Another unique service has emerged from the multi-function printers at Japanese convenience stores. On December 1, 2024, a new feature called “Koe-kuji” will be added to “Koetag PRINT,” a service provided by ITATI Inc. This feature incorporates a “gacha” (random prize draw) mechanic.
Using this service, fans can easily obtain “voice-equipped bromides (photocards)” of the creators they support at convenience stores all over Japan, such as FamilyMart in Japan and Lawson in Japan. Best of all, which voice you get is up to chance, kicking off a new experience that will tempt your collector’s spirit.
“Koetag PRINT”: Freeing Creators from Inventory Risk
To understand “Koe-kuji,” let’s first explain the underlying service, “Koetag PRINT.”
This is a groundbreaking service that allows creators to easily sell original merchandise simply by registering their “voice” and “image” on a website. Fans use an issued number to print the product (a bromide) on a multi-copy machine at a convenience store. A QR code is printed on the bromide, and scanning it with a smartphone plays the registered audio.
The greatest feature of this system is that for creators, there are no initial costs, no risk of holding inventory, and no troublesome shipping tasks. Products are printed only when a fan decides to purchase one, making it a huge advantage for those working as individual creators.
The New “Koe-kuji” Feature Is Literally a “Voice Gacha”
The newly added “Koe-kuji” brings a playful element of randomness to this system.
Creators register sets of 3 to a maximum of 10 voice clips and illustrations. When a fan makes a purchase, they will randomly receive one voice-equipped bromide from the set. They won’t know which one they’ve received until it’s printed.
Furthermore, an interesting aspect is that rarities such as N (Normal), R (Rare), SR (Super Rare), and SSR (Double Super Rare) are automatically assigned based on the number of registered content items. This is the exact “gacha” system familiar to Japanese gaming culture. Fans can choose not only a “single pull” but also bulk purchases like “5-pulls” or “10-pulls,” creating the fun of aiming for a complete collection.
The Rise of Japan’s “Oshi-katsu” Culture and Individual Creators Behind the Development
Why has such a service emerged now? Behind it lies a major shift in Japan’s creator economy in recent years.
Currently in Japan, there has been an explosive increase in individual creators who use their “voice” as their main appeal, such as VTubers (Virtual YouTubers), live streamers, and indie voice actors. For them, selling original merchandise is crucial for deepening connections with fans and securing a revenue stream to continue their activities.
However, producing and selling merchandise individually involves numerous financial and time-related costs, including design fees, manufacturing expenses, inventory management, and packing/shipping tasks. This service was developed to solve these challenges, with the hope of enabling creators to more easily express their gratitude to fans and allowing fans to more casually support their “oshi” (favorite).
“Koe-kuji” offers fans the new enjoyment of collecting the voices of their favorites, while providing creators with a new option for receiving continuous support.
“Koetag PRINT” Service Overview
This unique service is available at the following convenience stores. If you visit Japan, be sure to check it out.
The service is named “Koetag PRINT.” It launched on May 27, 2025, and users can choose to print on either L-size photo paper or sticker paper. It is available at FamilyMart, Lawson, Ministop, and Poplar stores. Registration and monthly fees for creators are free. More details can be found on the official website.
Delivering the Warmth That “Voice” Holds
At the core of the “Koetag” brand is the idea that “a voice is a person’s greatest, most unique treasure.”
Precisely because we live in a digital age, the service aims to spread the experience of receiving someone’s voice on a physical card, bringing a little warmth to everyday life. This new platform connecting creators and fans is proposing a new form of communication from the convenience stores of Japan to the world.
The service is operated by ITATI Inc., headquartered in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture.
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