The latest "Ichiban Kuji HUNTER×HUNTER GREED ISLAND ②" lottery has kicked off in Japan, attracting scores of fans eager to test their luck. However, a dispute between a customer and a convenience store clerk over the coveted "Last One" prize has ignited a firestorm online.
A user on X (formerly Twitter) shared a frustrating experience, explaining that after buying all the remaining tickets for the lottery, the store clerk refused to hand over the final prize because other prizes had not yet been claimed. The user, baffled, took to social media to see if anyone had a similar experience and to ask for advice.
The user, "Yamao," posted on X that they were at a FamilyMart convenience store to play the *Hunter x Hunter* Ichiban Kuji. At the time, only nine tickets remained. Yamao bought five, and their child bought the other four, clearing the board. According to Ichiban Kuji rules, the person who buys the final ticket is entitled to the "Last One" prize. However, when they went to claim it, the clerk refused, stating, "There are still prizes that haven't been picked up," leaving Yamao completely stunned.
The clerk continued to refuse, arguing that if they gave the Last One prize away now, it would be troublesome for the store if a previous winner who forgot their prize came back and saw it was gone. When the customer questioned this logic, the clerk offered another excuse, claiming that if the previous winners never returned, processing the ticket stubs would become a problem since the Last One prize would be missing.
Pressed for time, the customer had to leave. When they returned to the store about five hours later, they discovered a "Sold Out" sign had been posted at the entrance.
A different, younger clerk was on duty, so the customer left without further comment. They later posted that they had already reported the incident to FamilyMart's corporate headquarters via email. As time went on, their anger grew, and they decided to call the head office directly the next day to file a formal complaint.
After the story went public, a flood of comments poured in, with many users agreeing that if the customer's account was accurate, the store's handling of the situation was completely unreasonable. One person stated bluntly, "This is basically fraud."
Others pointed out that the entire Ichiban Kuji system would be meaningless if a previous winner who didn't claim their prize on the spot could later come back and claim the Last One prize.
Another user noted that it's difficult for a store to verify if a ticket brought back for later redemption was even purchased at that location, which is why prizes are normally redeemed on the spot. Many users advised the original poster to report the incident not only to FamilyMart's head office but also directly to the company that runs Ichiban Kuji.
Several users who identified themselves as current convenience store employees also joined the discussion. One stated that the standard procedure for Ichiban Kuji is for customers to open their tickets and claim prizes immediately; tickets are not meant to be taken home. The Last One prize belongs to whoever buys the last ticket, period.
They added that if a store ignores these rules, customers can file a complaint with the corporate office, which could result in serious consequences, potentially including the store losing its license to sell Ichiban Kuji or trading card products in the future.
This incident also prompted others to share similar past experiences. One user recalled spending about 20,000 yen on an Ichiban Kuji, and just as they were about to receive the Last One prize, the clerk suddenly claimed, "It's been reserved," leaving them shocked.
It later seemed that the clerk on duty wanted the prize for themselves. After complaining to the head office, the user received an apology from the store manager and was given the Last One prize.
On the morning of August 31, the original poster provided an update, confirming they had not only contacted FamilyMart's corporate office but had also informed Bandai Spirits about the "inability to receive the Last One prize at a FamilyMart store." They are currently awaiting a response from the relevant parties.
Currently, this incident is primarily based on the customer's posts on X and the opinions and experiences shared by other users. There has been no official statement from the FamilyMart location in question regarding why it refused to hand over the prize, whether it violated Ichiban Kuji rules, or what ultimately happened to the prize.
However, disputes related to lotteries and Ichiban Kuji are not uncommon in Japan. With the soaring popularity of Ichiban Kuji, it is crucial for both the official organizers to implement preventative measures and for individual stores to adhere strictly to the rules to maintain the system's positive reputation.