The "Japan Character Award" (日本キャラクター大賞), established in 2009, aims to champion the value of licensing business to society. Each year, it celebrates Japan's top licensed brands and characters.
This year's Japan Character Award 2026 ceremony, held on June 17, honored numerous IPs across various categories, recognizing their dedication to licensing. But the biggest buzz? The adorable "Chiikawa" once again snagged the Grand Prix, making history with an insane three-peat since 2024!
Hosted by the Character Brand Licensing Association since 2009, the Japan Character Award was founded to boost the value of the character licensing industry and foster its healthy growth. Each year, it spotlights the most active characters and licensed brands from the previous year, making it a crucial benchmark for Japan's character industry.
The most coveted prize, the Grand Prix, went to the super-popular IP "Chiikawa." This marks Chiikawa's fourth Grand Prix win, following its victories in 2022, 2024, and 2025. Even more impressively, Chiikawa pulled off an unprecedented "three-peat," officially earning its spot in the Hall of Fame (殿堂入り)!
Yoichi Kawakami, representative of Chiikawa's rights management company Spiral Cute, shared during the award ceremony:
"We are incredibly grateful for this huge opportunity. Moving forward, we hope to translate this achievement into tangible growth, ensuring Chiikawa isn't just popular now, but remains a character that brings joy for 10, 20 years to come. We'll work hard to make it a timeless, long-loved creation, and we ask for your continued support for Chiikawa."
Japan Character Award 2026 Winners List
Grand Prix
Chiikawa
Character License Award
Chiikawa
Tamagotchi
Monchhichi
New Face Award
mojojojo
Product Licensee Award
Bonbon Drop 3D Clear Bubble Stickers (ボンボンドロップシール)
Promotion Licensee Award
"Ultraman Monster Tower Tour" (ウルトラ怪獣鉄塔へ行く)
Retail Award
Kiddy Land Shinjuku Flagship Store (Opening 2025)
Jury Special Award
Myaku-Myaku (Official Mascot for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai)
Narumiya Characters
The Japan Character Award clearly highlights the immense strength of Japan's anime and creative IP landscape. With so many contenders, it's truly impressive how many IPs manage to stand out for their commercial licensing value. Winners of this award are recognized as IPs that have successfully established commercial value and serve as excellent models for business collaborations. This vibrant scene underscores Japan's powerful soft culture. With "Chiikawa" achieving an unprecedented three-peat and entering the Hall of Fame, its incredible market influence and enduring popularity are once again undeniable.