Breaking: "Chiikawa" Wins Grand Prix at Japan Character Award 2026, Inducted into Hall of Fame After Third Consecutive Win

"Chiikawa" has won the Grand Prix at the Japan Character Award 2026.

It was announced that "Chiikawa" has won the Japan Character Award Grand Prix for the third consecutive year and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

A special corner for the Japan Character Award is set up at the "Licensing Japan" venue, held at Tokyo Big Sight until June 19 (Fri).

◆ Japan Character Award 2026 Winners

- Japan Character Award Grand Prix Chiikawa / Spiral Cute Co., Ltd. [Hall of Fame Induction]

- Japan Character Award - Character License Award Chiikawa / Spiral Cute Co., Ltd.

- Japan Character Award - Character License Award Tamagotchi / Bandai Co., Ltd.

- Japan Character Award - Character License Award Monchhichi / Sekiguchi Co., Ltd.

- Japan Character Award - New Face Award mojojojo / Little Window Co., Ltd. / Gakken Sta:Ful Co., Ltd.

- Product Licensee Award Bonbon Drop Seal / Couria Co., Ltd.

- Promotion Licensee Award Ultra Kaiju Go to a Steel Tower / Kansai Transmission and Distribution, Inc.

- Retail Award KIDDY LAND Shinjuku Store / KIDDY LAND Co., Ltd.

- Special Award from the Selection Committee Osaka-Kansai Expo Official Character "Myaku-Myaku" / Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition

- Special Award from the Selection Committee Narumiya Characters / NARUMIYA INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.

◆ About the Japan Character Award Established in 2009 (formerly Character & Brand of the Year) to widely communicate the value of the license business industry to society and contribute to its healthy development. Past Grand Prix winners include "Pokémon," "ONE PIECE," "Kumamon," "Funassyi," "Yo-kai Watch," "Osomatsu-san," "Sumikko Gurashi," "Demon Slayer," and "Chiikawa."

[About the Awards] - Grand Prix: Award for the most outstanding and successful character property. - Character License Award: Awards for excellent and successful character properties (3 selected). - New Face Award: For character properties with licensed products released in the past two years. - Divisional Awards: Product Licensee Award, Promotion Licensee Award, Retail Award, Special Award from the Selection Committee. *Target Period: 2025 (January - December 2025)

Organizer: Character Brand Licensing Association Supported by: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Co-organizer: RX Japan Ltd.

◆ Japan Character Award Exhibition & Ceremony Overview [Exhibition] Date: June 17 (Wed) - 19 (Fri), 2026, 10:00-17:00 Venue: Special venue within Licensing Japan, Tokyo Big Sight West Exhibition Hall [Awards Ceremony] Date: June 17 (Wed), 2026, 13:00~ (Concluded)

◆ This award was exhibited and presented within the following trade show: The 19th Licensing Japan Dates: June 17 (Wed) - 19 (Fri), 2026, 10:00-17:00 Venue: Tokyo Big Sight West Hall