Gintama's 20th Anniversary Ichiban Kuji 'Part 2' Sparks Online Frenzy: Fans Prepare for Fierce Figure Hunt

The highly anticipated Ichiban Kuji "Gintama Exhibition ~Hatachi no Tsudoi~ Part 2," celebrating the 20th anniversary of the popular anime "Gintama," has been announced, sparking immense excitement with related keywords dominating trends on the SNS platform X (formerly Twitter).

BANDAI SPIRITS Co., Ltd. has unveiled details for this Ichiban Kuji, slated for sequential release starting August 21, 2026 (Friday). The lineup features "MASTERLISE EXPIECE ~Gintama Exhibition Character Visual~" figures of beloved characters such as Sakata Gintoki, Katsura Kotaro, Okita Sougo, Kagura, and Kamui, garnering significant anticipation from fans.

Particular attention is drawn to the memory of the previously released "Part 1." The A-prize Sakata Gintoki figure from "Part 1" was so popular that it disappeared from multiple stores by midday on the first day, with reports of some figures trading at high prices of up to 30,000 yen. Given this legendary sell-out, "Part 2" is also expected to trigger an intense scramble, with mixed voices of excitement and concern, such as "Ichiban Kuji is too lit!" and "Kamui-san's figure will probably be incredibly competitive."

Fans have expressed abundant joy, with comments like "So happy about the Gintama Exhibition visuals!" and "I've been waiting forever!" Strong demands for specific characters are also visible, with one fan exclaiming, "I'd faint if Tsukuyo's newly drawn Gintama Exhibition visual became merchandise!" The recent success of the Gintama movies is also fueling purchasing enthusiasm, as indicated by comments like, "The movie's popularity has boosted interest, so I'm already trembling."

Frequent mentions of the past "Dai Gintama-ten" (Grand Gintama Exhibition) and related merchandise like replica manuscripts, acrylic stands, and T-shirts underscore the deep affection fans hold for the series as a whole. Conversely, fans who experienced difficulty acquiring items last time have voiced earnest requests regarding the sales system: "I hope they expand the number of stores handling it," and "It's the middle of summer, so please consider our lives!"

This Ichiban Kuji, commemorating Gintama's 20th anniversary, is sure to be a special item for fans. On August 21, 2026, the release date, an intense drama surrounding the "Gintama" Ichiban Kuji will undoubtedly unfold across Japan once again.

The context

For readers unfamiliar with the references in this article, here's some background:

  • Gintama: A hugely popular Japanese manga and anime series created by Hideaki Sorachi. Known for its unique blend of sci-fi samurai action, slapstick comedy, parodies of other anime, and occasional serious dramatic arcs. It follows Gintoki Sakata, a samurai living in an alternate Edo period where aliens (Amanto) have invaded and outlawed swords.
  • Ichiban Kuji: A lottery-style merchandise system popular in Japan, primarily run by BANDAI SPIRITS. Customers purchase tickets at convenience stores or hobby shops, and every ticket wins a prize from a predetermined lineup (e.g., figures, clear files, towels, keychains). Higher-tier prizes (like the "A Prize" figures mentioned) are often highly sought after and limited, leading to intense competition among fans.
  • Gintama Exhibition (~Hatachi no Tsudoi~): Special events or promotional campaigns celebrating the Gintama series. "Hatachi no Tsudoi" literally means "Gathering for the 20th Birthday" or "Coming-of-Age Gathering," indicating this event specifically celebrates Gintama's 20th anniversary. These exhibitions often feature exclusive artwork, character visuals, and limited-edition merchandise.
  • MASTERLISE EXPIECE: A brand of high-quality figures produced by Bandai Spirits, often featured as top prizes in Ichiban Kuji lotteries. They are known for their detailed sculpting and painting.
  • Characters: Sakata Gintoki, Katsura Kotaro, Okita Sougo, Kagura, Kamui, and Tsukuyo are all prominent and beloved characters from the Gintama series.
  • X (formerly Twitter): A global social media platform where users post and interact with short messages and multimedia. It's a common place for fans to discuss popular culture trends and announcements.

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