title: 'Ichiban Kuji JoJo''s Bizarre Adventure: The Gathering of RIVALS - Japan Shopping Guide' slug: 'jojo-ichiban-kuji-gathering-of-rivals-japan-guide' publishedAt: '2026-10-29T09:00:00+09:00' updatedAt: '2026-10-29' category: 'Otaku & Pop Culture' lang: 'en' thumbnail: '/images/jojo-ichiban-kuji-gathering-of-rivals-japan-guide.jpg' tags: ['Ichiban Kuji', 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure', 'Anime Figures', 'Akihabara', 'Shopping Guide'] excerpt: 'A complete tourist guide to buying the Ichiban Kuji JoJo''s Bizarre Adventure: The Gathering of RIVALS in Japan. Learn how to play the anime lottery, explore the premium MASTERLISE prize breakdown, and find the best retail and aftermarket shops in Tokyo and Osaka.' author: 'Japan Guide'
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The Japanese pop-culture landscape is packed with exclusive merchandise, but few things ignite the passion of anime fans and collectors quite like the Ichiban Kuji (一番くじ). For fans of Hirohiko Araki’s legendary masterpiece, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, a brand new, highly coveted prize lottery is hitting the streets: Ichiban Kuji JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: The Gathering of RIVALS (一番くじ ジョジョの奇妙な冒険 The Gathering of RIVALS).
Manufactured by BANDAI SPIRITS, this specific lottery is a dream come true for longtime followers of the series. Instead of focusing solely on the Joestar bloodline, this kuji is an unprecedented celebration of the franchise's most iconic antagonists. Spanning multiple story arcs and eras, this villains-only lineup is one of the most ambitious releases in recent memory.
If you are an inbound tourist planning a trip to Japan, navigating the world of limited-edition anime merchandise can be daunting. Release dates are strict, stock is notoriously limited, and finding the right stores requires insider knowledge. This massive, exhaustive guide will explain exactly what this product is, break down every confirmed prize, teach you how to play the Ichiban Kuji as a foreigner, and provide you with a meticulous, location-by-location guide on where to find these figures in Japan—both during the initial release window and on the booming secondary market.
(Editor’s Note on Release & Availability: Official BANDAI SPIRITS announcements slated the release for November 21, priced at 850 yen per draw, with a rolling release schedule. While initial tracking tied this to a 2026 release calendar, Ichiban Kuji stock operates on a strict "while supplies last" basis and often sells out within 24 to 48 hours. If real-time searches during your trip cannot confirm active stock for the current year, do not guess or assume local stores still have tickets. Instead, pivot immediately to the secondary aftermarket shops detailed in the second half of this guide.)
Part 1: What is Ichiban Kuji? A Tourist’s Primer
Before diving into the sinister lineup of The Gathering of RIVALS, it is crucial to understand exactly what an Ichiban Kuji is.
The "No-Losing" Lottery
Translated literally as "Number One Lottery," Ichiban Kuji is a premium, character-based merchandise raffle run primarily by BANDAI SPIRITS. The most important rule to remember is that it is a "はずれなしくじ" (no-losing draw). When you pay for a ticket, you are guaranteed to walk away with a prize. The catch? The specific prize you win is entirely random.
At 850 yen (tax included) per draw for this JoJo release, you are essentially paying for a blind box experience, but on a much grander scale. The prizes are tiered alphabetically. The higher tiers (A through F for this specific set) are massive, highly detailed premium figures. The lower tiers (usually G, H, I, etc., which typically include items like visual towels, clear files, or acrylic stands) make up the bulk of the box.
The Rules of the Game
When you walk into a participating retailer, you won't find the figures sitting on a normal store shelf to be purchased directly. Instead, you will see a large, colorful promotional poster displaying all the prizes.
Here is exactly how you participate as a tourist in Japan:
- Locate the Kuji Counter: Find the store's Ichiban Kuji display. There will usually be a poster with small "Sold Out" (終了) stickers placed over the prizes that have already been claimed. This is your most valuable tool—always check the poster before buying to ensure the prize you want is still available!
- Take a Kuji Ticket to the Register: Some stores have dummy tickets (often small cardboard slips) hanging near the display. Take the number of slips you want to purchase to the cashier. If there are no slips, simply go to the register and say, "Ichiban Kuji, JoJo, [number]-kai onegaishimasu" (Ichiban Kuji, JoJo, [number] of times, please).
- Pay for Your Draws: For The Gathering of RIVALS, each draw is 850 yen. Be prepared to pay with cash, as many smaller hobby shops or convenience stores prefer physical yen for lottery transactions. If you need guidance on managing your money, check out our guide on Cash vs Card in Japan 2026: How Much Cash Do You Need?.
- Draw from the Box: The cashier will present you with a sealed box. Reach in and pull out your tickets.
- Peel and Reveal: You will physically peel open the thick paper ticket to reveal the letter of your prize (e.g., "A賞" means A Prize).
- Claim Your Loot: Hand the opened tickets back to the cashier, and they will retrieve your prizes from behind the counter.
The "Last One" Prize (ラストワン賞)
There is one more critical mechanic to understand: the Last One Prize. BANDAI SPIRITS implements this to encourage people to buy the final remaining tickets in a store's box, even if all the high-tier A-F figures are already gone.
The person who purchases the very last ticket in a given store's Ichiban Kuji box instantly wins whatever prize is on that final ticket, PLUS the exclusive "Last One Prize." For The Gathering of RIVALS, this is a highly coveted Diego Brando figure. Dedicated collectors will often "snipe" the Last One prize by buying out the remaining 10 or 15 tickets in a store just to secure it.
Part 2: The Gathering of RIVALS — Prize Breakdown
The allure of this specific Ichiban Kuji lies in its theme. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is famous for its generational storytelling, with each "Part" featuring a new protagonist and a new, terrifyingly charismatic main villain. The Gathering of RIVALS brings these legendary antagonists together under the acclaimed MASTERLISE figure brand.
What is the MASTERLISE Line?
For figure collectors, the MASTERLISE label is a seal of quality. These figures are generally larger than standard prize figures (often standing between 24cm and 27cm tall, though exact dimensions for this set vary). They are renowned for their impeccable sculpting (masterful lines), dynamic shading, and intense attention to muscle definition and clothing textures—elements that are absolutely essential for capturing Hirohiko Araki’s unique art style.
Let’s break down the confirmed, heavy-hitting prize lineup for this 850-yen lottery.
A Prize (A賞): Dio Brando (MASTERLISE PLUS)
The villain who started it all. Coming from Part 1: Phantom Blood, Dio Brando is presented in the upgraded MASTERLISE PLUS format. The "PLUS" designation usually indicates an extra level of detail, a more elaborate base, or additional textural work. Expect this figure to capture Dio's aristocratic arrogance and vampiric menace from Victorian England. Because he is the A Prize, he will be heavily sought after by franchise purists.
B Prize (B賞): Kars (MASTERLISE)
The ultimate lifeform from Part 2: Battle Tendency. Kars is a character whose design is defined by raw physicality and majestic, almost divine intimidation. The MASTERLISE sculpting shines when dealing with muscular physiques, making this figure a must-have. Whether he is depicted with his Light Mode arm blades or in his final evolved state, Kars figures are relatively rare in the modern kuji circuit, making this a high-priority target.
C Prize (C賞): DIO (MASTERLISE)
The resurrected, time-stopping terror of Part 3: Stardust Crusaders. While Dio Brando (A Prize) represents his Part 1 incarnation, the C Prize brings us the iconic, yellow-clad DIO who fought Jotaro Kujo in Egypt. Given the global popularity of Part 3, this C Prize is likely to be the most instantly recognizable figure in the set, and the one most casual fans will be gunning for.
D Prize (D賞): Kōsaku Kawajiri (MASTERLISE)
This is a brilliant inclusion for fans of Part 4: Diamond is Unbreakable. Rather than the standard Yoshikage Kira, BANDAI SPIRITS has opted for his stolen identity: Kōsaku Kawajiri. Complete with his chilling, suppressed demeanor (and likely his matured, spiked hair from the climax of the story), this figure caters to the hardcore narrative fans who appreciate the psychological horror of Part 4's final arcs.
E Prize (E賞): Diavolo (MASTERLISE)
The schizophrenic mafia boss from Part 5: Golden Wind. Diavolo’s character design is one of Araki’s most complex, featuring intricate tattoos, a lace-like mesh top, and flowing, spotted hair. Translating Diavolo into a premium figure requires immense precision, and the MASTERLISE line is uniquely equipped to handle his chaotic, flamboyant aesthetic.
F Prize (F賞): Enrico Pucci (MASTERLISE)
The gravity-defying priest from Part 6: Stone Ocean. Pucci’s inclusion completes the original universe's lineage of villains. Known for his austere vestments and calculating demeanor, a high-quality Pucci figure is the perfect capstone for anyone looking to display the overarching antagonists of the Joestar bloodline.
Last One Prize (Last One賞): Diego Brando (MASTERLISE)
Awarded only to the lucky (or strategic) buyer who pulls the final ticket from a store's box, this prize jumps into the alternate universe of Part 7: Steel Ball Run. Diego "Dio" Brando, the brilliant and ruthless British jockey, is a fan-favorite whose merchandise is notoriously difficult to acquire. Securing this Last One prize will require extreme vigilance or a willingness to buy out a store's remaining ticket stock.
Part 3: Where to Find the Kuji in Japan (Primary Market)
When Ichiban Kuji JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: The Gathering of RIVALS drops on November 21, the hunt begins immediately.
While earlier, unverified rumors occasionally point to specific convenience stores like Lawson for JoJo sets, search grounding and official tracking for this specific release direct buyers to generic official Ichiban Kuji retailers. This means your best bet for finding the lottery on release day will be specialized hobby shops, major bookstores, and arcade chains.
If you are an international tourist, you will want to target stores in major metropolitan hubs that are easy to access via train. To ensure smooth transit between these locations, make sure you are equipped with the right transit card by reading our guide: What is the Best IC Card for Tourists in Japan 2026? | Suica vs Pasmo vs ICOCA.
Here are the most reliable, tourist-friendly physical locations in Tokyo and Osaka to play the lottery on or shortly after release day.
Top Primary Retailers in Tokyo
1. Animate Akihabara (アニメイト秋葉原) Animate is Japan’s largest anime retail chain, and their Akihabara flagship is practically guaranteed to carry major BANDAI SPIRITS lotteries. On the morning of November 21, expect a line.
- How to get there: Take the JR Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku, or Chuo-Sobu line to JR Akihabara Station. Use the Electric Town Exit (Denkigai-guchi). Walk straight down Chuo-dori (the main street). The massive Animate building will be on your right within a 3-minute walk.
- Pro-Tip: Animate often imposes a "draw limit" (e.g., maximum 5 tickets per person per transaction) on highly anticipated sets like JoJo to prevent scalpers from buying the whole box at once.
2. Volks Akihabara Hobby Paradise 2 (ボークス秋葉原ホビー天国2) A titan of the hobby world, Volks dedicates a massive amount of floor space to Ichiban Kuji. They usually have multiple boxes of the same set running simultaneously, increasing your chances of finding a fresh box with the A-F prizes still available.
- How to get there: From JR Akihabara Station's Electric Town Exit, walk 2 minutes towards the main Chuo-dori intersection. The building is impossible to miss with its massive character billboards.
3. Jump Shop Tokyo Station (ジャンプショップ 東京駅店) Since JoJo's Bizarre Adventure originated in Weekly Shonen Jump, official Jump Shops are prime territory for this Kuji. The Tokyo Station branch is highly convenient for tourists passing through.
- How to get there: Located entirely underground inside Tokyo Station. Navigate to the Yaesu Underground Central Exit, and head into the "Tokyo Character Street" section of First Avenue Tokyo Station. The Jump Shop is a 2-minute walk from the ticket gates.
4. Kotobukiya Akihabara Store (コトブキヤ秋葉原館) While Kotobukiya is a manufacturer in its own right, their Akihabara retail space hosts a vibrant Ichiban Kuji counter on the first floor. The staff here are very accustomed to foreign tourists and can easily guide you through the process.
- How to get there: A 4-minute walk from JR Akihabara Station Electric Town Exit, tucked just behind the main Chuo-dori street near the Super Potato retro game shop.
If you spend the day hunting for Kuji tickets in this area, you will undoubtedly work up an appetite. Be sure to check out our recommendations for the Best Restaurants in Akihabara 2026 | Must-Try After Anime Shopping. Additionally, if you plan to make this neighborhood your base of operations for early morning Kuji hunting, view our guide on the Best Hotels Near Akihabara 2026 | Value Location Convenience.
Top Primary Retailers in Osaka
5. Animate Osaka Nipponbashi (アニメイト大阪日本橋) Nipponbashi (also known as Den Den Town) is Osaka’s answer to Akihabara. This Animate branch is massive and will be ground zero for JoJo fans in the Kansai region.
- How to get there: Take the Sakaisuji subway line to Ebisucho Station (Exit 1-A) and walk 5 minutes north, or take the Midosuji line to Namba Station and walk 10 minutes southeast into the heart of Den Den Town.
6. Namco / Bandai Namco Cross Store Osaka Umeda Arcades run by Namco (a sister company to BANDAI SPIRITS) frequently host official Ichiban Kuji corners. The massive Cross Store in Umeda is a pristine, foreigner-friendly entertainment complex.
- How to get there: Located inside the HEP FIVE shopping mall in Umeda. Take any train to Osaka Station or Umeda Station, walk 5 minutes to the HEP FIVE building (look for the giant red Ferris wheel), and take the escalator to the 8th/9th floors.
