Ichiban Kuji Japan Proxy Shopping Guide · How the Draw Works and What to Agree
Can a shopper do Ichiban Kuji for you? How the draw works, A Prize and Last One Prize, what budget and fallback to agree before ordering, and the second-hand alternative if you want a specific prize.
TL;DR
- ✓ Ichiban Kuji is a live draw, so a shopper cannot guarantee a specific prize
- ✓ Agree before ordering: budget cap, target prize and what happens if you miss
- ✓ The Last One prize goes to whoever draws the final ticket
- ✓ If you want one specific prize, consider buying it second-hand instead of drawing
- ✓ Ask the shopper to photograph the draw and the prizes
Done reading? Get a Japan shopper to buy it for you
Free sign-up takes about a minute. Browse vetted shoppers and message them right inside Michi.
Ichiban Kuji is Bandai's lottery-style merchandise. Each line has a theme, with prizes graded A Prize, B Prize and so on, plus a Last One prize. Plenty of people want them, but the live draw adds a few things to settle with your shopper.
1. How it works
- You pay a fixed price per ticket, and the prize depends on the ticket drawn.
- The prize lineup, release date and price per draw differ by line, so follow the official announcement.
- The person who draws the final ticket receives the Last One prize.
- Sold at convenience stores, hobby shops, toy shops and similar. Stock and purchase limits vary by shop.
2. What to agree before ordering
- Budget cap: the maximum number of draws and total spend.
- Target prize: A Prize, Last One prize, or any prize.
- If you miss: stop, add budget, or refund the deposit and balance.
- Remaining tickets: ask the shopper to check how many are left before deciding whether to draw.
- Unwanted prizes: whether you also want the smaller prizes such as towels and plates.
3. If you want a specific prize
If you only want one particular prize, your odds of drawing it are low. Ask the shopper to buy that prize individually second-hand (for example on Mercari). The price follows the market, but you are sure to get the exact item. Watch for item condition and fakes; see our Mercari proxy guide.
4. How a shopper can reassure you
- Photograph the draw and each prize drawn so you can check the count.
- Photograph the prizes and their boxes before shipping.
- State the price per draw and the total spend clearly.
5. Shipping and packing
Ichiban Kuji figures are usually bulky, so international shipping can be high. Ask about packing and consider forwarding. See proxy, forwarding or direct. For other anime merch, read our anime merch proxy guide.
FAQ
Can I ask for the A Prize specifically?+
Not with any guarantee. It is a live draw and a shopper can only draw, not choose. For a specific item, consider buying it second-hand.
Do I still pay if I miss the prize I want?+
Yes, the draws themselves are the cost, so agree a budget cap and what happens if you miss: stop, add budget, or refund.
Can a shopper get the Last One prize?+
It depends on who draws the final ticket, so it cannot be guaranteed. It also depends on the shop's rules and the tickets remaining.
Will shipping be expensive?+
Figures are bulky, so shipping can be high. Ask about packing and forwarding options.
Live in Japan? Earn as a Michi shopper
Apply to become a shopper: set your own fees, pick the orders you want, and take requests from customers in Hong Kong, Taiwan, the UK and beyond.