Sumikko Gurashi Ichiban Kuji brings evolution-themed prizes to Japan

The Sumikko Gurashi characters Tokage and Ebi Fry no Shippo are getting an evolution-themed Ichiban Kuji collection in Japan, with plush sets, tableware and desk accessories among the prizes. The lottery launches in participating shops from 24 October, followed by online sales on 27 October at 11:00. ¹²

San-X’s official announcement describes the collection as using art built around the idea of imagining how the characters might evolve. Its featured prizes include an evolution plush set for Tokage, an evolution plush set for Ebi Fry no Shippo, and a three-character plush set. The official campaign image also shows the characters alongside a selection of the goods. ²

The collection is based on Sumikko Gurashi (すみっコぐらし), the San-X character property built around a group of characters who prefer quiet corners. The new designs focus on the imagined stages of evolution for Tokage and Ebi Fry no Shippo, turning that concept into a sequence of collectable items rather than a new animated story. ²

The prize line-up

The A prize is a Tokage evolution plush set, while the B prize is an Ebi Fry no Shippo evolution plush set. Both are listed as single designs, with the plushes measuring roughly 4–9cm depending on the set. The C prize offers one of two three-character plush sets, featuring either Tokage, Penguin? and Ebi Fry no Shippo, or Neko, Shirokuma and Tonkatsu. ¹²

The D prize is a heat-sensitive mug designed to reveal the characters’ evolution when filled with hot water. The E prize is a set of ceramic plates featuring Tokage’s evolution art, with five designs to collect. Acrylic charms make up the F prize, while the G prize combines drawstring bags and towels using original Ichiban Kuji artwork. ¹²

The H prize is a desk-accessory assortment containing items such as tin-packaged sticky notes, memo pads, clear files and sticker sets. The final prize, awarded when the last ticket is drawn, is a Tokage blanket stored inside a cushion. The blanket carries artwork showing the evolution stages and can be used separately from the cushion. ¹²

When and where to buy

The physical lottery begins on 24 October 2026 at FamilyMart and other participating convenience stores, Sumikko Gurashi shops, bookshops, hobby shops and official Ichiban Kuji shops. Stock and participating locations may vary, and the official product page warns that the collection will end when supplies run out. ¹

Online sales begin through Ichiban Kuji ONLINE on 27 October at 11:00. Each draw costs ¥750 including tax. The double-chance campaign runs from launch day until the end of January 2027, with a Tokage blanket-in-cushion listed as the campaign prize. ¹

Our opinion

This is a straightforward character-goods launch, but the evolution idea gives the collection a clearer hook than a standard assortment of mascot merchandise. The strongest part of the line-up is the way the concept is spread across several formats: the plush sets make the progression explicit, while the mug and ceramic plates let the artwork change or build into a sequence through everyday use. ¹²

For collectors, the key detail is that the headline plush prizes are separate A and B awards, while the broader evolution theme also appears in lower-tier goods and the final blanket prize. That makes the collection feel designed around a visual concept rather than simply attaching a character logo to unrelated products. The official campaign image depicts the subject and the associated merchandise, so it is used here as the hero rather than a generic Sumikko Gurashi picture.