What is Anime Kuji?

7 March 2014

 

You've heard Ichiban Kuji, Ani-Kuji, Taito Kuji, Kuji item this Kuji item that. But maybe you are not to sure what it actually mean and where the Kuji Items really comes from. So let us explain this awesome game of luck originating from Japan!

 

Plainly speaking, Kuji, or 籤 in Kanji, is lottery. If you are over 18 years old and have bought either 4D or toto before, you'll understand that pinch when your tickets didn't win. But how can disappointment exist in the wonderful world of manga and anime??? Hence, Banpresto (maker of Ichiban Kuji), Movic (maker of Ani-Kuji prizes and sold by Animate) and Taito (maker of Taito kuji) came up with the brilliant idea of ハズレなしのくじ (read as hazure nashi no kuji) which means No-Loss Lottery literally.

 

Anime Kuji are available in Japan convenience stores (e.g. Lawson, Family Mart, Circle K Sunkus, 7-11 etc), HMV, Book-Off, Tsutaya, bookstores, online (Ani-Kuji) and other possible locations. One will usually need to find out which location holds the specific Kuji that one wants because there are just soooo many stores that hold different kujis. Prizes in kujis of popular titles (like Shingeki no Kyojin, Kuroko no Basuke etc) in prime locations are literally swept off the shelves when launched so it is also a game of seeing who is quicker!

 

How to Play:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(picture taken from http://1kuji.bpnavi.jp/about)

 

1) In a shop that holds a specific kuji, usually they'll have a special corner with a board that shows details of the kuji (like what prizes are in this kuji) and a 交換券 (read as koukanken) at the side. Take a piece of this exchange ticket to the cashier and tell them how many tries you want to attempt at this kuji! Very often, the statement of "the number of exchange tickets you see does not reflect the actual available number of kuji attempts" would be printed in Japanese on the exchange ticket. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Picture above shows an example of a Kuji Corner and an exchange ticket pocket.)

 

2) Each kuji attempt costs JPY500 or JPY600 and Ichiban Kuji Premium costs JPY800. Pay the amount needed and you'll be presented with a box where you dip your hand in it for kuji tickets! Get the number of tickets according to the amount you paid.

 

3) *Doki Doki Doki* Open the ticket from the side and you'll be able to see what prize you got! For example, "F賞" would mean "F group prize" and if you don't understand Japanese, usually the kind and helpful shop assistant will explain to you what prizes are available in this group of prizes.

 

4) Get your prize(s) and dance away~~~ If you didn't get what you wanted, feel free to ask the shop keeper whether the prize you wanted is still available (even before you tried) or how many tickets are still available (if you are aiming for the Last Prize).

 

Types of Prizes

 

Japanese people have a million ways to squeeze that extra yen out of your wallet and not feel guilty about it (yes! because the prizes are of such awesome quality that you'll feel bad getting it at that price!). Kuji pulls the anime fan and the anime closer together with prizes that they can use in their daily lives like A4 clear files, handphone straps, towels (you don't actually use it. It's meant for decorative purposes), glass cups, cushions, pouches, posters etc. Kuji is also a great way to obtain high quality figurines to add to one's collection! Be it kawaii chibi figurines (search Banpresto's Kyun-chara series) or other attractive character figurines, there will definitely be one that satisfies you!

 

To add on to the excitement, Kuji have this ラストワン賞(read as rasuto wan shou, lit. last one prize) which is the prize that one will get after getting the last ticket in the box. Last prize is usually of higher worth compared to the other prizes in the lottery (e.g. tapestry, big cushions, tote bags, special coloured version of a figurine in the same kuji etc). Those who are aiming for the last prize will normally ask the shop keeper how many tickets are left and just buy all the remaining tickets if the kuji is about to be completed. All the better if the remaining tickets contains A or B group prizes!

 

To an overseas otaku, Anime kuji is one of the must-dos when in Japan, other than visiting Akihabara or Ikebukuro (Fujoshi). So, quickly book your flight ticket to the Anime Dreamland now!