User Vote Launched to Determine Lineup for 5th 'Tenohira Network Equipment' Capsule Toy Series
AP Communications and Tarlin International are launching a user-driven voting project to select the products for the 5th installment of their popular 'Tenohira Network Equipment' miniature series. This first-ever voting format aims to directly reflect fan requests and strengthen ties between IT infrastructure manufacturers and enthusiasts.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 24, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 24, 2026 at 11:44 (1h 12m after Collected)
AP Communications Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Takeshi Uchida) and Tarlin International Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Sumida-ku, Tokyo; President: Naoshi Sato) will conduct a user voting project to decide the product lineup for the 5th series of their collaborative capsule toy collection, 'Tenohira (Palm-sized) Network Equipment'.
This series is planned and comprehensively supervised by AP Communications, with manufacturing and sales handled by Tarlin International.
Along with the launch of the voting project, applications for equipment entry will open for IT infrastructure manufacturers on the special website starting April 24, 2026.
Special page for 'Tenohira Network Equipment' 5th Series User Election:
https://www.ap-com.co.jp/tenohira5-vote/
■ Background and Objectives
The 'Tenohira Network Equipment' series was developed to spread the appeal of the equipment that supports IT infrastructure, and has shipped a cumulative total of 550,000 units. It has been well-received by everyone from infrastructure engineers to miniature fans.
In past series, many requests were received on social media for specific equipment to be made into toys. Consequently, the 5th series will adopt its first user-voting format to directly reflect fan desires, connecting users and manufacturers to create an engaging project for the IT industry and capsule toy fans alike.
■ Overview of the 5th Series User Vote
The top four equipment models based on user votes will be selected as candidates for production. The voting form will include entered equipment as well as a 'free description field' where voters can freely write in equipment names.
Voting Period: June 10, 2026 (Wed) – July 17, 2026 (Fri)
Voting Method: Via the voting form on the special page (Up to 4 votes per person)
■ For Manufacturers: Equipment Entry
We are widely recruiting manufacturers who can enter their equipment. Manufacturers who participated in previous series are also welcome. A single company can enter multiple products.
Target Equipment: 19-inch rack-mount compatible equipment, related options, etc.
Entry Deadline: April 24, 2026 (Fri) – May 31, 2026 (Sun)
Request for manufacturer entry materials: https://form.run/@tenohira5-vote-entry
*Note on Results: Results will be announced only for the models decided for production as the '5th Series Lineup'. Rankings and vote counts for products not selected will not be disclosed.
*Note on Consent: Entry only requires permission for 'participation in this user voting project' and 'use of images on the voting site'. Formal commercialization contracts for capsule toy production will be discussed separately after selection. Withdrawal after selection is possible.
*Note on Entry: Products that volunteer in advance via this form will be listed as options with product images and PR comments on the voting form.
■ Future Schedule (Planned)
April 24: Entry period for manufacturers begins
May 31: Entry period for manufacturers ends
June 10 – July 17: User voting period
Around September: Disclosure of 5th series lineup
June 2027: Release of the 5th series
■ About 'Tenohira Network Equipment' Series
Supervised by IT infrastructure equipment manufacturers, this series reproduces equipment, server racks, and accessories in miniature form. Following the 1st series in 2023, 2nd in 2024, and 3rd in 2025, the series has shipped 550,000 units. The 4th series is scheduled for release in June 2026.
Key Features:
- Miniature network equipment can be connected via LAN cables
- Assembly-type server racks include cooling fans, cable holders, PDUs (power strips), etc.
- Compatible with existing 'Tenohira Network Equipment' series
The series can also connect with previously released 'Tenohira PC & Supplies' and 'Tenohira Wi-Fi Routers'. Furthermore, equipment can be mounted in the 'Nitto Kogyo Server Rack FS Series' released in October 2024 as a dedicated server rack for the series.
This series is planned and comprehensively supervised by AP Communications, with manufacturing and sales handled by Tarlin International.
Along with the launch of the voting project, applications for equipment entry will open for IT infrastructure manufacturers on the special website starting April 24, 2026.
Special page for 'Tenohira Network Equipment' 5th Series User Election:
https://www.ap-com.co.jp/tenohira5-vote/
■ Background and Objectives
The 'Tenohira Network Equipment' series was developed to spread the appeal of the equipment that supports IT infrastructure, and has shipped a cumulative total of 550,000 units. It has been well-received by everyone from infrastructure engineers to miniature fans.
In past series, many requests were received on social media for specific equipment to be made into toys. Consequently, the 5th series will adopt its first user-voting format to directly reflect fan desires, connecting users and manufacturers to create an engaging project for the IT industry and capsule toy fans alike.
■ Overview of the 5th Series User Vote
The top four equipment models based on user votes will be selected as candidates for production. The voting form will include entered equipment as well as a 'free description field' where voters can freely write in equipment names.
Voting Period: June 10, 2026 (Wed) – July 17, 2026 (Fri)
Voting Method: Via the voting form on the special page (Up to 4 votes per person)
■ For Manufacturers: Equipment Entry
We are widely recruiting manufacturers who can enter their equipment. Manufacturers who participated in previous series are also welcome. A single company can enter multiple products.
Target Equipment: 19-inch rack-mount compatible equipment, related options, etc.
Entry Deadline: April 24, 2026 (Fri) – May 31, 2026 (Sun)
Request for manufacturer entry materials: https://form.run/@tenohira5-vote-entry
*Note on Results: Results will be announced only for the models decided for production as the '5th Series Lineup'. Rankings and vote counts for products not selected will not be disclosed.
*Note on Consent: Entry only requires permission for 'participation in this user voting project' and 'use of images on the voting site'. Formal commercialization contracts for capsule toy production will be discussed separately after selection. Withdrawal after selection is possible.
*Note on Entry: Products that volunteer in advance via this form will be listed as options with product images and PR comments on the voting form.
■ Future Schedule (Planned)
April 24: Entry period for manufacturers begins
May 31: Entry period for manufacturers ends
June 10 – July 17: User voting period
Around September: Disclosure of 5th series lineup
June 2027: Release of the 5th series
■ About 'Tenohira Network Equipment' Series
Supervised by IT infrastructure equipment manufacturers, this series reproduces equipment, server racks, and accessories in miniature form. Following the 1st series in 2023, 2nd in 2024, and 3rd in 2025, the series has shipped 550,000 units. The 4th series is scheduled for release in June 2026.
Key Features:
- Miniature network equipment can be connected via LAN cables
- Assembly-type server racks include cooling fans, cable holders, PDUs (power strips), etc.
- Compatible with existing 'Tenohira Network Equipment' series
The series can also connect with previously released 'Tenohira PC & Supplies' and 'Tenohira Wi-Fi Routers'. Furthermore, equipment can be mounted in the 'Nitto Kogyo Server Rack FS Series' released in October 2024 as a dedicated server rack for the series.