Sorry I just saw this and havent read all the comments. 
If anyone is somehow upset, it is my fault for not specifically instructing Rachel to mention that its a secret in the emails.
Update: uh now i read how this thread started and someone noticed the password on the Durtle page!? 
I apologize for causing trouble Kanae san 
I already explained the situation, so I hope people can understand.
No worries! I got an order in with #15654. Could you look into getting that cancelled so it can go to the person it was meant for?
I also sent a couple of emails roughly an hour ago. So, you can check them too. Thanks.
Don’t take all the blame. I think the bigger issue was the page itself was linked to from the main store page. OP noticed and mentioned, and everyone’s imaginations went wild. An ‘it’s a secret’ disclaimer in the emails wouldn’t have stopped that.
Next time, we just need a secret page. Even without proper security, that plus the disclaimer, would have avoided this mess. (Assuming the recipients honored the disclaimer, which we’re all decent people here, so I bet they would)
Another thing is the page was called “durtle black market”. If the same page had a generic name people associate with e-commerce it would not suggest a possibility of an ARG (e.g. “redeem-voucher” etc).
(disclaimer: I am not upset and not blaming anyone. But as a developer I feel compelled to comment on this)
Again I am sorry for all the confusions! The Durtle page was always there, I didnt think anyone really would’ve noticed that it got a password and started trying to crack it (though I shoulda guessed it can get y’all excited). An invisible page would’ve been awesome, but we don’t have that feature in our e-commerce platform. I learned a lesson today so it will be just good ol’ email exchanges next time if a similar event happens in the future. (It was just for the convenience for our operations so that we don’t have to manually input all the info to make shipping labels. We are busy with the sale now😓)
Well, the password wasnt elaborated or anything, but I hope everyone had fun with it, at least🙂
Happy holidays, y’all! 
In fact, this same page was involved in the Durtle Heaven ARG - you could purchase indulgences which would send someone the entry code for the Durtle Heaven website. If you hadn’t already gotten it for free for logging in on Christmas Day.
I think we all learned something today and it’s that you’re only as strong as the drinks you mix.
that was the takeaway, right?
@KyokaJiro big apologies for noticing the password thing and making it into a clue… i thought it was funny and maybe on purpose so i highlighted it.
when you logged in and did not say anything after the POLL asking if you were involved, i did not even think it possible it was a non staff organising this.
Looks like it will all be resolved and you’ve been a total fluffiness about it all so thanks for that.
Apologies to those who spent time looking for the password. Some of you feel like you wasted it.
that reflects my thoughts. I do hope everyone had fun with the search at least. I really thought it was a secret clue!
@TofuguKanae apologies for creating work.
@zEUs_Japanese well spotted… and to think we were looking for a common link between the email people and you saw it right away despite not spending that much time on the POLL thread. I guess it struck you because you were summoned to vote.
In case anyone else was occasionally refreshing here to see an update :
Well then, I can finally sleep soundly knowing it’s been resolved. Good night!
It IS… what you did is amazing!
I guess it’s almost impossible to predict stuff like that. Someone notices the durtle page has a password and makes a post about it. People start trying passwords. First email gets noticed. I notice the password clue. I mention it and it becomes a easier to try passwords. Humans like to play!
I should have made that clear earlier Matskye san. Thanks for taking the initiative and let everyone know that the issue is resolved 
I don’t normally jump into things like this especially with this mentality.
But I would like to say that the actions of a lot of people in this thread are absolutely childish.
Saying things like
as well as claiming they’ve wasted your time is childish.
This is real life. You don’t get everything you want.
It is not Kyokajiro’s fault that this thread was made or that people found out the password.
She did not go out of her way to tell everyone “I gave these people stuff and not you” so please do not attack her. She was trying to be sweet and you guys have completely ruined the situation.
Honestly.
Grow up.
I’m sorry that this comes across as rude. I’m not going to say “if” because I know it does. But Kyoka did something extremely sweet and it legit angers me to see people lashing out in a way that might cause her to panic or get upset for what I can see as no real reason.
With that being said.
What Kyoka did was a lovely surprise for those involved, I think it was a very sweet gesture, so thank you 
And I have no ill will towards anyone I outright or indirectly mentions.
Have a good day/night y’all ~
I’d also like to talk to @KyokaJiro if she’s alright with that. Either in the POLL thread in summaries or through emails I don’t mind what way. Just let me know <3
mfw no email
Edit: upon reading the last few posts and seeing there’s some drama going on, I would like to specify the above is a joke. I think it’s great if someone gave gifts to their pals on the forum. Really wondeful and heart-warming to see someone go out of their way to make someone’s day on the internet 
It’s s***** if people are ruining it
Wow half of this happened when I was asleep and I am super confused now. If something is protected by a password and I don’t have the password the only logical conclusion would be that it is not supposed to be for you. People don’t usually try to get past a password. That is bordering on illegal (or illegal in some countries).
So how is Tofugu to blame for this?
reads more of the thread a chooses a different reply
I’m really sorry that what was a lovely thing by @KyokaJiro turned into something that caused any consternation amongst the community. Speaking personally, it sparked an amazing amount of joy for me (just ask my wife, who I gleefully explained that I’d gotten a secret thing to) and if we’d just kept our mouths shut about having received emails, none of this would have happened.
Of course, while normal people can expect to stay quiet about things, the WaniKani community love puzzles and I can see why people wanted to work out what the mystery was.
You should just read the thread.
The first post suggests it may be a new ARG. Tofugu has organised this kind of games several times in the past. Guessing a password is a common thing in ARGs.
Of course if no one would reply about the email they received the thread would’ve died out. But you can’t blame those who did post about their emails and tried to figure out the details. The email was pretty vague if I understand correctly. After they saw this thread they might’ve through it was indeed part of an ARG and that the most active users received a clue so that they coupd share it with the others.
The real treasure is the friends we made along the way.
Not particularly. Deducing a password, yes. If you’re guessing, something’s gone wrong.
That aint dirt 
