Ichiban Kuji: What is this 100% winning Japanese lottery?

If you're a fan of manga, anime, figures, or Japanese merchandise, you've probably already heard of Ichiban Kuji. These 100% winning Japanese lotteries allow you to walk away with official prizes from cult licenses such as One Piece, Naruto, Dragon Ball, Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Oshi no Ko.

But how does an Ichiban Kuji work? Why do collectors eagerly await certain editions? And most importantly, how can you participate in an Ichiban Kuji in Belgium at Susume? We'll explain everything.

What exactly is an Ichiban Kuji?

In Japanese, Kuji means "lottery." The expression Ichiban Kuji literally translates to "the number 1 lottery." And that's no exaggeration! Created by Banpresto (Bandai group), the concept is based on a simple but formidable promise:

Every ticket is 100% a winner.

Unlike a classic raffle, it's impossible to leave empty-handed. For one ticket (generally between €13 and €16), you are guaranteed to walk away with an official and exclusive product. The price of a ticket varies depending on the lottery and the license, but it is always clearly displayed in the shop.

How are the prizes distributed?

Prizes are classified by letters, from the rarest to the most common:

• Prizes A, B, C, D...: These are the new figures, often large and unavailable in traditional retail. This is what everyone aims for!

• The following prizes (E, F, G...): A variety of exclusive "goodies" (acrylic stands, towels, shikishis, keychains, sticker sheets).

The collector's Holy Grail: The "Last One Prize"

The Ichiban Kuji wouldn't be so addictive without the famous Last One Prize.

It's a unique rule: the ultimate prize, often a color variant of a main figure or a totally exclusive piece, is given to the person who buys the very last ticket in the box.

This is where strategy comes into play. To win the Last One, you have to monitor the status of the lottery (the table of remaining prizes). Should you wait for the stack to dwindle? Should you "finish" the lottery by buying the last 5, 10, or 15 tickets at once? It's a mix of poker and passion. Winning the Last One means not only walking away with a rare piece but also savoring the thrill of having placed your bet at the right time.

Why participate in an Ichiban Kuji at Susume?

The Ichiban Kuji is above all a community experience. Collectors love to exchange their prizes (a duplicate towel for a keychain!), complete sets, and share the excitement of the draw.

At Susume, we turn every release into an event:

1. The atmosphere: Fans cheer each other on during the draws.

2. Transparency: You see in real time which prizes have been won and what's left to win.

3. Cult licenses: We have already hosted lotteries for JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Fullmetal Alchemist, Attack on Titan, Naruto, and Oshi no Ko.

In practice: Saturday's rendezvous

To give everyone a fair chance, we've established a ritual: 📅 New lotteries launch on Saturday at 10 AM.

This has become a must-attend event for our community. Some come right at opening to try for Prize A, others come later to calculate their chances of a finish. Whatever your strategy, you leave with a memento of your passion.

How to participate in an Ichiban Kuji at Susume?

Participating in an Ichiban Kuji is very simple:

1. You choose the number of tickets you wish to purchase.

2. Each ticket corresponds to a guaranteed prize.

3. You immediately discover the prize you have won.

4. Prizes already won are removed from the board, allowing you to track what remains.

5. If you buy the last ticket of the lottery, you also win the famous Last One Prize.

At Susume, lotteries are monitored transparently: you can see the remaining prizes, calculate your chances, and decide if you want to try a ticket or wait for the right moment.

To better understand how Ichiban Kuji works, you can also find an explanatory video on our TikTok.

Ready to try your luck?

The Ichiban Kuji is much more than just a lottery: it's an experience that combines chance, strategy, and collecting. Between the new figures and the quest for the Last One, each edition creates its share of emotions.

We are proud to bring a piece of this vibrant Japan here, to Belgium.

 Join us on Saturdays for the next lotteries in store!