Japanese kuji are much more than just a game of chance: they are real treasures for fans of anime, manga and Japanese pop culture. From Tokyo to Kyoto, kuji attract passionate collectors looking for rare figurines, exclusive objects and unique memories. But did you know that there are several types of kuji, each with its particularities, its flagship brands and its access modes? This article guides you through the main Japanese lottery to help you better understand where, how and why to try your luck.
What is a Kuji?
The word “kuji” refers to a lottery or a draw. In Japan, these lotteries often take the form of scratch or open tickets, sold in physical stores or on the Internet. Each ticket entitles a guaranteed lot, randomly drawn from a predefined selection. Prices are classified according to letters (e.g. A to G), the A prize being generally the most prestigious (figure, collector object), and the others corresponding to smaller lots (keyrings, posters, towels…).
Unlike a classic raffle, there are no losers: each ticket gives a lot. This is what makes kuji popular with fans.
Ichiban Kuji by Bandai Spirits / Banpresto
It is the best known and most popular lottery. Regularly organized byBandai Spirits(formerly Banpresto),Ichiban Kujiis centered on successful franchises likeOne Piece,Dragon Ball,Demon Slayer,My Hero Academia,EvangelionorSailor Moon.
Tickets usually cost between 600 and 1000 yen. They are sold in the konbini (Lawson, 7-Eleven…), bookstores, anime shops or specialized stores. The particularity of Ichiban Kuji lies in the high quality of the lots, including the very detailed figurines of category A or limited editions.
Some editions also propose“Last One Prize”, a special price obtained only if you buy the last ticket of the available lot. It can be an alternative version of a figurine or a new article.
Ichiban Kuji Online
For those who do not have the chance to be in Japan, Bandai launchedIchiban Kuji Online, a platform for playing lottery remotely. The operation remains the same: you buy a virtual ticket, discover your price immediately, and then receive the prize at home.
This service is particularly popular when releasing popular series, and allows access to limited editions or special collaborations. However, international shipping costs may add up, which is why some may pass through intermediaries such asZenMarket, which facilitate orders from abroad.
Ichiban Brand
Less known than the classic version,Ichiban Brandis a version of Bandai highlighting products of more mature or refined style. These kuji often include decorative items, lifestyle products inspired by cult series or even fashion accessories.
Prices are generally a little higher than the standard Ichiban Kuji, but the targeted items affect a wider audience, including adult fans.
Atari Kuji by Sanrio
In a more kawaii register,Atari Kujiis a lottery organized bySanrio, the famous company at the origin ofHello Kitty,My Melody,CinnamorollorKuromi. These kuji are often sold in official Sanrio shops and target a young and feminine audience.
The lots are in the image of the Sanrio universe: pastel plushs, cute accessories, stationery, cups or kits. They are often offered on special occasions such as anniversaries of characters, seasonal holidays or limited collaborations.
Minna no Kuji by FuRyu
Minna no Kujiproposed by the companyFuRyu, offers a system similar to that of Ichiban Kuji but with its own licenses and designs. There are franchises such asRe:Zero,That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime,Touken RanbuorYuru Camp.
Tickets are sold in bookstores, Animate or GEO stores. The price design has a strong identity: pastel colours, stylized visuals and practical objects to collect. FuRyu targets an anime amateur audience as well as collectors looking for unique objects.
Animate Kuji (
Kujimateis a series of lotteries organized directly byAnimated, one of the largest chains of stores specializing in products derived from anime. This type of kuji offers exclusive prices only available at Aniate.
The themes vary according to season or promotional campaigns, but there are often series likeHypnosis Mic,IDOLiSH7,Tokyo RevengersorStars Ensemble. The price design is often new, with an emphasis on illustration and rarity.
Animate also offers online kuji, accessible via Animate Online Shop, with international delivery via resale platforms or proxy shopping.
Online & Video Kujis
In recent years, thevideo kuji() popularized on YouTube and TikTok. It is a kuji shot live, often by specialized shops or content creators. You buy a ticket on their site, and the print is done in video in front of the camera. The results are then sent to your home.
This system brings an interactive and community side to the drawing. These videos are often commented live, with engaging animation. Some vendors even offer bonuses or personalized choices for participants.
It is also a good way to discover independent Japanese boutiques offering less known but very original kuji.
Web Kuji by D-techno
Kuji Webis another popular online kuji platform, managed byD-techno. Unlike Ichiban Kuji Online, this platform regularly offers prints for smaller franchises but with a strong success among fans, such asHaikyuu!!,Gintama,Bungo Stray Dogs,K Project, orTouken Ranbu.
The interface is very intuitive, and each print is accompanied by an interactive visual. Prices are delivered internationally, usually via proxy services. Web Kuji also offers limited editions that cannot be obtained elsewhere.
This is a serious alternative for those who want to complete their collection without going to Japan.
Why play Kuji?
Kuji are a fun way to collect objects related to your favorite universes. Each ticket is a bet, but the quality of the lots, even the simplest, makes the experience always enjoyable.
The exclusive and limited side of the objects makes kuji very popular: some prices are only published once, and their value increases with time. For passionate collectors or fans, kuji offer the possibility to get a unique product, not found elsewhere.
The kuji are also a great introduction to the culture of consumption in Japan: between love of the game, neat packaging, and objects with high emotional capital, they represent a full part of Japanese pop culture.
Whether you are visiting Japan or living abroad, there are many ways to participate in Japanese kuji today. Thanks to online platforms and intermediaries like ZenMarket, the doors of these lotteries are no longer reserved only for Japanese residents. Try, discover and perhaps, with a little luck, will you get that lot you dreamed of adding to your collection.
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