Fukubukuro, lit. “lucky bag”, are a wonderful way for stores to shift merchandise at the start of the year, not unlike western stores’ New Year’s sales but with far more mystery and intrigue involved. Shoppers take a gamble when they purchase these gift bags as they are completely sealed and their contents unlisted, and they don’t always contain products that we desperately need, but fukubukuro usually contain items whose cash value far exceeds the bag’s asking price.
So when our reporter Kuzo heard that the fast food chain and home of 30-patty cheeseburgers Lotteria was offering up special collaborative Evangelion bags for just 2,000 yen each, he powered down his Wii U, stepped out into the sunlight and sprinted – well, sort of jogged while wheezing quietly – to his nearest store to grab one for himself.
Was it worth the US$22 purchase, or was Kuzo lumbered with a cooking-oil-scented bag of tat? Find out after the jump.
Arriving back at his man cave, Kuzo placed his special edition bag on the floor, spread its contents out and took a handful shots for our delectation here today. Let it be known, Rocketeers, that Japan’s lucky bags are nothing to be shy of; there’s some quality merchandise to be had here!
▼Well, well, well; what do we have here…?
The contents of Kuzo’s Lotteria x Evangelion Fukubukuro:
– 1 x Evangelion free-paper
– 1 x Evangelion plastic file
– 1 x Evangelion yunomi Japanese tea-cup
– 1 x Evangelion postcard
– 1 x limited edition coupon book for Lotteria
As our reporter reminds us, by their very nature, the contents of fukubukuro are known to vary greatly from bag to bag, but we have to agree that pretty much any Evangelion fan would be more than satisfied with this little assortment!
“The design on the yunomi in particular is really nice; whether you’re a fan or not it’s definitely worth having,” Kuzo told us before sheepishly admitting that, of all his new trinkets, he was probably most pleased with the Lotteria coupon book, which we’re sure he’ll put to very good use over the coming weeks.
“I really don’t need the free-paper, though,” he scorned, “I mean, it was free to begin with, wasn’t it!?”
Let’s take a closer look at the Evangelion gear Kuzo picked up:
▼That plastic file is actually pretty flash
▼We’re sure Kuzo would look stunning in these Evangelion-inspired outfits…
▼ More likely to be kept in a frame than stamped and mailed to a pal…
▼ And this yunomi tea-cup is definitely one to keep in mint condition
▼These coupons ought to keep our man going for a while!
Did you pick up any interesting toys in your fukubukuro this year? Let us know in the comments section below!
[ Read in Japanese ]
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Lotteria’s lucky bag opened: even if you’re not a Naruto fan you’ll come out ahead!
【Lucky Bag Roundup 2017】Lotteria adds cute Japanese character goods to New Year’s fukubukuro
What’s inside the McDonald’s Japan fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
【Lucky Bag Roundup 2017】Celebrate the Year of the Rooster with a KFC Japan fukubukuro
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Man in Japan calls in bomb threat because he doesn’t want to go to his own work farewell party
Japanese vending machine find introduces us to a new drink you can’t get anywhere else
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Memorial bell inside Hiroshima’s Peace Park has been silenced, but for a sweet reason
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Pokémon Company to require Japanese government ID cards for some online Pokémon card purchases
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Starbucks Japan’s Lucky Bag #3: A fukubukuro surprise we weren’t expecting
We snagged an excellent haul in the 2021 Evangelion fukubukuro lucky bag
Pokémon x Mister Donut fukubukuro lucky bag is a very sweet way to ring in the new year
Contents of Starbucks Coffee’s 2015 lucky bag REVEALED!
We bought the Mister Donut Pokémon lucky bag, and here’s what we got! 【Photos】
【Lucky Bag Roundup 2017】We take a peek at the Mister Donut fukubukuro from Japan
Wholesome reporter seeks nostalgic fukubukuro experience, gets huge haul of anime goods instead
7-Eleven Japan releases fukubukuro lucky bags filled with convenience store surprises
McDonald’s Japan has a fukubukuro lucky bag that everyone wants to get their hands on
【2016 Lucky Bag Roundup】 Lucky Bag favorite Starbucks is back in 2016, we see what’s inside
The Starbucks fukubukuro: One of the rarest lucky bags in Japan
Matsuya beef bowl fukubukuro lucky bag should be purchased with caution
Ikea fukubukuro lucky bag gives us 10,000 yen worth of goods for 3,000 yen
Starbucks Japan fukubukuro lucky bag brings us merch and coffee to kick off 2019
Animate Akihabara releases a lucky bag for the first time in years, and it’s amazing