Pocket monsters Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur also join in the fun for this hugely popular collection.
While fukubukuro lucky grab bags usually appear in Japan as part of the first sales of the new year, some chains are chomping at the bit to release their coupons and merch onto the market, and one of those chains is doughnut purveyors Mister Donut.
On sale from 26 December, this bag is proving to be so popular that some places have totally sold out already, and the reason for its popularity is due to the fact that this year’s bag comes packed with the goodness of Pokémon.
Available in three different varieties, retailing at 1,080 yen (US$9.74), 2,160 yen or 3,240 yen, when we stopped by to make a purchase, we saw that they were all sold out.
▼ Each variety had a red-and-yellow “out of stock” sign attached to them.
After speaking to staff, they told us they would probably receive more stock the next day, so we got in early the next morning and were lucky to grab one of their 2,160 yen bags. And when we opened it up, this was the beautiful sight that lay before us.
The lucky bag contained:
・1 x card for 20 free doughnuts
・1 x mini tote bag (randomly chosen out of two possible designs)
・1 x small container (randomly chosen out of two possible designs)
・1 x calendar
・1 x blanket (randomly chosen out of two possible designs)
According to Mister Donut, two designs were produced for the blanket, tote bag and container, showcasing either: Eevee and Pikachu with starter Pokémon Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur on a white background or Eevee and Pikachu on their own, on a yellow background.
We were thrilled to find that the blanket we scored was the Eevee-and-Pikachu kind, which featured the two cute characters in a large print so we could snuggle up with them while gazing into their eyes.
The tote bag was the other type, showcasing all five characters of Pikachu, Eevee, Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur.
The same adorable Pokémon appeared on the small container, frolicking in a field of doughnuts and doughnut houses.
The 2019 calendar, which is an homage to Nintendo’s new Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! games, is filled with so many adorable images that it’s sure to bring a smile to our face every day of the year.
And rounding off the five-piece lucky bag set is the free doughnut card, which can be used for doughnuts under 172 yen at stores around Japan. The cheaper lucky bag offers 10 free doughnuts, while the one we purchased comes with a card for 20 free doughnuts, and the more expensive variety comes with a card for 30 free doughnuts.
Given that each free doughnut can cost up to 172 yen, that’s great deal for money. With our card, we’ll be able to receive 3,440 yen worth of doughnuts, which is more than what we paid for the bag in the first place, making all the cute Pokémon merchandise an extra free bonus!
This has got to be one of the best lucky bag deals of the year, so if you’re lucky enough to spot one, don’t let it pass you by. And while some stores may display the “out-of-stock” signs on them, be sure to ask at the counter as there’s a chance they may receive more stock the next day.
Just like hunting for Pokémon in the games themselves, it’s fun hunting for the new bags, but now the only problem is we want to catch ’em all before New Year!
Photos © SoraNews24