't recall the specific model now, but the brilliance and excitement I saw then have stayed with me to this day.

As time passed, my interest gradually increased, and I continued to seek out that experience by searching for more videos on YouTube, desperately translating Japanese documents, and finally, last year, I got my hands on my first pachinko experience. Thank you, "777Real"!

※777Real: An online pachinko/pachislot simulator operated by Sammy Networks.

Why am I so captivated by pachinko? It boils down to the saying, "The journey is as important as the destination." The thrill of the build-up to a reach or chance sequence, especially in pachinko, where successive sequences lead to a jackpot, feels like being transported to another world, immersing me as if I were actually participating in an anime.

The chance zone in the "Evangelion" machine, where you take down the Apostles one by one, was particularly memorable for me, offering a sense of tension and accomplishment that never gets old.

And then, there are the many machines themed after anime and movies. Moments like when the orb in "Gundam Unicorn" changes colors showcase the unique mechanisms sprinkled throughout. In the world of pachinko, the game feels exciting even before it starts. Pachinko and pachislot games offer a level of immersion and depth not found in typical casino slots or roulette, thanks to their visuals and sound. I've never encountered such unique entertainment in any other country!

Pachinko games are a part of Japanese culture, deeply rooted in its history.

My journey into pachinko and pachislot began with "Evangelion" and "Fist of the North Star 9" (both released in 2021). However, my first "strategic victory" came with the anime-based pachislot "The Rising of the Shield Hero," released in 2023. Pachislot requires more skill than pachinko, but "The Rising of the Shield Hero" has an easily understandable mechanism and clear game flow, making it particularly beginner-friendly.

During normal play, you level up characters to defeat bosses in chance zones, and during a jackpot, pulling a replay continues the game. The simplicity of its gameplay is immediately apparent.

▲If we're talking about Evangelion from 2021, it's probably the popular Eva 15 in Japan.

▲The Rising of the Shield Hero often comes up in our Discord discussions.

During normal play, you level up characters to defeat bosses in chance zones, and during a jackpot, pulling a replay continues the game. The simplicity of its gameplay is immediately apparent.

Each stage not only builds anticipation for victory but also gives significance to seemingly trivial roles in certain scenes, like "I need a cherry now!" or "Please, replay, save the world..." This narrative quality in the experience is thrilling.

Strategically aiming for replays, thinking, "If I draw a replay now, I can win!" was a novel experience. And the sound. The sound in The Rising of the Shield Hero has the power to transform a mere game into an epic adventure. The pleasant jingle of leveling up, the deep voice announcing the start of Wave War, these sounds always excite me.

Interestingly, I've never actually watched the anime "The Rising of the Shield Hero." So, I have no special attachment to the characters or theme, but the machine is made so well that you wouldn't notice. I would recommend it to beginners and anyone looking for a smooth experience.

★As it stands, "777Real" is the gateway for foreigners.

▲Online Pachinko/Pachislot Simulator

These past few articles might seem like a promotional piece for Sammy, but rest assured, I haven't received any money. I'm earnestly waiting for Sammy777 Town's global expansion (though I imagine it's incredibly difficult with copyright and gambling regulations involved).

For now, "777Real" remains the only way for foreigners to play pachinko and pachislot online (777 Town requires a Japanese mobile phone number for user registration and doesn't accept foreign credit cards).

So, what did you think? Having played pachinko and pachislot to the point where it feels natural, not merely a matter of liking or disliking it, I found Murray's opinions quite stimulating. It might be a good time for you all to reconsider what makes pachinko and pachislot fascinating.

I'd be delighted if you could leave a comment or two. Remembering the sound of the reels, the slip, the brief darkness after a reach, etc. — just like savoring the rice after tasting high-quality sushi can enhance the experience, recalling the basics, or pompously articulating "this moment, that moment is what's great" while playing might be a good opportunity.

I'm grateful to Murray for reminding me to appreciate the developers' efforts and history behind each game.

We are seeking participants to experience pachinko through our pachinko tours!

Click here for pachinko tour information for foreigners

We have organized a special tour to introduce pachinko, a traditional Japanese form of entertainment, to our foreign friends. On this tour, you will be accompanied by an instructor who is fluent in English and well-versed in pachinko, providing detailed guidance from the basics to advanced techniques. Pachinko, known for its bright lights and unique sounds, has been a beloved game in Japan for over 80 years. Although the tour is just two hours, it offers a wealth of knowledge about pachinko's history and how to play!