If you follow anime figures, you've almost certainly seen the words "Ichiban Kuji" in product names — "Ichiban Kuji Attack on Titan A Prize," "Last One Prize," "B Prize figure," and so on.
Many collectors wonder: "What exactly is Ichiban Kuji?" "Is it a gacha or a raffle?" "What's the difference between an A Prize and a Last One Prize?" "Can I even get these if I don't live in Japan?"
To get straight to it: Ichiban Kuji is a Japanese over-the-counter lottery where every ticket wins a prize. There are no blanks. You pay a set price per draw, pull a numbered ticket, and receive the prize that matches it — figures, plushies, towels, mugs, and other exclusive goods you can't buy in normal retail.
This guide explains, in clear terms, what Ichiban Kuji is, how the draw works, what the prize tiers and the famous Last One Prize mean, why these items are so collectible, and — most importantly for overseas fans — how to get the exact prize you want without ever pulling a ticket yourself.
What you'll learn in this article
- What Ichiban Kuji is and who makes it
- How the draw works, step by step
- What the prize tiers (A, B, C…) and Last One Prize mean
- What Double Chance and Last One campaigns are
- How much a ticket costs
- Why Ichiban Kuji prizes are so collectible
- How to buy Ichiban Kuji prizes from outside Japan
- What to check before buying
What Is Ichiban Kuji?
Ichiban Kuji (一番くじ) translates roughly to "the number-one lottery." It is a lottery-style merchandise system created by BANDAI SPIRITS, built around popular anime, manga, game, and character franchises.
Unlike a raffle where most people leave empty-handed, every Ichiban Kuji ticket is a guaranteed win. You pay a fixed price per draw and immediately receive a prize. The prizes are original goods made specifically for that lottery — items you cannot buy through normal retail channels — which is a big part of why collectors chase them.
You'll typically find Ichiban Kuji at convenience stores, bookstores, hobby shops, and game centers across Japan, as well as through the official Ichiban Kuji Online service.
Ichiban Kuji suits people who:
- Want exclusive figures and goods that never hit regular store shelves
- Enjoy the excitement of a guaranteed-win draw
- Collect a specific series or character
- Want a high-quality prize figure at a reasonable entry price
- Want a single, specific prize without gambling on the draw (more on that below)
How the Ichiban Kuji Draw Works
The mechanic is simple, which is a big reason it's so popular. Here is the basic flow:
- Choose a lottery. Each Ichiban Kuji is themed around one franchise — for example One Piece, Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, or Dragon Ball. The full prize lineup is announced in advance.
- Pay per draw. You pay a fixed price for one ticket (one "kuji").
- Pull a ticket. You draw a folded or sealed ticket printed with a prize letter.
- Receive that prize immediately. The letter on your ticket — A, B, C, and so on — tells you exactly which prize you take home. There are no blanks.
Because every ticket wins, the "gamble" isn't whether you win, but which tier you win. Everyone walks away with something.
Understanding Prize Tiers: A Prize, B Prize, and Beyond
Prizes are sorted into lettered tiers, and the lineup is published before the lottery goes live so you know exactly what's on offer.
- A Prize / B Prize: The headline items — usually the largest, most detailed figures. These are the tiers most collectors are after.
- Mid tiers (C, D, E…): Smaller figures, plushies, or premium goods.
- Lower tiers: More common goods like towels, mugs, acrylic stands, rubber straps, and clear files.
A typical Ichiban Kuji has dozens of tickets in a single lot, with a limited number of the top-tier A and B prizes and larger quantities of the lower tiers. The rarer the tier, the harder it is to pull — which is why top prizes command higher prices on the secondary market.
The Last One Prize (and Why It's So Coveted)
The Last One Prize is one of Ichiban Kuji's signature features. There is only one Last One Prize per lottery lot, and it goes to whoever draws the very last remaining ticket.
That means the person who pulls the final ticket receives both their normal tier prize and the exclusive Last One Prize on top. Because only one exists per lot, and it's often a special recolor or alternate version of the A Prize figure, the Last One Prize is among the most sought-after — and most valuable — items from any Ichiban Kuji.
Double Chance and Last One Campaigns
Beyond the in-store draw, many Ichiban Kuji include bonus chances:
- Double Chance Campaign: After the lottery ends, you register your ticket numbers online for a chance to win an additional exclusive prize in a later drawing. It's essentially a second shot at a rare item using tickets you already pulled.
- Last One / reissue campaigns: BANDAI SPIRITS occasionally runs online drawings for leftover or special prizes, so keep an eye on the official Ichiban Kuji site.
Campaign details vary by lottery, so always check the specific rules printed on the lottery's official page.
How Much Does an Ichiban Kuji Ticket Cost?
Ticket prices are set per lottery and have crept up over the years. As of 2026, most Ichiban Kuji tickets fall in the roughly ¥700–¥1,000 per draw range. Recent examples have been priced around ¥790–¥850 per ticket, though premium lotteries can run higher.
Keep in mind the real cost of chasing a top prize. Because A and B prizes are limited within each lot, pulling one can take many tickets — and if you're unlucky, the total you spend can far exceed the figure's standalone value. That math is exactly why many overseas collectors skip the draw entirely and buy the specific prize they want directly (see below).
Why Ichiban Kuji Prizes Are So Collectible
- They're exclusive. Prizes are made only for that lottery and never sold through normal retail, so they don't compete with standard store releases.
- The quality is high for the format. Recent A Prize figures — especially BANDAI SPIRITS' MASTERLISE line — rival paid scale and prize figures in sculpt and presence.
- They cover the biggest franchises. One Piece, Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, Dragon Ball, and more get regular Ichiban Kuji.
- Rarity is built in. Limited top tiers and single Last One Prizes make certain items genuinely scarce.
Ichiban Kuji vs. Ichibansho: What's the Difference?
You'll also see the word Ichibansho on figures, and it's easy to confuse with Ichiban Kuji. In short: Ichibansho is a standard prize-figure brand from BANDAI SPIRITS that you buy directly at a set price (no lottery), while Ichiban Kuji prizes are won through the lottery. Both are made by the same company and often share the same high-quality MASTERLISE sculpting, so the figures can look very similar — the difference is how you obtain them.
If you'd like a broader primer on prize figures in general, see our guide on what prize figures are and how to choose them.
How to Buy Ichiban Kuji from Outside Japan
Here's the catch for international fans: the in-store Ichiban Kuji draw is a Japan-only, in-person experience, and Ichiban Kuji Online generally requires a Japanese address and account. So how do collectors abroad get these prizes?
There are three common routes:
1. Buy the Specific Prize You Want (Recommended)
The simplest option is to skip the lottery entirely and buy the individual prize — already drawn — from a Japan-based store that ships internationally. You pick the exact A Prize, C Prize, or Last One Prize figure you want, pay one clear price, and have it shipped to you. No gambling, no overspending on tickets, no risk of pulling duplicates.
This is exactly how MIYABIYA works: we source authentic Ichiban Kuji prizes in Japan and ship them worldwide, so you can browse in-stock Ichiban Kuji figures and goods here and grab the specific prize you're after — including hard-to-find Last One Prize items.
2. Use a Proxy or Forwarding Service
Proxy services will attempt draws or buy on your behalf and forward the items to you. This can work, but you pay service fees, shipping, and sometimes still gamble on the draw outcome — so costs add up and results aren't guaranteed.
3. Travel to Japan and Draw In Person
If you're visiting Japan, you can pull tickets yourself at convenience stores and hobby shops. It's a fun experience, but you're limited to whatever lotteries are running during your trip.
For a full walkthrough of ordering figures from Japan — shipping, customs, and step by step — see our guide to buying anime figures from Japan.
What to Check Before Buying an Ichiban Kuji Prize
- Which prize tier is it? Confirm whether the listing is the A Prize, Last One Prize, or a lower tier — names can look similar.
- Is it the right character and version? Many lotteries include recolors and alternate versions.
- New or used, boxed or boxless? Check the condition and whether the original box is included.
- Is it authentic? Buy from trusted, Japan-based sellers to avoid bootlegs. See our guide on spotting fake and bootleg figures.
- What's the total cost? Factor in international shipping and any import duties for your country.
- Is it in stock or pre-order? Release and dispatch timing matter for newer lotteries.
FAQ
Is Ichiban Kuji a gacha?
Not quite. Gacha (capsule toys) give a random item from a set. Ichiban Kuji is a guaranteed-win lottery: every ticket wins a prize, and the ticket you pull tells you exactly which tier you receive.
Do you always win something with Ichiban Kuji?
Yes. There are no blank tickets. Every draw yields a prize — the only variable is which tier.
What is the Last One Prize?
It's a bonus, one-per-lot exclusive prize awarded to whoever draws the final ticket in a lottery. Because only one exists per lot, it's one of the rarest and most valuable Ichiban Kuji items.
How much does one Ichiban Kuji ticket cost?
As of 2026, most tickets cost roughly ¥700–¥1,000 per draw, with many recent lotteries around ¥790–¥850. Premium lotteries can cost more.
Can I buy Ichiban Kuji if I don't live in Japan?
Yes. While the in-store draw is Japan-only, you can buy individual, already-drawn prizes from Japan-based shops that ship internationally — letting you get the exact figure you want without pulling tickets.
What's the difference between Ichiban Kuji and Ichibansho?
Both are BANDAI SPIRITS prize-figure products. Ichibansho figures are sold directly at a fixed price, while Ichiban Kuji prizes are won through the lottery. The figures themselves are often similar in quality.
Summary: Ichiban Kuji Is Japan's Guaranteed-Win Anime Lottery
Ichiban Kuji is a BANDAI SPIRITS lottery where every ticket wins an exclusive anime prize — from headline A Prize figures to the coveted, one-per-lot Last One Prize. It's beloved in Japan because there are no blanks and the prizes never appear in normal retail.
For collectors outside Japan, the good news is you don't have to fly to a Tokyo convenience store or gamble on a draw to get them. You can buy the exact prize you want — authentic and already drawn — from a Japan-based shop that ships worldwide.
If there's a specific A Prize, C Prize, or Last One Prize figure you've had your eye on, browse MIYABIYA's in-stock Ichiban Kuji selection and get it shipped straight from Japan — no tickets required.
