What a family actually costs
The September 21 update raised family prices so crews last instead of filling the list with empty names. Founding costs ¥250,000. Renaming costs ¥100,000. Each extra member slot costs ¥10,000. Families start with 10 seats and can grow to 50. Going from 10 to 50 members is ¥400,000 in slot fees alone.
What you get for the money
A family is a shared name, a unisex outfit and people who can join your fights. Money and gear can move between members. You can only belong to one family. Ask to join: a family has a request list, and someone with invite rights has to accept you.
Ranks are appointed, not earned by grinding
There are six family ranks. Rank is given by someone above you, not by Respect or Fear points. Shatei and Kyodai have no seat limit. Shateigashira is capped at two people and can invite or accept requests. Wakagashira and Saiko-komon are one seat each and can also kick, promote, demote and spend family money. Kumicho is the founder seat: rename, change the outfit and disband sit there.
Should you found one now?
Our advice: join first unless you already have the Yen and a group that will actually play. A plushie attempt is ¥1,000; founding is 250 times that. Empty families are exactly what the price change was meant to reduce.