What is Kuji and How to Play It?
What is Kuji? How can I get my hands on these cool prizes? Where can I buy Kuji? Check out this guide for the answers to these questions and more…
If you’re a fan of Japanese pop culture, you may have heard of Kuji (くじ) — a unique type of lottery that guarantees a prize every time! Unlike traditional raffles or lotteries where the odds of winning are uncertain, Kuji offers participants the excitement of winning something with every ticket. Let’s explore what Kuji is, how it works, and why it’s such a popular activity among fans of anime, manga, and collectibles.
What is Kuji?
Kuji is a sure-win lottery system, often associated with popular anime and video game franchises. Think of it as a raffle where you’re always guaranteed to win a prize. Here’s how it typically works: you buy a ticket, draw it from a box (or an air sphere in some cases), and then open the ticket to see what prize you’ve won.
Every Kuji set includes a range of prizes, from high-value collectibles to smaller items. A single set usually consists of 60 to 80 tickets, and each ticket corresponds to a specific prize. Depending on where you are, the ticket price may vary due to shipping costs and currency conversion.
How to Play Kuji?
Playing Kuji is straightforward and fun:
- Choose Your Kuji Set: When you arrive at a store or visit an online platform offering Kuji, you first choose which series or franchise you want to play. Each Kuji series is themed around a specific anime, game, or brand.
- Buy Your Tickets: Let the staff know how many tickets you’d like to purchase. Once you pay, you'll receive the corresponding number of tickets to draw from a box.
- Reveal Your Prize: Open each ticket to reveal the prize you've won! Depending on the prize type, you may either choose a design (if it's a customizable item) or receive a randomly selected item in blind packaging.
For customizable items, let the staff know which design you prefer, and they'll give you your chosen prize. For blind-packaged items, either the staff will hand you a random selection, or you'll get to pick a box yourself.
How are the Prizes Categorized?
Like any lottery, Kuji prizes follow a hierarchical structure. The higher you go in the hierarchy, the rarer and more valuable the prizes become. Prizes are usually labeled from A to D, with A being the most coveted.
- Prize A & Prize B:
- These are the top-tier prizes, often limited to just 1 or 2 items in the entire set. Commonly, these are large figurines, exclusive plushies, or high-end collectibles.
- Prize C & Prize D:
- These are still desirable prizes, usually mid-tier items like smaller figures, cushions, or posters. Each set might contain 3 to 4 of these items.
- Lower-tier Prizes:
- Another special feature in some Kuji games is the Last Prize. This prize is awarded to the person who buys the very last ticket in the set, adding an extra layer of excitement for those playing towards the end of the event.
Understanding Prize Availability on the Kuji Poster
The poster typically lists various prizes, often accompanied by tickets or marks to help you gauge the rarity of each item. If a prize has a ticket next to it, it indicates that the prize has already been won by someone who purchased a ticket; prizes without a ticket are still available for drawing.
EXAMPLE: Prize A has two spots, and one has already been marked with a ticket. This means that one Prize A has been claimed, and there is still one Prize A available. Prizes C, D, E, and F each have one item remaining. Meanwhile, Prizes B and G have been completely drawn.
Why Play Kuji?
The thrill of Kuji lies in its element of surprise and the chance to win exclusive, limited-edition items. Fans of franchises like Demon Slayer, My Hero Academia, and One Piece often flock to Kuji events to try their luck at winning top-tier prizes. Even if you don’t win the most sought-after items, Kuji guarantees a fun and rewarding experience since every ticket comes with a prize.
Ready to try your luck? Explore our latest Kuji sets, and see what treasures await you!