Stories
Stories & deep dives
Hot campaigns, record-breakers and the patterns behind them — reported with sources, so your research actually pays off.
Gadget & techMakuake at 12 — ¥110B funded, 10M backings, 60 projects over ¥100MConclusion: 10M backings, ¥110B+ cumulative, 60 projects over ¥100M — the home of product crowdfunding (2025).Gadget & techJapan's crowdfunding in early 2026 — money pours into AI devicesConclusion: in Jan–May 2026 the top five all cleared ¥100M (AI/premium gadgets). Makuake leads by amount, CAMPFIRE by count.Social goodCAMPFIRE's data breach (up to 225k) — what backers should do nowConclusion: up to 225,846 records possibly exposed — no card data, no confirmed exfiltration. Here's the backer takeaway (2026).Gadget & techTenniix AI tennis machine — ¥187M, a Makuake sports landmark (2026, funded)Conclusion: a solo-practice AI tennis robot at ~¥187.1M — 5th by amount in Jan–May 2026 (funded).Gadget & techSummer 2026's hit — the “SPEEDER” cooling fan seat, 3,821% funded and liveConclusion: a car cooling fan seat at 38× goal — ¥10M+ from 1,600+ backers on Makuake, closing now (Jun 2026).Gadget & techBacking an AI gadget — how to read AI glasses and AI-companion campaignsConclusion: AI gadgets lead with experiential allure — always verify certification, server continuity, fees and how finished the unit is.Social goodREADYFOR, the cause lane — Japan's first platform, ¥50B funded, home of donation crowdfundingConclusion: Japan's first platform (2011), strong on social and donation, ¥50B cumulative — home of the ¥916M museum drive.Social goodA billion yen — the new record, and the '0% fee' alternativeConclusion: reward crowdfunding passed ¥1B (UGREEN); meanwhile 0%-fee For Good answers differently — funds reach the runner in full.Art & filmBacking film & creative campaigns — reading MOTION GALLERY before you pledgeConclusion: film and art back the *experience* of a work being finished and shown — you support a creation, not a product.Food & drinkBacking food & local-rescue campaigns — old shops, producers, disaster areasConclusion: empathise with the story, but check delivery, storage and deductions — rules differ by reward vs donation vs GCF.MusicBacking music & events — how to read album, festival and live campaignsConclusion: you're backing an *experience*, not a product — read the funding model and whether the event will actually happen.Gadget & techkibidango, the 80%-success lane — the curated home of ViXion01 and DWARF3Conclusion: a curated, low-fee platform citing ~80% success — strong on imports, with ¥400M+ hits.Design & productBacking a design product — how to read wallet, gadget and design campaignsConclusion: judge design products on real units, manufacturability and story — execution beats % funded.Social goodDelays, refunds and 'it never came' — what really happens after you backConclusion: backing isn't buying. All-or-Nothing refunds if it misses; All-in proceeds anyway; delays are common.Gadget & techOverseas vs Japan — judging 'reverse-imported' Kickstarter hitsConclusion: an overseas hit isn't automatically safe in Japan — check certification, warranty, support.Local & regionalBacking with hometown tax — how GCF worksConclusion: get the tax deduction and choose exactly which municipal project to fund.Social goodEquity crowdfunding 101 — FUNDINNO and the real risksConclusion: this is investing, not buying — capital can be lost. Know the rules.Gadget & techGREEN FUNDING, the quality lane — 85% success, ¥5.14M averageConclusion: a curated, TSUTAYA-backed platform — fewer, larger, high-success projects.Social goodAll-or-Nothing vs All-in: which should you pick?Conclusion: physical products are safer on All-or-Nothing.Gadget & techHow to spot a hot campaign — first-day speed, prototypes, momentumConclusion: opening speed, a working prototype, and update cadence are the real signals.