Let's Catch the Lion!
- Designer Madoka Kitao
- Publisher AURUM, Inc. , Benesse , Egmont Polska , EiSystem , Gentosha Education
- Illustration Maiko Fujita , Silvia Romeral Andrés , Maciej Szymanowicz
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
In Let's Catch the Lion!, players compete on a 3x4 grid with just four animal pieces each. The goal is to capture the opponent's lion or move your own lion to the other side. Each piece moves only one square, making for quick and accessible gameplay. The game encourages strategic thinking and serves as a gentle introduction to Shogi, suitable for kids and adults alike.
Who Is This Game For?
This game is aimed at families and children aged 4 and up, but also works well for Shogi beginners. With a short playtime of about 15 minutes, it is a light strategy game that requires little prior experience and is great for quick sessions.
How It Works
Let's Catch the Lion! uses grid movement on a small square grid of 3x4 spaces. Each player has four animal pieces with unique one-square movement patterns. The objective is to capture the opponent’s lion or reach their back row with your lion. Captured pieces can be dropped back onto the board, adding tactical depth.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Madoka Kitao, the game won the Japan Boardgame Prize U-more Award in 2009 and the Dětská hra roku in 2021. It is a simplified Shogi variant tailored for children, making the classic Japanese chess accessible with a compact board and friendly rules.
Awards
2009
- 2021 Dětská hra roku — Winner
Pro
- Child-friendly abstract strategy with simple rules
- Short playtime of about 15 minutes
- Encourages strategic thinking and Shogi introduction
- Winner of Japan Boardgame Prize U-more Award 2009
Contra
- Only playable with two players
- Very short playtime, more of a filler game
- Limited complexity, mainly for beginners and children
Setting & Atmosphäre
The theme is based on Japanese Shogi, representing pieces as animals on a small board. It offers a child-friendly adaptation of traditional Japanese chess.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus on learning each piece’s movement and experiment with different moves to get comfortable with the gameplay.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
No, Let's Catch the Lion! is strictly a two-player game.
How long does a game really take?
A game lasts about 15 minutes, allowing for quick rounds.
What prior experience do I need?
No prior experience is needed; it’s ideal for children and beginners.
How does this compare to similar games?
It is a highly simplified Shogi variant played on a small 3x4 grid with child-friendly rules.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes, it is designed specifically for children aged 4 and up and families.
What mechanic makes it special?
The grid movement on a small square grid keeps gameplay clear and fast.
Fazit
Let's Catch the Lion! is highly recommended for families and Shogi newcomers looking for a quick, easy strategy game. It is less suitable for players seeking deep complexity.
